Twelve lineworkers from Duke Energy in Indiana have secured their place in the upcoming International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas, by excelling in the Midwest Lineman’s Rodeo held in Plainfield. The competition tested lineworkers in tasks such as pole climbing, equipment repair, and rescue operations. The event promotes safety, teamwork, and the skill set necessary for the job.
The list of winners includes first-place finisher Calvin Fettig from Noblesville in the Apprentice Overall Awards, followed by Gabriel Miclette from Wabash and Jesse Orr from Bloomington. In the Journeyman Team Overall Awards, the top spot went to the team of TJ Lewis from Aurora, Bret Lewis, and Micah Higgins-Baer from Madison. These winners will compete on October 18 at the international event.
Chris Lange, regional senior vice president of power grid operations at Duke Energy, praised the dedication of the lineworkers, stating, “We put complete trust in our lineworkers each day to perform challenging, highly skilled work to provide the energy we all rely on, keeping safety for customers and each other as our top priority.”
He also noted the resilience of the team, which had responded to multiple hurricanes last year, including efforts in restoring power in North Carolina.
Duke Energy’s plans focus on providing reliable power by investing in grid upgrades and cleaner energy sources. Chris Lange highlighted the importance of the line teams in maintaining and enhancing the energy grid.
Duke Energy Indiana, a subsidiary of Duke Energy, supplies electricity to nearly a million customers in the state and operates with a capacity of 6,800 megawatts. Duke Energy itself serves 8.6 million customers across several states, with a total capacity of 55,100 megawatts. The company is pursuing major upgrades and transitioning towards cleaner energy solutions.
Further details about Duke Energy and related stories can be found on duke-energy.com and their various social media platforms.
