The IBEW/PG&E Gas Rodeo returned to the Winters training facility after a five-year hiatus.
On a clear spring day in late April, 15 teams from PG&E’s gas departments faced off at the exciting IBEW/PG&E Gas Rodeo, which returned to the Winters training facility after a five-year hiatus.
The day-long event began with an emotional tribute to Cory Dunne, an IBEW 1245 gas member who lost his life two years ago in a tragic workplace accident. Speakers at the dedication included Joe Foreline and Roland Hedemark from PG&E management, as well as IBEW 1245 senior staffers Anthony Brown and Mike Adayan. All spoke on safety and the effect that Dunne’s accident and death had on them.
The competition began shortly after the tribute, and showcased many of the unique skills that gas workers use on the job every day, in a safe and controlled simulated environment.
“Teams competed in a pipe and tracer wire insert event, a pipe cut, a hole dig, and an equipment relay,” said IBEW 1245 Business Rep Garrett Markwood. “Lots of families were there to support their loved ones, lots of kids. There was even a sand pit for the kids to use kid-sized hand-powered ‘excavators.’ Everyone seemed to be having a good time.”
The competitors and spectators also enjoyed a tasty BBQ lunch and the various booths set up by IBEW 1245’s Control the Pressure Safety committee, PSEA, Milwaukee Tools and other vendors.
“I thought the event went really well,” echoed Business Rep Mark Goodwin. “It was a great turn out of friends, family, company, and members. It seemed as though everyone really enjoyed themselves.”
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The last IBEW/PG&E Gas Rodeo took place in 2019, pre-pandemic (the planning committee had intended to bring the Rodeo back in 2023, but the event was unfortunately cancelled), IBEW gas members at PG&E were thrilled to have a chance to compete against their peers once again and hopefully score high enough to advance to the National Gas Rodeo.
The seasoned competitors from Team Hott Headz returned to the competition this year ready to win. The four-man team from Bakersfield GC has been on the Rodeo circuit since 2018, and this year, the work they put in to prepare for the Rodeo clearly paid off, as they nabbed the top spot in the four-person team division, earning them an all-expenses-paid trip to Nationals later this year.
“All the events that we practiced went smooth. We had one hiccup on our pipe cut. We actually added about 10 seconds more than what we’re used to,” said Cavan Conner from Team Hott Headz. “But other than that, we really had really clean runs and no penalties. And that’s really what it takes to win this, it’s clean runs and no penalties.”
Another seasoned competitor, Tom Peterson, and his new partner Brandon Northcut, took first in the two-person team division. The pair competed as Team Hot-Tie In, and even though Northcut was brand new to the competition, Peterson’s extensive experience allowed them to rise to the top.
Team Hot Tie In
“I started doing Rodeos in 2016, my first year at PG&E,” said Peterson, noting that he’s competed with several different partners over the years and has gone to Nationals every single time. “It was actually my partner’s first year even doing this, and he stepped up and we were able to get first place.”
When the winners were announced, family and friends cheered and applauded as the top teams accepted their awards. IBEW 1245 Business Rep Phuong Tran announced that the union would be sponsoring the 3rd place teams in each division to attend the National Gas Rodeo as well.
Congrats to all of the competitors who will advance to the national stage this year:
Four-person competition
- 1st Place: Hott Headz (GC Bakersfield) — David Lupericio, Noe Estrada, Cavan Conner, Issac Lupericio, Jose Martinez
- 2nd Place: Filthy Four (GC Vaca-Dixon) — Jeramy Neff, Sam Barraza, Garrett Valenzuela, Adam Quinones, Emanuel Ene
- 3rd Place (sponsored by IBEW): Young Bucks (GC, Yosemite) — Richard Thomason, Kyle Balestieri, Roberto Hernandez, Santos Sandoval
Two-person competition
- 1st Place: Hot-Tie In (GC Yosemite) — Tom Peterson, Brandon Northcut
- 2nd Place: Gas Money (GC Yosemite) — Nic Reed, Kevin Gonzales
- 3rd Place (sponsored by IBEW): Squeeze Easy (GC, Yosemite) — Kevin Peterson, Brett Jackson, Rafael Zermeno
The 2024 PG&E Gas Rodeo at the PG&E Gas Training Center in Winters, Calif. on April 27, 2024.
1st Place winners, 4-man team- The Hott Headz.
2nd Place winners, 4-man team, Filthy Four.
3rd Place winner, 4-man team, Young Bucks.
1st Place Winner, 2-man team, Hot Tie In.
2nd Place, 2-man team, Gas Money.
3rd Place 2-man Team, Squeeze Easy.
The event began with a commemoration for IBEW 1245 member Cory Dunne, who lost his life on the job two years ago.