Duke Energy teams received nine awards at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, held on October 18 in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The event drew about 1,200 competitors from around the world, including 78 from Duke Energy who had qualified through earlier regional competitions.
Among the top honors, Tyler Nickols, Joshua Buckner, and Tyler Manick earned third place in the overall journeyman category. Keith Griffin, Jay Tipton, and Sandy Barnhill took first place in the journeyman seniors division.
The International Lineman’s Rodeo has a history of more than 40 years and is known for bringing together skilled lineworkers to compete in events that simulate real-world tasks related to maintaining electric service and restoring power. Participants are evaluated on speed, agility, technique, and safety practices.
Duke Energy highlighted the role of lineworkers in ensuring reliable electric service throughout the year and their involvement in installing advanced grid technologies such as smart systems that can detect outages and reroute power quickly. The company stated it continues to invest in workforce training to improve outage response times and maintain reliability as communities grow.
Scott Batson, executive vice president and chief power grid officer for Duke Energy, said: “Our teammates’ commitment to excellence for our customers is evident in the work they have voluntarily put in to compete at the rodeo. Safely ensuring consistency and reliability each day is their priority and ours. Whether or not they walked the stage and won an award at the international event, we couldn’t be prouder of these teams’ hard work.”
Joshua Buckner of Marion, N.C., who competed as a journeyman lineworker, added: “Participating in the International Lineman’s Rodeo means more than just competition – it represents pride in my craft, respect for my brothers and sisters in the trade, and a deep commitment to the communities we serve daily. It’s a chance to showcase the skill, precision and teamwork that define what it means to be a lineman. Placing at the International Lineman’s Rodeo is more than just a trophy; it showcases how we as a team have sharpened our skills to respond to storms and outages in a safe and efficient manner.”
Duke Energy serves millions of electric customers across several states including North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky. The company is focusing on grid improvements along with investments in cleaner energy sources such as renewables and energy storage.
More information about Duke Energy can be found on its website duke-energy.com or through its social media channels.
