ATLANTA - May 17, 2007 - Linemen from across the Southeast showcased the unique skills they rely on to keep the lights on at the 13^th annual Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo held at the Georgia National Fairgrounds and Agricenter in Perry, Georgia.   This year’s competition, which took place May 5, featured 50 competing journeyman teams and 87 apprentices.

During the day-long competition, the linemen competed as journeymen teams (the highest qualified individuals), apprentices (those in the first four years of lineman training) and seniors (those age 45 and older) in one of three divisions: electric membership corporations (EMCs), investor-owned utilities and electric cities of Georgia.

In the overall category, Georgia Power teams placed first, fourth and fifth with a team from Savannah clinching the top position.  Georgia Power also swept the top five spots in the apprentice category and the company’s senior division team from Augusta ranked fifth overall in the competition. 

Apprentice linemen who took the top positions included Jason Gable from Marietta, Joshua Williams, Tommy Garrett and Nameth Padgett from Austell, Brian Thomas from Athens, and Jake Jackson from Atlanta. 

“A lineman’s work requires a lot of skill to do the job, but also a lot of commitment to get the job done safely and efficiently,” said Ken Rose, senior training specialist and rodeo chair.  “The talent that our linemen showed at the rodeo is testament that they have what it takes to restore power under a variety of scenarios.  We’re extremely proud of them and what they do every day.” 

In a profession where a mistake can mean a critical injury or death, skill, safety and speed proved crucial in the annual competition.   During the contest, linemen climbed poles and changed out live-line insulators, reconfigured fiberglass and wooden cross-arms, and completed a simulated rescue of an injured co-worker from high atop a power pole, while racing against the clock and following all safety rules.

Georgia Power teams from the overall lineman competition, the senior division and the apprentice category will advance to the International Rodeo in Kansas City this fall.   For a complete listing of all category rankings, please visit www.garodeo.com.

The Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo Association is a partnership of the Electric Cities of Georgia, Georgia Electric Membership Corp. and Georgia Power. Its purpose is to conduct an annual Georgia Lineman’s Rodeo and focus on electric safety, training and safe work practices.

Georgia Power is the largest subsidiary of Southern Company, one of the nation’s largest generators of electricity.  The company is an investor-owned, tax-paying utility with rates well below the national average.  Georgia Power serves 2.3 million customers in all but four of Georgia’s 159 counties.