A team of Electric Department employees traded hard hats for cowboy hats and almost swept the competition at the 56th Annual NCAMES (North Carolina Association of Municipal Electric Systems) Conference and Lineman's Rodeo in New Bern, NC, on May 18th. Public power teams from around the state competed in events that test their knowledge and ability to perform tasks safely and quickly.

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

The Apprentice group took a written test before both groups headed 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, Jordan Hill brought home the Overall Apprentice first place trophy by placing first in the written test, first in the Insulator Change, first in the Obstacle Course, and second in the Hurt Man Rescue. Travis placed third Overall by placing third in the Insulator Change and third in the Obstacle Course. Stephen placed third in the written test.

In the Journeyman Division, Brantley Lawrence came in first place Overall by placing third in the Hurt Man Rescue, first in the Cutout Changeout, second in the 3-Phase Tie/Untie, and first in the Crossarm Change. David came in fifth Overall by placing fourth in the Cutout Changeout and fifth in the Crossarm Change.

Due to his outstanding performance, Brantley will be a member of the NCAMES Journeyman team and Jordan a member of the NCAMES Apprentice team at the APPA (American Public Power Association) rodeo next spring in Raleigh, NC.

Special thanks to Overhead Lineworkers Earl Harris and Joey Dash for their help at the rodeo, and to Troubleshooter Crew Leaders Keith Gaskins and Mark Howery, and Underground Electric Distribution Supervisor Ryan Hardee for serving as event judges.

APPA Rodeo

Employees from the Electric Department also represented Greenville Utilities at the APPA Lineworker's Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas, May 6th. Public power teams from around the country competed in a series of competitive events demonstrating the safe work practices that lineworkers use in their jobs every day.

David Guy, Brantley Lawrence, Brian Baker, and Tree Trimmer Dustin Sauls competed on the GUC Journeyman team while Stephen Leggett competed as an Apprentice and Brandon Butler competed with the NCAMES Apprentice team.

Our Journeyman team placed sixth Overall and was 1 of only 11 teams (out of 73 teams from across the U.S.) with zero safety deductions taken from their scores!

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