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At a competition packed with skilled lineworkers from across the state, Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative teams secured spots to compete among the most elite lineworkers across the country at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in October.
Nine apprentice lineworkers, four three-man journeymen teams, four barbecue pitmasters and ten staff judges joined hundreds of colleagues from across the state at Nolte Island Park near Seguin for the 28th Texas Lineman’s Rodeo on July 20.
The rodeo began at 6:30 a.m. to help ensure most events were completed before the midday summer heat. During the competition, lineworkers raced against time to climb and competitively work on unenergized power lines. They also performed tasks including replacing equipment and wiring transformers. Apprentice lineworkers tested their knowledge on a written exam.
While the competition was underway, lineworkers were cheered on by family, friends, coworkers and employees from other city and cooperative electric utilities.
Bluebonnet ended the day victorious. Michael Guajardo, Brandon Johnson and Kenneth Roush won first place for the second year in a row in the senior journeymen team division for lineworkers 45 and older.
“The keys to our success were our teamwork and communication,” Guajardo said. “Talking through ideas, problem-solving and understanding each other’s roles are vital for working toward a common goal.”
Colton Burch, an apprentice lineworker, received two second-place awards: as apprentice lineworker and in the written exam. “It was real when they called my name,” he said.
Journeymen lineworker team Kyle Kasper, Logan Lancaster and Andrew Murphy demonstrated speed and safety skills to place fourth in the pole climb event. To sweeten the deal, Zachary Handrick, Huston Burgess and Bryan Woods won fourth place for their brisket in the barbecue cook-off.
The biggest takeaway for first-time competitor Burch was the support he received from his family, coworkers and all the guys that compete, he said.
“We practice specifically for the rodeo for a handful of days, but in reality, we practice every day when we’re working on restoring power for our members,” Burch said.
Troy Moore, one of Bluebonnet’s rodeo team coaches and a Bluebonnet line crew supervisor in Bastrop, spoke about pride in how the lineworkers performed, adding that the rodeo gives apprentices and journeymen a chance to practice their skills, test their knowledge and build camaraderie.
“It’s about building confidence and fostering teamwork, qualities that are crucial in our daily work providing reliable power to our community,” Moore said.
The 2024 rodeo team members were Reid Hanna, Nick Steuermann, Tucker Saegert, Justin Lewis, Colton Burch, J.D. Boecker, Lane Magnuson, Cooper Lucherk, Trevor Williams, Michael Guajardo, Kenneth Roush, Brandon Johnson, Kyle Kasper, Logan Lancaster, Andrew Murphy, John Courtney, Brad Young, Parker Redwine, Ty Duesterheft, John Zamora and Joe Lockhart. Coaches were Daniel Fritsche, Danny Bolding, Troy Moore and Chris Rivera.
Founded in 1996 and hosted by the Texas Lineman’s Rodeo Association, the rodeo events are designed to mirror the challenges lineworkers across the state encounter daily while working to provide reliable power to more than 30 million Texas residents.
Bluebonnet’s 2024 Lineman's Rodeo Team
SCAM ALERT: Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members have reported a recent increase in attempted scams.
These fraudulent activities include scammers posing as Bluebonnet representatives both over the phone and in person, making false claims about account issues and high billing errors, and claiming to sell solar energy systems.
Bluebonnet employees will never come to your home requesting information regarding your account, to discuss your bill, or to ask for immediate payment. Bluebonnet employees wear uniforms with Bluebonnet’s name and logo and have vehicles with the co-ops logo on the doors. Employees of Bluebonnet’s contractors wear their company’s uniform and drive vehicles with their company’s name and decal identifying them as a Bluebonnet contractor.
If a Bluebonnet member has not received a reminder in the mail or a courtesy call about their account, and someone claiming to represent Bluebonnet calls demanding an immediate payment, do not pay, and do not provide the caller with personal information, banking or credit card account information.
Bluebonnet asked members to report any attempted scams to local law enforcement and Bluebonnet member services at 800-842-7708. To get tips about recognizing scams, visit bluebonnet.coop/scams.
LCRA and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative representatives award a $25,000 grant to the Fayetteville Community Center Group for construction of an arts and cultural center. The grant is part of LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program. Pictured, from left to right, are: Kate Ramzinski, LCRA Regional Affairs representative; Cassie Austin, Fayette County court administrator; Ben Kastleman, advisory committee member; Sherry Murphy, Bluebonnet Giddings-area community representative; Mike Stroup, Fayetteville mayor; Byron Balke, Bluebonnet Board Assistant Secretary/Treasurer; Margaret D. "Meg" Voelter, LCRA board member; Pam Reynolds, Craig Moreau and John Reynolds, advisory committee members; Luke Sternadel, Fayette County commissioner, Precinct 2; Reid Bader, advisory committee member; Fred Roberts, FCCG board treasurer; and Keely Mikolajchak, Bluebonnet intern. Pictured behind in backhoe: Wesley Russell, Gaeke Construction.
A $25,000 grant from the Lower Colorado River Authority and Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative will help fund construction of a new arts and cultural center in Fayetteville.
The Community Development Partnership Program grant, along with more than $2 million in matching funds from the nonprofit Fayetteville Community Center Group, will pay for the first phase of construction, which is underway.
The project is rebuilding two historic buildings on Fayetteville’s town square to provide space for arts instruction, performances and meeting rooms for community and civic groups. A second phase of the project will add a state-of-the-art 150-seat theater and catering kitchen.
Jerry Herring, president of the Fayetteville Community Center Group, said the new building will include a spacious theater lobby that also will be available for public events involving schools, nonprofit organizations and other area groups.
“This is truly a civic project,” Herring said, noting it has received more than 700 individual donations. “Every little bit helps, and all the donations help validate our quest. We’re grateful for the $10 gift and we’re grateful for this CDPP grant. I think the end result will be terrific for the people here.”
Herring and other project organizers envision a cultural center with acting, music and dance programs for children and adults; health and exercise classes; and performance spaces for local and touring individuals or groups.
“In rural communities, arts and cultural education can sometimes take a back seat to other education goals,” Herring said. “We’re trying to fill a gap with a venue that will support drama and other arts and enhance the cultural activities available in our area. When you have a good event, people will come.”
Herring said planning for the new cultural center started in 2019, and the first phase of construction should conclude in about 12 months.
“We’ve been on this path for a while,” he said. “We have saved as much of the old buildings as we could, but the rebuilt replica will be a safe, comfortable and welcoming building. As the years go by, it will just blend into the quaintness of the town of Fayetteville.”
The community grant is one of five grants being awarded by Bluebonnet and LCRA through LCRA’s Community Development Partnership Program, which helps volunteer fire departments, local governments, emergency responders and nonprofit organizations fund capital improvement projects in LCRA’s wholesale electric, water and transmission service areas. The program is part of LCRA’s effort to give back to the communities it serves. Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of LCRA’s wholesale electric customers and is a partner in the grant program.
Applications for the next round of grants will be accepted in July. More information is available here
