PEC earned five first-place trophies at the 14th annual Texas Lineman’s Rodeo, held recently in Seguin.

“Nineteen of our apprentices and two journeyman teams entered the rodeo with the desire to work safely, be competitive and finish every event,” said Bob DiFonzo, Canyon Lake district manager. “Every lineman accomplished most of what he set out to do, but at the end of the day three linemen were able to walk the stage, and two of them did it twice.

“These apprentices are best of class competing against 85 other apprentice linemen.”

Cemetery Twenty-five linemen from PEC were among the 160-plus apprentice and journeyman linemen from

Associations across the state who competed in the rodeo. They

were judged on safety, technique and speed, emulating their daily work in a profession in which a mistake can lead to critical injury or death.

While racing against the clock and following safety rules, the linemen competed in events such as tool inspection and hurtman rescue, which is the simulated rescue of an injured co-worker from a 40- foot-high power pole.

This was PEC’s first year to enter the Lineman’s Rodeo, which gives spectators a chance to see the complex tasks associated with linework and builds camaraderie among linemen.

“The fact that PEC won five first-place awards is a testament to the skill and expertise that our linemen

use to keep our members’ lights on,” said Robby

Lewis, PEC safety instructor and a former lineman. Cemetery “It’s a complicated job that few people understand,

and this competition gives our linemen a chance to Associations compete and to demonstrate their skills in a safe

environment.

“Safety is job one, whether we’re doing our jobs in the field or competing in the Lineman’s Rodeo,” Lewis added.