‘Service above and beyond’

LISA HOBBS - News Editor

Tennessee Valley Public Power Association has selected a local lineman to achieve the top position in its inaugural photo competition.

Regan Kelsey, a lineman for the Caney Fork Electric Cooperative, won the distinguished Award of Excellence (first place overall) in the Valley Landscape category.

“I am certainly excited about it,” he stated. “I was definitely surprised at winning the overall award. We get to see a lot of beautiful places, and I was just lucky to get that one particular shot. What I see with my eye doesn’t always get framed well in a photo, but this one certainly did.”

He captioned the shot “Service above and beyond.” It was taken near Crain Hill in Van Buren County in April of 2021.

“It’s looking toward Rocky River,” stated Kelsey.

Kelsey says he’ll likely get to attend the TVPPA conference later this year to be officially recognized. However, he has no idea exactly what the ceremony will entail.

On the TVPPA’s Facebook page, a post regarding Kelsey’s photo stated, “Our judges were extremely impressed with the composition, scenery, and storytelling of this photo. Thank you to Caney Fork EC and everyone who participated in our inaugural photo contest. We look forward to seeing even more remarkable photos in next year’s competition.”

Also recognized during the competition was Caney Fork lineman Ireneo Rose, who won an honorable mention with his photo captioned “Bluebird Surprise.”

Caney Fork posted all their employee’s photos on its Facebook page in making the local announcement of Kelsey’s big win but stated that they were limited to submitting three photos into the contest. A committee was assigned to select those.

“Thank you to all of you who took the time to enter the contest and to those who helped choose which ones to send – they obviously made some very good choices!!! We’re proud of our crews for the skill they demonstrate every day, both on the line and, apparently, behind the camera,” the post stated.