Meet Our Demonstrators

John brings more than 37 years of linework and product expertise to his role as a Hastings Demonstrator. He began his career in the 80s and gained first-hand experience as a lineworker, first responder, troubleshooter, lead, and instructor. His experience spans Los Angeles, Aspen, Vail, and Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, along with storm restoration following earthquakes, fires, floods, avalanches, and other severe weather events.

John’s extensive field knowledge includes hot stick and rubber glove work, energized systems up to 115 kV, underground residential distribution, network systems, and Paper Insulated Lead Covered (PILC) cable splicing.

John joined Hastings in 2008 at our vertically integrated manufacturing facility and today serves customers throughout the central United States. In his new position, John values meeting customers face to face, listening to their needs, and gathering feedback that can help improve existing Hastings’ products or inspire new ones. After a career built around linework, he considers the friendships he has formed throughout the industry one of his greatest accomplishments.

Colby brings more than 20 years of industry experience to the Hastings team. Before joining as a Demonstrator in early 2026, Colby served four and a half years in the U.S. Marine Corps, followed by 18 years at Duke Energy as a journeyman lineman, trainer, and foreman, and two and a half years as a tool demonstrator elsewhere.

His field expertise includes live line barehand and hot stick work in transmission, along with overhead and underground distribution work using hot sticks and cover-up equipment.

As a Hastings Demonstrator, Colby serves customers throughout the eastern United States. Having used Hastings tools throughout most of his own linework career, Colby was drawn to the company’s family-owned culture and reputation within the industry. He especially enjoys meeting lineworkers across the country, learning how different crews approach their work, and putting tools directly into customers’ hands so they can see them in action. Outside of work, Colby enjoys watching his kids play lacrosse, offshore fishing, and hunting.

Ryon has more than 35 years of utility experience, bringing knowledge from his time with Florida Power & Light and Duke Energy where he served as a journeyman lineman, line trainer, lead line trainer, supervisor, and manager.

His extensive field experience includes distribution, transmission first response, insulate-and-isolate practices, grounding, and transformer banking.

Ryon joined Hastings in early 2026, covering the entire East Coast. He enjoys helping lineworkers understand new techniques and finding solutions to the challenges they experience in the field. Having relied on Hastings’ insulated sticks throughout his own career, Ryon brings firsthand experience with the tools he now demonstrates. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time on Florida’s Suwannee River, chasing after his grandkids, and spending time with his wife.

Ben brings more than 20 years of linework experience to his role having spent two decades working in distribution for Black Hills Energy, serving as a journeyman lineman, lead, and foreman. He joined Hastings as a Demonstrator in mid-2026 with well-rounded field expertise including both overhead and underground distribution, along with firsthand knowledge of Hastings’ tools from using them throughout his linework career.

As a Demonstrator, Ben serves customers throughout the western United States. Ben especially enjoys meeting and connecting with other industry professionals while finding ways to make linework safer and easier. Outside of work, he enjoys golfing, riding motorcycles, and spending time outdoors.