KISSIMMEE, Fla., August 25,
1:30 pm — Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) has named Michelle Scharfenberg of
Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) as “Member of the Year.” Scharfenberg was one of eight
professionals honored this year at FMEA’s annual conference.
The “Member of the Year” award is typically presented to one individual, but FMEA decided to
break with tradition this year to honor the members of the Florida Lineman’s Competition
Planning Committee. This exceptional team consisted of: Robert Aenchbacher, Jacksonville
Electric Authority; Tommy Buchanan, Gainesville Regional Utilities; Shannon Graham and Mark
Keane, Orlando Utilities Commission; Diane Mellert, Fort Pierce Utilities Authority; Robert
Padgett, Lakeland Electric; Michelle Scharfenberg, KUA; and Robert Doty, City of Vero Beach.
Scharfenberg is KUA’s Safety & Workers’ Compensation Administrator and has held that
position since 1998.
The Florida Lineman’s Competition is an annual event hosted by FMEA and the Florida
Municipal Power Agency (FMPA) where utility lineworkers and apprentices compete in various
skilled events. The committee planned every aspect of the competition — from its conception
and inaugural competition in Lakeland in 2001 through this year’s competition at Cecil Field
in Jacksonville.
“The Florida Lineman’s Competition was a dream that became reality only through the
extraordinary support and commitment of these individuals,” said FMEA Executive Director
Barry Moline. “Beginning with a blank slate, this committee developed a program that this
year welcomed 30 teams and 21 apprentices from around the state.”
FMEA represents the unified interests of 32 public power communities across the state, which
provide electricity to more than two million of Florida’s residential and business
consumers.
KUA is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility serving 61,000 electric, water and
internet customers in five Central Florida counties.
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Contact: Chris Gent, Manager of Corporate Communications
(407) 933-7777 ext. 1116
cgent@kua.com
