Line Specialist Mike Ochoa enjoys ‘connecting’ with FPL customers

Line Specialist Mike Ochoa enjoys ‘connecting’ with FPL customers
Line Specialist Mike Ochoa enjoys ‘connecting’ with FPL customers
Mike Ochoa is pictured with his equipment and truck at the FPL Richmond Service Center in south Miami-Dade.

Mike Ochoa, 46, a Cutler Bay resident for the past four years, has been a Line Specialist with Florida Power and Light (FPL) for 12 years and loves his work.

Although he had been an indoor electrical contractor for five years, he decided that being in the hot sun and fresh air was where he belonged. Joining FPL turned out to be just what he needed.

“I like being outside for one thing, but most important is the satisfaction I get when the customers appreciate when we get their lights back on,” Ochoa said.

Today, while everyone is tucked inside their houses during storms, Mike is performing his duty out in the field, climbing poles to restore the power. It is an unpredictable job under challenging conditions that requires long hours and weekends. He works out of the Richmond Service Center in south Miami-Dade County.

“We work three different shifts so there’s always someone at the center 24 hours a day, 365 days a year,” Ochoa said. “Sometimes we work extended hours in inclement weather. It’s challenging, but very rewarding.”

He is recognized by his colleagues as one who goes above and beyond for customers, and a few years ago he assisted a 72-year-old woman after a tree fell near her home and more extensive work was required before permanently putting the power back on. After hearing the customer’s concerns about the heat and being with no air conditioning, Mike responded to help make her comfortable.

“What we did was we called an FPL tree crew to trim the tree off the line, and originally what had happened was that the mast [the line connection pipe] came off the wall and we had to get the tree trimmers to clear it so we could disconnect the line. We took the mast off her meter can and with her permission I put in a screw-eye so I could bring the service back up and give her temporary power until she was able to get an electrician to do the repairs.”

Although he does most of his work locally, sometimes he is called upon to travel to other areas when needed.

“I was part of the restoration efforts during Hurricane Hermine up in Lake City,” Ochoa said. “We were able to restore power in 24 to 28 hours.”

He recommends the work to anyone with an electrical background who likes to work outdoors.

“The job I do is very rewarding,” Ochoa said. “It’s challenging at times, but the company, Florida Power and Light, gives us all the tools we need to be safe and that is why I choose FPL to become a lineworker.”


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