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KUA Lassoes Two Trophies at Statewide Rodeo

March 29, 2008

Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) linemen brought home high marks and two trophies from the eighth annual Florida Linemen's Competition on March 29 in Lakeland.

Twenty-six teams and 41 apprentices from municipal utilities throughout Florida gathered at The Lakeland Center to recognize the profession of line work and demonstrate the safety, skill and endurance of electric linemen. The rodeo consisted of six timed events.

KUA was honored in the following categories:

Apprentices
Fourth Place – Overall apprentice ranking – Jason Wright (KUA)

Wright earned a perfect combined event score of 500 points.

Journeyman Teams
Second Place – Mutual aid event: Install and disassemble a sidewalk guy – Bill Caruthers (Ocala Electric Utility), Dustin Kelley (KUA) and Eric Pickles (Lakeland Electric).

The team earned a perfect event score of 100 points.

Competing teams hailed from KUA, City of Alachua, City of Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Choctawhatchee Electric Cooperative (DeFuniak Springs), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Guernsey-Muskingum Electric Cooperative (Ohio), JEA (Jacksonville), Kansas City Power & Light (Missouri), Lafayette Utilities System (Louisiana), Lakeland Electric, Ocala Electric Utility, Orlando Utilities Commission, Progress Energy, City of Tallahassee and City of Vero Beach.

KUA linemen will compete on a national level at the American Public Power Association's annual Public Power Lineworkers' Rodeo at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway in Indiana on April 18-19.

KUA Lassoes Four Trophies at Rodeo

March 19, 2007

Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) lineworkers brought home high marks and four trophies from the seventh annual Florida Lineman's Competition on March 17 in Ocala, Fla.

Twenty-one teams and 25 apprentices from municipal utilities throughout Florida gathered at the West Ocala Operations Center to recognize the profession of line work and demonstrate the safety, skill and endurance of electric linemen. The rodeo consisted of six timed events.

KUA's three journeyman teams scored 496, 494 and 490 points respectively out of 500 possible points.

KUA was honored in the following event categories:

Apprentice
Third Place – Mutual aid event/disassemble double cross arms – Tim Beard (Ocala Electric), Cole Clanton (Lakeland Electric), Jason Wright (KUA)
Third Place – Meter register skills – Jason Wright

Fifth Place - Overall apprentice ranking – Jason Wright

Journeyman Teams
Third Place – Mutual aid event/install double cross arms – Aaron Haderle (KUA), Robert Padgett (Lakeland Electric), J.J. Sabo (JEA)

Competing teams hailed from KUA, City of Alachua, City of Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, JEA (Jacksonville), Keys Energy Services (Key West), Lafayette Utilities System (Louisiana), Lakeland Electric, Ocala Electric Utility, Orlando Utilities Commission and City of Tallahassee.

KUA linemen will compete on a national level at the American Public Power Association's annual Public Power Lineworkers' Rodeo in Marietta, Georgia on April 13-14.

KUA Linemen Lasso 10 Trophies at Statewide Rodeo

March 19, 2006

Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home 10 event trophies and the state's fifth best ranking from Saturday's 2006 Florida Lineman's Competition in Kissimmee.

Twenty-four teams and 24 apprentices from municipal utilities throughout Florida gathered at Osceola Heritage Park to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen. The rodeo consisted of six timed events.

There are two levels of competition within the rodeo: journeyman teams and apprentice. The journeyman teams consist of three members – two climbers and a ground person. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker competes as an individual and has four or fewer years of experience.

