The attendees of the 2005/2006 IEEE PES Transmission & Distribution Conference & Exposition certainly know ugly when they see it.

In a close vote, the submission by Alex Dobson, an engineer with Provo (Utah) City Power, was voted the “Ugliest of the Uglies” in the Burns & McDonnell Ugly Pole Competition. The 70 initial entries were narrowed to 12 finalists prior to the expo, which was held May 22-24 in Dallas. More than 500 ballots were cast by attendees at the show.

Dobson found his entry while scouting for a new telecommunications project in Provo. “This is a pleasant surprise,” Dobson said. “I didn't think my entry would make it this far.”

Burns & McDonnell organized the competition to have some fun with the ugly poles we all know are out there, while raising awareness of underground transmission.

In over a century of power delivery, Burns & McDonnell has seen more poles than just about anyone, and is currently helping clients make more than just a few disappear.

“Our ugly pole competition was a way for us to have some fun while promoting the fact that underground transmission has become a more viable alternative for the power-delivery industry,” said Gary Pence, Burns & McDonnell vice president, T&D. “Thanks to all the people who entered nominees for this fun event, as well as to all of you who came by our booth to vote for the winner. I also want to note that none of these ugly poles were designed by Burns & McDonnell.”