The resources and topography of rural Arizona lead to challenges in providing certain services – like broadband internet. With this becoming a growing issue nationally, the FCC created a program to provide access to broadband services in rural areas. In early 2019, Team Fishel was selected to partner with a major telecommunications provider in creating high-speed internet services in Northeast Arizona for schools and libraries in the Apache School District.

This project connected the towns of Show Low, Greer, Eager, St. Johns, Vernon, Concho, Springerville and McNary with more than 110 miles of cross-country fiber-optic cabling. The process of placing fiber is nothing new to our Teammates in Arizona, however, the geography and landscape of this region provided unique challenges. Rural Arizona is known for its high amount of volcanic rock, which during the course of the project certainly took its toll on our trucks’ tires.

While the terrain was a bit rocky, the views throughout the worksites were picturesque and teaming with wildlife. Within a 24-hour period, Teammates saw big horn sheep, elk, pronghorn antelope and mule deer! While the views were incredible, the area’s rivers and canyons were the significant reasons why residents were without access to high-speed internet.

By implementing modern drone technology, Team Fishel Teammates were able to stretch lines across a 1,500-foot-wide, 500-foot-deep canyon near the Little Colorado River.

According to Kwigs Bowen, the Area Manager overseeing this project, “In the old days we would have gone out there with a bow and arrow or a shotgun that shoots string, or we would throw ropes and have guys climb down in the canyon and get the ropes to the other side; it may have taken us a whole day to get a line across there.” By utilizing a drone, Teammates were able to navigate a line across the canyon in 90 seconds and then were set up to complete a 1,455-foot crossing of the Little Colorado River outside Greer with an ADSS 96 count fiber.

Drone technology allowed Team Fishel to save the project both substantial time and cost, which helped provide internet access to rural communities in Northeast Arizona sooner.  

Our Teammates know that projects such as this impact the end user – real people – in their everyday lives. Installing these fiber-optic cables gives broadband access to a population of students who have been challenged to connect to all types of online services. With the fiber in place, people throughout small towns in Arizona will have improved access to internet services, which will enhance various aspects of their lives.

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Certified Electric Lineworkers deployed across the U.S.

Both the Tampa and Orlando offices are training centers for Team Fishel’s Electric Lineworker Apprenticeship Program. The challenging 4-year curriculum produces certified Electric Lineworkers who are the backbone of overhead and underground electric operations in Team Fishel offices throughout the country.

Emergency Restoration Services

When hurricanes, flooding or snowstorms strike, Team Fishel mobilizes quickly to reach areas in need. Large numbers of Teammates, well-equipped convoys and Mobile Command Centers often deploy from Tampa and Orlando to render assistance throughout the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions. The Florida division works closely with Teammates from other Area Offices, remaining on location until electric power and communications services are restored.

With ongoing utility construction projects throughout the state, Electric Lineworker Apprentice graduates now serving across the country, and emergency restoration crews working all along the Eastern seaboard, Team Fishel’s Florida operation has established a very large footprint indeed. Our Florida Teammates are a big part of what might be called Team Fishel’s “Expeditionary Force” – ready to serve wherever duty calls.  

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This project is a huge fiber network build that will ultimately support 5G service in many cities throughout the United States. In Nevada alone, the original project called for 900 miles of new fiber optic infrastructure throughout the communities of Las Vegas, North Las Vegas, Henderson, and Clark County. Through value-engineering, we have been able to scale the project down closer to 600 miles. While some of that mileage will utilize existing third-party conduits, the majority requires new construction. Team Fishel has been building the new fiber backbone since late 2017, placing new conduit, installing fiber optic cable, splicing, and connecting to 5G cell sites in many areas of the Las Vegas Valley.

  “The new infrastructure will replace, or in some cases augment, 4G service,” said Johnnie Lara, Division Manager for Team Fishel’s Henderson operation. “This type of network will ultimately support advanced wireless communications such as autonomous vehicles, telemedicine and the Internet-of-Things.”

The scope of Team Fishel’s work has expanded as the project evolved. Construction of an Optical Distribution Network (ODN) overlay was added in 2019 to extend the network and provide more efficient use of fiber capacities. And this month, the Henderson division will also begin constructing Network Extension Drops (NED), extending the fiber network to 5G small cell sites or directly to business sites as directed by the customer.

Henderson Division overcomes growing pains

Tackling a project as large as this always presents challenges. For the Henderson operation, the biggest priorities were hiring and acclimating new employees to Team Fishel’s culture. An aggressive recruitment effort increased manpower and helped build a strong local team. However, approximately 90% of the Henderson Teammates have experienced the Team Fishel culture for less than two years.

