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2 MEC Linemen Join The “Light Up Navajo” Project

Community News
Journeyman Lineman Chad Valenzuela. Photos by Allison Ellingson/MEC

Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) linemen Chad Valenzuela and Cole Garcia were inspired to volunteer their time to bring electricity to families of the Navajo Tribe. Even in today’s modern world, there are approximately 10,400 families living in the Navajo Nation that do not have electricity, running water, heating, air conditioning, refrigerators, or microwaves.

Light Up Navajo originally started as a pilot project in 2019 spearheaded by the American Public Power Association and the Navajo Tribal Utility Authority and has since expanded to 44 volunteer utilities across 16 different states. Over the past 4 years, the project has connected 882 homes to electricity.

“We were happy to join the charge,” said MEC Lineman Chad Valenzuela. “We often forget to be grateful for everything we have here. We’re very fortunate.”

Chad Valenzuela is a Journeyman Lineman who has been with MEC for six years. Chad started as a Groundman and learned the lineman trade through MEC’s Union Apprenticeship program. He previously held positions at Arizona Pipeline and Southwest Gas.

Chad was born in Needles and currently lives in Bullhead City. “Helping people is a choice, and I have enjoyed volunteering many hours coaching my daughters’ sports teams including basketball, soccer, and t-ball, and volunteering for MEC’s Operation Cool Shade event. Light Up Navajo will be another unique opportunity to volunteer.”

We were happy to join the charge. We often forget to be grateful for everything we have here. We’re very fortunate. — Chad Valenzuela, MEC Lineman

Apprentice Lineman Cole Garcia

Cole Garcia is 21 years old and has been an MEC employee for 2 years. He started as a Groundman and fewer than 2 months later was promoted to Apprentice Lineman. Cole is from Lake Elsinore, CA, and went to a lineman school in Northern California. MEC hired Cole just days after graduation.

This will be Cole’s first volunteer experience. “I wanted to volunteer after seeing some of our AZ sister cooperatives had joined the cause,” said Cole Garcia. “We see the other co-ops annually at the Lineman Rodeo Competition and thought it would be a great collaboration to help people together.”

Mohave Electric Cooperative is not an investor-owned utility. We are a not-for-profit and as such were founded on 7 principles including Concern for Community. “Volunteerism isn’t just instilled in MEC employees. We live and breathe it. I’m proud of our employees who serve our local community, and I’m proud of Chad and Cole for stepping up and helping the Navajo Tribe.” CEO Tyler Carlson explained.

The Navajo Nation is the largest Indian nation and encompasses portions of northeastern Arizona, northwestern New Mexico, and southeastern Utah. Their headquarters are located in Window Rock, AZ – some 370 miles away from Bullhead City.

Chad and Cole will head out next year in July to join the team of volunteers for 10 days. MEC is paired with Norwich Public Utilities from Connecticut.

Volunteerism isn’t just instilled in MEC employees. We live and breathe it. — Tyler Carlson, MEC CEO