Ameren lineworkers ready to showcase their skills at global utility competition

Team to demonstrate safety, excellence and technical expertise on the international stage

ST. LOUIS (Oct.13, 2026) - Ameren lineworkers, apprentices and competition officials will travel to Overland Park, Kansas, this week to participate in the 42nd International Lineman's Rodeo, Oct. 14-17, one of the utility industry's most prestigious competitions. Often referred to as the "Lineman Olympics," the event brings together lineworkers from around the world to demonstrate the technical skills, teamwork and safety practices required to perform their jobs every day.

Ameren Illinois will have five journeyman teams representing its regional divisions, along with four apprentices and six competition officials and committee members:

• Apprentices: Jared Lockmiller (Belleville Operating Center), Caleb Brune (Centralia Operating Center), Thomas Gettings (Decatur Operating Center) and Bret Beckman (Belleville Operating Center)
• Journeyman teams:
  • Matt Dewitt (Beardstown Operating Center), Braden Weder (Tuscola Office) and Jakob Weder (Danville Operating Center)
  • Brian Courtright (Decatur Operating Center), Clayton Gulley (Marion Operating Center) and Austin Lewis (Marion Operating Center)
  • Clint Dasenbrock (Effingham Operating Center), Blake Mette (Mattoon Operating Center) and Austin Weber (Mattoon Operating Center)
  • Jay Leathers (Galesburg Operating Center), John McDonough (Washington Operating Center) and Vinny Napolitano (Pioneer Park Operating Center)
  • Tommy Fisher (Belleville Operating Center), Levi Wilkins (Belleville Operating Center), Tony Sudholt (Belleville Operating Center)

Ameren Missouri will have four journeyman teams representing its regional divisions, along with 10 apprentices and nine competition officials and committee members:

• Apprentices: Austin Schmitt (Metro Operating Center), Hayden Tarr (Kirksville Operating Center), Mitch Wittman (Metro Operating Center), Jacob Folk (Metro Operating Center), Nic Ditter (Moberly Operating Center), Carson Frevert (Moberly Operating Center), Samuel Nickelson (Metro Operating Center), Wayne Eiting (Metro Operating Center), Dillon Freeman (Metro Operating Center) and Tyler Courtway (Metro Operating Center)
• Journeyman Teams:

• Kolter McBride (Cape Girardeau Operating Center), Brendan Wilkens (Cape Girardeau Operating Center) and Joshua Jones (Cape Girardeau Operating Center)
• Danny Hudson (Mackenzie Operating Center), Adam Schmelzle (Mackenzie Operating Center) and Ryan Mackey (Mackenzie Operating Center)
• Kevin Oser (Boonville Operating Center), Ryan Witt (Jefferson City Operating Center) and Weston Wood (Jefferson City Operating Center)
• Chet Trent (Kirksville Operating Center), George O'Haver (Kirksville Operating Center) and Kevin Lindquist (Kirksville Operating Center)

The rodeo also provides co-workers' families the opportunity to see firsthand the skills that make these men and women vital to our everyday lives.

"The Lineman's Rodeo is a chance for our lineworkers and apprentices to showcase the skills they use every day to keep the lights on for our customers," said Jason Klein,vice president of electric operations at Ameren Illinois. "It's also an opportunity to compete alongside some of the best lineworkers in the world, learn from one another and represent Ameren and the communities we serve."

Teams will compete in events that replicate real-world field scenarios, including the Hurtman Rescue (which simulates rescuing an injured worker from the top of a utility pole), Pole Climb (a timed event that tests climbing ability, proper technique and safety procedures) and two mystery events (simulated work assignments that mirror the unexpected situations lineworkers can encounter on the job, requiring safe decision-making and technical expertise). Competitors are evaluated on safety, job knowledge, work practices and overall performance. Apprentices also complete a written examination in addition to the hands-on events.

"The work our lineworkers and apprentices perform is essential to delivering safe and reliable energy to our customers," said Landy Wince, senior director of division operations at Ameren Missouri. "This event highlights the professionalism, training and dedication that define their craft and allows them to showcase those skills on an international stage."

The International Lineman's Rodeo has become a celebrated tradition within the utility industry, recognizing the important role lineworkers play in keeping communities powered while fostering a strong culture of safety and excellence.

About Ameren Corporation
St. Louis-based Ameren Corporation powers the quality of life for 2.4 million electric customers and more than 900,000 natural gas customers in a 64,000-square-mile area through its Ameren Missouri and Ameren Illinois rate-regulated utility subsidiaries. Ameren Illinois provides electric transmission and distribution service and natural gas distribution service. Ameren Missouri provides electric generation, transmission and distribution service, as well as natural gas distribution service. Ameren Transmission Company of Illinois develops, owns and operates rate-regulated regional electric transmission projects in the Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc. For more information, visit Ameren.com, or follow us on Twitter at @AmerenCorp, Facebook.com/AmerenCorp, or LinkedIn.com/company/Ameren.