Wake Forest Power’s Hugo Mier wins 2025 NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo

Wake Forest Power (WFP) Lineman Hugo Mier was the first-place overall winner at the 2025 NC Association of Municipal Electric Systems (NCAMES) Lineman’s Rodeo held May 15 in Rocky Mount, NC. This marks the second year in a row and third time since 2019 Mier earned the top prize.

Mier, Joe Shearin, and Corey Puccio competed against over 25 other linemen in the Journeyman division, while Jimmy Cira, Chason Severini, Ryan Shearin, and Joshua Puente-Castro participated in the Apprentice division. A qualified Journeyman has more than five years of experience in line work, while a qualified Apprentice has less than five years of line work experience.

The NCAMES Lineman’s Rodeo is an opportunity for public power linemen throughout North Carolina to put their skills to the test and compete against their peers in several job-related categories. Each contestant is scored on safety procedures, work practices, equipment handling, neatness, and timely completion of the event. The linemen rely on their daily work practices to excel in these events.

In addition to finishing first overall, Mier earned first place honors in the hurtman rescue, tie and untie, and obstacle course and second place honors in the crossarm changeout. Shearin placed second in the hurtman rescue.

Mier’s first place finish overall qualifies him to participate at the 2026 American Public Power Association Lineworkers Rodeo in Huntsville, Alabama.

In related news, former Wake Forest Public Works Director Mike Barton and Wake Forest Power Lineman Chad Champion were inducted into the NCAMES Lineworkers Hall of Fame. The two were formally recognized for their contributions to NCAMES, including their work on various safety committees, the annual lineman’s rodeo, and national lineworkers rodeo.

The purpose of NCAMES is to promote the interest and welfare of Municipal Electric Systems of the state of North Carolina; to assist these systems in the advancement in the design, construction, maintenance, administration, and operation of these systems; to develop improvements in safety and training; to encourage closer relationships between these systems; to encourage the adherence of municipal electrical supervisors to a higher professional standard; and to offer an opportunity to discuss and exchange information , ideas and experiences and through these purposes to encourage and promote municipal electrical service. For more information, contact Electric Utility Director Chris Terrell at cterrell@wakeforestnc.gov.