LADWP Team Takes the Top Municipal Spot at 26th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo

LOS ANGELES — LADWP Linemen crushed the competition once again, ranking top municipal utility at the 26th Annual International Lineman’s Rodeo held on October 17 in Bonner Springs, Kansas. Winning 1st place overall municipal team was LADWP’s very own Graham Peace, Dave Schneider, and Sean Nicklaw.  Also showing an impressive performance were LADWP’s Sotero Ramos, Mark Garcia and Randy Pierson who ranked 2nd place overall municipal team, apprentice John Russo who took first in the mystery/insulator replacement event, and apprentice Ben Rodriguez who placed second overall municipal apprentice.

The International Lineman’s Rodeo features the very best linemen from around the world who compete in a variety of events designed to showcase the incredible dexterity and skill required of them day in and day out to keep the power flowing. More than 200 journeyman and 250 apprentice teams participated in events such as the hurt man rescue and pole climb.

Kansas City Power & Light played host to this year’s rodeo, which welcomed over 3,000 attendees and participants from across the United States and around the world.  In addition to maintaining focus on safe work practices, the International Lineman’s Rodeo provides electrical workers a forum to share their knowledge with others in their trade from different companies and parts of the country.

LADWP journeyman team David Kelly, Derek Wert and Erik Jacobsen also qualified to compete at the International Lineman’s Rodeo after winning at the Los Angeles Lineman’s Rodeo held last summer at LADWP’s Truesdale Training Facility in Sylmar.

The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power congratulates our 2009 International Lineman’s Rodeo champions and thanks all of our LADWP rodeo competitors for their tremendous efforts.

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