United PowerLine Solutions
Most of us don’t think about the crews maintaining power lines—until a storm hits and the lights go out. Thomas Williamson is one of those people who steps in to save the day. Right now, as this story is being written, Thomas is in Florida, repairing power lines after Hurricane Milton left thousands without electricity.
Thomas’s journey began years ago when he took a job as a groundman at Vectren. That opportunity changed his life. He’d finally found work he loved and no longer had to drag himself to the job each day. He enjoyed helping people, and that sense of purpose set him on his path.
After leaving Vectren, Thomas worked as a union journeyman lineman, traveling across the country to do work maintaining our power grid. Along the way, he learned a lot, built a solid network, and realized the time was right to start his own business. After discussing it with his wife and parents, they decided to pursue the dream—his wife becoming the majority owner.
Thomas had already worked with the Southwest Indiana Small Business Development Center (SBDC) on a previous venture, so they knew where to go for support. They connected with their business advisor, Grant Glackman, to get help making the dream a reality.
“We leaned on Grant a lot,” Thomas says. Starting a high-risk business required significant capital, and Grant made sure they carefully considered the financial aspects. “He made sure we weren’t over-projecting and helped us plan for any issues that could come up,” Thomas explains. “I’d tell anyone who needs help to talk to Grant. He was easy to reach, knowledgeable, and always told us what we needed to hear.”
Kelly Dearmond at First Federal Savings Bank also played a key role, helping them secure an SBA loan and line of credit. “Kelly was amazing,” Thomas says. “He helped us think through all of the financing so we wouldn’t run into trouble later.” With financing secured, Thomas and his wife officially launched their business, United PowerLine Solutions, on July 1. Since then, Thomas has already led a team through eight major storm events, including Hurricanes Helene and Milton.
Running a business in this field isn’t for the faint of heart. The risks are high—injuries, even fatalities, are real possibilities. Team members rely heavily on each other to stay safe. And then there are the personal sacrifices. Thomas, who has two daughters in college, credits his wife and daughters for their unwavering support. “I’ve missed birthdays, holidays, ball games, and a lot of family moments,” he admits. “My family has sacrificed a lot to help me pursue this.”
So why does he keep at it, despite the challenges? “I don’t take it lightly that people count on me to restore their power,” Thomas says. Running his own business also gives him control over the company’s culture and safety practices. “I can guide and support my team, helping them reach their full potential. There’s so much negativity in the world, but when you do some good, it warms your heart,” he says. “Honesty, integrity, and high-quality work—without shortcuts—are the values I build my company on, and I hire people who believe in those same principles.”
The appreciation from customers who finally get their power back is just the icing on the cake.
For anyone thinking of starting their own business, Thomas offers this advice: “Don’t strive for perfection right away. Perfection can paralyze you. When you make mistakes, just figure it out and move forward. If you wait for the perfect scenario, you’ll never act.”
To learn more about United PowerLine Solutions, we invite you to visit www.upowerlines.com. And the next time you see a lineman, don’t forget to give them a big thank you!