Tabetha Jackson is now the third female promoted to a Distribution System supervisor (DSS) in SWEPCO's 110-year history.  With AEP's focus on narrowing the leadership gender gap, Jackson is the latest female to break the proverbial glass ceiling in the utility industry. 

"I know I'm a female and paving the way for other women, but I've been with these line crews for so long. I don't think I'm inspiring anyone else – I'm just doing my job," Jackson said. "But it is cool when I think about it."

Prior female DSSs are Kim Dupree, now a Distribution Resource Planning supervisor, and Judy Harwell, who was a Service supervisor for Fayetteville, Rogers and Eureka Springs in Arkansas.

A Family Affair

In 2000, Jackson's dad, a transmission lineman, encouraged her to get into the business as an intern for a transmission contractor based in Longview.

"I told my dad I'd try it for the summer, and then the summer turned into a year," she said. "And 22 years later, I'm still in line work."

Linework is a family affair. Her dad and two of her uncles work for Chain Transmission; her brother works for Chain Electric; another uncle works for Pike Electric and one uncle – Paul W. Jackson – works for AEP Transmission in Longview.

"My whole family is doing this, and I love it," said Jackson. "I never thought I'd be climbing poles or working out in the field in the summer, but going into linework was the best thing I've ever done."

After seven years as a contractor in Longview, Texas, and Colorado Springs, Colorado, Jackson joined AEP's Transmission organization as a Journeyman Lineman in Longview. She transferred to the Shreveport District's Service Department as a Servicer and Journeyman Lineman three years later.

Keeping the Lights On

What Jackson loves most about being a lineman is being outside and meeting people – whether new employees or customers.

"As a lineman, you get to team up with all the crews on projects and talk to all the customers," she said. "When you get the power on, you feel proud. The customers say, 'Good job,' and that's why you do it. That's why you do the work."

Before her new role, Jackson had a brief stint as a District Coordinator in Shreveport, where she spent every day in the field looking at jobs and working directly with crews. Now, as a DSS, Jackson spends about 70% of her time in the field and 30% in the Shreveport and Haughton offices.

"I go out in the field and just meet with the crews, especially evening crews, to be present with them," she said. "It's different because although there's a lot of mental work happening in the field, there's an equal amount of mental work inside the office. I have 17 employees I've got to keep safe; their lives are in my hands."

Developing Leaders 

One of Jackson's priorities is to develop her employees.

"I'm trying to set them up for success. When you see them accomplish something, and you helped them get there – it's just an amazing feeling," she said.

Jackson's team trusts her because she's literally been in their position. She understands their pain points.

She also encourages her team to fill in as a DSS when one of her peers is on vacation to see if it's something they might want to do in the future.

In addition to developing her employees, Jackson wants to support them and be a friend.

"I want to be here when they come in and just want to vent about something," she said. "I might not be able to fix it, but it's what I'm here for."

As proud as Jackson is to be the third female Distribution supervisor in SWEPCO's history and pave the way for others, she's equally proud to simply be a supervisor.

"I'm amazed that I get the opportunity to do this," she said. "I may not know where I want to go from here, but I like this spot right now