PEC wins big at 2019 Texas Lineman’s Rodeo

PEC lineworkers prepare rigorously for the rodeo, and do whatever it takes to get a leg up on the competition.

“These guys train hard and expect to win,” said Safety and Program Development Manager Darrell Hall. “That’s the attitude for PEC at this event.”

PEC’s apprentices had an outstanding showing, sweeping several events and coming away with the top three awards in the overall category. Apprentices are lineworkers who are working their way through the several years of on-the-job training required to become a certified journeyworker.

“We benefit from competing against each other,” Apprentice Lineworker Darren Donhauser explained. “You look around and our guys are some of the fastest, some of the smartest lineworkers in the country,” he said. “We’re a team and we want PEC to win every time, but individually we strive to beat each other.”

Donhauser’s teammate Garrit Afman seconds that notion.

“The guys around you and above you push you to be your best,” Afman said.  “When we do something wrong, we go to the guys who did it right and learn from them. Success isn’t magic, it’s hard work and dedication.”

The rodeo is a great opportunity for PEC and the greater lineworker community to come together. Many families of PEC employees come to watch their loved ones compete. For a lot of children, it’s how they learn what their parents do at work. If you ask anyone at the rodeo what makes it special, it’s likely “family” will be the first thing they say.

Nowhere is that sense of community stronger than at the barbeque cook-off.

“It’s a brotherhood,” said Substation Technician JR Lombard, who competed on one of PEC’s three barbeque teams. “With PEC, you’re among friends and family, on and off the clock. When you’re here, you build a stronger bond with your brothers and sisters at the co-op.”

Two journeyworker teams and six apprentices will represent PEC at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, Oct. 16-19. Join us in wishing them the best of luck on the biggest stage of competition!

The journeyworker teams heading to the international competition include Charley Goines, Jayce Johnson, and Derek Morgan of Kyle/Buda and Chris Gerchman, Nick Morris, and Asuncion Menchaca of Canyon Lake. The apprentices are Garrit Afman, Evan Bradfield, Caleb Brodock, Neil Dodson, Darren Donhauser, and Joshua Herrick.

Congratulations to all our competitors. As always, you make us PEC Proud! Here is the complete list of PEC’s awards:

Overall awards, apprentice division

First place: Lineworker Apprentice Evan Bradfield

Second place: Lineworker Apprentice Neil Dodson

Third place: Lineworker Apprentice Joshua Herrick

Apprentice pole climb

First place: Lineworker Apprentice Caleb Brodock

Second place: Lineworker Apprentice Garrit Afman

Third place: Lineworker Apprentice Darren Donhauser

Apprentice hurt man rescue

First place: Lineworker Apprentice Garrit Afman

Second place: Lineworker Apprentice Caleb Brodock

Apprentice written test

First place: Lineworker Apprentice Evan Bradfield

Second place: Lineworker Apprentice Neil Dodson

Third place: Lineworker Apprentice Darren Donhauser

Apprentice photocell changeout

First place: Lineworker Apprentice Darren Donhauser

Journeyman team cooperative division

First place: Journeyworkers Charley Goines, Jayce Johnnson, and Derek Morgan

Third place: Journeyworkers Chris Gerchman, Nick Morris, and Asuncion Menchaca

Journeyman team jumper changeout

First place: Journeyworkers Chris Gerchman, Nick Morris, and Asuncion Menchaca

Barbeque cook-off

First place overall: The Meat Sweats (Aaron Alvarez, Josh Valdez, Gilbert Valdez)

Second place, ribs category: The Meat Sweats (Aaron Alvarez, Josh Valdez, Gilbert Valdez)

Third place, chicken category: The Meat Sweats (Aaron Alvarez, Josh Valdez, Gilbert Valdez)