KUA received awards in the following event categories:

Apprentice
First Place - Refuse and close cutouts - Dustin Kelley
Second Place - Lamp and photocell changeout - Chris Ketner
Third Place - Obstacle course - Chris Ketner
Third Place - Hurtman rescue - Chris Ketner
Third Place - Mutual aid challenge - Chris Ketner (KUA), Matt Schofield (Lakeland Electric), Jason Whitehead (Jacksonville Electric Authority)

Fourth Place - Overall apprentice ranking - Chris Ketner

Journeyman Teams
First Place - 100 amp cutout replacement - Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy, David Wolfe
Second Place - Mutual aid challenge - Aaron Haderle (KUA), Ivan Nelson (Lakeland Electric) and Gary Sutton (Gainesville Regional Utilities)
Third Place - Mutual aid challenge - Billy Caruthers (Ocala Electric Utility), Jeff Powell (KUA), Matt Redfern (Lakeland Electric)

Fifth Place - Overall team ranking - Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy, David Wolfe

Competing teams hailed from KUA, City of Bartow, Beaches Energy Services (Jacksonville Beach), Fort Pierce Utilities Authority, Gainesville Regional Utilities, Jacksonville Electric Authority, Keys Energy Services (Key West), Lakeland Electric, Ocala Electric Utility, Orlando Utilities Commission, Progress Energy and the City of Tallahassee.

KUA linemen will compete in the American Public Power Association's annual Public Power Lineworkers' Rodeo in Sacramento, Calif. on April 7-8.

KUA to Host 2006 Florida Lineman's Rodeo

May 25, 2005

The Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA) has announced the selection of Kissimmee, Fla. as the host city of the 2006 Florida Lineman’s Competition & Lineworker Training Workshop.

The sixth annual competition, which is expected to draw hundreds of participants and spectators, will be hosted by Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) on March 17-18, 2006. The purpose of the rodeo is to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen.

“This event will be a great opportunity for Kissimmee to showcase its city to a statewide audience,” said Jim Welsh, KUA’s president and general manager. “KUA will ensure that the lineman’s competition is a memorable event both for the city and the participants.”

Founded in 1901, KUA ( http://www.kua.com ) is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric, water and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

KUA Lassos National Rodeo Win
Linemen Rank Second in Nation, Best in Florida

April 18, 2005

KISSIMMEE, Fla., April 18, 9:00 a.m. – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home the nation's second best ranking from the fifth annual Public Power Lineworkers’ Rodeo. In addition, they scored highest among participating Florida utilities.

Sixty teams from throughout the United States gathered in Memphis, Tenn. on April 16 to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen.

Held in conjunction with the American Public Power Association's Engineering & Operations Technical Conference, the rodeo consisted of five timed events, including alley arm insulator replacement, crossarm change out, hurtman rescue, oil circuit recloser change out and URD terminator/elbow installation.

KUA's team earned a score of 498 out of 500 possible points and took third place event trophies for the alley arm insulator replacement and oil circuit recloser change out.

KUA’s journeyman team was made up of Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy and David Wolfe with Luis Santiago serving as alternate. Dustin Kelley and Chris Ketner competed individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover and Alberto Mercado served as support personnel.

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric, water and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

KUA LINEMEN RANK 4TH IN FLORIDA; EARN 4 TROPHIES

March 22, 2004

KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 22, 10:00 am -- Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home four trophies and the state's fourth best ranking from Saturday's 2004 Florida Lineman's Competition in Ocala.

Twenty-two teams and 20 apprentices from municipal utilities throughout Florida gathered to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen. The rodeo itself consisted of five timed events, including a mystery event that wasn't revealed to participants until just before the rodeo began.

There were two levels of competition within the rodeo – journeyman and apprentice. The journeyman teams consisted of three members -- two climbers and a ground person. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker has four or fewer years of experience.

KUA had two teams competing in the journeyman competition. Team 1 -- featuring Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy and Joe Watson -- ranked fourth overall in Florida and received two event trophies. Team 2 -- featuring Mike Fulmore, Luis Santiago and Steve Walker, with Jamie Boswell as alternate -- ranked 18th overall. In the apprentice competition, KUA's Dustin Kelley earned a perfect score and received a trophy for his fifth place ranking. Chris Ketner earned a third place trophy for his perfect score in the brace and bit event. Earlier this month, KUA crews brought home the nation's seventh best ranking from the American Public Power Association's 2004 Lineworkers' Rodeo in San Antonio, Texas.

