World War II-era transformer is tangible reminder of cooperative commitment to lasting reliability
March 2026
From left, Caleb Armstrong (BARC journeyman lineman), Ken Mathis (Hitachi plant manager), Tanner Buchanan (BARC apprentice lineman), Scoop Skovira (BARC apprentice lineman), Alison Kaufmann (ODEC VP of strategic electrification and member services)
by Jack McCarthy, Contributing Writer
Sometimes, history doesn’t repeat itself but instead carries a reliable electric current.
In November 2025, BARC Electric Cooperative lineworker Tanner Buchanan shared a LinkedIn post about removing a still-operational 1942 Westinghouse transformer from service. More than just an interesting artifact, the transformer symbolized reliability — having faithfully served for over eight decades.
Buchanan’s post sparked a conversation about whether the unit may have originated from the South Boston, Va., plant, which is now operated by Hitachi Energy. What began as an online exchange soon turned into a collaborative opportunity and a powerful example of how shared values drive the electric cooperative industry forward.
Through coordination with Alison Kaufmann, Old Dominion Electric Cooperative’s vice president of strategic electrification and member services, and Ryland Clark of Hitachi Energy, a visit to Hitachi Energy’s South Boston manufacturing facility was arranged. BARC Electric Cooperative lineworkers — including Buchanan, Scoop Skovira and Caleb Armstrong — were joined by ODEC representatives for an engaging tour and professional development experience.
The visit brought together cooperatives, manufacturers and frontline workers, embodying the cooperative principles of Cooperation Among Cooperatives and Education, Training and Information. Discussions connected modern manufacturing practices with a legacy of equipment built to last — equipment that, like the 1942 transformer, plays a critical role in delivering safe, reliable power to communities every day.
To mark the occasion, BARC Electric Cooperative presented the transformer’s original 1942 Westinghouse nameplate — framed by Buchanan — to Hitachi Energy representatives. The nameplate is now displayed in Hitachi Energy’s welcome center as a reminder that reliability, relationships and collaboration remain at the heart of powering communities.