Ameren Illinois customers served by the Marion Operating Center (OC) know that journeymen linemen - Jason Novak, Clayton Gulley and Austin Lewis are great at keeping the lights on in southern Illinois.
The trio now has the distinction of being the best linemen in the world after finishing first overall at the 40th International Lineman’s Rodeo in Overland Park, Kansas, USA, Oct. 18-19, 2024.
40th International Lineman’s Rodeo
The lineman's rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events
The lineman's rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks.
Novak, Gulley and Lewis dominated with two second-place finishes to earn the best-of-the-best title at the competition. More than 255 journeymen teams and nearly 400 apprentices competed this year.
“To win the title 'Best of the Best’ is an amazing feeling,” said Jason Novak, adding “We practiced hard, but it takes a special day to win it all against the most elite competitors in the world. We developed a game plan before each event, but anything can happen, and we adjusted on the fly. I couldn't be prouder of how my teammates performed and how the other Ameren competitors did as well.”
Ameren Illinois excels in the pole climb event
In the pole climb event, Ameren Illinois cleaned house. The trio of Jacob Carr (Beardstown OC), Patrick Rodgers (Champaign OC) and Teddy Brinkoetter (Decatur OC) finished first overall with a time of 1-minute-and-9.15 seconds.
Novak, Gulley and Lewis were second with a time of 1- minute-and-20.11 seconds followed by the team of Blake Mette (Effingham OC), Jason Kenter (Mattoon OC) and Clint Dasenbrock (Effingham OC), who finished third with a time of 1-minute -and-26.25 seconds.
Novak, Gulley and Lewis also finished second overall in the tie change-out event. Carr, Rodgers and Brinkoetter finished fourth in the cutout change-out event. Both are tasks linemen do on a routine basis.
Ameren Illinois team performs exceptionally at the rodeo
“Congratulations to the Ameren Illinois team who performed exceptionally well at the International Lineman's Rodeo,” said Luke Wollin, Vice President of Electric Operations for Ameren Illinois.
Luke Wollin adds, “It was clear throughout the day that the four, three-journeyman teams and four apprentices from Illinois were performing at a very high level, but the results at the award ceremony that our teams achieved were extraordinary. It was exciting to close the award night by having an Illinois team win the top overall journeymen team, the most prestigious all-around award.”
Clayton Tanner finishes first in hurtman rescue event
Apprentice lineman - Clayton Tanner (Marion OC) finished first in the hurtman rescue event
Apprentice lineman - Clayton Tanner (Marion OC) finished first in the hurtman rescue event and third in the pole climb with a time of 43.5 seconds.
The hurtman rescue is a safety drill linemen perform annually. It is designed to showcase speed, while safely lowering a mannequin (representing a lineman who is unconscious) from the top of the utility pole.
Apprentice linemen Cade Hoffman (Mt. Vernon OC) and Vincent Napolitano (Pioneer Park, Peoria OC) also crossed the stage with top five finishes. Hoffman was fifth in the obstacle course, while Napolitano was fifth in re-fusing a transformer event.
Ultimate test of the linemen’s ability
“The women and men who keep the lights on for our customers have demanding jobs that require skill, physical and mental strength,” said Lenny Singh, Chairman and President of Ameren Illinois.
Lenny Singh adds, “The International Lineman’s Rodeo is the ultimate test of their ability to do this work safely, providing a quality product and leveraging their experience and training where speed becomes an advantage. I am so proud of our teams for demonstrating they are truly the best of the best.”
This year, the Climbin' for Kids campaign raised more than $80,000
In addition to bringing home first-place hardware from the International Lineman's Rodeo, Novak and journeyman lineman Paul Koehler (LaSalle OC) have led an effort to use the competition to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. This year, the Climbin' for Kids campaign raised more than $80,000. In four years, the lineman's rodeo has raised $240,000.
Fundraising event for charity
“It truly was a team effort in our fundraising,” said Jason Novak.
He adds, “The vendors were generous with donating items, the linemen bought tons of raffle tickets, our kids helped sell those tickets, our wives took the money and wrote down names, and our teammates helped in the booth. Its line families helping families. That’s how we’re able to give 100% of the money raised to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. It was an amazing success for the fourth year in a row and I’m blessed to be part of it.”
