Walton EMC Line Technicians Bring Home Awards From Skills Competition

Threating, stormy weather -- just the type that calls electric line technicians to work in the middle of the night -- was the order of the day at this year's Georgia Lineman's Rodeo in Albany.

Despite less than optimum conditions, Walton Electric Membership Corporation (EMC) participants once again fared well at the annual event.

Apprentice Line Technician Jonathan Brooks took second place honors in the overall apprentice division. Brooks also placed second in the EMC apprentice division, insulator change event and hurt man rescue event and third in the written test event.

Apprentice Line Technician Adam Simmons came in third in the overall apprentice division. He also placed third in the EMC apprentice division and first in the service hook up and written test events.

In the journeyman division, the team of Bradley McCallister, Preston Roberts and Ryan West placed third overall and in the EMC division. The journeyman team of Josh Fuller, Tommy Ledford and Wesley Payton also represented Walton EMC at the event.

The annual rodeo tests line technicians' knowledge and skill in building and maintaining electrical distribution systems. Practicing for and competing in the event translates into more efficient and safer work habits that save time, money and lives.

Apprentices and journeymen compete in different divisions. Apprentices compete individually while journeymen compete on three-man teams.

Brooks, Simmons, McCallister, Roberts and West will represent Walton EMC at the International Lineman's Rodeo this October in Kansas City, Mo.