oliver2-44 8,765 #1 Posted March 15, 2018 it's hard to believe I've worked for the same company for 40 years. I've done numerous jobs over the years. Started as a Coal Plant Construction Inspector in 1978. Worked around the steam plants, got into performance testing, project management and then got wet (more than once) working various design, technical support and supervisory roles at the six hydro dams. I've been a "Dam Guy" for about 30 years. For years I've said I needed one of those Maytag repair man posters of the old guy looking for something to do, for my office. Unlike the Maytag guy the phone and now the emails never slow down around here, The dams sit in the flash flood prone Texas Hill Country section of our Texas Colorado river. it crazy that a flood has become the rare time that everyone focuses on one priority vs. the normal daily routine of too many phone calls and emails. Today I push a keyboard, and work on budgets as much as I actually get to do technical work these days. Today I got in the truck and visited the guys at several of the dams, had a nice lunch with some of them and stopped at one more dam before heading home. Almost as good a day as seat time on a tractor! That retirement light at the end of the tunnel is getting bright, I not sure if I'll make 41 years here! I won't make the big show this year, but I'm thinking there will be one less big thing holding me back next year. 9 13 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Marv 844 #2 Posted March 15, 2018 Congratulations Jim. If you do retire you will be lost, Ha, Ha! Marv 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sparky-(Admin) 19,280 #3 Posted March 15, 2018 Congrats! Says a lot about both the company and the employee when they can make it work for 40 or more years! 4 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ebinmaine 62,332 #4 Posted March 15, 2018 Well done sir! 1 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Ed Kennell 35,141 #5 Posted March 15, 2018 Longevity, like our tractors just seems to be a trait of Hydro Power employees and hardware. Congrats Jim. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
elcamino/wheelhorse 8,943 #6 Posted March 16, 2018 Congrats on the 40 years at one company , that is almost unheard of now days. Only a few more years until retirement. 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WVHillbilly520H 10,369 #7 Posted March 16, 2018 Job well done ,if you hang in there a bit longer you can be like my mentor where I work he start there 4 months before I was born (1971), he says 1 more year ... 2 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Racinbob 10,199 #8 Posted March 16, 2018 Congratulation Jim. Definitely a rarity these days and something to be proud of. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
953 nut 50,997 #9 Posted March 16, 2018 I have been retired for a dozen years, best vocation on earth!!!! 1 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
oliver2-44 8,765 #10 Posted March 16, 2018 Thanks. Its been a great career. Plus getting to operate and repair big heavy equipment that's older than me yet will probable be here for another 100 years! 2 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
stevasaurus 22,197 #11 Posted March 17, 2018 Jim, I sit there and look at dams at least once a week...only thing is....I have a bobber and some kind of bait on the end of the line. It is some of the best time spent before and after retirement. Good fishing Mate. 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
WHX?? 46,399 #12 Posted March 17, 2018 Hats off Oliie.....well done & enjoy! 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
19richie66 16,824 #13 Posted March 17, 2018 Here’s to you! Congratulations on 40 years. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sarge 3,462 #14 Posted March 17, 2018 Very big congrats - time spent that long at any job is amazing these days, not much "job security" left out there. Might be tough to retire and find something else to do...lol. Sarge 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites