Alumni
Retiree Spotlight: Richard Olguin
This month’s Retiree Profile centers on Richard Olguin, who for many years was an influential employee with Power System’s electrical line crews, carrying out his duties while also making sure to teach and train the next generation of line workers. Olguin started out with the City of Los Angeles in June of 1991 as a Maintenance Laborer and was then promoted to a Wastewater Worker 1 with the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation. In 1998, he joined LADWP as a Craft Helper. In 2000, he entered the three-year Electric Distribution Mechanic (EDM) apprenticeship program and graduated as a full-fledged line worker in 2003.
As an EDM, he enjoyed working for Electric Trouble and restoring power during storms. These events presented many unique challenges where crews had to troubleshoot problems and come up with solutions. Crews always worked with urgency knowing that communities were depending on them to get the lights back on. In 2008, Olguin was promoted to Line Patrol Mechanic and worked in that capacity until 2017. He capped off his career with a promotion of Senior Electric Distribution Mechanic in 2021 and retired in April of 2023, just shy of 33 years.
“I remember all the great times I had during my apprenticeship and the many linemen who helped me in my training. Many of them became really good friends,” says Olguin. “I’m most proud of completing my 30 years at the age of 55 and following in my father Albert Olguin’s footsteps, who also dedicated his life to city service.”
Olguin’s father retired from the Los Angeles Bureau of Sanitation after 30 years of service in 2009. Both father and son would sometimes see each other while on the job working in the same area. When asked about what’s changed over the years of working in the line worker trade, the younger Olguin points to the changes in technology that have made the job somewhat less cumbersome and tedious.
“Many things have changed with equipment and tools over the years, with most hand tools replaced by cordless battery tools. We used to drill holes in the poles with a hand-cranked drills from the early 20th century, or worked with units that had extension cords, but now all the drills have batteries. Also, we used to do a lot more climbing and rigging of equipment and now we have the aid of bucket trucks.”
Richard Olguin, LADWP retiree
Since retiring, Olguin has been busy with home renovations, yard maintenance and fruit cultivation, and he enjoys traveling with his wife and three daughters. Although he likes perfecting his golf swing, Richard couldn’t let his many years of experience go to waste, so he decided to start a new career. He is enjoying the best of both worlds now by working as a foreman on a line crew for one of LADWP’s contractors. During the January windstorm and fire response, Richard was proudly out in the field working to restore power to affected communities.
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