NES Linemen Climb Up in National Ranking

Nashville, Tenn. – Nashville Electric Service linemen ranked third nationally among other utilities at the recent 2008 American Public Power Association (APPA) Lineworkers’ Rodeo in Indianapolis, IN. The linemen team from NES’ West Service Center received a perfect score of 500 points. This is the highest ranking NES has ever received in eight years of competition in the APPA rodeo.

Linemen teams compete in five timed events. Speed is important, but accuracy is crucial because the rodeo promotes safety on the job. Each event simulates real life situations.

• 600-amp switch-out
• Cross arm change-out
• Hurt man rescue
• Alley arm change-out
• Cut-out change-out

Sixty teams from across the United States participated in the competition, including two NES teams from the Donelson and West Service Centers. Team members include Brad Sanford, Steve Stubblefield, Tommy Barksdale, Lance Southworth, Timmy Sanford, Bill Hing, Jeremy Woodside, and John Minor.

The event features two levels of competition: journeyman and apprentice. A journeyman has more than four years of experience, while an apprentice has four years or less. Apprentices take a written test and compete in four events based on safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling, and timely event completion.

The American Public Power Association (APPA) is the service organization for more than 2,000 community-owned electric utilities in the United States. Its purpose is to advance the public policy interests of its members and their consumers, and ensure adequate, reliable electricity at a reasonable price with the proper protection of the environment.