Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative lineworkers John Sutton, David Cotton, Jake Mills, Gabe DeFew and Terry Doublin raise flags for the Lineman’s Memorial to honor fallen linemen. Photo: Wade Harris
Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative lineworker Tyler Richardson competes at the rodeo from his home co-op in Paducah. Photo: Wade Harris
Pennyrile Electric Apprentice Line Technician Tyler Vaughn
competes in the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo. Photo: Wade Harris
Jackson Energy Cooperative 1st class line technicians, from left, Dwight Robinson, Jordan Akemon and Jordan House celebrate their Overall Team first-place finish in the 2022 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo. Photo: Tim Webb
West Kentucky RECC lineworkers from left, Steven Watkins and Dalton Jewell prepare to compete in the rodeo. Photo: Tim Webb
Genevieve, Jason, Claire, Levi and Isaiah Trammell support their grandfather, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative employee Keith Burrow, not shown. Photo: Tim Webb
Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative lineworkers John Sutton, David Cotton, Jake Mills, Gabe DeFew and Terry Doublin raise flags for the Lineman’s Memorial to honor fallen linemen. Photo: Wade Harris
Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative lineworker Tyler Richardson competes at the rodeo from his home co-op in Paducah. Photo: Wade Harris
Pennyrile Electric Apprentice Line Technician Tyler Vaughn
competes in the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo. Photo: Wade Harris
Jackson Energy Cooperative 1st class line technicians, from left, Dwight Robinson, Jordan Akemon and Jordan House celebrate their Overall Team first-place finish in the 2022 Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo. Photo: Tim Webb
West Kentucky RECC lineworkers from left, Steven Watkins and Dalton Jewell prepare to compete in the rodeo. Photo: Tim Webb
Genevieve, Jason, Claire, Levi and Isaiah Trammell support their grandfather, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative employee Keith Burrow, not shown. Photo: Tim Webb
Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative lineworkers John Sutton, David Cotton, Jake Mills, Gabe DeFew and Terry Doublin raise flags for the Lineman’s Memorial to honor fallen linemen. Photo: Wade Harris
It’s a competition with one clear winner: the safety of electric cooperative line technicians.
In late September, more than 80 individual entrants and 24 electric co-op teams competed in the Kentucky Lineman’s Rodeo at Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative in Paducah. This is the 16th year for annual two-day event, begun in 2005.
Every day, co-op lineworkers labor in all types of conditions to keep the power on for their co-ops’ consumer-members. With their families and co-workers cheering them on, the best lineworkers from around the commonwealth compete in events based on traditional lineworker tasks and skills, where scoring rewards safety over speed.
“The rodeo is a chance for lineworkers to showcase the trade and strengthen their skills,” says Randy Meredith, director of safety and training at Kentucky Electric Cooperatives. “Most importantly, this event stresses the co-op commitment to safety and professional standards.”
