Pioneer Electric's Zane May Responder Of The Week

There’s a certain kind of person who doesn’t just live in a community—they help keep it running.

For Grant County, that’s exactly what 32-year-old Zane May has been doing for the better part of his life.

Raised in Moscow, Kansas, Zane comes from a family deeply rooted in the same soil he still calls home today. It’s the kind of upbringing that doesn’t just teach you where you’re from—it teaches you what you’re made of. For Zane, that foundation was built on hard work, responsibility, and a quiet understanding that when something needs done, you step up and do it.

That mindset led him into a career that quite literally keeps the lights on.

For the past 14 years, Zane has worked with Pioneer Electric, beginning his journey shortly after moving to Ulysses. After attending Pratt Community College’s Power Line Program, he brought his training back home, where the real learning began—out in the field, in the elements, and alongside the crews that serve this region day in and day out regardless of the weather.

Like many in the trade, his path wasn’t accidental. It was shaped by the people who came before him.

Zane credits Sy Hileman, a longtime friend of his grandfather, as the one who first encouraged him to get into the line of work. It’s a reminder of how small-town connections often shape life’s biggest decisions—and how one conversation can set the course for a career built on service.

And service is exactly what the job demands.

Whether it’s restoring power in the middle of a storm, working long hours in extreme conditions, or answering the call when others are seeking shelter, lineworkers like Zane operate in a world most never see—but everyone depends on. It’s not a job done for recognition. It’s done because it matters.

Outside of work, Zane finds his peace in the outdoors. Hunting, fishing, camping—anything that puts him back in the wide-open spaces that shaped who he is. It’s a balance that reflects the same grit and appreciation for life that shows up in his work.

He is also quick to point out that none of it was built alone.

Zane credits his parents for instilling the work ethic that has carried him through his career, giving special recognition to his dad for setting that example early on. He also extends his gratitude to his family and friends—those who have stood behind him every step of the way.

Now engaged to Reile Meile, Zane continues to build a life grounded in the same values that brought him here—hard work, loyalty, and a deep connection to community.

The Ulysses News Responder of the Week is meant to highlight individuals who answer the call—often without recognition, often without pause. While their work may not always make headlines, it’s the kind of work that holds a community together.

And in a place like Grant County, that kind of quiet dedication doesn’t go unnoticed.

Because at the end of the day, when the lights come back on and life returns to normal, it’s because someone like Zane May showed up when it mattered most...

As we have a limited number of first responders, it will not be unusual for one to be nominated more than one time. Send your medical or law enforcement nominations for Responder of the Week to news2@ulyssesnews.com or call (620) 356-1201.