Exchanging his chef’s hat for a hard hat, Coleman “Cole” Langshaw has joined Okefenoke REMC’s Kingsland crew as an apprentice lineman. A recipient of the OREMC Lineman Scholarship at Coastal Pines Technical College in Waycross, Langshaw completed his on-the-job component of the Electrical Lineworker Certificate Program in Kingsland before graduating in May. While he never expected to get a job in his hometown, he is grateful to be part of the OREMC family and have the opportunity to be of service to his community.

Travis Page, OREMC Manager of Operations, says, “The crew connected with Cole. A couple of them knew him from the community and given he completed his on-the-job training with them, he had demonstrated he was a hard worker, willing to learn and truly committed to the change in career he was making.”

 “Having worked in kitchens since I was 15 years old, a hospitality degree and a culinary career was my focus after high school,” Langshaw explains. After graduating from the College of Coastal Georgia with a hospitality degree, Langshaw worked at White Oak Conservation in Yulee, Florida for eight years before becoming an executive chef working in Camden County.

He notes, “The culinary world is a nightlife industry. I would work from 6 a.m. – 11 p.m., have no social life, and when everybody else was off for holidays and vacations is when work was busiest. I am just at a different stage in life and was looking for a career that was challenging, let me to continue to work with my hands and be outdoors—on the water is where I am happiest. I love where I live.”

“They guys here [in Kingsland] are talented, smart and respect the brotherhood,” Langshaw continues. “I feel embraced, have a lot to learn, but the crew is willing to work with me and I’m happy to be part of the team.”