Snapping Shoals EMC’s Lineman’s Rodeo Team participated in the International Lineman's Rodeo in Kansas this past weekend with hundreds of other linemen and apprentices. The rodeo events mirror the challenges linemen face daily, including climbing poles, changing insulators, reconfiguring fiberglass arms, and completing a simulated rescue of an injured co-worker, all while racing against the clock.

Colby Chapman, Dakota Conner and Dustin Kerbow competed as a team, as did Alex Hudson, Richie Clark and J.C. Bradshaw. Don Ritchey, David Hawkins and Terry Buffer competed as a team in the Senior Division and placed 5th Overall in the division. Brett McDevitt, Lawson Beshears, Sawyer Hill and Gage Harris participated in the Apprentice Division.

Robert Whitener, Phil Phillips, Russell Nelms, Andy McDaniel and Derrick Avery served as judges while Melvin Brake and Randy Nixon served as coaches. Bobby Fincher coordinated SSEMC’s participation in the rodeo.

The International Lineman’s Rodeo gives linemen an opportunity to showcase the skills that are necessary and essential to restore power in the electric utility business. “It’s good to see this many of our linemen compete in the rodeo. The competition reminds them how to work safely under pressure, and to think on the fly,” said Don Ritchey, SSEMC’s Vice President of Operations.

Pictured: (front kneeling from left) Brett McDevitt, Alex Hudson and his son, retired SSEMC CEO Brad Thomas, Andy McDaniel and Lawson Beshears (second and back rows from left) Gage Harris, Robert Whitener, Richie Clark, Bobby Fincher, Colby Chapman, Terry Buffer, Dakota Conner, Dustin Kerbow, Randy Nixon, Sawyer Hill, Melvin Brake, David Hawkins, SSEMC CEO Shaun Mock, Russell Nelms, Don Ritchey, Derrick Avery and J.C. Bradshaw