From Lineman to Leader: Crary Sparks a New Generation at Tulsa Tech

David Crary spent 24 years stringing wire and climbing poles across 48 states—missing only Maine and Washington. Today, he’s back in Oklahoma, not stringing lines, but shaping lives. At Tulsa Tech, Crary now teaches a new generation of aspiring lineworkers in our Electric Utility Lineworker program and is driven by the same grit and values that guided his own career.

That boots-on-the-ground perspective defines his teaching. Crary didn’t trade industry for instruction to slow down. He retired at 55, the result of listening to advice and living with discipline—investing, saving and spending within his means. But it wasn’t long before he was contacted about a teaching opportunity.

“I was sitting with my wife, and she said, ‘That isn’t a bad job if you want to go back to work,’” Crary recalled. “My response was, ‘That’ll cut into my fishing time.’” But after reflecting on those who had helped him, he committed to at least two years in the classroom.

Crary now leads a class of 12—maximum capacity—through Tulsa Tech’s pre-apprenticeship lineworker program. The curriculum provides a critical head start in an industry with a steep learning curve and a high attrition rate.

“Linemen apprenticeship programs have a 65 percent dropout rate,” he said. “They drop out because the first year is the hardest—you don’t know how to climb, don’t know the math and you struggle. This program gives students a better chance at making it.”

The need is clear. At the end of 2024, industry projections estimated 130,000 lineman openings across the country. The work is demanding, but the rewards are tangible. Crary points out that apprentices can earn $25–$30 an hour from the start.

Born in Davenport, Oklahoma, Crary always wanted to be a lineman. But when no training options existed locally, he pivoted to electrical work and eventually relocated to California to join an apprenticeship program. That risk paid off—and now he hopes to make the path more accessible for others.

Three of his current students already have jobs lined up. “They aren’t ready to be turned loose on a crew,” Crary said, “but they know a lot more than someone else trying to get into an apprenticeship.”

Crary teaches more than skills—he instills mindset. “You’re going to miss birthdays and holidays,” he said. “You must want to help people. You need a ‘no-quit’ attitude. Once you become a lineman, you can do anything.”

As he looks to the future, Crary wants to refine the program and expand its impact. “We need to build on this every year,” he said. “The goal is to be the greatest program for lineworkers.”

With his experience, integrity and drive, Crary is not only preparing students for jobs—he’s preparing them for lifelong success.