2010 Florida Lineman Competition – Honor, Excellence, Safety

On March 13 in Ocala, Florida, more than 100 lineworkers stepped out of utility trucks and trailers into the crisp spring air and onto the field of the West Ocala Operations Center making FMEA history as competitors in the 10th Annual Florida Lineman Competition. 

For some, the rows of meticulously planned and placed utility poles sticking out of fresh earth was their first glimpse of a Lineman Competition field. For others, it was a familiar terrain, one they have seen on fields constructed by OUC, KUA, Lakeland Electric and the City of Tallahassee – a sight that evokes the principles of electric utility work – honor, excellence, skill ,and above all else, safety.

The 2010 Florida Lineman Competition would not have been possible without Gold sponsors: Altec, FMPA and OUC and Silver sponsors: KUA, Utility Workers Union of America, Beaches Energy, Ring Power, Lewis Tree Service, Lakeland Electric, and GRU. 

View the 2010 Florida Lineman Competition Image Gallery

In 2010, 15 journeyman teams competed in the 100 AMP Cut Out Replacement, 600 AMP Switch, Cross-Arm Change Out, Insulator Change Out, and the Vertical Hurtman Rescue. Thirty apprentices competed in the Cross Arm Brace Change, Obstacle Course, Refuse and Close Cut Outs, Street Light Head Change Out and the Vertical Hurtman Rescue.

Kissimmee Utility Authority’s Aaron Haderle, Chris Ketner, David Wolfe and Logan Murphy won over all for the journeyman. OUC’s Richard Boley, Victor Mendoza and Jason Drayton took second place and Lakeland Electric’s Dwayne Goostree, James McBride and Matt Thomas placed third. 
 
View all Journeyman event results

In the 100 AMP Cutout Replacement KUA team  Aaron Haderle, Chris Ketner, David Wolfe and Logan Murphy placed first. OUC team Richard Boley, Victor Mendoza, and Jason Drayton placed second. KUA team Dustin Kelley, Steve Bray and Bob Viele placed third.

In the 600 AMP Switch Lakeland Electric’s Dwayne Goostree, James McBride and Matt Thomas took first place. OUC’s Richard Boley, Victor Mendoza and Jason Drayton place second. KUA’s Aaron Haderle, Chris Ketner, David Wolfe and Logan Murphy placed third.

In the Cross-Arm Change Out Beaches Energy’s Zeus Roberts, Nick Currie, Tighe Schloss and Scott Murchison took first place. KUA’s Aaron Haderle, Chris Ketner, David Wolfe and Logan Murphy placed second. City of Tallahassee’s Terry Cobb, Randall Crum, Mike Rainey and Adam Harrison placed third.
In the Insulator Change Out OUC’s Richard Boley, Victor Mendoza and Jason Drayton took first place. City of Ocala Electric’s Billy Caruthers, Tim Beard and Steve Nice placed second. GRU’s Gary McKenzie, Darren Briscoe and Chris Beckham placed third.
In the Vertical Hurtman Rescue OUC’s James Alexander, Hector Ramos, Roger Hull and Chris Wohlfart took first place. OUC’s Chris Hosier, Richard McCoy and Dewey Harvey placed second place. KUA’s Aaron Haderle, Chris Ketner, David Wolfe and Logan Murphy placed third.

Lakeland Electric Apprentices won first, second and third overall. Steven Grimes took first place, Tim Richardson placed second and Cody Allen placed third.

View all Apprentice event results

In the Cross Arm Brace Change Lakeland Electric’s Steven Grimes took first place. City of Tallahassee’s Brad Lovel placed second. Lakeland Electric’s Richard Burris placed third.

In the Obstacle Course KUA’s Brent Davis took first place. City of Ocala Electric’s Earl Fullbright placed second. GRU’s Timothy (Kyle) Fagan placed third.
In the Refuse and Close Out Lakeland Electric’s Cody Allen, Steven Grimes and Tim Richardson took first, second and third place respectively.

In the Street Light Head Change Out KUA’s Robert Diaz took first place. City of Ocala Electric’s Earl Fullbright placed second. Lakeland Electric’s Tim Richardson placed third.
In the Vertical Hurtman Rescue OUC’s Nelson Rodriguez took first place. KUA’s Brent Davis placed second. Lakeland Electric’s Tim Richardson placed third.