Get to Know Tony Haffelder, Electric Power Distribution Instructor

August 30, 2024

What is your name, and where did you grow up?

Tony Haffelder. I grew up in Jefferson.

What is your role at Blackhawk Technical College?

I’m the new Electrical Power Distribution (EPD) instructor.

What was your journey to this role?

I worked as a Journeyman Lineman for 23 years and seven years as an Operations Manager for a power company.

Where did you go to school? What did you study?

I graduated from Northeast Wisconsin Technical College with an EPD degree in 1994.

Is there something that drew you to this career?

I have always thought about teaching this course and training new students in this field.

What motivated you to apply for this position at Blackhawk?

With the number of years I have in this field, I thought it would be a good time to make this change.

What is something Blackhawk offers its students that you feel other colleges do not?

I’m still too new to know everything that Blackhawk has to offer, but I do like the flexible learning environment offered here.

What is your life like outside of work? Family? Community involvement? Adorable pets?

I have my wife Michelle, three boys and two grandkids. I spend my free time (when I have it) outdoors, going hunting and fishing.

What is your favorite color? Why?

Green. I don’t really know why, but I have always liked the color green.

What is a song or artist that is always on your playlist?

You will always find 80’s rock and country on my playlist.

What is your go-to karaoke song?

I don’t sing. No one wants to hear that!

What was your first concert?

Guns N’ Roses

What is your favorite movie?

I still love the movie “Tommy Boy”.

If you could hang out with any movie or TV character, who would you choose and why?