Choptank Wins 2024 Gaff-N-Go Rodeo Top Award
By Katie Luckett, Manager of Marketing, Communications and Education
Choptank Electric Cooperative received the top award at the 20th Annual Gaff-n-Go Lineworker’s Rodeo of Overall Journeyman Team Winner. Choptank also brought home the C.T. Bryant Overall Cooperative Winner Award, T-Shirt Design Winner, 1st Place Armor Rod Challenge, 3rd Place Primary Dead End Transfer and 3rd Place Apprentice Written Test.
“I am so proud of these linemen and their hard work to receive these prestigious awards,” said Mike Malandro, President & CEO of Choptank Electric. “They showed true determination and teamwork in the rain as they went up against the top lineworkers in the region. We are humbled to have such skilled linemen on our Cooperative’s lines.”
The Gaff-n-Go Rodeo was held May 17-18, 2024, in Doswell, Va. The annual event attracts the best lineworkers from the east coast to compete in traditional lineworker tasks. More than 300 lineworkers representing 11 states from cooperatives, investor-owned utilities, municipals and contractors competed in different events during the Rodeo. Apprentices competed individually while Journeymen competed in teams of three. Lineworkers are judged on speed, accuracy and safety during all competitive events.
The winning Overall Journeyman team consisted of Choptank Electric linemen Todd Anderson, Josh McCafferty and Scott Smart. This team also took home the C.T. Bryant Overall Cooperative Winner Award and 3rd Place in the Primary Dead End Transfer. Lineman Cole Herr won 1st Place in the Armor Rod Challenge with the fastest time of 32 seconds. Lineman Scott Smart designed the winning T-Shirt with the theme “Lighting up the Eastern Shore.” Lineman Patrick Helgason placed third in the Apprentice Written Test.
(L to R) Scott Smart, Mike Malandro, Josh McCafferty, Patrick Helgason and Todd Anderson.
“Team Choptank did an amazing job at the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo,” said Wayne Daubach, Manager of Regional Operations. “With more than 30 lineworkers competing or judging and nearly 100 staff, Board members, family and friends in attendance to support, I am proud to be a part of Choptank Electric Cooperative and look forward to what comes next for our Rodeo teams.”
Choptank Electric also competed in the Gaff-n-Grill and Equipment Operator competitions during the Rodeo. The Grill team, Macked Out BBQ, prepared wings, ribs, pork butt and blue crab salad on a cracker in the “anything but butts” category. The Equipment Operator team showcased their skills on the mini-excavator, digger derrick and bucket truck in obstacle courses, pole-top cutout changes and rescues.
“Besides the great competitions and how hard our linemen competed, the enduring memories for me will be the team spirit and family involvement I witnessed,” added Doug Scott, Choptank Electric Board Chair. “Whether it was how the competitors were all in for one another, the spirit of togetherness, or how the guys would help and advise the apprentices on best techniques; it was satisfying to witness.”
To learn more about the Gaff-n-Go Rodeo, visit > www.vmdaec.swoogo.com/gaffngo.