Florida Public Power Utilities Win Big at National Lineworkers Rodeo

This past weekend, Florida public power participants brought home more than half of the awards, including the first-place overall apprentice and journeyman, presented at American Public Power Association’s 22^nd annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo, held April 5-6, in Lafayette, Louisiana. Participants from five Florida public power utilities were among the 13 journeyman teams and 12 individual apprentices who won awards at the rodeo, which was hosted by Lafayette Utilities System. Sixty-four journeyman teams and 134 apprentices from 57 utilities across the United States competed.

The “rodeo” is a series of competitive events demonstrating lineworker skills and safe work practices. The awards honor lineworkers’ expertise and the events are judged based on safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling, and timely event completion.

There are two levels of competition within the rodeo – journeyman and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members – two climbers and a ground person – and can include an optional alternate. Journeymen have years of experience within the electric utility trade while an apprentice lineworker is newer to the craft and competes individually.

Florida public power winners included:

Apprentice - Overall

• Ryan Kornegay, JEA (first place)
• Dustin Zorn, Lakeland Electric (second place)
• Dalton Gowdy, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility (third place)
• Thomas Steverson, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility (fourth place)

Apprentice – Alley Arm Insulator Change Out

• Anthony Thomas, Lakeland Electric (first place)
• Dalton Gowdy, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility (third place)

Apprentice – Hurtman Rescue

• Ryan Kornegay, JEA (first place)
• Hunter Thomas, JEA (second place)

Apprentice – Single Phase Conductor Tie In with Armor Rods

• Dustin Zorn, Lakeland Electric (third place)

Apprentice - Written Test

• Thomas Steverson, City of Tallahassee Electric Utility (third place)

Journeyman - Overall

• JEA: David Hicken, Caleb Macabitas, & Cody Stokes (first place)
• City of Tallahassee Electric Utility: Rico Bobbins, Blake Burns, & Michael Patterson (second place)
• Orlando Utilities Commission: Evan Englert, Austin Houk, & Nelson Rodriguez (fifth place)

Journeyman – 12kV Single Phase Deadend Transfer

• JEA:  David Hicken, Caleb Macabitas, & Cody Stokes (second place)

Journeyman – 200 Amp Swollen Elbow Repair

• Orlando Utilities Commission: Frank Akkerman, Brendan Laflamme, & Shane Paras (third place)

Journeyman – 4kV Alley Arm Insulator Change Out

• JEA:  David Hicken, Caleb Macabitas, & Cody Stokes (first place)
• Beaches Energy Services:  Logan Cox, Nick Currie, & Cory Haag (second place)

Journeyman – Hurtman Rescue

• Beaches Energy Services:  Logan Cox, Nick Currie, & Cory Haag (first place)
• City of Tallahassee Electric Utility:  Keith Burns, Jordan Reddick, & Lance Rivenbark (third place)

Journeyman – 12kV 900 Amp Switch Change Out

• City of Tallahassee Electric Utility: Rico Bobbins, Blake Burns, & Michael Patterson (first place)
• Lakeland Electric:  Bobby Barrows, Austin Carr, & Clark Grenfell (third place)

“Congratulations to all the Florida winners who put their skills and commitment to the craft of linework and to safety to the test against peers from all over the country. Florida public power lineworkers really shined bright on the national stage at this year’s APPA rodeo,” said Amy Zubaly, FMEA Executive Director. “In blue sky days and following emergencies, Florida’s public power lineworkers are always prepared to answer the call with safety and efficiency front of mind.”

Florida’s public power utilities are locally owned, locally controlled and locally operated, enabling them to quickly respond to the needs of their communities. They are also among some of the most reliable power providers in the state. For more information on FMEA and Florida’s public power communities, please visit www.flpublicpower.com.

JEA Overall Journeyman Team Winners from left to right: Caleb Macabitas, Davey Hicken, Cody Stokes, pictured with Journeyman Master Judge Shawn Blomgren, Line Supervisor, Huntsville Utilities. Photo Credit: Jackson Bedbury, American Public Power Association

JEA Overall Apprentice Winner Ryan Kornegay, pictured with Apprentice Master Judge Cody Raveling, Assistant Director of Education and Outreach, Minnesota Municipal Utilities Association. Photo Credit: Jackson Bedbury, American Public Power Association