LaGrange County REMC Energy Advisor Jake Taylor first learned about his job now while teaching students. Now he’s teaching members of his local co-op how to save energy – and even what they can potentially get for free!

How’d you become an Energy Advisor?
I was introduced to the position while I was a building trades instructor. My class worked with the Energy Advisor from Steuben County REMC to make the house we were building more air tight and insulated than code required.

What’d you do before?
I was a building trades instructor and I owned my own construction business.

What’s the last hobby you picked up?
Yodeling … just kidding. It’s been a long time since I’ve added a new hobby. I have too many as it is.

What’s the best vacation you ever had?
Before my wife and I had kids, we took a spontaneous trip over a weekend with no destination in mind and no expectations. It turned out to be the best three days. We came across a blues and ribs festival, ended up getting our room upgraded to a suite, and had the entire rooftop pool to ourselves under the stars.

If you could switch lives with a person for one day, who would it be?
George Lucas

In a world without electricity, what would you miss most?
Lights

What’s the best thing that happened to you yesterday?
I got a full 8 hours of sleep.

How’d you change your energy habits at home after you took this job?
Not much changed. I am very conscious about my energy usage to begin with. I used my knowledge to audit my house and look for other opportunities to improve.

What’s the number one thing members want to know?
What they can get for free.

What’s the number one thing you wish they knew?
That we are here to help.

If you weren’t an Energy Advisor, what would you be?
Probably still building and remodeling homes, or a Jedi Knight.