MTE Linemen Deliver Award-Winning Performance at Valley Rodeo
MTE Lineman Rodeo Team brought home 13 awards and two overall division honors in the annual competition
Middle Tennessee Electric’s (MTE) Lineman Rodeo Team earned 13 awards at the annual Tennessee Valley Lineman Rodeo held June 5-6 in Florence, Alabama.
The two-day competition, established in 1998 by and for employees of Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) power distributors, recognizes line workers for excellence in safety, skill and technical knowledge. More than 300 competitors participated this year in events designed to test the abilities required in the electric utility industry.
MTE’s top honors included a first-place overall finish in the Senior Lineman Division by Adam Montgomery and a second-place overall finish in the Apprentice Lineman Division by Tyler McClendon.
“I’m so proud of all 21 of our linemen who competed and represented MTE and our members in an exceptional way,” said MTE President and CEO Chris Jones. “This was a tremendous showing for our team and a reflection of the skill, dedication and professionalism they bring to the job every day. Linemen are incredible first responders, and the rodeo provides an opportunity to showcase the expertise, training and commitment to safety their work requires.”
The annual competition is divided into categories based on experience level. MTE team members earned the following placements in team and individual events:
- Team 22: Billy Alexander, Nolan Farris and Adam Montgomery
- C1 Conductor Tie – second place
- Team 24: AJ Hamlet, Dylan Parker and Matt Patrick
- Transformer Change – second place
- Hurtman Rescue – third place
SENIOR LINEMAN
- Adam Montgomery
- Overall senior – first place
- Bell and arrestor changes – first place
- Transformer connector change – first place
- Hurtman Rescue – third place
- Chris Gossett
- Hurtman Rescue – first place
- Arrestor and bell change – second place
APPRENTICE LINEMAN
- Tyler McClendon
- Overall Apprentice – second place
- Jack jumper changes – first place
- A6 bell change – first place
- Preston Campbell
- Jack jumper change – third place
