Northern Kentucky native Curt Addison is joining his Duke Energy linemen traveling to the International Lineman’s Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas this weekend.
Duke Energy Senior Journeyman Team Dave Barricklow, Sr, Craig Allen, Curt Addison will compete at the international competition this week (provided photos).
Addison will join seventy-six other Duke Energy linemen from Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Florida and North and South Carolina representing the company at the 35th annual competition.
Addison, of Florence, is a member of Duke Energy’s senior journeyman team, where participants must be over 50 years old. This will be his 15th year participating at the International Rodeo, but he says this one will be different.
“This year I’m more relaxed, I’m not as stressed out as I normally would be, probably because I can see retirement in my not-so-distant future,” said Addison.
He says this will likely be his last rodeo trip, so he’s going to enjoy the experience along with his senior teammates Craig Allen, and Dave Barricklow, Sr.
Barricklow’s been with the company for 40 years, and is looking forward to competing with this group on Saturday. Allen is a 35-year company veteran.
Addison and Barricklow recently had the pleasure of meeting Allen’s son, major league baseball pitcher, Cody Allen, who is currently a free agent. The one thing they were told was to make sure his dad (Craig) wasn’t hurt, and that he comes home in one piece. Both say they’ll make sure that happens this weekend.
All Duke Energy participants at the rodeo earned their spots by winning regional company competitions in 2018 and 2019. Competitors who earned a spot in 2018 were unable to participate due to Hurricane Michael power restoration efforts.
Events test job-related skills such as simulated hurt-man rescues, equipment repair and pole climbs. Competitors are judged on speed, agility, technique and safety procedures.
Craig Allen (left) and Curt Addison at practice in Plainfield, Indiana for the upcoming completion.
Duke Energy linemen will participate in the apprentice, journeyman and senior team divisions.
An apprentice is a line worker with less than four years of utility experience. A rodeo journeyman has greater than four years of utility experience.
The best line workers at Duke Energy and its legacy companies have showcased their talents at the International Lineman’s Rodeo for more than 20 years.
The last time Duke Energy line workers competed at the International Lineman’s Rodeo, in 2017, they roped in 18 awards and a lineman apprentice from Cary, N.C., took home the world champion apprentice title.
Duke Energy is one of the largest electric power holding companies in the United States. Its regulated utility operations serve approximately 7.4 million electric customers located in six states in the Southeast and Midwest, representing a population of approximately 24 million people.
Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, Duke Energy is a Fortune 125 company traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol DUK. More information about the company is available here.
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