Case und Houser sind Stipendiaten von Hoosier Energy.

Becoming a lineman is more than an individual career path for Cody Case and Briar Houser.

 

It’s about becoming part of a team.

 

That was the takeaway for the December 2025 graduates of the North American Lineman Training Center and the latest recipients of Hoosier Energy’s Daniel L. Schuckman and W. Eugene Roberts Memorial Scholarships.

 

As a member of the football, baseball and wrestling teams at North Central (Farmersburg) High School, Houser connected with being part of something bigger during his time at NALTC.

 

“The one big thing that stood out was the bond created among the guys and the teamwork that filled out the crew sessions,” he said. “I’ve played sports all my life, and I love that feeling. Somebody’s got your back. You aren’t just doing a job on your own, but somebody is there with you.”

 

Growing up in Shelburn in WIN Energy territory, Houser wasn’t really sure what he wanted to do for a career. But senior year of high school came fast, and as a high honor roll student, was originally thinking of business school at a place like Indiana or Alabama. As he looked into the options and the costs, Houser was less sure that was the right choice.

 

He also participated in archery, and the coach of a neighboring team was a lineman. That prompted Houser to begin investigating the possibilities, quickly changing his thoughts on the future.

 

“If I commit to something, I want to do it to the best of my ability,” he said. “NALTC was the highest recommended school, and I’m so glad I picked this.”

 

Case also changed his plans over the course of high school, initially planning to study wildlife biology. But after two years of high school, he realized the prospect of another six-plus years in college was not appealing.

 

“I like to be out working with my hands and in the field,” he said.

Fortunately, he had a good example of what a career as a lineman could be in his older brother, Waylan, who was among the inaugural recipients of the Hoosier Energy scholarship in December of 2021.

 

“Once I saw what my brother was doing, I realized that I wanted to do that too,” said Case, an avid hunter. “He taught me a few things, and I learned quickly. Now instead of working in an office, I can spend time with wildlife on the weekends and do my hunting. That would be good enough for me.”

 

He applied to NALTC early and was accepted midway through his senior year at Greensburg High School. When he began training, it was clear he made the right choice.

 

“Once I went to school, I knew that’s definitely what I wanted to do the rest of my life,” Case said. “I really enjoyed the crew work they had us do. I really enjoyed all of it, but working in crews was neat.”

 

Houser and Case are still on the job hunt for now, but they’re eager to find out who their new teammates will be.