Choptank Electric Wins Multiple Awards at 2025 Gaff-n-Go Rodeo

By Katie Luckett, Director of Marketing, Communications & Education 

Choptank Electric Cooperative received multiple awards at the 21st Annual Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, held May 16-17 in Doswell, Va. The event attracts the best lineworkers from around the country to compete in traditional lineworker tasks. More than 350 participants representing 12 states from cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, municipals and contractors competed in different events during the rodeo. Lineworkers are judged on speed, accuracy and — most importantly — safety during all competitive events. 

“I’m proud of all the hard work and dedication from Choptank employees at the Rodeo to represent our Co-op and community well,” says Mike Malandro, President & CEO of Choptank Electric. “Our team demonstrated their talent through 
various tests and obstacles, showing off their skills and creativity as they went up against the top lineworkers.”

The winning t-shirt theme, Inspiring the Future Generation, depicts a Choptank Electric lineman showing two young boys another lineman working up in the bucket of a Choptank truck on a farm. These shirts are on sale for a limited time at > choptankelectric.coop/rodeo-shirt. Proceeds from every purchase will go to the Fallen Linemen Foundation to support lineworkers who are injured on the job.

Choptank received the following awards at the rodeo:

• Overall Winner — Gaff-n-Grill contest 
Team Macked Out BBQ: Paul Miles, Clint Mills, Josh Mitchell and Mike Schroeder 

•Second Place — Gaff-n-Grill Pork Butt category 
Team Macked Out BBQ 

• Second Place — Digger Derrick/Mini-Excavator Obstacle Course 
Equipment Operator Team: Nick Newnam, Brandon Thompson and Dean Samuel 

• Third Place — Bucket Truck Hurtman Rescue 
Equipment Operator Team

• First Place — T-Shirt contest 
Designed by Scott Smart 

• Second Place — Apprentice Written Test 
Patrick Helgason  

• First Place — PLP Armor Rod and Tie competition 
Cole Herr with 38 seconds 

“The family atmosphere was the most exciting part of the rodeo,” says Malandro. “With more than 30 lineworkers competing or judging and over 100 staff, board members, family and friends in attendance to support, everyone could feel the cooperative spirit of Choptank. I want to especially thank all the employees who stayed home and cheered from afar during the Rodeo to manage our lines, demonstrating that Choptank delivers the best service to its members 24-7.” 

All Rodeo results and teams are posted online. Visit > www.gaffngo.com.