Roseville – On Saturday, March 29th, 2025, hundreds of journeymen linemen and apprentices from around the country descended on Roseville, California to participate in the American Public Power Association’s twenty-third annual Public Power Lineworkers’ Rodeo.
Opening Ceremony
The host City of Roseville hailed the event as “the ultimate venue” for public power lineworkers to demonstrate their skills and safety knowledge, while competing for professional recognition. The City also invited vendors to display the latest tools of the trade, sponsored food trucks to supply nourishment, and provided a host of family events to keep the kids entertained. The two-day event went well into Saturday evening, finishing with a live concert.
Journeymen and apprentice line workers attended optional training courses on Friday, and on Saturday showcased their skills in front of their families, friends, co-workers, and the community. The Apprentice Competition included such events as Sidewalk Guy Installation, Obstacle Course, Hurtman Rescue, Lightning Arrester Jumper Replacement, and a Written Test. The Journey events were 4kV Crossarm Change Out, 12kV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement, 12kV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In, Hurtman Rescue, and 4kV Double Dead-End Bell Change Out.
The atmosphere was tense all day for the competitors and onlookers. Many teams had been training for months and it showed, as they competed in the events, shooting for fast times and perfect scores. Any point deductions, and you were out of the running for top honors in that event and the overall title.
There is a great sense of pride in the Lineworker community. Bragging rights were at stake for the competitors, the Utilities and the Local Unions that represent them. The event is a celebration of the craft and the brotherhood and is a favorite of 1245 members and their families. “It was a lot of fun, hanging out, watching the competition, and swapping line stories from days long past with fellow linemen,” said Al Fortier, Senior Assistant Business Manager and Journey Lineman.
Apprentice Journeyman Lineman Jeremiah Olmstead, SMUD
Local 1245 represents lineman at twenty signatory Public Agencies, and this year many of those Agencies sent teams, including the City of Roseville, Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD), Truckee Donner Public Utility District, Turlock Irrigation District, the City of Lodi, the City of Redding and Modesto Irrigation District (MID).
First time rodeo participant Apprentice Lineman Danny Myles, said, “We’re trying to be as fast as we can and represent SMUD. Be good, be fast, safe, and have a good time.”
Veteran rodeo participant Dustin Krieger, a Foreman from Turlock Irrigation District, stated, “You’ve got to come prepared, {invest} a lot of practice hours.” Preparation and experience paid off, with Krieger’s TID team placing 5th and taking home a prize for their performance in the Overall Journeyman Team competition.
The City of Roseville team of Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and James Wolter
IBEW 1245 Business Representative Kim Camatti who represents SMUD employees remarked, “I am so proud of my brothers at SMUD and from all of our properties. They demonstrated extraordinary skill, teamwork, and passion for the trade and for the brotherhood.”
Electric Line Troubleshooter Kyle Giesser representing the Roseville Electric team summed up the spirit of the day saying, “It’s great to see the camaraderie between the teams from all over the country in one place.”
Many thanks to all who participated.
Photos by John Storey
2025 PUBLIC POWER LINEWORKERS RODEO WINNERS FROM IBEW 1245 REPRESENTED AGENCIES:
APPRENTICES
1st Place, Hurtman Rescue – SMUD Apprentice Sean Myles.
1st Place, Written Test – MID Apprentice Justin Smith.
4th Overall SMUD Apprentice Donovan Leardini.
JOURNEYMAN LINEMEN TEAMS
1st Place Overall Journeyman Team:
SMUD’s Team: Richard J. Cancilla, iii, Aaron Rudi, and Dwight Johnson.
5th Place Overall Journeyman Team:
Turlock Irrigation District Team: Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna, and Steve Johnson.
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1st Place, Journeyman Crossarm Change Out Event:
SMUD Team: Richard J. Cancilla, iii, Aaron Rudi, and Dwight Johnson.
3RD Place, Journeyman Crossarm Change Out Event:
SMUD’s Team: Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford, Justin Kyle Hirschi.
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1st Place, Journeyman 12KV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement Event:
SMUD’s Team: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons, and Justin Estes.
2nd Place, Journeyman 12KV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement Event:
SMUD’s Team: Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley, and Caleb Bowman
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1st Place, Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In:
SMUD’s Team: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons, and Justin Estes
2nd Place, Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In:
SMUD’s Team: Richard J. Cancilla, iii, Aaron Rudi, and Dwight Johnson.
3rd Place, Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In:
SMUD’s Team: Shane Bazil, Drew Wigington, and Matt Ramey.
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2nd Place Journeyman 4KV Double Dead-End Change Out:
SMUD’s Team: Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley, and Caleb Bowman.
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1st Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue:
SMUD’s Team: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons, and Justin Estes.
2nd Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue:
SMUD’s Team: Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford, and Justin Kyle Hirschi.
The opening ceremony at the Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
SMUD Apprentice Nick Deherrera. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The SMUD team of Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley, Cayleb Bowman. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
Turlock Irrigation District team of John Damas, Elliott Fidalgo and Josh Griffith. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
Turlock Irrigation District team of Josh Kllkna, Steve Johnson and Dustin Krieger. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025..
The Modesto Irrigation District of John Wigt, Matthew McCurdy and Roby Higgins. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The Modesto Irrigation District of John Wigt, Matthew McCurdy and Roby Higgins. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The Modesto Irrigation District of John Wigt, Matthew McCurdy and Roby Higgins. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
SMUD Apprentice Danny Myles. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The City of Roseville team of Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and James Wolter. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The City of Roseville team of Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and James Wolter. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The City of Roseville team of Phillip Hartnett, Kyle Giesser and James Wolter. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
The Redding Electric team of Fiero Callegari, John Baley and Eric Bainbridge. The Public Power Lineman’s Rodeo in Roseville, Calif. on March 29, 2025.
2nd Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue: SMUD’s team of Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford and Justin Kyle Hirschi
1st Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue: SMUD’s team of Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons and Justin Estes
2nd Place Journeyman 4KV Double Dead-End Change Out SMUD’s Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley and Caleb Bowman
1st Place winner of the Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In SMUD’s team of Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons and Justin Estes
2nd Place winner of the Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In SMUD’s team of Richard J. Cancilla, lll, Aaron Rudi and Dwight Johnson
3rd Place winner of the Journeyman 12KV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In SMUD’s team of Shane Brazil, Drew Wigington and Matt Ramey
1st Place winner of the Journeyman 12KV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement event: SMUD’s team of Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons and Justin Estes
2nd Place winner of the Journeyman 12KV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement event: SMUD’s team of Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley and Caleb Bowman
1st Place Journeyman Crossarm Change Out event: SMUD team of Richard J. Cancilla, III, Aaron Rudi and Dwight Johnson
3rd Place Journeyman Crossarm Change Out event: SMUD’s team of Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford and Justin Kyle Hirschi
2nd Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue Team: SMUD’s Team of Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford and Justin Kyle Hirschi
1st Place Journeyman Hurtman Rescue SMUD’s team of Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons and Justin Estes
5th Place Overall Journeyman Team: the Turlock Irrigation District Team of Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna and Steve Johnson
1st Place Overall Journeyman Team, SMUD’s Team of Richard J. Cancilla, III, Aaron Rudi and Dwight Johnson.
4th Overall, SMUD Apprentice Donovan Leardini
1st Place Written Test, MID Apprentice Justin Smith
1st Place Hurtman Rescue, SMUD Apprentice Sean Myles