James Bowden has broken many barriers throughout his life. Most recently, the Duke Energy retiree made waves as the first Black person inducted into the International Lineman’s Hall of Fame.
And while his lengthy career as a trailblazer is commendable, Bowden’s ongoing work as an advocate for the electric lineworker profession may be his legacy. He’s pushing others to break their own barriers.
“When you look at his career, the accomplishments he’s made, the impact he’s had on others – it’s easy to see why he was selected on the first ballot,” said Andy Price, founder and chairman of the International Lineman’s Museum and Hall of Fame in Shelby, N.C. “The more I learn about him, the more I’m impressed.”

Bowden is beyond grateful for the major awards and honors bestowed upon him in recent years. But he hasn’t rested on his laurels. He’s used the recognition to fuel his fire to make an even greater impact on others.
“The Hall of Fame honor is very humbling. But my goal has always been to make sure increased chances exist for others,” said Bowden, who lives in Fort Mill, S.C. “I want to create opportunities for the next generation.”
A family legacy
Raised in Great Falls, S.C., Bowden began his Duke Energy (then Duke Power) career in 1972 after graduating from Denmark Technical College, a historically Black college (HBCU) in Bamberg County, S.C.
Bowden was no stranger to Duke Power; his father, Grady, and grandfather John had worked for the company as ironsmiths in Great Falls, S.C. Their life-long careers date back to the founding of the company in 1904.
But in the 1970s, Black employees mostly worked in manual labor roles for Duke Power. With a college degree in hand, Bowden was interviewing with departments that had never hired a Black worker.
“I was told my performance would influence the opportunities for future minority employees,” he said. “That’s a bit of pressure for someone coming out of college. But I accepted it.”

A passion for advocacy
Bowden’s career flourished at Duke Power, where he advanced to lead teams and functions in Greenville, S.C., and Gastonia, Hickory, Greensboro and Charlotte in North Carolina. He eventually rose to oversee all electric field operations, becoming the company’s first Black senior vice president.
Bowden retired in 2010, though he continued to work with the company as a consultant for another three years.
By 2014, he noticed the racial makeup of lineworkers was lacking minority representation. Less than 6% of lineworkers in the U.S. are Black, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Bowden began mentoring individual local students to change that.
“I started working with students on how to improve their performance on the accreditation test, and better interviewing skills,” he said. “Many times, we studied at the local library.”
Bowden’s efforts started to gain attention. The Urban League in Charlotte asked him to expand his knowledge-sharing to classes of about 25. Whenever Bowden spoke, he encouraged students to consider the profession.

“I always start by asking the group how many are thinking about being a lineworker. Practically no one raises their hand,” he said. “But then I talk about the beauty of the work: being outside, not being tied to a desk, being part of a team – and the pay and benefits, which can be a major step up versus other professions being considered. When I ask the same question at the end of my speech, there are a lot more people raising their hands.”
The next generation
By 2021, Bowden had come full circle with his alma mater. He helped Denmark Technical College launch a 16-week program to train the next wave of lineworkers – the first of its kind among HBCUs. Utilities in South Carolina – like Duke Energy – help support the program.
More than 50 students have graduated from the program to date – all training and learning to climb poles at the James W. Bowden Sr. Electrical Lineworker Range. The program is needed: The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics says demand for lineworkers is expected to rise about 8.5% annually by 2026.
‘Setting a high bar’
Bowden isn’t focused on awards and accolades, but they do keep coming. In 2023, he was inducted into the National Black College Alumni Hall of Fame, which honors HBCU alumni. Fellow 2023 inductees included the late Ed Bradley of CBS News and Michael Regan, the EPA administrator under President Biden.

Today, Bowden keeps a busy schedule. He serves on the boards of North Carolina A&T State University’s School of Engineering, UNC Hospital Burn Center and Bennett College. He’s also been national alumni president for his alma mater and was appointed a commissioner for the college.
On a personal note, he and his wife, Brenda, have two children and four grandchildren. Somewhere in that hectic schedule, he likes to squeeze in a round of golf.
The drive to challenge others to accomplish more with their lives and professional careers never leaves him. Even those close to home.
“My father sat me down long ago and said I needed to accomplish more than he did. It was the same words his father had said to him,” Bowden explained. “My kids say I’m setting a high bar for them.”
It’s a high bar he hopes everyone will achieve.