Heath Doss, an apprentice technician from Mecklenburg Electric Cooperative’s Gretna district, recently showcased his talent on a global stage at the International Lineman’s Rodeo and Expo held in Overland Park, Kansas, this October. The event drew thousands of top electric line workers from across the U.S. and around the world, with over 1,200 competitors representing cooperatives, investor-owned, and municipal utilities—making it the largest Rodeo in the event’s history.
Competing in the apprentice division against more than 360 participants, Doss demonstrated his expertise in events that simulate real-world challenges faced by line workers in maintaining the electric grid and restoring power. Judged on precision, speed, technique, and safety, Doss earned impressive rankings:
• 29th overall out of 360 competitors, placing him in the top 8% internationally
• 24th on the written test, landing in the top 6.5%
• 8th in the Rural Electric Association division, placing him in the top 10% among 77 competitors from electric cooperatives
Reflecting on Doss’s performance, Blake Hutcherson, manager of district operations for MEC’s Gretna district, said, “Competing at the International Lineman’s Rodeo is a big deal, and Heath represented our Cooperative with skill and professionalism. His strong performance highlights the dedication, expertise and focus on safety that our line crews bring to the job every day to keep the lights on for our members.”
Doss qualified for the international competition by excelling at the regional Gaff n Go Rodeo in Doswell, Virginia, last May. There, he placed first overall in the apprentice division with a near-perfect score of 496 out of 500 and took third place on the written test.