“One of the primary goals for the division was to build locally, which we were fairly successful in doing,” said Tim Griffin, Team Fishel VP (Las Vegas), “But building the culture has been the biggest challenge.”

Through Team Fishel’s onboarding program and training protocols, as well as adjustments in workforce responsibilities, the Henderson team adapted quickly to the Fishel culture, achieving significant improvements in both safety and productivity. Today nearly all of the work, including administrative responsibilities, is handled by Henderson-based Teammates.

“We have very good success if we can find the right spot for somebody and then unleash them,” said Lara. “They don’t necessarily have to do something the way that I would do it. As long as they find a safe and effective way of accomplishing the task, they can thrive.”

Delivering Results

Most importantly, the Henderson division has delivered outstanding results for the customer. In 2019, Teammates placed 248 miles of fiber optic cable in the Las Vegas Valley, making the area one of the highest performing markets for the customer. Since the project began, Team Fishel has completed 350 miles of new infrastructure, more than half of the new build projected for the entire project.

In addition to continuing the infrastructure build-out, the customer has focused on getting their 5G network up and running in 2020. To help achieve that goal, Team Fishel is responsible for completing 118 5G small cell sites this year. The work is significantly ahead of schedule.

“As of April, we have turned up and transitioned 87 of the 118 5G sites that the customer wants for this year,” Lara noted. “We are nearly three quarters of the way there.”

Looking Ahead

What does the future look like for the Henderson operation? Very bright! The Las Vegas project is expected to remain active as the 5G rollout continues. Additionally, many Henderson Teammates bring significant experience from the Natural Gas industry, providing a foundation for serving the natural gas segment as well. As always, Team Fishel looks forward to embracing new opportunities and helping its customers succeed. In that spirit, the Henderson division exemplifies the qualities that make Team Fishel the Best Choice for Utility Engineering, Construction, Installation and Maintenance in the nation.

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Today’s electrical lineworkers are highly trained professionals who construct, install and maintain the electric lines that power industrial complexes, manufacturing facilities, businesses and homes throughout the country. They are also first responders who lead emergency restoration efforts when powerful storms take down power lines, leaving people without heat, light, air conditioning and refrigeration. Electrical lineworkers most certainly deserve our recognition and applause!

Team Fishel Electrical Lineworkers stand among the best!

Speaking of severe weather, power outages and restoration service, Team Fishel’s electrical lineworkers have a long history of mobilizing quickly and traveling far. A look at any of the major storms in recent years places Team Fishel at the center of the action. Supported by hundreds of Teammates and convoys of equipment, our electrical lineworkers have rendered outstanding service in many areas of the country. Spend a few minutes with the slide show below to see what we mean. And the next time you see an electrical lineworker in your town, remember to say “Thank You!”

Emergency Restoration 2016-2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Michael 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Hurricane Florence 2018

Nor'easter 2018, VA, MD, PA

Nor'easter 2018, VA, MD, PA

Nor'easter 2018, VA, MD, PA

Nor'easter 2018, VA, MD, PA

Nor'easter 2018, VA, MD, PA

Hurricane Irma 2017

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

Hurricane Matthew 2016

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A leader in Electric Distribution

The Team Fishel Las Vegas operation was awarded the NV Energy Construction/Cable Replacement Contract in 2005. Since that time, Fishel Teammates have:

• Installed over 200 miles of 2" PVC conduit through residential neighborhoods. Their work enables NV Energy crews to pull through new 1/0 electric cable, replacing old 1/0 that was direct buried years ago.
• Installed over 50 miles of underground conduits during emergency situations, often working round the clock until installation is complete.
• Performed Underground Trench and Substructure work for the majority of NV Energy funded Capital Improvement Projects.
• Performed many conduit and manhole re-locations for Municipality Road Improvement Projects, including Downtown Las Vegas.

Based on consistent High Performance trench and substructure projects, Team Fishel is widely revered as NV Energy’s Best Choice for New Business Underground, Relocations, & Cable Replacements, both planned & emergency.

Experts in Broadband Infrastructure

In 2008, the Las Vegas division installed a 12,000 foot fiber line upgrade for AT&T under the streets in downtown Las Vegas. The project required extensive coordination with the city, county and Nevada Department of Transportation. Team Fishel successfully met the challenge of boring through the harsh caliche soil often encountered in the Vegas area.

In 2014, Las Vegas Teammates completed a 15,000-foot build to install a Distributed Antenna System (DAS) that brought Wi-Fi service to people and businesses along the Las Vegas Strip.

