From population growth to the expansion of manufacturing and other major economic development, the regions that Duke Energy serves are growing rapidly, and the company’s increasingly modern and resilient grid is evolving to meet current and future energy needs. Duke Energy’s trusted lineworkers play a critical role in maintaining and enhancing the energy grid now and in the future.
“Beyond battling extreme weather, the valuable work our line teams do every day is enabling Duke Energy to build a grid that is smarter, stronger and more reliable,” said Jason Williams, Duke Energy Regional Senior Vice President, Power Grid Operations. “It’s through their efforts that we’re able to safely and efficiently deliver power and better serve our customers.”
Beyond serving as protectors of the grid, Duke Energy’s lineworkers also showcase their skills at the International Lineman’s Rodeo. Last year, Duke Energy’s lineworkers were not able to compete on the international level as they were responding to back-to-back Hurricanes Milton and Helene. This year, however, they are qualifying for the opportunity to advance to the 2025 event by earning the highest scores at the Florida, Midwest or Carolinas regional rodeos held every spring.
In addition to the standard skills tests, International Lineman’s Rodeo events include the hurtman rescue, where competitors must lower and save a dummy representing an injured lineworker from the top of a power pole, and even mystery trials that they don’t know about until the rodeo begins — all of which require teammates to collaborate and effectively solve real-world problems as quickly and safely as possible.
But no matter their age or experience level, at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, all the lineworkers — whether they’re an apprentice, journeyman or senior — have the same goal at this prestigious, high-stakes competition: to take home as many awards as possible on behalf of their families, communities and companies.
Not His First Rodeo
One of those lineworkers is Ivan White, who joined Duke Energy Florida in 2000 as an apprentice and quickly rose through the ranks. After becoming a journeyman, he transitioned to a technical skills specialist and then an operations supervisor, and now, he’s a lead environmental health and safety consultant. During his 25 years with the company, he’s participated in about 20 Florida Lineman’s Rodeos and made it to the International Lineman’s Rodeo 10 times.
“The lineman family, or brotherhood, is strong and rich in tradition,” White said. “I have competed head-to-head with many of my best friends at these events for over two decades. They’re all about having fun and making memories that will last a lifetime — but still, the competition is fierce.”
At the 2024 Florida Lineman’s Rodeo, Ivan and his teammates, Zac Bichard, a power grid operations supervisor, and Brandon Bagley, a lineworker who joined the company in 2023, earned first place. While the team remained intact, poised to defend their title at this year’s regional rodeo on March 8 — and they did come in first place in the pole climb and second place in the hurtman rescue events — they weren’t among the top finishers overall.
However, because they qualified for the 2024 International Lineman’s Rodeo, and Duke Energy didn’t send any competitors to last year’s event because they were needed for hurricane response, White, Bichard and Bagley will still be heading to Kansas on October 18.
“Putting in a little extra to have a chance to compete with the best of the best is worth it,” White added.
A Family Affair
Each rodeo is typically open to the public, allowing competitors’ family members and friends to watch and cheer for them. White’s cheering section includes his wife, Sara, and their three kids: Ember, Bodhi and Koa.
“Giving my children the opportunity to see this business and meet the people who work so hard in it is priceless,” he said. “Building camaraderie with other families living the same life is an incredible feeling. Showing our kids what we do has been one of my greatest joys.”
White said he encourages his peers to participate if they can. Whether they are a first-time competitor at the journeyman or senior level, showcasing their skills gives a sense of appreciation for the line trade. “Sharpening our skills under pressure while focusing on safety and process adherence helps us perform better for our customers,” White said. “At the end of the day, getting the lights on safely and efficiently is ingrained in lineman culture.”
Jason Williams, Duke Energy Florida’s senior vice president of grid operations, said Duke Energy puts complete trust in its lineworkers to perform challenging, highly skilled work and provide the energy everyone relies on, all while keeping safety for both the customers and each other as the top priority.
“While we’re always proud of our line teams, their resoluteness to compete in the rodeo this year, after the significant impacts of Hurricanes Debby, Helene and Milton last fall, is an affirmation of how strongly committed they are to our customers and the communities we serve,” Williams said.
Editor’s Note: Duke Energy’s media relations team contributed to this article.
