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\n\tRegional winners advance\u00a0to\u00a0the International Lineman\u2019s Rodeo this fall,\u00a0reinforcing the skills customers rely on for safe, reliable power\u00a0
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ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. \u2013 This weekend, Duke Energy lineworkers from across Florida advanced from the regional lineman\u2019s rodeo to\u00a0represent\u00a0the company at the International Lineman\u2019s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, this fall, where they will compete against some of the best lineworkers in the world.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Why it matters: For customers, reliability starts with highly trained\u00a0lineworkers. These competitions sharpen the skills lineworkers\u00a0use every day \u2013 skills that allow them to work quickly,\u00a0precisely\u00a0and safely to keep power flowing for customers and restore\u00a0service when outages occur.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
By practicing complex repairs and restoration work in a controlled, de-energized environment,\u00a0lineworkers\u00a0reinforce strict safety standards and best practices that carry directly into the field.<\/p>\n
The result is a stronger, more resilient electric grid\u00a0and\u00a0faster outage restoration\u00a0\u2013\u00a0improving reliability\u00a0for customers.\u00a0<\/p>\n
What\u00a0they\u2019re\u00a0saying:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Marc Arnold, Duke Energy Florida senior vice president of power grid operations:\u00a0 <\/p>\n
\u201cWhat our lineworkers demonstrate at this rodeo is what customers depend on\u00a0year-round \u2013strong safety practices, advanced\u00a0training\u00a0and a relentless focus on reliability. These events reinforce the\u00a0expertise\u00a0that helps restore power faster, strengthen the\u00a0grid\u00a0and deliver dependable service when it matters most.\u00a0We\u2019re\u00a0proud to recognize the dedication behind that work.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Tanner O\u2019Shea, Southeast Orlando-based Duke Energy Florida lineworker and 10-year rodeo competitor:<\/p>\n
\u201cWin or lose, it\u2019s an honor to compete in the rodeo year after year. As linemen, we know we have to be quick, yet thorough, and stay focused on safety above all else in order to keep the lights on for our customers. This event encourages us to hone those skills and continue developing in our chosen craft while also bringing us closer together as a team. It\u2019s a tradition we all love and take very seriously.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u00a0The results:\u00a0<\/p>\n
Apprentice Overall Awards\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tFirst place \u2013\u00a0Corey Sill (Ocala)
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\n\tSecond place \u2013\u00a0Tyler Bohlen (Seven Springs)
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\n\tThird place \u2013\u00a0Jeremy Neumann (Apopka)
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Journeyman Overall Awards\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
\n\tFirst place \u2013\u00a0\u00a0Charles McNulty (Dunnellon), Jonathan Radomski (Inverness), Noah Scarpetta (Dunnellon)
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\n\tSecond place \u2013\u00a0Eric Polous (Odena), Justin Mathes (Carrabelle), Timothy West (Odena)
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\n\tThird place \u2013\u00a0\u00a0Alex Guillen (St. Petersburg), Matthew Richardson (St. Petersburg), Adam Sass (St. Petersburg)
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\u00a0\u00a0Overall Best Senior Team\u00a0\u2013\u00a0\u00a0Chet Braden (St. Petersburg), Ed Filor (Inverness), Henry Shupe (Seven Springs)<\/p>\n
The 2026 Florida\u00a0Lineman\u2019s Rodeo\u00a0was supported by company and community volunteers, including approximately 45\u00a0Duke Energy volunteers, 75\u00a0volunteer students and staff from five community colleges, 70 judges and 15 bucket truck operators.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duke Energy Florida<\/p>\n
Duke Energy Florida, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, owns 12,300 megawatts of energy capacity, supplying electricity to 2 million residential, commercial and industrial customers across a 13,000-square-mile service area in Florida.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duke Energy <\/p>\n
Duke Energy (NYSE: DUK), a Fortune 150 company headquartered in Charlotte, N.C., is one of America\u2019s largest energy holding companies. The company\u2019s electric utilities serve 8.6 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio and Kentucky, and collectively own 54,800 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities serve 1.7 million customers in North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Ohio and Kentucky.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Duke Energy is executing an ambitious energy transition, keeping customer reliability and value at the forefront as it builds a smarter energy future. The company is investing in major electric grid upgrades and cleaner generation, including natural gas, nuclear, renewables and energy storage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
More information is available at\u202fduke-energy.com<\/a> and the Duke Energy News Center<\/a>. Follow Duke Energy on\u202fX<\/a>,\u202fLinkedIn<\/a>,\u202fInstagram<\/a>\u202fand\u202fFacebook<\/a>, and visit illumination<\/a>\u202ffor stories about the people and innovations powering our energy transition.\u00a0<\/p>\n Contact: Aly Raschid
\n24-Hour: 800.559.3853
\nX: @DE_AlyRaschid<\/p>\n