OUC line technicians demonstrated their precision and skill March 13 and 14 in Tallahassee during the 2026 Florida Municipal Electric Association Lineman Competition. 

Also known as the Lineman Rodeo, the competition features a series of timed challenges that mimic real-world scenarios line technicians face in the field. Judges closely monitor each event for adherence to competition guidelines, deducting points for mistakes, or “gigs.” 

OUC competitors trained for two weeks at the Pershing Operations Center yard, focusing on safe climbing techniques and coordination among technicians. 

Aidan Flick (left), Elijah Venn (center) and Garrett Accomando (right) took home third, second and first places in the Safe Work Practice written exam.

For the first time in more than ten years, all participating OUC apprentice line technicians finished within the top 15 in the Safe Work Practice written exam. OUC swept the competition with Garrett Accomando, Line Technician II; Elijah Venn, Line Technician II; and Aidan Flick, Line Technician III, placing first, second and third, respectively.  

Additionally, six of eight apprentices received perfect scores on all field events, while two received near-perfect scores. Accomando earned first place in the Crossarm Relocation event with a perfect score, securing the top spot by finishing just tenths of a second ahead of second place.  

In the Mutual Aid event, line techs from different utilities are teamed up to simulate power restoration work they would face while helping mutual aid partners recover from a devastating incident like a hurricane or tornado. Flick along with his team members placed third in the event out of 35 teams. 

Accomando and Flick earned fourth and fifth places, respectively, in the overall apprentice rankings. In total, OUC’s competing apprentices brought home seven trophies. 

More tenured line technicians compete in three-person teams known as journeymen teams. 

OUC’s journeymen teams demonstrated precision and accuracy, receiving high scores across all events.  

“The support that the OUC teams have for each other was evident on and off the field,” said Chris Taylor, Construction & Maintenance Manager. “Having families and supporters present added a layer of encouragement that energized the event. Everyone in attendance contributed to lifting up the teams and reinforcing the strong community behind them.” 

In total, eight apprentices and three journeymen teams participated in the competition. 

Bryan Walsh (left), Mike Atout (center) and Shane Yarborough (right) prepare for a journeyman team event.

Team OUC was led by Richard Boley, Lead Line Technician. The journeyman team consisted of Nelson Rodriguez, Supervisor, Distribution Control Center; Evan Englert, Associate Distribution Operator; William Englert, Line Technician II; Matt Coakley, Line Technician I; Holton Stough, Line Technician I; Zach Colgan, Line Technician II; Shane Yarborough, Line Technician I; Bryan Walsh, Senior Technical Trainer; and Mike Atout, Lead Line Technician. 

Attila Miszti, Chief Operating Officer (left), and Richard Boley (center) join Flick, Venn and Accomando as they celebrate with their trophies.

The apprentice team included Accomando, Flick, Venn, James Carpenter, Line Technician III; Hunter Smith, Line Technician II; Dylan Tyler, Line Technician III; Mason Wood, Line Technician III; Clay Alexander, Line Technician III; and Cooper Jeffers, Line Technician III. 

James Alexander, Sr. Technical Trainer, worked with the competitors in the weeks leading up to the competition. Alexander also made an appearance on FMEA’s podcast where he shared about the history of the competition and the camaraderie and skills it builds among utilities across the state. 

Top performers from the FMEA competition will travel to Huntsville, Alabama to compete in the American Public Power Association National Lineworkers Rodeo on March 27 and 28. 

 

Team OUC poses for a group photo following the awards ceremony at the 2026 FMEA Lineman Competition.