In 2016, Teammates plowed through hills of the Mojave Desert to replace a fiber optic cable line running from Las Vegas to Victorville, CA. Throughout the process, crews took special care not to disturb Native American lands in the Mojave Natural Preserve. They also learned how to work safely near the natural habitat of desert tortoises and various protected species of vegetation. As a result, Team Fishel completed the job efficiently while taking good care of these historical and natural treasures.

Team Fishel’s Las Vegas division has completed hundreds of other electric and broadband projects over the years. Their work brought new utility service or upgraded existing service for people throughout the Las Vegas community. And while many of those projects may not have garnered headlines, they were immensely important to both Team Fishel’s utility customers and the public.

A reputation for safe, reliable work and Being the Solution keeps Team Fishel’s Las Vegas division the Best Choice in Nevada.

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In fact, the trend toward convergence of physical security, cybersecurity and business continuity management is driven by companies’ desire for better alignment of security strategy with corporate goals. The idea is to have security/risk management functions work together seamlessly, closing the gaps and vulnerabilities that exist in the space between functions. A 2019 study conducted by the ASIS Foundation, “The State of Security Convergence in the United States, Europe, and India”, noted the growing need for greater communication and collaboration.

According to the study, “Fully two-thirds of organizations reported that their physical security, cybersecurity, and/or business continuity departments or functions are working closely together either through convergence, partial integration, or collaboration.”

Amidst this evolution in business security, Team Fishel’s Commercial Security division remains on top of its game. Utilizing Intrusion Protection, Video Monitoring, Access Control, and Fire & Life Safety equipment from leading manufacturers, the division provides customized security solutions for single facilities or enterprise-wide applications.

Team Fishel Commercial Security adds staff, expertise

The Commercial Security division has also expanded its reach in 2020, pushing deeper into both Ohio and Kentucky markets.  Shawn Guagenti, Security Sales Consultant (Columbus) will continue to develop the Columbus market and Chuck Beatty, Technical Sales System Engineer (Cincinnati) will continue growing Team Fishel’s Commercial Security business in the Cincinnati area. Their efforts are supported by several new Teammates: Ryan Gast, Security Sales Consultant (Cincinnati); Gus Dattilo, Security Sales Consultant (Louisville); Cody McCrae, Technical Sales System Engineer (Louisville); and Cody Sobas, Technical Sales System Engineer (Columbus). The expanded Commercial Security team gives Team Fishel a larger geographic footprint in the Commercial Security industry, creating more opportunities to work with existing clients while also developing new prospects.

Training and certification are Team Fishel priorities

As in other industry segments, Team Fishel takes great care to ensure that its Commercial Security Engineers and Technicians are properly trained and certified on the security products and solutions they recommend. In fact, the major manufacturers require that distributors and installers obtain formal certification on their products.

 “There is much to be said for a security systems integrator such as Team Fishel that takes great pride in providing the proper training and certification for its security engineers and technicians,” noted Matt Orioli, PSP, and Director of Team Fishel’s Commercial Security Division. “It really builds customer confidence in our ability to deliver the best commercial security solutions through our industry leading installation and service offerings." 

Orioli recently earned his Physical Security Professional (PSP) certification from ASIS International. The PSP designation recognizes Industry Professionals who have a comprehensive understanding of the needs for Physical Security at the enterprise level.

“It’s not only about the equipment options for commercial security,” Orioli said. “But also having a strategic understanding of what our customers' most important security needs are by providing comprehensive solutions in access control, video surveillance, intrusion protection and services. These solutions give our customers the confidence in knowing that their facilities, employees and assets are protected to the highest standard in quality and care with Team Fishel. "

Forging ahead in 2020

Team Fishel Commercial Security is headed in a great direction for 2020. Building on the model for success established in Columbus, the division continues to focus on key vertical markets including Healthcare, Financial, Higher Education and Manufacturing. Customer confidence in our Teammates is exceptionally strong. And best of all, we continue to grow, increasing our knowledge and expertise with each new project.

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The TechAdvantage 2020 Conference & Expo takes place March 1-4 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans.

Join Team Fishel next week in The Big Easy for the 2020 TechAdvantage Experience. Scheduled for March 1-4 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, TechAdvantage promises once again to be an outstanding event. Nearly 1,200 attendees will have the opportunity to participate in breakout sessions to further their industry knowledge, network with other electric cooperative members, hear from world-renowned speakers and learn about the latest technologies and energy solutions at the TechAdvantage Expo

Join Team Fishel at TechAdvantage Expo, Booth 1437

Team Fishel will be located in Booth 1437 throughout the week. We look forward to visiting our many friends from the NRECA and making new acquaintances as well. TechAdvantage is the perfect place to learn about their utility construction challenges and discuss how Team Fishel can Be the Solution.  We’ll have plenty of Teammates on hand to share our capabilities in Utility Engineering, Electric Distribution Construction, and Emergency Restoration Services. We will also have lots of information about Team Fishel’s Electric Substation Construction and Transformer Start-Up services. It’s shaping up to be an exciting week! Be sure to visit us in Booth 1437

Don’t forget the Keynote Speakers and Entertainment Night!

