Lazaro Gonzalez never thought he would be climbing power poles or helping restore electricity for thousands of people in Puerto Rico. But a chance conversation led to that and more.

Lazaro Gonzalez, a lineman for Alabama Power, presents Safe-T-Opolis to students at Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School in Tuscaloosa. (file)

Gonzalez has worked in Tuscaloosa on the Distribution Line crew for 12 years since applying for a job with Alabama Power after speaking to a company representative at a career fair. Today, his responsibilities include setting poles, restoring power, completing routine maintenance on lines and establishing service to new homes and businesses.

Alabama Power’s emphasis on safety as Gonzalez performs his daily duties is one of the reasons he is proud to be a lineman. He is also proud of being part of the Alabama Power team that spent 55 days to safely get the power back on after hurricanes struck Puerto Rico.

“I have a wife and two little girls that I want to go home and see every night,” Gonzalez said. “At home or at work, safety is the No. 1 goal for Alabama Power.”

The importance of safety has become a passion for Gonzalez and a message he likes to spread to students through Safe-T-Opolis. As a Lifeliner volunteer, Gonzalez presents the program to fourth-grade students to teach them about electrical safety.

Being a lineman is not the path in life Gonzalez thought he would take, but he is proud it has led to a career that allows him to give back to the community.

Alabama Power lineman appreciation: Tuscaloosa crew has helped those devastated by tornadoes, hurricanes from Alabama NewsCenter on Vimeo.