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric, water, and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

KUA LINEMEN RANK 4TH IN FLORIDA; EARN 4 TROPHIES

March 22, 2004

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric, water, and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

KUA Linemen Rank 7th in Nation; Best in Florida

March 8, 2004

KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 8, 1:30 pm -- Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home the nation's seventh best ranking from the American Public Power Association's 2004 Lineworkers' Rodeo. In addition, they scored highest among Florida utilities.

Fifty teams from throughout the United States gathered in San Antonio, Texas on March 6 to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen. The rodeo itself consisted of five timed events, including 100 amp cutout replacement, 600 amp switch replacement, cross arm change out, hurtman rescue and insulator change out.

KUA's team earned a perfect score of 500 out of 500 possible points.

"Crew speed translates into quicker restoration of power for our customers in a real life situation," said KUA president & general manager Jim Welsh. "We're proud to be Florida's best in 2004."

Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy and Joe Watson made up KUA's journeyman team, with Bruce Thompson serving as alternate.

KUA crews will compete in the annual Florida Lineman's Competition on March 20 in Ocala. The event is free and open to the public. Details can be found online at www.publicpower.com/flc .

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility providing electric, water, and telecommunication services to 170,000 residents in five Central Florida counties.

Local "Electric Cowboys" to Compete at National Rodeo

March 5, 2004

KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 5, 8:30 am -- The best linemen from Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) have joined linemen from other municipal utilities around the nation to compete in their very own version of the rodeo. And in a profession where a mistake can mean disaster or death, their combination of skill, safety and speed will prove crucial in the annual competition.

The American Public Power Association's fourth annual Lineworkers' Rodeo begins today and continues through Saturday in San Antonio, Texas. The intention of the rodeo is to recognize the profession of line work as well as demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen.

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. A qualified journeyman has more than four years of experience within the electric utility trade. An apprentice lineworker has four or fewer years of experience. This year's competition includes 50 journeyman teams and 49 apprentices.

Aaron Haderle, Logan Murphy and Joe Watson make up KUA's journeyman team, with Bruce Thompson serving as alternate. Dustin Kelley is competing individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover and Alberto Mercado are serving as support personnel.

"The focus of the rodeo is for participants to perform their skills in a technical, proficient manner, with safety being the #1 priority," said Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "The competition helps keep our linemen's skill level high and gives them a spirit of competition."

The journeyman competition consists of four timed events: 100 amp cutout replacement, 600 amp switch replacement, cross arm change out, hurtman rescue and insulator change out. The apprentice competition includes four timed events as well as a written test.

All areas of the competition are conducted without the use of live electricity.

Local "Electric Cowboys" to Compete at International Rodeo

October 15, 2003

KISSIMMEE, Fla., October 15, 8:15 am -- The best linemen from Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) have joined linemen from other utilities around the world to participate in their very own version of the rodeo. And in a profession where a mistake can mean disaster or death, their combination of skill, safety and speed will prove crucial in the annual competition.

The 20th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo & Expo begins Thursday and continues through Saturday in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. The first rodeo was held in September 1984, with twelve participating teams from utilities in Kansas and Missouri. The rodeo has grown now to over 236 three-man teams and more than 260 apprentices from across the U.S. and around the world.

Aaron Haderle, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson make up KUA's three-man team, with Mike Fulmore serving as alternate. Jamie Boswell is competing individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover and Alberto Mercado are serving as support personnel and judges at the event.

The team competitions consist of four timed events: a pole climb in which participants must hold a raw egg in their mouths, hurt-man rescue and two mystery events. Participants will not know the nature of the mystery events until just before the rodeo begins. The apprentice competition includes the timed events as well as a written test. All areas of the competition are conducted without the use of live electricity.

