SUN VALLEY, CALIF., (May 4, 2019) – The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) made a strong showing at the 2019 Los Angeles Lineman’s Rodeo with a Journeyman Team (experienced lineman) finishing in second place overall and Apprentice Teams (employees currently being trained in the trade) taking the top two overall spots.
LADWP and the IBEW Local 18 hosted the 28th annual event at the Truesdale Training Center in Sun Valley and drew 74 teams (26 journeyman teams and 48 apprentice teams), representing 12 utilities from Southern California and beyond to compete and finish challenges that test job skills, athleticism and adherence to safety protocols. The 10 Lineman’s Rodeo competition events mirror challenges encountered every day by LADWP’s utility crews, who risk their lives to ensure reliable power is provided to the city’s 4 million residents.
LADWP Team Results
- Overall Journeyman Scoring – 2nd Place, Team #12, Sam Ek, Carlos Lopez and Mark Torres
- Pole Climb – 2nd Place, Transformer Change – 2nd Place, and Cross Arm Change – 3rd Place: Sam Ek, Carlos Lopez & Mark Torres
- Overall Apprentice Scoring – 1st Place, Franky Leyva and 2nd Place, David Angove
- Apprentice Quiz – 1st Place, Franky Levya
- Pole Climb – 1st Place, Rope Throw Conductor Tie – 2nd Place, Secondary Parallel – 2nd Place, Hurtman Rescue – 3rd Place: David Angove
“What a tremendous showing by our current and future linemen,” said Andrew Kendall, Senior Assistant General Manager for LADWP. “For those of us at the department, we see their skills put to the test every day. At the lineman’s Rodeo, family members and the community get to see first-hand why our power crews are among the best in the world and we couldn’t be prouder, kudos to all who participated today.”
The primary purpose of a Lineman’s Rodeo is to help maintain a focus on safe work practices, to provide an opportunity for the public to better understand and recognize the skills that linemen use in the course of doing their jobs, and to provide an opportunity for these professionals to receive recognition in their trade. The LA Lineman’s Rodeo Committee also sees the event as a showcase for jobseekers and a hands-on event for kids. Family friendly activities included a petting zoo, rock climbing, a magic show, face painting and a science center where close to 150 kids gathered to make a wind turbine. The top three power generating wind turbines netted the enterprising kid-engineers winner’s trophies, just like the ones their family members received.
The rodeo attracted approximately 3,800 community members and also included 57 vendors selling industry gear and supplies. To pull off an event of this scale, the LADWP Lineman’s Rodeo Committee had help from 140 volunteers that included staff from LADWP, L.A. Trade Tech and East L.A. Skill Center.
LADWP will move on to compete in the 34th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo & Expo, scheduled for October 16 – 19, 2019 in Overland Park, Kansas.
LADWP founded the Lineman’s Rodeo in 1991; this year marked the event’s 28th anniversary. For a complete list of winners, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y6zmllqn.
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