In this Life on the Line blog post, meet Curtis Bradley, owner of Premier Line Consulting, who has been in the electric utility industry since 2005. With experience as a journeyman lineman, substation electrician, and lineman trainer, Curtis is inspiring the future generations of lineman across Mississippi and beyond. Read on to learn about Curtis' journey, his industry goals, and a few tips if you’re considering joining the trade.
Q: Tell us a bit about your background and how you got into the utility industry?
Curtis: “I was raised by a hard-working, faithful, and loving mother and grew up in a small town, Pachuta, Mississippi. As a teenager, I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life and started pursuing a degree I wasn’t passionate about and was eventually placed on academic probation at the community college I was attending.
During this stressful period, my girlfriend and I were expecting our first child. After prayer and sleepless nights, I decided to pursue a trade because I loved being outside. I graduated from Meridian Community College in 2004 with a certificate in Industrial Maintenance and Associate of Arts, and a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Safety and Health (OSHA) from Columbia Southern University. An opportunity with Mississippi Power Company presented itself in August 2005, where I started as an apprentice lineman. I worked my way up to Journeyman lineman and later became a substation electrician.”
I have been blessed to build several community college lineman programs: East Central Community College (Weekend Lineman Program), Meridian Community College Lineman Program, and I consulted with Jones College.
I have been married for 17 years to my high school sweetheart, Christena Brown-Bradley. We have two beautiful children: Donovan (19), who attends Mississippi State University, and Cadence (9). When I’m not working, I love spending time with family, walking with my wife, fishing, cutting grass, enjoying relaxing vacations, and watching a good movie.”
Q: Has anyone in your family been a lineman?
Curtis: “I am proud to say I am a first-generation lineman. In my community, no one talked about a career in the powerline industry — it was seen as dangerous and demanding. People typically worked pipeline, offshore, or drove eighteen-wheelers. My goal is to educate as many people as possible about the electrical utility industry. This career can positively change lives for generations.”
Q: What are you most proud of about your job?
Curtis: “Helping those who are unsure about their future. It’s very rewarding to empower individuals to think differently about themselves, build a strong work ethic, and set achievable goals. I am proud to train students from pre-apprenticeship all the way through becoming linemen. It’s a true blessing to train apprentices full-time during the week and pre-apprenticeships on weekends.”
Q: Are there things you wish you could change about the job?
Curtis: “Yes, I wish the culture would change regarding safety and training. This is a fast-paced industry and we need to prioritize employee safety over production. I would also like to see more funding for pre-apprentice programs and more diversity in the industry, including underserved communities and women interested in electrical utilities. We have the resources to help people build careers — and I want to help lead that change.”
Q: How do you manage the demanding schedule and being away from home?
Curtis: “Very simple — I don’t procrastinate when work needs to be done. Much of my work is now scheduled with out-of-state meetings and weekend training. While I’m away, my amazing wife manages our home and children with grace. I also want to thank my mother, mother-in-law, and sisters-in-law, who have helped countless times during unexpected callouts and storm trips. When you become a lineworker, your family does too.”
Q: What are some things customers or employers have done to show appreciation?
Curtis: “The industry has shown appreciation by offering jobs to my students. As a lineman, one of the biggest gestures was receiving warm homemade cookies during an ice storm in Arkansas. Now, as a consultant, companies like J.L. Matthews are giving me platforms to share my story and inspire others — and I am grateful.”
Q: What was the longest storm duty you’ve worked?
Curtis: “My longest storm trip was Hurricane Katrina. I started the same day the storm made landfall, August 29, 2005. I didn’t hear from my employer for over two weeks due to catastrophic damage. Once contacted, my first storm trip began on the Mississippi Gulf Coast. The devastation was unimaginable. We rotated every week rebuilding the gulf coast for 3–4 months. This experience taught me the meaning of being a ‘Brother’s Keeper’ and why working safely is essential to going home every day.”
Q: What are your favorite products from J.L. Matthews?
My must-haves are the Klein 9” Lineman Pliers, MADI Spring Assisted Lineman Knife, Klein 4-in-1 Ratchet Lineman Wrench, and the J.L. Matthews 20” Canvas Tool Bag.
Q: What advice would you give to someone joining the electrical utility industry?
Curtis: “Start at a pre-apprentice line school — it is critical to your career path and knowledge.
Find someone in the industry to mentor you. Ask questions — knowledge builds confidence.
Your safety is the most important thing. Strive to be safe and never take shortcuts, no matter how tempting.
Lastly, be flexible with your opportunities. Not everyone can work locally — the goal is experience. Work hard, take pride in your work, and maintain a positive attitude.”
At J.L. Matthews, we are a family-owned business since 1946 and your one-stop shop for linemen, ironworkers, and arborists tools and gear.
We have over 2,000 products from top brands like RudeDog USA, Bashlin, Hastings and more. New customers receive free shipping on orders over $75.