At 85 years old, Manuel Lopez drives forklifts, climbs ladders and handles electrical equipment many times his size. His agility, skill, pride and joy are unmistakable.

“I’m thankful — this job keeps me active,” said Lopez, lead painter at the Distribution Apparatus (DA) Shop. “Being on this team keeps me motivated and happy to get up every morning. I take a lot of pride in my work and that’s why I keep doing it.”

At the DA Shop, he and a team of technicians repair transformers — equipment that lowers high-voltage electricity to a level homes and businesses can safely use — keeping a ready supply for when they’re needed. Once a transformer has been inspected, reconditioned and tested, Lopez gears up to add the final touch: fresh paint.

He begins by sanding and cleaning each transformer. Then, wearing a full air system respirator, he mixes paint and uses a spray technique to coat the surface evenly. Throughout each step, he aims for excellence — not a smudge or streak in sight.

“After 35 years, I feel like I’ve got the hang of it,” he said. “We all help each other be safe, too. That's what I like about Edison — everyone looks out for each other.”

Coworkers shake their heads in admiration as they watch Lopez’s 5-foot frame weave through a sea of transformers.

“I don’t know where Manny gets all his energy from,” said Raul Bravo, a transformer painter at the shop. “He’s been at this shop since long before I started, and I’ve never seen him slow down.”

For much of his career with SCE, Manny has been a mentor to new painters who join the team. He enjoys sharing all he’s learned over the years, hoping the newbies will end up loving the craft as much as he does.

“He’s great at his job,” said Bravo. “He’s always been so kind and taught me a lot. I always watch his back.”

Painting wasn’t always something Lopez pictured himself doing. Born and raised in Guatemala, he worked as an accountant before coming to the U.S. in 1967. He started as a temporary SCE employee in 1983, taking on several different roles.

“I told myself if I got hired full time, I’d do everything I could to help this company and never let anyone down," Lopez said. "And I’ve been doing that.”

He’s continued to give his all over the last three decades — looking forward to the daily routine he credits for his robust physical and mental health: morning tailboard safety meetings, painting several transformers and mentoring his coworkers.

While he’ll miss the SCE team he’s grown so close to, Lopez plans to retire next year.

He has three sons, grandchildren and a great-grandchild he wants to spend some well-deserved retirement with.

“This is the best job I ever had,” said Lopez. “But it’s time to spend time with my family. They will keep me busy.”

To learn more about careers at SCE, visit edisoncareers.com.