Nearly three decades after joining Paulding Putnam, Lines Supervisor John McMaster continues to set the standard for leadership and dedication. Recently, he was voted by his peers as Paulding Putnam's latest Rockstar Employee, marking his second time earning the honor. 

The Rockstar Employee award is an internal recognition program that allows employees to nominate and vote on deserving co-workers who they feel have gone above and beyond or deserve recognition.

John joined the co-op in 1997 as a member of the tree crew. Over the years, he learned to trim trees, became an apprentice lineman, and eventually moved into linework, crew leadership, and supervision. His career has grown alongside the co-op and has been shaped by decades of transition, retirements, and technological change. 

"When I started, I never seriously considered that things couldn't stay the same," John said. "As the older guys began retiring, it became real that I needed to adjust. I failed at times and was uncertain in others, but that's how we grow. The organization will always change because it's made up of individuals who have their own part to play, and the evolving needs of the members drive what we do."

That mindset has guided John through changes in co-op and industry. 

"When Ryan and I started, we were the youngest in a group of older guys," he said. "Now, the line group is much younger and better educated from attending COLT. Now we use a lot more technology and collect data that's helped improve outage restoration, mapping, work management, and switching load. I never would have thought we'd be using iPads in so many ways on a daily basis."

Embracing that technology has helped keep operations efficient and ready for the future, especially as Paulding Putnam expands into fiber internet.

"The last few years have been busy, and we have grown as a company," John said. "I think with consistency and time, we will become more familiar with each other and the work being done. Challenges will always be a part of our job, but like a new apprentice, as time passes and learning continues, things will be more familiar, and the work will come together more easily. After a while, we'll look back at some of the bumps along the road (like the derecho) and be glad it's in the past." 

Through years of growth and change, John has seen the importance of clear communication and understanding how each role connects to the bigger picture.

"Ask questions to understand the entire picture," he said. "No one does work that won't eventually affect others here or outside Paulding Putnam."

John takes a lot of pride in the team around him, and being selected as a Rockstar Employee a second time means a great deal to him.

"We have a lot of great people here at Paulding Putnam," John said. "It's very humbling that they were kind enough to vote for me."

Today, John remains a steady, respected leader whose focus on teamwork and growth continues to strengthen Paulding Putnam.