On September 18, the Indiana Municipal Power Agency (IMPA) presented the annual Kerry Vincent Distinguished Lineworker Award at its Linemen Appreciation Event to a deserving lineman in an IMPA member community.
The 2025 recipient of the award was Phil Ferrel, Superintendent of Frankfort City Light and Power in Frankfort, Indiana. Ferrel joined Frankfort’s electric utility in 1987, steadily working his way to the role of Superintendent. Since becoming leader of the local utility, Ferrel has prioritized safety, integrity, and reliability in his work. He ensures that the electric department team adheres to stringent safety standards, underscoring his dedication to performing jobs responsibly and getting his team home safely after a hard day’s work. No matter the time of day or the weather, Ferrel responds swiftly to power outages and storm damage situations, demonstrating his unwavering dependability. Due to his impactful leadership, Frankfort utility customers enjoy excellent electric service, and the electric crew operates safely and efficiently.
Not only is Ferrel a great worker, but he’s a wonderful friend to the community. He has a reputation for stepping up and helping coworkers when difficult situations arise. He’s fundraised donations for those who need help, organized food deliveries, and planned appreciation events for his department, and the utility as a whole. Ferrel also takes his own time to participate in community events to help the community.
“Phil’s commitment to the residents of Frankfort is undeniable,” said Frankfort Mayor Judy Sheets. “He has served our community for over 38 years and is someone our community knows they can count on. He not only takes care of the daily tasks at City Light & Power but also goes the extra mile to ensure our special projects and festivals receive the attention they deserve to be successful. Thank you, Phil. This award couldn’t have gone to a more deserving Frankfort Municipal Utility employee.”
“We are honored to present Phil with the Kerry Vincent Award,” said Jack Alvey, IMPA President and CEO. “The value Phil has provided to Frankfort Municipal Utilities and his community for decades certainly deserves recognition, and Kerry Vincent would be proud to see Phil recognized in this way.”
Kerry Vincent was hired as IMPA’s Manager of Technical Services in 1999 and took on the role of leading the newly formed IMPA Service Corp the next year, while the program was still in its infancy. His innate knack for understanding distribution system problems and solutions allowed IMPA Service Corp to blossom, and IMPA’s small utilities viewed him with the upmost trust whenever they experienced issues with their infrastructure. Vincent’s talents and hard work attracted more utilities to IMPA membership in the years to come and helped retain confidence in existing members. It was under Vincent’s leadership that IMPA Service Corp grew to become the successful operations and engineering organization that it is today.
Vincent’s passion for the industry and the brotherhood of linemen was evident in everything he did, and his kindness and unshakeable spirit made him a good friend to all who met him. He always had time to share a story or advice with other people in the industry, and he never met a stranger. His unfortunate passing only a short time after his retirement was a profound loss to the public power community.
In 2021, IMPA established the Kerry Vincent Award to recognize a lineworker from a member community that embodies the traits Vincent exhibited in his everyday life: Commitment, Compassion, Character, and Community.
Vincent’s legacy continues to impact IMPA and its membership, and the Agency is proud to honor him through recognizing the many remarkable utility workers in its member communities.
Past Recipients
2021 – The first recipient of the Award was RP&L employee, Bob Lichtenfels. Lichtenfels’s lengthy career with RP&L began in 1973 when he started working for the utility as a janitor. He earned his Journeyman Lineman card in 1979 and became Line Foreman in 1994. Before retiring from the utility, he served as Assistant Transmission and Distribution Superintendent. As a devoted and knowledgeable lineman who served as a mentor and friend to many, Lichtenfels is known as a caring individual who helps anyone in need.
2022 – Dick Justice, Electric Superintendent of Gas City Utilities, was the second to earn the award. Justice has served his community’s electric department for nearly 40 years, serves as the current Chairman of the IMPA Board of Commissioners, and is the past president of the Indiana Municipal Electric Association. He is known for his tremendous work ethic and leadership, as well as his sense of humor that can bring a smile to anyone he meets.
2023 – Randy Hendrickson, retired Line Superintendent of Crawfordsville Electric Light and Power, was honored with the third Kerry Vincent Award. Hendrickson spent 37 years serving his city’s utility, but his dedication to the community extended far beyond his work. Many know him as a long-time volunteer for the local school system, driving buses in the evenings and weekends for students. Hendrickson is also an active member of his church and has served in countless roles with the school system and not-for-profit groups in Crawfordsville. He continues to work for municipal utilities as an instructor and educator through the Tennessee Valley Public Power Association.
2024 – Stan Siefert, Manager of Jasper, Indiana’s electric utility earned the fourth Kerry Vincent Award. For over three decades, Siefert has prioritized safety, integrity, and reliability in his work. For 27 years, he has been a valued member of the fire department in Ireland, Indiana, including 23 years as the Fire Chief. He has also spent countless hours volunteering his time and labor to a local non-profit organization that provides equine therapy to people with life challenges, whether they be physical or mental.