Electrician changes paths following career camp
May 2025
Trimble served as a mentor at a recently held Girl Power camp in North Carolina. (photo by Jim Robertson)
by Jim Robertson, Staff Writer
Chessa Trimble, a journeyman electrician well into her chosen career path, had driven daily past the Electric Cooperative Training Center near her home in Palmyra, Va., and wondered if the utility industry would better suit her career goals.
Trimble was intrigued by a social media post about a one-day career camp for high school students. Although well past her high school years, Trimble contacted the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives to inquire about attending its second annual Girl Power Camp in Palmyra, Va., just up the road from her home.
Nervous and worried about standing out from the others who were much younger, Trimble embraced the opportunity. “I’ve always been somewhat of a risk-taker,” admits Trimble. “I’m usually the one willing to go first, so I feel like I may have also had a positive influence on some of the students at the camp.”
Two people left lasting impressions on Trimble during that cool December day. “I was so inspired by her energy and enthusiasm for her career,” says Trimble of Joy Yount, director of splicing services for S&N Communications.
Todd Butcher, then manager of safety training for VMDAEC, says, “Chessa immediately stood out from other attendees with her questions and the way she presented herself.”
Trimble made her move to the other side of the meter earlier this year and joined Butcher’s new team at S&N Communications as a job site superintendent.
“It takes men like Todd Butcher believing in women like me to enact lasting change in this industry,” says Trimble. “I’m super grateful.”
Previously, Trimble was working on the residential side of the meter. In her new role on the other side of the meter, she plays a critical role in overseeing electrical field services, ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently and to the highest standards. With strong leadership and technical expertise, she coordinates crews, manages job sites, and upholds quality and safety protocols. Her dedication and skill set highlight the essential contributions of women in the construction industry.