CoServ linemen power through rodeo, win trophies
It could be aftermath of a severe thunderstorm, a 100-degree day or the middle of an ice storm.
If Members are without power, CoServ linemen respond as safely and quickly as possible.
It’s reflected in our reliability score, among the best in Texas, as well as the positive feedback from other cooperatives and their members when our crews provide mutual aid after a hurricane or other disaster.
Typically, they’re in bucket trucks working on the power lines. In some cases, they strap on the climbing belts and hooks – in addition to the usual personal protective equipment – to climb a pole. Though not an everyday occurrence, all CoServ linemen remain proficient at pole climbing in case they can’t use the bucket truck.
Or whenever it’s time for the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo.
Every July, CoServ sends teams of linemen to Seguin, just east of New Braunfels, where they showcase their abilities against other Texas utilities.
The teams raced up a pole with an egg, “rescued” a mannequin, replaced an insulator and fuse and changed out a 200-pound transformer atop a pole. These timed events demonstrate the strength, conditioning, proficiency and teamwork that the linemen use every day.
“During an outage, we want to do them right, in the safest way possible and come home every night,” said Apprentice Lineman Noah Hendricks. “But it’s fun to come out here and actually compete and see how fast we can do these tasks.”
CoServ Crew Supervisors Luke Hawkins, Alex Garza and Chris Hammonds rarely go up in bucket trucks, let alone climbing a pole. But CoServ’s first Senior Journeyman Team of 45-and-up linemen proved more than capable, winning third place overall in their category.
The sun was high in the morning sky as they competed in their last and most challenging event, the transformer changeout.
“That was great because this is a team event and to raise the transformer to the top, all three of us must work together,” said Alex, who was competing in his first rodeo. “I loved it. It’s not something I do every day now. Getting back and doing it all day, it felt really good. I may be hurting tomorrow but as of right now it was great.”
The rodeo isn’t all strength and conditioning – there’s also a written test that measures a lineman’s knowledge. CoServ Apprentice Lineman Josh Roberts received the second highest score out of 144 apprentices on the written test and took home a trophy of his own.
It wouldn’t be a Texas Lineman’s Rodeo without barbecue and CoServ was well represented with Jeff Richardson and Cramer Basham. The two stayed up all night to prep, monitor and slow cook the chicken, ribs and brisket for the competition.
The juicy, smoky meats are the perfect endcap lunch for the linemen competitors who are exhausted from a morning on the poles and their family members.
From apprentices and seasoned veterans to the cooking team, CoServ Members can be proud of how their co-op represented them in Seguin again.
“CoServ linemen are the best of the best and we’re proud of all our Employees who competed in the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo,” said Cody Coulter, Director of Operations. “Their main priority is to provide reliable, safe electricity for our Members and we will put their professionalism and work ethic up against anyone.”
