Cooperative wins 11 first place awards, 29 total in statewide competition
From climbing utility poles to smoking brisket — Pedernales Electric Cooperative crews gave their all, topping the leaderboard in several events at the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo, held July 15 in Seguin. The PEC Lineman’s Rodeo Team took home 29 awards in total with first place in 11 events, including Overall Journeyman and Apprentice, as well as in the Cooperative category. For PEC, this year’s event was one of the most successful on record.
“We’re committed fostering a culture of safety and excellence at PEC, and this competition clearly demonstrates the dedication that our lineworkers show each day to serve our membership,” said Eddie Dauterive, PEC chief operations officer. “We’re incredibly proud of our rodeo team and grateful for their efforts, both here at the Texas rodeo and in the field.”
Dauterive also credited the PEC Board of Directors for their support of important programs that help train lineworkers and keep them safe. The Board played an instrumental role in creating PEC’s Safety and Technical Training Center in Marble Falls, which provides the co-op’s lineworkers top industry training right here in Central Texas. Skills tested in rodeo competitions are the same skills performed in the field and practice helps ensure PEC members receive the best possible service and reliability.
PEC’s rodeo team is now focused on taking their skills to the national level, as they prepare to compete against the best in the world at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, October 11-14 in Overland Park, Kansas.
Team PEC’s results from the 2023 Texas Lineman’s Rodeo are listed below. A complete list of results from the statewide competition is available at tlra.org/results.
Journeyman:
Hurtman Rescue:
- First Place: Darren Donhauser, David Hernandez, and Jason Dean.
Pole Climb:
- Second Place: Caleb Brodock, Garrit Afman, and Thomas Logan.
- Obstacle Pole: First Place: Caleb Brodock, Garrit Afman, and Thomas Logan.
Transformer Change-out:
- First Place: Darren Donhauser, David Hernandez, and Jason Dean.
Overall:
- First Place: Darren Donhauser, David Hernandez, and Jason Dean.
- Second Place: Caleb Brodock, Garrit Afman, and Thomas Logan.
Cooperative:
- First Place: Darren Donhauser, David Hernandez, and Jason Dean.
- Second Place: Caleb Brodock, Garrit Afman, and Thomas Logan.
- Third Place: Tyler Horn, Justin Ferry, and Marshall Verette.
Apprentice Written Test:
- First Place: Blaine Preuit
- Third Place: Zack Gough
- Fourth Place: Daniel Wilson
Hurtman Rescue:
- First Place: Blaine Preuit
- Third Place: Zack Gough
Pole Climb:
- Second Place: Chayton Boyd
- Fourth Place: Matt Romero
Insulator Change:
- Second Place: Zachary McFee
Transformer Bank Wire-up:
- First Place: Matt Mabry
- Second Place: Colton Harris
- Third Place: Chayton Boyd
- Fourth Place: Zachary McFee
- Fifth Place: Zack Gough
Overall Apprentice:
- First Place: Blaine Preuit
- Second Place: Zack Gough
- Third Place: Daniel Wilson
Barbecue:
- First Place (Overall): Daniel Friesenhahn, Clinton Ullmann, and JR Lombard.
- First Place: (Brisket): Daniel Friesenhahn, Clinton Ullmann, and JR Lombard.
- Third Place (Ribs): Daniel Friesenhahn, Clinton Ullmann, and JR Lombard.
- Youth Obstacle Course (Ages 8-11):
Third Place:
- Lane Hernandez, son of PEC Journeyworker David Hernandez.
More information is available at pec.coop. Those interested in careers at PEC can view openings and apply at jobs.pec.coop.
