PG&E Tackles the HDD Rodeo

When Benjamin Media brought back its HDD Rodeo competition in 2024, Jason Whatley, working lead M&P, HDD Lead/HDD SME at Pacific Gas & Electric (PG&E) went to Independence, Missouri, as an attendee.

What he saw was a group of mostly fiber and service line installers. He knew his horizontal directional drilling (HDD) crews at PG&E could really compete if the opportunity arose. And it did – times two – in 2025.

Benjamin Media in conjunction with AEM, hosted the HDD Rodeo Showcase at the 2025 Utility Expo in Louisville, Kentucky. With the help of Ditch Witch West, PG&E entered two crews. With so much experience in its roster, Whatley said it was a difficult decision to figure out who to send. In the end, it came down to who had experience operating a Ditch Witch JT32.

PG&E Teams Assemble

Crew 1: Cory Yeager, working leader, GC North San Rafeal; Johnny Vongpanya, senior construction operator, GC South Fresno; and Rob Ribbens, working leader, GC North San Rafeal

Crew 2: Chris Hernandez, working leader, GC South Stockton; Chris Trejo, working leader, GC South Fresno; and T’Jae Gibson, senior construction operator, GC South Stockton

Both crews had to complete a 200-ft bore and were judged on time as well as accuracy and grade. Along the way the crews were checked for accuracy at three locations.

“I think we made the right decision on who we picked because they came in first and third,” says Whatley.

He adds that in the future he’d like to conduct an internal HDD Rodeo to determine which two teams they send. This is similar to how they make decisions about who competes at the Gas Rodeo.

Competing to Win

“That’s the first time we’ve ever competed beyond bragging rights among ourselves drilling on crews,” says Hernandez. “I’ll tell you right now. I was nervous as heck. I’m not used to that.”

Trejo interjects jokingly that he had to talk his teammate down because he was, “losing it.” He adds that they had a great time competing and being at The Utility Expo.

Beyond all the eyes on their work, the crewmembers agree that the most challenging aspect of the 2025 HDD Rodeo Showcase was the site conditions. Staged on top of an old parking lot at the Kentucky Expo Center, the crew encountered remnants of the old parking lot, as well as unmarked utilities. Despite having to reposition themselves a couple of times to deal with old parking lot pavement and utilities, once things were figured out, the crew forged ahead for the win.

They completed the 200-ft bore in 50:06. PG&E Crew 1 completed their bore with a time of 66:32 coming in third in the competition.

“Winning was the most rewarding part,” says Hernandez.

Whatley adds that it was also cool to have the event at The Utility Expo because of the number of people who stopped and watched the competition. And seeing his crews get recognized as they walked around the show, thanks in part to matching hats and shirts he made for the teams.

2026 HDD Rodeo

As the winner of the 2025 HDD Rodeo Showcase, PG&E Crew 2 earned a spot at the 2026 HDD Rodeo.

“We’re looking forward to going to [the 2026 HDD Rodeo] and competing against 20 other teams,” says Hernandez. “We’re hoping to take the win, but just to go for the experience itself sounds like fun.”

Don’t miss the ultimate HDD showdown. See the PG&E team compete against other HDD crews from across North America at the 2026 HDD Rodeo. The event takes place Dec. 2-4 at the Georgia National Fairgrounds in Perry, Georgia.

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