A team of Electric Department employees traded hard hats for cowboy hats at the 55th Annual NCAMES (North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems) Conference and Lineman's Rodeo in Asheville, NC, on May 19th. Public power teams from around the state competed in events that test their ability to perform tasks safely and quickly.

Employees volunteer to participate in the rodeo, which involves Apprentices (less than four years) and Journeymen (more than four years of experience). GUC's Journeyman team included Overhead Lineworker Brantley Lawrence and Underground Lineworker David Guy. Underground Lineworkers Kevin Jones, Brandon Butler, and Travis Ransom, along with Overhead Lineworker Jordan Hill and Tree Trimmer Stephen Leggett competed in the Apprentice division.

Both groups took a written test before heading to the competition field, where all the events involved installations and other tasks on a 40-foot utility pole.

Our team performed well again this year! In the Apprentice competitions, Brandon Butler brought home the Overall Apprentice first place trophy by placing first in the written test and third in the rope toss and area light change. Jordan Hill placed second in the written test and Hurt Man Rescue. Travis Ransom placed fifth for the Area Light Change and fourth Overall, while Kevin Jones placed fifth Overall.

In the Journeyman Division, Brantley Lawrence came in first place Overall by placing second in the Hurt Man Rescue, first in the 600 Amp Jumper Change and Fuse Change Out, and third in the Alley Arm Change Out. David Guy came in fifth Overall.

Due to his outstanding performance, Brantley will be a member of the NCAMES team at the APPA (American Public Power Association) rodeo next spring in San Antonio, Texas.

APPA Rodeo

Employees from the Electric Department also represented Greenville Utilities at the APPA (American Public Power Association) Lineworker's Rodeo in Minneapolis, Minnesota, April 2nd. Public power teams from around the country competed in cold, windy conditions in a series of competitive events demonstrating the safe work practices that lineworkers use in their jobs every day.

Competing on the GUC Journeyman team were David Guy, Brantley Lawrence, and Overhead Lineworkers Brian Baker and Justin McLawhorn. On our Apprentice team were Jordan Hill and Travis Ransom.

Because of his outstanding performance at the 2015 NCAMES Rodeo, Brandon Butler competed on the NCAMES team. Brandon placed fourth for the Overall Apprentice Division.

Congratulations to our teams on a job well done in both challenging rodeos!