"The focus of the rodeo is for the participants to perform their skills in a technical, proficient manner, with safety being the #1 priority," said Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "The competition helps keep our linemen's skill level high and gives them a spirit of competition."

More than 4,000 people are expected to attend this year's event.

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's sixth largest community-owned utility serving 61,000 electric, water and Internet customers in five Central Florida counties.

KUA Linemen Ranked 'Second Fastest' in Florida

April 4, 2003

Kissimmee, Fla., April 4, 11:00 am – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home four trophies and the second fastest competition time from the third annual Florida Lineman's Rodeo. Twenty-three teams from nearly a dozen of Florida's electric utilities gathered in Jacksonville on March 29 to exhibit their craft and showcase their skills.

KUA's leading team earned a score of 498 out of 500 possible points and achieved an overall time of 38 minutes, 50 seconds, second only to a team from Jacksonville Electric Authority which finished 46 seconds sooner.

"Crew speed translates into quicker restoration of power for our customers in a real life situation," said KUA president & general manager Jim Welsh. "We're proud to be among Florida's best."

Overall, KUA's two teams placed 6th and 21st in the state and earned three event trophies, including first place for poletop insulator changeout. Team members included: Mike Fulmore, Gary Guinan, Aaron Haderle, Bruce Thompson, Steve Walker, and Joe Watson, with Bill Groover serving as alternate.

Jamie Boswell and Scott Grieves represented KUA in the individual apprentice competition. Boswell earned a third place trophy in the streetlight changeout event.

While 'rodeo' implies competition based on skill, speed and safety are among the teams' top priorities. "These linemen take their jobs very seriously," said Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "It may look easy, but there's nothing easy about climbing a 40-foot utility pole."

The rodeo itself consisted of five separate events. One of the most popular was the hurt-man rescue. In this exercise, a 180-pound mannequin, simulating an injured lineman, was "rescued" from the top of a 40-foot pole. "This is one situation a lineman hopes he never encounters on the job," Gent said, "but he must know how to perform a rescue safely and accurately."

KUA's winning team will represent the utility in the 20th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo in Bonner Springs, Kansas in October.

Founded in 1901, KUA is Florida's 6th largest community-owned utility serving 58,000 electric, water and internet customers in five Central Florida counties.

KUA Team Places 8th in International Lineman's Rodeo

October 1, 2002

KISSIMMEE, Fla., October 1, 10:30 am -- Considered the industry's "Super Bowl" of skill competitions, 1,000 of the best linemen from across the United States and around the world gathered in Bonner Springs, Kansas recently to compete in the 19th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo. Kissimmee Utility Authority's three-person team scored 394 points out of a possible 400 to place 8th best in the world in the municipal competition.

The rodeo is a competition based on traditional lineman tasks. The intention of the rodeo is to recognize the profession of line work, as well as to demonstrate the safety, skill and education of electric linemen. It was created for participation by everyday, working linemen.

While "rodeo" implies competition based on speed and skill, safe work is the number one priority here, says Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "These linemen take their jobs very seriously," Gent said. "It may look easy, but there's nothing easy about climbing a 40-foot pole. While the men want to do well, they also want to compete in a safe environment. After all, in a work situation, it's their lives that are on the line. There's no room for error. Ever."

Teams compete in five divisions: investor-owned utilities, contractors, municipal utilities, rural electric cooperatives and seniors. Each team participates in five mandatory events. This year's events included a pole climb, hurt man rescue and three mystery events. Participants do not know the nature of the mystery events until just before the rodeo begins. All areas of the competition are conducted without the use of live electricity.

Scoring for the events is based on correct work procedures and safety. Judges include utility supervisors and past rodeo contestants, and follow strict criteria.

Aaron Haderle, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson made up KUA's three-man team, with Luis Santiago serving as alternate. Jamie Boswell, Scott Grieves, and Logan Murphy competed individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover and Henry Kurnick served as support personnel at the event.

