Southside Electric Co-op Linemen Take Honors in Regional Competition

A total of 13 linemen from Southside Electric Cooperative (SEC) recently competed in the 12th Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo, held at the Caroline County Agricultural Fairgrounds near Ruther Glen, Va.

During the equipment operator’s event, held on the first day of the two-day competition, SEC’s journeyman team of Brad Ashwell, Greg Ayers and Steve Carson placed first out of 16 teams in the “Bucket Truck Rescue.” On day two, the same team placed second out of 23 teams in the “Hurt Man Rescue” event, and grabbed another second-place finish in the “600 Amp Switch Replacement.” SEC’s fellow journeyman team of Travis Layne, Kinte Robinson and Ashley Tuck finished third in the “CPR with AED” competition.

With a record 50 competitors in the five apprentice lineman events, SEC’s Brandon Rust placed first in the “CPR with AED” event and third overall, while fellow apprentice Trevor Robertson placed second in both the climbing skills demonstration test and “Hurt Man Rescue” competition. Another SEC lineman, Bobby Moseley, grabbed a third place finish in the written-test portion of the apprentice division.

In addition, SEC employees Tommy Byrd, Troy Burgess, Orlin Clarke, Gary Gibbs and Tony Powell served as judges for the rodeo’s competitive events. More than 120 utility workers from seven states took part in the annual contest, which included employees from co-ops, investor-owned utilities and municipal systems. The only event of its type in the Mid-Atlantic region, the Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo offers professional linemen the opportunity to demonstrate their technical skills as they perform a variety of designated electric-line-work tasks. Their performances are timed and scored, with safe work practices the most important factor in judging.

“The Gaff-n-Go Lineman’s Rodeo is always a special event for our linemen,” notes Jeff Edwards, SEC’s president & CEO. “They really enjoy the competition, camaraderie and testing the skills they use every day against fellow linemen from other utilities. SEC is proud to support them, and we’re also very appreciative of all the judges from SEC and other co-ops that volunteer their time to be here. It’s a real celebration of their expertise, and it’s especially fun to see their families getting to watch them in action.”

Headquartered in Crewe, Virginia, SEC is a member-owned distribution electric utility serving more than 45,000 members throughout southern and central Virginia. For news releases and other information about SEC, please go to: www.sec.coop, or visit us on Facebook @ www.fb.com/SouthsideElectric. For more information and photos from this year’s event, visit www.gaff-n-go.com.