Wake up, go to school, practice football. It was a typical autumn day in 2021 for Ryan Taylor as a junior at Western Boone High School. But a big surprise awaited Ryan at home.

A 35-foot surprise, to be exact — an electric utility pole stretching into the sky over Ryan’s backyard.

“I was shocked but appreciative because I knew it would be a great way for me to practice,” said Ryan, who by then knew he wanted to follow in the footsteps of his father, Bobby Taylor Jr., and become a lineman.

Bobby Jr., then a lineman with the city of Frankfort, had recently removed the pole from active service near their family’s home.

“When Ryan said he wanted to learn how to climb, I thought, ‘Well, there’s only one way to find out,’” said Bobby Jr., who has been a lineman since becoming an apprentice with the city of Lebanon in 1999. “The pole we took out was still in good shape. So, I asked my boss if he cared whether I set it at our house, and he said, ‘No man, that’s pretty cool!’ ”

Ryan soon began the first ascent of his lineman journey … 10 feet up to start, of course.

Today, Bobby, Jr., 48, and Ryan, 21, each serve as linemen for neighboring Indiana electric cooperatives. Bobby Jr. is a working foreman with Tipmont, and Ryan is an apprentice lineman with Boone Power. Between them, the Taylors help maintain electric service for more than 50,000 north central Indiana meters.

“The job has a lot of responsibility, but it’s also incredibly fulfilling,” Ryan said. “It’s rewarding to know you’re helping people. I’m a big believer in leading by example, and this example was set for me my whole life.”

In 2024, Bobby Jr. brought nearly three decades of linework under his tool belt to Tipmont.

“Bobby Jr.’s knowledge of safety, linework, and strong collaboration is a tremendous asset for us,” said Joe Banfield, operations manager for Tipmont. “He brings a lot of experience and leadership for the younger guys in our shop.”

Even for a seasoned professional like Bobby Jr., it was natural to be nervous about Ryan choosing a career that demands diligence, communication, patience, and teamwork while working at great heights and in severe weather conditions.

“I know the hazards of the job and what it can be in different situations, so there’s always that concern,” Bobby Jr. said. “But he’s got a great group of guys to look out for him.”

One of them is Boone Power journeyman lineman Dave Culley, who also taught Bobby Jr. how to climb when they both worked for Lebanon Utilities. The Culleys are also a multigenerational-lineman family, as Dave’s son, Evan, now works for the city of Lebanon. Dave is proud to see him build a tradition.

“I love being a lineman and seeing my son grow in his own career,” Dave said. “It’s an honor and privilege to help train the next generation and help them gain knowledge and skills to safely maintain reliable electric service in our communities. Ryan has been a great asset to Boone Power. He takes initiative and has an eagerness to learn.”

Ryan’s zest to learn about linework began as he peppered Bobby Jr. with questions about his job in junior high. That curiosity sometimes meant tagging along. If Bobby Jr. received an emergency call after picking up Ryan from sports practice, Ryan would safely observe from the truck — watching everything from the proper handling of downed wire to replacing faulty transformer.

“That showed me how many people, and how many problem-solving and troubleshooting skills, are involved,” Ryan said. “Watching my dad demonstrated the value of doing things right and doing them safely, bein respectful, and being quick to listen and slow to speak.”

About a year after starting on the practice pole, Ryan began a senior-year internship at Boone Power — first gathering materials and work orders, then joining crews at job sites.

The need for professionals to build new (and maintain existing) electric distribution infrastructure goes hand in hand with north central Indiana’s consistent growth. This was a perfect blend of timing and opportunity for Ryan, who received a full-time job offer from Boone Power in spring 2023 and started two days after graduating high school.

About three years later, Ryan’s lessons from the truck have shifted to strategic discussions and practical advice. In the Taylor family, these talks also include 23-year-old Robby, an apprentice lineman at Crawfordsville Electric Light and Power and Bobby Jr.’s eldest son.

“We talk about our work and ask how things went if we were changing a pole or working in bad weather,” Bobby Jr. said. “We ask each other if we’d have done anything differently. It’s a good way to keep sharing knowledge and helpful information.”

And while it’s too soon to talk careers for Bobby Jr.’s youngest son, 8-year-old Cole, he’s now asking his dad questions about work, too, and has dressed up as a lineman for Halloween.

Ryan and Bobby Jr. also worked together for the first time as professionals at the 2025 Indiana Electric Cooperative Lineman Rodeo. This showcase of on-the-job skills and safe operations simulates such real-world scenarios as rescuing an injured lineman from atop a pole, line restoration, and hardware installation/removal.

“That was something we never really thought we’d get the chance to do,” Ryan said. “I was very appreciative and it’s a memory I definitely cherish.”

Bobby Jr. said linework has proven a great fit for Ryan’s personality — eager to work with his hands and laidback in nature … but always ready to rise to the occasion.

“Linework is a great trade,” Bobby Jr. said. “I’m proud that two of my sons have chosen this work because I take pride in it and I really love it.”

“With linework, you can put your name on something every day, give it your best in a way that makes people proud, and go above and beyond any chance you get,” Ryan said.

And as for that practice pole?

“It’s still back there,” Ryan said with a laugh. “We still climb it from time to time. It’s always good to keep practicing.”