In the municipal apprentice competition, Grieves placed 15th in the world, Murphy placed 19th, and Boswell placed 37th. Each apprentice lineman took a written test and competed in a series of physical tasks.

KUA crews previously earned five trophies and a $500 check at the second annual Florida Lineman's Rodeo held on March 2 in Orlando.

KUA is Florida's 6th largest community-owned utility serving 58,000 electric, water and internet customers in three Central Florida counties.

KUA Linemen Victorious at Statewide Rodeo

March 5, 2002

Kissimmee, Fla., March 5, 8:30 am – Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home five trophies and a $500 check from the second annual Florida Lineman's Rodeo on March 2. Twenty-eight teams from more than a dozen of Florida's electric utilities gathered in Windermere to exhibit their craft and showcase their skills.

While "rodeo" implies competition based on speed and skill, safe work is the number one priority, says KUA manager of corporate communications Chris Gent. "These linemen take their jobs very seriously," said Gent. "It may look easy, but there's nothing easy about climbing a 40-foot utility pole. While the men want to do well, they also want to compete in a safe environment. After all, in a work situation, it's their lives that are on the line and there's no room for error."

KUA's three crews participated in a series of 5 events; 2 events were known in advance while the remaining three events were mystery events that were revealed at the start of the competition. Two of the most popular events were the hurt-man rescue and the pole climb. In the first, a 180-pound mannequin, simulating an injured lineman, was "rescued" from the top of a 40-foot pole. "This is one situation a lineman hopes he never encounters on the job," Gent said, "but he must know how to perform a rescue safely and accurately."

The pole climb event attracted crowds of onlookers who watched the linemen climb up and then down a pole – without breaking the raw egg they were carrying in their mouths. "You can get egg on your face, literally, in this event," Gent said.

KUA's three teams placed 8th, 15th and 18th in the state and earned three event trophies, including second place for the pole climb. The teams included: John Chapin, Mike Fulmore, Gary Guinan, Aaron Haderle, Ronnie Hardee, Virgil Minshew, Luis Santiago, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson. Jamie Boswell, Scott Grieves and Logan Murphy represented KUA in the apprentice competition.

Boswell earned the title of the state's top apprentice lineman and earned two trophies and a $500 check to help cover his travel expenses to Kansas in September where he will represent KUA in the 19th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo.

KUA is Florida's 6th largest community-owned utility serving 58,000 electric, water and Internet customers in four Central Florida counties. KUA celebrated its 100th year of serving the community in 2001

KUA Linemen to Participate in Statewide Rodeo

March 1, 2002

KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 1, 2:15 pm -- In a county steeped in rodeo tradition, the linemen of Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) will represent Osceola County on Saturday in the second annual Florida Lineman's Competition.

Sponsored by the Florida Municipal Electric Association (FMEA), the Lineman's Rodeo is one in which the participants will straddle poles, not ponies, and where the danger will not come from bucking animals but the deadly burst of electrical power. And in a profession where a mistake can mean disaster or death, the combination of skill, safety and speed is crucial.

"The focus of the rodeo is for the participants to perform their skills in a technical, proficient manner, with safety being the #1 priority," said Chris Gent, KUA's manager of corporate communications. "The competition will help keep our linemen’s skill level high and give them a spirit of competition."

The rodeo will take place from 8:00 am - 3:00 pm on Saturday, March 2, at Camp Down in Windermere. Twenty-seven teams from more than a dozen of Florida's electric utilities will exhibit their craft and showcase their skills as they compete for the honor to be the state's best utility linemen.

KUA employees John Chapin, Mike Fulmore, Gary Guinan, Aaron Haderle, Ronnie Hardee, Virgil Minshew, Luis Santiago, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson will compete in the team competition. Jamie Boswell, Scott Grieves and Logan Murphy will represent KUA in the apprentice competition.

