Local 1245 Team from TID Wins Muni Division
Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna and James Small from TID, 1st Place Overall, Journeyman Municipal Division
For the second year straight, the Local 1245 team from Turlock Irrigation District (TID) — comprised of Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna and James Small — came in first place overall in the Municipal Division at this year’s International Lineman’s Rodeo in Kansas City. In a competition that is often decided by a matter of seconds, the TID team’s total time was nearly five minutes faster than the second place team in their division, proving once again that they are truly the best of the best among municipal utilities.
“We couldn’t be more proud of our stellar team from TID,” said Local 1245 Business Manager Tom Dalzell. “These top-notch competitors have built a powerful reputation as the team to beat, and for good reason. It’s an honor to have them representing Local 1245.”
Dustin Curry, 4th Place Overall in the IOU category; 1st Place in Apprentice Slack Block, 3rd Place in Apprentice Hurt Man Rescue
The TID team wasn’t the only journeyman group from 1245 to grace the podium in Kansas City. The PG&E “Rodeo Dogs,” made up of Tony Humbert, Nick Smith and Jordan Chene, took 1st place in a new Journeyman mystery event #2, “Vibration Damper Replacement,” while the PG&E Fresno Division team, comprised of Marco Acosta, Ryan Skelton and Josh Turner, took 3rd Place in the Journeyman Hurt Man Rescue event. Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and Josh Raley from the City of Roseville took 2nd place in the Journeyman Pole Climb, and Matt Wilson, Cayleb Bowman and Greg Baird from SMUD took 4th place in that same event. In fact, Local 1245 dominated the Pole Climb, with five of the top 10 teams in that iconic event representing our local.
In the Apprentice division, Dustin Curry, PG&E Apprentice Lineman from Stockton Division, was one of the stand-out competitors. He took home three awards, including 4th Place Overall in the Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) category; 1st Place in the Apprentice Slack Block event; and 3rd Place in the Apprentice Hurt Man Rescue event. Other notable Apprentices include Gary Hoch from PG&E Oakdale, who took 1st Place in the Apprentice Pins/Insulator Replacement Mystery Event, and Brandon Dance from PG&E Livermore Division, who took 5th Place in the Apprentice Written Test. Additionally, Matthew Korpi placed 3rd overall in the Apprentice Contractor category.
Local 1245 Executive Board member Mike Cottrell (right) served as a judge
“You could feel the very roots and soul of our union’s founding present in each event, and you could see it in the eyes of the contestants,” said Local 1245 Executive Board member Mike Cottrell, who attended the International Rodeo for the first time this year and also served as a judge. “Our teams and our staff and judges performed like the professionals they are, and added to the grand success [of the Rodeo]. I feel like we all came away winners.”
A heartfelt congrats to all the competitors!
Photos by John Storey
Gary Hoch, 1st Place, Apprentice Pins/Insulator Replacement Mystery Event
Tony Humbert, Nick Smith and Jordan Chene, 1st Place, Journeyman Mystery Event #2
Brandon Dance, 5th place, Apprentice Written Test
Matt Wilson, Cayleb Bowman and Greg Baird, 4th place, Journeyman Pole Climb
Dustin Curry, 4th Place Overall in the Investor-Owned Utility (IOU) category; 1st Place in Apprentice Slack Block, 3rd Place in Apprentice Hurt Man Rescue
Local 1245 Executive Board member Mike Cottrell (right) served as a judge
Matthew Korpi, 3rd Place Overall, Apprentice Contractor Division
Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna and James Small from TID, 1st Place Overall, Journeyman Municipal Division
Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and Josh Raley, 2nd place, Journeyman Pole Climb
Marco Acosta, Ryan Skelton and Josh Turner, 3rd place, Journeyman Hurt Man Rescue