Chris Smith and Frankie Newman of FordCom Wireless powered through two days, heat and humidity and several tests of their skills to earn first place at the fourth annual Tough Tower competition.

The tower climbers from the East Palestine company bested seven other teams from companies across the country in the contest, which started Thursday and finished Friday at Tri-County Tower.

The annual Tough Tower competition was underway in North Jackson Friday, and the contestants were impressive.

These elite tower climbers come from across the country, each aiming to take the top spot.

After earning a bronze finish in last year’s competition, tower technicians Chris Smith and Frankie Newman of FordCom Wireless in East Palestine, Ohio, returned to Tough Tower with unfinished business. 

Tough Tower Co-Founder Chris Thomas joined WFMJ to discuss the Tough Tower competition and the newly formed Tough Tower Foundation.

The 4th Annual Tough Tower competition announced its return June 11 and 12 in North Jackson, OH. For the first time, proceeds from the event will benefit the newly established Tough Tower Foundation.

Tough Tower has officially become the Tough Tower Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to supporting financial wellness and suicide prevention efforts for workers in the telecommunications industry, foundation leaders announced Tuesday.

From addressing contractor grumblings over workforce, compliance, and pricing pressures to a new event, “Rumble on the Tower,” NATE UNITE 2026 this week is delivering one of its most wide-ranging programs in recent memory.

NATE: The Communications Infrastructure Contractors Association has released a new video that highlights the skill, safety, and teamwork on display at the 2025 Tough Tower Event in North Jackson, Ohio, held in June.

The 2025 Tough Tower competition brought together seven teams of elite tower climbers from across the country last weekend in North Jackson, OH, each aiming to take the top spot—and a significant cash prize—in an event focused on safety, skills, and careers in the telecommunications industry.

Although exceptional physical condition is a requisite for being a tower tech due to many challenging circumstances, this weekend’s second annual Tough Tower competitors were judged upon their proficiency in complex rescue, simple rescue, full install, lighting install, level lift, maneuvering, punch items, and JLG/azimuths.

The Mahoning Valley (Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania) will host a new tower competition over two days in June 2023.

The Mahoning Valley (Northeast Ohio and Western Pennsylvania) will host a new tower competition over two days in June 2023.