4/10/2009 12:00:00 AM

Thirteen Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) linemen volunteered to compete and to serve as judges in the 2009 Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo. NNEC had two teams of three linemen, two apprentice linemen and five judges at the Rodeo. NNECs Mike Finerfrock, manager, safety and right-of-way maintenance, serves on the committee for the linemans rodeo and participates as a judge. The number one priority for the rodeo is to promote safety. Judging is geared toward safe and efficient work practices in each event. To successfully complete the journeyman events, teamwork is critical Finerfrock noted.

Thirty teams of electric utility linemen and fifty apprentice linemen from Virginia, Maryland, North Carolina, Ohio and as far away as Kansas competed in the sixth annual Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo, Saturday, April 4, 2009, on the campus of Liberty University in Lynchburg, Va.

NNEC President and CEO Greg White commented on the Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo, After the past two years where our linemen demonstrated their skills of working in harsh conditions, we were blessed with a bright and sunny day at the 9th GaffNGo Linemans Rodeo. This year NNEC added a second team and also had a new apprentice lineman join the competition. As in years past, our linemen demonstrated their safe working skills to family, friends and coworkers. This year one of our teams brought home two first place awards in the Altec Equipment Events.

The competition gives linemen the opportunity to demonstrate their professional skills as they perform a variety of tasks during five scored events. Each team or individual apprentice was judged not only on the time it takes to perform an event, but more importantly according to safe and efficient work practices. Participating teams represented electric cooperatives, investor-owned utilities and municipal power systems.

The Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo is the only event of its type held in Virginia. The name of the event refers to the gaff or metal spike that linemen attach to their boots to assist them in climbing wooden utility poles. It is sponsored by the Virginia, Maryland & Delaware Association of Electric Cooperatives (VMDAEC) with all proceeds benefiting its scholarship foundation for college-bound high school students.

Journeyman lineman Joey Gay was the senior man on NNECs team with 30 years of experience. He remarked, The rodeo is a great opportunity to build working relationships with linemen from various places and learn different techniques to safely perform our duties. When we observe other line crews accomplish their tasks, sometimes we pick up new tricks. As for John, Greg and me, these events are exercises in team building that will return with us on the job at Northern Neck Electric Cooperative.

In addition to Dominion Virginia Power, co-hosts for the 2009 Gaff-n-Go Linemans Rodeo were BARC Electric Cooperative, Millboro,Va.; Central Virginia Electric Cooperative, Arrington, a.; Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative, Chase City,Va.; Northern Neck Electric Cooperative, Warsaw,Va.; Rappahannock Electric Cooperative, Fredericksburg, Va.; Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative (SMECO), Hughesville, Md.; and Southside Electric Cooperative, Crewe, Va.