Tallahassee Linemen Dominate FMEA Competition

Electrical workers from across Florida converge for 25th annual event

Mar. 15, 2026 at 5:08pm

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The 25th Annual Florida Lineman Competition, hosted by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) in Tallahassee, saw lineworkers from 13 utilities across the state compete in a series of events testing their skills and safety practices. Linemen from the host city of Tallahassee claimed the top honors, with the city's teams winning the Overall Journeyman Team and Overall Apprentice awards.

Why it matters

The annual FMEA competition highlights the critical role that electrical lineworkers play in maintaining and repairing power infrastructure, especially in the face of severe weather events common in Florida. The event also fosters camaraderie and skill development among the state's public power communities.

The details

The competition featured 156 lineworkers - 72 apprentices and 84 journeymen - across 26 teams, who were assessed by 58 judges. Events tested skills like replacing fuses, changing fiberglass links, transferring equipment, and simulated rescues, with points awarded for speed and safety. Tallahassee's teams came out on top, with Lance Rivenbark, Jordan Reddick and Jason Smith winning the Overall Journeyman Team award, and Dalton Gowdy taking the Overall Apprentice award.

  • The 25th Annual Florida Lineman Competition was held on Saturday, March 15, 2026.

The players

Lance Rivenbark

Member of the winning Tallahassee journeyman team.

Jordan Reddick

Member of the winning Tallahassee journeyman team.

Jason Smith

Member of the winning Tallahassee journeyman team.

Dalton Gowdy

Winner of the Overall Apprentice award, representing Tallahassee.

Amy Zubaly

Executive Director of the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA).

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What they’re saying

“This year marked the 25th anniversary of the Florida Lineman Competition and we were thrilled to bring together so many representatives from our public power communities to take part in this milestone event. Yesterday's winners embodied the exceptional skill, precision and professionalism that define linework.”

— Amy Zubaly, Executive Director, Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) (floridapolitics.com)

The takeaway

The FMEA competition showcases the vital work of Florida's electrical lineworkers, who are responsible for maintaining the state's power infrastructure and restoring service in the wake of severe weather. The dominance of Tallahassee's teams underscores the city's commitment to developing a highly skilled and safety-conscious public power workforce.