GreyStone Power shined at the 14th Annual Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo in Perry May 3. The cooperative’s lineman team took home top honors in the electric membership cooperative (EMC) division and finished fourth overall out of 39 teams from other cooperatives, Georgia Power and municipal power companies.
The rodeo brings linemen from across the state together to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. Founded in order to recognize the profession of line work, the rodeo demonstrates the safety, skill and education of electric linemen. The competition is held in two categories: linemen and apprentice linemen.
"Few people know the extent of what is required of a lineman," says Gary Miller, President/CEO of GreyStone Power. "This competition showcases these workers’ exceptional performance and the skills they rely on to get the lights back on for millions of Georgians and others when needed."
More than 200 electric linemen participated in the competition, which tests linemen skills, timing and precision in pole-climbing, hurt-man rescue, transformer repair and high-voltage line-insulator changes. The GreyStone team of Patrick LeCroy, Josh Jones, Tim Costner and Coach Jeremy Brown placed fourth overall in the state and third in the EMC division, earning 100’s in each event. The GreyStone team of Tony Brown, Matt Williams, John Atcheson and Coach Derek Carruth placed second, EMC division in the 12kv post insulator change event. Other competing linemen were Adam McCurdy, Todd Voyles, John Timms, Kelly Jones, Steve Jenkins and Josh Kirby.
Apprentices compete as preparation to become linemen. They’re challenged in four areas: a written test, hurt man rescue, 4kv post insulator change and an obstacle course. GreyStone Apprentice Lineman Taylor Shadrix won third place, EMC division in the obstacle course event. Seven GreyStone apprentices competed, including Shadrix, Jeremy Thurman, Scott Buchanan, Joey O’Conner, Charles Camp, Matt Ingram and Eric Taylor.
Other employees coaching or judging were Kenny Wylie, Keith Bailey, Aaron Parrott, Terry Queen, Eddie Elrod and Nathan McDuff. For full rodeo results visit www.garodeo.com.
