Powering reliability: 6 local Duke Energy lineworkers earn spot in International Lineman’s Rodeo this fall

Duke Energy lineworkers from Indiana advanced from a regional rodeo on May 2 to represent the company at the International Lineman’s Rodeo in October in Bonner Springs, Kan., where they will compete against top lineworkers from around the world.

For customers, reliability starts with highly trained lineworkers. These competitions sharpen the real-world skills lineworkers use every day – working quickly, precisely, and safely to keep power flowing and restore service when outages occur.

By practicing complex repairs and restoration work in a controlled, deenergized environment, lineworkers reinforce strict safety standards and best practices that carry directly into the field. The result is a stronger, more resilient electric grid, faster outage restoration, and continued investments in modern, smart technologies that reduce outages and improve reliability for customers.

Locally, the following Duke Energy journeyman teams qualified as individuals for the International Lineman’s Rodeo.

• Noblesville: Jason Washburn, Collin Boschert, and Joshua Mullen
• Westfield: Chase Nickell, Tyler Adrian, and Peter Theide

“What our lineworkers demonstrate at these rodeos is what customers depend on year-round – strong safety practices, advanced training, and a relentless focus on reliability,” Chris Lange, regional senior vice president of Grid Operations for Duke Energy. “These events reinforce the expertise that helps restore power faster, strengthen the grid, and deliver dependable service when it matters most. We’re proud to recognize the dedication behind that work.”