Loughary receives top honors at ‘rodeo’

Jon Loughary of Bonne Terre isn’t your typical rodeo champion, but that didn’t stop him from taking home a top honor at the National Gas Rodeo in Denver.

Loughary is a construction crew member at Laclede Gas. The best of the best qualify for the National Gas Rodeo, which is like the Olympics of the natural gas industry, to prove they are the greatest and safest gasmen in the industry. Loughary’s team, Gashouse Gang, took home a first place trophy in the overall two-man category against 23 other teams.

“This competition demonstrates the exceptional caliber of our crews, and our community should be proud of our National Gas Rodeo team members and their accomplishments,” said Laclede Gas President Steve Lindsey. “Laclede Gas has highly talented and driven employees who are committed to safety and quality service whether they’re working on furnaces or upgrading pipelines. This National Gas Rodeo award underscores their dedication to their craft and to serving the more than one million Missourians who rely on our expertise every day.”

Loughary and other teammates from Laclede Gas practiced for a month leading up to the competition, which included events that tested their skills at safely installing natural gas meter sets and service lines, hand digging and pipe cutting. The 2016 event featured a record 55 elite gas teams from across the country.

Gashouse Gang team members include Rob Hayes, Evertt Cox, Loughary, Aaron Witt and Brandon Vickery.

Jon Loughary of Bonne Terre and his team take home a first place trophy at the National Gas Rodeo.