Duke Energy teams earned nine awards at the International Lineman’s Rodeo held on October 18 in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The event, which is recognized as one of the most prominent competitions for lineworkers globally, attracted about 1,200 participants from various countries. Seventy-eight of these competitors represented Duke Energy, having qualified through earlier regional events.
Among the top honors, Tyler Nickols, Joshua Buckner, and Tyler Manick secured third place in the overall journeyman category, while Keith Griffin, Jay Tipton, and Sandy Barnhill took first place in the journeyman seniors division. Additional placements included fourth-place finishes in several mystery events and other categories.
The International Lineman’s Rodeo has a history spanning more than four decades and features job-related challenges that mirror tasks performed by lineworkers to maintain and restore power. Participants are evaluated based on speed, agility, technique, and adherence to safety protocols.
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, a journeyman lineworker from Marion, N.C., 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.”
Lineworkers play an essential role in maintaining reliable electric service throughout the year. They are responsible for responding after severe weather events and working on projects that support customers and communities. Their responsibilities also include installing new technologies such as smart systems that can detect outages quickly and reroute power to restore service rapidly.
Duke Energy continues its efforts toward grid improvements as part of its strategy to prepare communities for growth. The company is investing in workforce development to address outages more efficiently, meet growing demand, and sustain system reliability.
Duke Energy serves approximately 8.6 million electric customers across six states—North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Indiana, Ohio, and Kentucky—and owns 55,100 megawatts of energy capacity. Its natural gas utilities reach 1.7 million customers across five states.
For further information about Duke Energy’s initiatives or recent news updates, visit duke-energy.com or check out their News Center online.
