GreyStone linemen rank third in state

GreyStone Power’s linemen and apprentices earned their highest honors ever at the Thirteenth Annual and largest Georgia Lineman's Rodeo Saturday, May 5. The rodeo held in Perry, GA saw 52 teams and 92 apprentices from investor-owned utilities, municipals and electric membership cooperatives competing in pole climbing events at Georgia National Fairgrounds. GreyStone’s contingent of 20 participating was the largest group ever to compete from the Cooperative and the third largest largest group competing at the rodeo.

The journeyman team of Tim Costner, Josh Jones, Patrick LeCroy and coach Steve Jenkins brought home four trophies, with their highest honor an award for Third Place Overall. The team also won Second Place Overall Journeyman Team in the EMC division; Second Place in the EMC division in the Mystery Event 1, Cross Arm Change Out; and Third Place in the EMC division in the 12 KV Double Insulator Change Out.

GreyStone’s Daniel Wix shone among the 92 apprentices competing, winning First Place Overall Apprentice in the EMC division and winning Third Place on the Apprentice Written Test in the EMC division. He placed six overall among 92 apprentices. This was his second year of rodeo competition.

“This was the best showing ever for our GreyStone linemen and apprentices, and their hard work paid off,” says Steve Findley, Construction Manager. Safety and Loss Control Director Corey Parr, rodeo coordinator for GreyStone, commended the men for their efforts which will assist them in being safe while working on the lines. “The rodeo competition is designed to teach additional safety practices to linemen as they practice and compete. It helps to keep them safe while working in an unforgiving profession,” he says.

GreyStone employees competing or coaching were Kenny Wylie, Steve Jenkins, Keith Bailey, Josh Jones, Patrick LeCroy, Tim Costner, Derek Carruth, Aaron Parrott, Josh Kirby, Charles Camp, Scott Buchanan, Adam McCurdy, Terry Queen, Albert Morris, Kelly Jones, Taylor Shadrix, Matt Gilbert, Matt Freeman, Tony Brown, Matt Williams, Jeremy Thurman, Shane Crider, Travis Turner, Daniel Wix, and John Atcheson, and Jared Childers.

The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo is sponsored and coordinated through the Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association. GLRA is a non-profit organization that relies on participant entry fees, exhibitor sponsorships, and meal, shirt and hat orders to finance the Rodeo.