Russell Brock, of UtiliQuest in Hiram, Georgia was the first place winner in the bonus round and was the 2nd place divisional winner in Telecom. He used Radiodetection’s Locate Equipment during the competition. Kevin Gossett, of UtiliQuest (UTI) in San Diego, California, also placed first in the always challenging Gas Division event.

     This year's competition was held Saturday, Aug. 4, on the campus of Oglethorpe University in Atlanta. It was hosted by the Utilities Protection Center of Georgia (UPC) and the National Utility Locate Contracts Association (NULCA). Described as "The Olympics of the Locate Industry" by NULCA President Rob Shively, the Locate Rodeo hosted 84 locate technician competitors (men and women who locate and mark the path of underground utility facilities with paint or flags). These competitors, including Brock, came to Georgia from 21 states to compete in this year's Locate Rodeo.

     Each locate technician competed in a specific division; water, power, gas or telecommunications. The International Utility Locate Rodeo, now in its sixth year, is the preeminent event for Utility Locate Technician recognition and serves as the cornerstone to promote high quality and achievable industry standards.

     Claudette Campbell, executive director of Utilities Protection Center Inc., stated, "This competition gives a profession that normally goes unnoticed unless a mistake is made, an opportunity to be recognized for doing a good job."

     For more information about the International Locate Rodeo, please visit www.locaterodeo.com.

     UPC, a nonprofit association funded by member utilities, is Georgia's one-call center designated by state law. This is the place where homeowners and excavators must "Call Before You Dig." As of May 1, those who will be digging in the state of Georgia may contact UPC by either dialing 1 (800) 282-7411 or by dialing 811, the new national three-digit "Call Before You Dig Number." UPC's mission is to be an industry leader in preventing damage to members' facilities and in promoting safety through high quality, efficient and economical notification service; providing education; and encouraging compliance with all applicable laws. For more information, visit www.gaupc.com.

     NULCA was formed in 1994 as an organization of contract locators, facility owners, one-call centers, excavators, S.U.E. and industry suppliers that share a common interest in safety and damage prevention. NULCA's mission is to define, establish and maintain high standards and practices in the underground utility contract locating industry. Its top priority is the safety of the general public, excavators and locating employees, and the organization seeks to accomplish its mission by partnering with facility owners, excavating contractors, suppliers and regulatory agencies and by taking a lead role in the elimination of underground facility damage. For more information, visit www.nulca.org.

     Russell Brock, with UtiliQuest, is pictured here with his family after being announced the first place winner of the International Utility Locate Rodeo’s Bonus Division. He was also the second place winner in the Telecom Division.

Kevin Gossett, of UtiliQuest (UTI) is pictured above with his award and check after being declared the first place winner of the International Utility Locate Rodeo's Gas Division event.