After a twenty-eight-year career at Lamb County Electric Cooperative, Craig Johnson is ready to begin the best chapter of his life…RETIREMENT.
On Friday, March 7, 2025, surrounded by coworkers, family and friends, they came together from far and near to celebrate Craig’s retirement. It was a fun time filled with laughter and storytelling at Craig’s expense.
“It was a great career, and I would do it all over again,” Johnson said.
After graduating from Amherst High School in 1977, Craig entered the workforce. He worked for a grain company and then as a truck driver. He had heard that LCEC was a great place to work with great benefits, where he could establish a lifelong career. Craig’s determination paid off in September 1996. After applying for his 4th time, Craig was hired for the position of groundman by Boyd McCamish. After three years and the retirement of Juan Hernandez, his job title changed to equipment operator. He was operating heavy equipment like a trencher and a digger derrick, or a pole cat. A position he held until his retirement. Craig operated five different digger derricks in his career. The last one was the most technical.
Craig shared that his career gratification was seeing his crew leave a job site and go home to their families at the end of the day. He shared how he always felt a sense of responsibility to his coworkers to keep them safe. Working on the crew, they had some good times as well as challenging times. His most challenging time was keeping his digger derrick out of the energized lines when he was changing out a pole.
One of the seven Cooperative Principles: Cooperation Among Cooperatives
Craig shared that helping other cooperatives, due to a devastating storm, brought together employees from other cooperatives to help restore electrical service. Not only were they helping a cooperative restore its power to its members, but everyone was working together. Looking out for each other, they were fatigued, sleep deprived and sometimes working in inclement weather conditions. Some of his career friendships started through storm work. Craig shared how he went to Bailey County EC in Muleshoe – rainstorm, Light House EC in Floydada and Swisher EC in Tulia – ice storm, North Plains EC in Perryton – Goliath snowstorm and Jasper Newton EC in Kerrville – Hurricane Rita.
Craig shared that he is retiring from a career with a sense of pride in working in the utility industry with great employees and knowing he helped cooperative members with their electrical service.
“ Every day is different,” Johnson said. “There’s always something new to learn, technology is always evolving.”
Craig and his wife Darlene have been married for 46 years. They have two sons: Tim and his wife, Tiffany and Garyn. Lots of honeydos that need to get done. They plan to travel the U.S.A. and do some fishing.
THANKYOU…
To all LCEC board of directors, employees, and the members: I have really enjoyed working at LCEC for the past 28 years,” Johnson said. “Working at LCEC, by far, has been the most enjoyable and most exciting. I have had the opportunity to work with a lot of good people. There are so, so many good memories. Thank you for putting up with me for 28 years!”