In his unique presentation, The Art of the Steal, con man turned crime stopper Frank Abagnale provides the latest information to protect institutions, associations and corporations from embezzlement, forgery, counterfeit currency, check fraud, identity theft, and Internet fraud.

In a not-to-be-missed presentation titled Data Analytics Inspiring Progress! Mark J. Konya from SAS provides an insightful journey through the new world of analytics. And on Entertainment Night, TechAdvantage welcomes Wynonna and the Big Noise featuring the incomparable Wynonna Judd!

 The TechAdvantage 2020 Experience – leading edge science, global insights and great entertainment. Can’t beat that! Join us in New Orleans!

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Here are a few examples of Fishel Teammates demonstrating our Shared Core Values in their communities:

Interacting with residents

In September 2017, Team Fishel crews helped restore electric power for thousands of Florida residents in the wake of Hurricane Irma. While working in Tampa, Teammates Chad Jackson and John Seymour made time for an on-camera interview with a very young broadcast journalist. Check it out! Chad and John’s interaction with the community was a wonderful way to Promote Team Fishel. Their on-camera participation also gave us a refreshing perspective of ‘High Performance’.

Helping when fire breaks out

In early 2018, Kentucky Teammates Vinnie Hall and Aaron Owens helped avert a tragedy when a fire broke out in an apartment building in downtown Lexington. They spotted smoke coming from an upstairs window and responded immediately, guiding several tenants and two domestic pets to safety. Their actions reflect Team Fishel’s unwavering pursuit of Safety and the Teammates’ personal initiative to Be the Solution in an emergency.

Assisting an accident victim

In December 2019, Arizona Teammates Korben Price and Jesse Wybron were passing a motor vehicle accident on Arizona I-17. They immediately stopped to help and assisted an injured victim until the paramedics arrived. Once again, our Teammate’s actions focused on creating a safe environment and demonstrated their personal commitment to High Performance, even when off the job site.

While these are a few prominent examples of Team Fishel’s Shared Core Values at work, there are many more! Outstanding participation happens year after year in events such as the Kentucky division’s Annual Thanksgiving Food Drive, the Akron operation’s Holiday Toy Drive, and in local United Way campaigns throughout our service area. 

The broad impact of Team Fishel’s Shared Core Values never ceased to amaze, and we are immensely proud of our Teammates who live by them every day.

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Team Fishel’s Southern California division takes pride in delivering best quality construction services for the broadband communications industry. With offices in Santa Ana, Brea, Ontario and San Diego, we serve customers throughout the Los Angeles and San Diego metropolitan areas, providing comprehensive fiber network services for telecommunications, broadband cable and fiber bandwidth providers.

Fishel Teammates build communications infrastructure, install new cable, and maintain or upgrade existing fiber networks in communities large and small throughout Southern California. On any given day, they may be converting old telecom cabling to a reliable underground solution; placing conduit for fiber service under a city street; or installing broadband cable for high speed internet service throughout a multi-unit residential complex.

With outstanding construction skills and a proven commitment to safety, Team Fishel’s California division is poised for growth in the broadband communications industry. As 5G technology continues to evolve at a rapid pace, Team Fishel will be there with fiber network services that help broadband providers make 5G service a reality for their customers. Exciting times!

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L to R: Jesse Wybron, Bill Yackley, Korben Price

Two Fishel Teammates recently helped a young motorist involved in a nighttime vehicle accident on Arizona I-17. The motorist was frightened, disoriented and had also suffered blunt head trauma. While passing the scene, Prescott, AZ Teammates Korben Price and Jesse Wybron recognized the need for assistance and stopped immediately to lend a hand. They made sure the motorist was out of harm’s way, helped get her into a safe position, and remained at her side until the paramedics arrived. Their actions that night may well have saved a life.

We’re confident that the safety awareness Korben and Jesse practice every day on the job helped them assess the situation and respond quickly. But we also believe that strength of character influenced their actions in a big way. Korben and Jesse’s willingness to get involved and unreservedly help a person in need says a lot about who they are and where they are headed in life.

In recognition of their service, Korben and Jesse received Team Fishel’s ODY (Out-Did-Yourself) Award. The ODY award celebrates Teammates who take initiative and demonstrate exceptionally high performance in situations both on the job site and off.

Quick thinking, immediate response and doing the right thing. Thank you, Teammates, and congratulations on your well-deserved ODY!

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