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Public Power Lineworkers Earn Trophies at National Lineworkers Rodeo

Paul Ciampoli

Ten journeyman teams and 11 individual apprentices won awards at the American Public Power Association’s twenty-third annual Public Power Lineworkers Rodeo, held March 28-29, in Roseville, California.

Sixty-one journeyman teams and 115 apprentices competed. Fifty-two utilities had competitors in the apprentice and/or journeyman competitions from not-for-profit, community-owned electric utilities across the nation. The “rodeo” is a series of competitive events demonstrating lineworker skills and safe work practices.

“It’s awesome each year to see the lineworker community come together for this unique celebration,” said APPA President & CEO Scott Corwin. “Yes, the apprentices and teams are here to compete, but the event goes well beyond the competition. It’s also about training, safety, and sharing appreciation for the craft.”

The City of Roseville hosted the Lineworkers Rodeo.

The awards honor lineworkers’ expertise and the events are judged based on safety, work practices, neatness, ability, equipment handling, and timely event completion. All safety rules established by APPA’s 17th edition Safety Manual were observed during events.

There are two levels of competition within the rodeo—journeyman and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members—two climbers and a ground person—and can include an optional alternate. Journeymen have years of experience within the electric utility trade, while an apprentice lineworker is newer to the craft.

2025 PUBLIC POWER LINEWORKERS RODEO WINNERS

Apprentice - Overall

  1. Ryan Kornegay, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  2. Robert Rivera, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL
  3. Garrett Accomando, Orlando Utilities Commission, Orlando, FL
  4. Donovan Leardini, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA
  5. Dustin Zorn, Lakeland Electric, Lakeland, FL

Apprentice – Sidewalk Guy Installation

  1. Ryan Kornegay, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  2. Noah Sapp, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  3. Dustin Zorn, Lakeland Electric, Lakeland, FL

Apprentice – Obstacle Course

  1. Dustin Zorn, Lakeland Electric, Lakeland, FL
  2. Noah Sapp, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  3. Robert Rivera, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL

Apprentice – Hurtman Rescue

  1. Sean Myles, Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA
  2. Robert Rivera, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL
  3. Hunter Thomas, JEA, Jacksonville, FL

Apprentice – Lightning Arrester Jumper Replacement

  1. Noah Sapp, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  2. Ryan Kornegay, JEA, Jacksonville, FL
  3. James Hutchison, Beaches Energy Services, Jacksonville, FL

Apprentice - Written Test

  1. Justin Smith, Modesto Irrigation District, Modesto, CA
  2. Turner Korth, Nebraska Public Power District, Columbus, NE
  3. Robert Rivera, Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL

Journeyman - Overall

  1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Richard J. Cancilla, III, Aaron Rudi & Dwight Johnson
  2. JEA, Jacksonville, FL: Cody Stokes, Caleb Macabitas & David Hicken
  3. Huntsville Utilities, Huntsville, AL: Colby Lipham, Adam Thomas & Cole Border - Corey Hill (Alternate)
  4. Lafayette Utilities System, Lafayette, LA: Kody Bodoin, Zan Habetz & Dale Brasseaux
  5. Turlock Irrigation District, Turlock, CA: Dustin Krieger, Josh Klikna & Steve Johnson

Journeyman – 4kV Crossarm Change Out

  1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Richard J. Cancilla, III, Aaron Rudi & Dwight Johnson
  2. Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL: Austin Franey, Cory Breen & Daniel Kelly - Kevon McKinsey (Alternate)
  3. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford & Justin Kyle Hirschi

Journeyman – 12kV Riser Pole Arrester Replacement

  1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons & Justin Estes
  2. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley & Cayleb Bowman
  3. Kissimmee Utility Authority, Kissimmee, FL: Austin Franey, Cory Breen & Daniel Kelly - Kevon McKinsey (Alternate)

Journeyman – 12kV Three-Phase Conductor Tie-In

  1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons & Justin Estes
  2. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Richard J. Cancilla, III, Aaron Rudi & Dwight Johnson
  3. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Shane Bazil, Drew Wigington & Matt Ramey

Journeyman – Hurtman Rescue

  1. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Tanner Barnes, Walt Lyons & Justin Estes
  2. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Garrett McGhehey, Kevin Cranford & Justin Kyle Hirschi
  3. JEA, Jacksonville, FL: Cody Stokes, Caleb Macabitas & David Hicken

Journeyman – 4kV Double Dead-End Bell Change Out

  1. Huntsville Utilities, Huntsville, AL: Colby Lipham, Adam Thomas & Cole Border - Corey Hill (Alternate)
  2. Sacramento Municipal Utility District, Sacramento, CA: Matt Wilson, Todd Prangley & Cayleb Bowman
  3. JEA, Jacksonville, FL: Cody Stokes, Caleb Macabitas & David Hick
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