Hobby: Team roping

What is team roping?

Team roping is the only team rodeo event. Two ropers on horseback rope and restrain a steer as quickly as possible.

How long have you been doing this?

I’ve been riding my whole life but learned to rope when I was in my mid-20s.

What do you love most about it?

It’s something I can enjoy with my family and win prize money every now and then.

How often do you train?

My son and I rope the dummy together several times a week, and we practice on live cattle weekly if the weather permits.

How did you hear about the job at Sam Houston?

I’ve been in utility vegetation management since 2012. I was a contract utility forester for Sam Houston when the position became available.

What does a utility forester do?

We oversee the vegetation management of the power line right of way and act as a liaison between the crews and members of the cooperative.

What were you doing before you joined the co-op?

I helped implement a dead tree mitigation program for Oncor after a severe drought killed hundreds of thousands of trees in Texas.

What do you like about working at the co-op?

It’s a close-knit company, and everyone is treated like family.

Education: Bachelor of Science from Stephen F. Austin State University’s College of Forestry.

What else do you enjoy doing in your free time?

When we’re not riding horses, my kids and I like to explore the forest. Living in east Texas, we are fortunate to be surrounded by several national forests.

Random fact: I was homeschooled from the eighth grade on by my grandmother. I credit her for my love of learning.

Know someone who could be profiled? Contact Megan Newton at mcatee.megan@gmail.com.