KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 19, 2007 – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) lineworkers brought home high marks and four trophies from the seventh annual Florida Lineman’s Competition on March 17 in Ocala, Fla.
Twenty-one teams and 25 apprentices from municipal utilities throughout Florida gathered at the West Ocala Operations Center to recognize the profession of line work and demonstrate the safety, skill and endurance of electric linemen. The rodeo consisted of six timed events.
KUA’s three journeyman teams scored 496, 494 and 490 points respectively out of 500 possible points.
KUA was honored in the following event categories:
Apprentice
Third Place – Mutual aid event/disassemble double cross arms – Tim Beard (Ocala Electric), Cole Clanton (Lakeland Electric), Jason Wright (KUA)
Third Place – Meter register skills – Jason Wright
Fifth Place – Overall apprentice ranking – Jason Wright
Journeyman Teams
Third Place – Mutual aid event/install double cross arms – Aaron Haderle (KUA), Robert Padgett (Lakeland Electric), J.J. Sabo (JEA)
Competing teams hailed from KUA, City of Alachua, City of Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, JEA (Jacksonville), Keys Energy Services (Key West), Lafayette Utilities System (Louisiana), Lakeland Electric, Ocala Electric Utility, Orlando Utilities Commission and City of Tallahassee.
KUA linemen will compete on a national level at the American Public Power Association’s annual Public Power Lineworkers’ Rodeo in Marietta, Georgia on April 13-14.
Founded in 1901, KUA (www.kua.com) is Florida’s sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.
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Chris M. Gent
(407) 933-7777 x 1116
cgent@kua.com
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