Competitors will participate in pre-established known and mystery events. Events include pole top rescue, pole speed climb with raw egg, and three mystery events — all without live electricity.

The event is free and the public is invited to attend all or a portion of the event. Details and directions can be found online at http://www.publicpower.com/2002linemanscompetition.html

KUA Linemen Testing Skills at International Rodeo

September 6, 2001

KISSIMMEE, Fla., September 6, 11:00 am -- The best linemen from Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) have joined linemen from other utilities around the world to participate in their very own version of the rodeo. And in a profession where a mistake can mean disaster or death, their combination of skill, safety and speed will prove crucial in the competition.

The 18th Annual International Lineman's Rodeo & Expo begins today and continues through Saturday in Bonner Springs, Kansas. The rodeo attracts the best linemen from around the world to compete in events based on traditional lineman tasks. The first rodeo was held in September 1984, with twelve participating teams from Kansas and Missouri. The rodeo has grown now to over 200, three-man teams and more than 120 apprentices from across the U.S. and around the world.

Aaron Haderle, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson make up KUA's three-man team. Jamie Boswell, Scott Grieves, and Logan Murphy are competing individually in the apprentice competition. Bill Groover, Henry Kurnick, and Virgil Minshew are serving as support personnel and judges at the event.

The team competitions consist of six timed events. Each year three are standard: a pole climb in which participants must hold a raw egg in their mouths, a "double dead end hot tap," and a hurt-man rescue. In addition, three mystery events are scheduled, but participants will not know the nature of these events until just before the rodeo begins. All areas of the competition are conducted without the use of live electricity.

"The focus of the rodeo is for the participants to perform their skills in a technical, proficient manner, with safety being the #1 priority," said Chris Gent, KUA's manager of communications. "The competition helps keep our linemen's skill level high and gives them a spirit of competition."

More than 4,000 people are expected to attend this year's event.

KUA's is Florida's 7th largest community-owned utility serving 53,000 electric, water and Internet customers in four Central Florida counties. KUA is celebrating its 100th year of serving the community in 2001.

KUA Linemen Victorious at Statewide Rodeo

March 21, 2001

KISSIMMEE, Fla., March 21, 9:00 am -- Kissimmee Utility Authority (KUA) crews brought home a first place trophy from the first annual Florida Lineman's Rodeo on March 17. Nineteen teams from 11 of Florida's electric utilities gathered in Lakeland to exhibit their craft and showcase their skills.

While "rodeo" implies competition based on speed and skill, safe work is the number one priority, says KUA manager of communications Chris Gent. "These linemen take their jobs very seriously," said Gent. "It may look easy, but there's nothing easy about climbing a 40-foot utility pole. While the men want to do well, they also want to compete in a safe environment. After all, in a work situation, it's their lives that are on the line and there's no room for error."

KUA's two crews participated in a series of 5 events; 4 events were known in advance and the fifth was a mystery event that was revealed at the start of the competition. Two of the most popular events were the hurt man rescue and the pole climb. In the first, a 200-pound mannequin, simulating an injured lineman, was "rescued" from the top of a 40-foot pole. "This is one situation a lineman hopes he never encounters on the job," Gent said, "but he must know how to perform a rescue safely and accurately."

The pole climb event attracted crowds of onlookers who watched the linemen climb up and then down a pole -- without breaking the raw egg they were carrying in their mouths. "You can get egg on your face, literally, in this event," Gent said.

KUA received the first place trophy in the mystery event which involved overhead line construction.

KUA's two teams consisted of the following employees: Jamie Boswell, Ben DeMoss, Aaron Haderle, Leo Hauser, Virgil Minshew, Paul Therriault, Bruce Thompson, and Joe Watson.

KUA is Florida's 7th largest municipally-owned utility serving 53,000 electric, water and Internet customers in four Central Florida counties. KUA celebrates its 100th year of serving the community in 2001.