IBEW 1245/PG&E Linemans Rodeo Represents a Chance to Reach the Holy Grail

For over 100 lineman and apprentice lineman, The PG&E/IBEW 1245 lineman rodeo, which took place on August 1st, represented a chance to reach the Holy Grail. The goal is the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City. Only a select few can qualify.

This was the fourth annual PG&E/IBEW rodeo, which came back in 2012 after a 12-year hiatus. It has gotten bigger and better each year. As a result, the competition has gotten much stiffer. It certainly didn’t hurt that the team from Grass Valley, made up of JP Richard, Adam Beene and Anthony Albright, were the overall world champions last year in Kansas City. Everyone wants to take down the champions.

The day has also become a wonderful day for families. As a result, attendance has increased each year. There are many vendor booths, and the activities for kids are endless. The food, courtesy of ex-PG&E lineman Ish Hernandez, is exceptional.

At the end of the day, it wasn’t a PG&E team that got the first-place trophy. A team from SoCal Edison was on top of the podium. The Grass Valley team was the top PG&E team, coming in second place overall, which means they’ll be heading back to the International Rodeo this year. The other top-scoring PG&E journeymen and apprentices going to Kansas City are listed below.

• Journeymen: Anthony Esposito, Luke Bogart, Jacob Hunt, Josh Tuner, Marco Acosta, Eli Tharp, Jacob Krzyminski, Mark Stacy, Cassidy Maxfield
• Senior Division: Randy Patt, Michael Moss, Jerry Bryant
• Apprentices: Jordan Chene, Logan Schaffer, Tanner Boren, Tim Moore, Zack Huseby, Brandon Dance

–Bob Gerstle, IBEW 1245 Assistant Business Manager

Photos by John Storey