“Safety is always our focus. Everything we do is geared towards improving safety for the traveling public,” said Commissioner Willie Simmons, Central Transportation District. “Roadeos give our frontline workers an opportunity to improve and enhance the techniques and skills they use on the job. I appreciate their dedication to keep our highways safe.”
Focusing on efficiency and skill, MDOT’s roadeos provide employees with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering, and heavy equipment precision. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and help operators evaluate their strengths and challenges. Operators improve techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.
“The Equipment Operators Roadeo presents an opportunity for MDOT workers to sharpen their skills and be recognized for a job well done,” said Commissioner Tom King, Southern Transportation District. “A trained, dedicated workforce is invaluable asset, and MDOT is fortunate to have talented and loyal employees. The skills of these workers have improved thanks to Roadeo events, so we want to continue to invest in their development, which helps keep the traveling public safe.”
District 5 Roadeo events and winners are as follows:
| Your local Leica Geosystems Inc dealer |
|---|
| Laser Specialist inc |
- Backhoe: First Place - Matthew White; Second Place - Nathan “Grasshopper” Perkins; Third Place - David Alderson
- Bushhog: First Place - Wayne Perkins; Second Place - Nathan “Grasshopper” Perkins; Third Place - Brandon Felton
- Lowboy: First Place - Floyd J. Cameron; Second Place - Shannon “Slim” Davis; Third Place - Nathan “Grasshopper” Perkins
- Motor Grader: First Place - John Pace; Second Place - Nathan “Grasshopper” Perkins; Third Place - Ron Gibbs
- Single-Axle Dump Truck: First Place - Joseph “Butter Bean” Jordan; Second Place - James Johnson; Third Place - Billy Coward Jr.
- Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: First Place - Nathan “Grasshopper” Perkins; Second Place - Floyd J. Cameron; Third Place - Craig “Cooney” Kelly
District 6 Roadeo events and winners are as follows:
- Lowboy: First Place - Henry “Buster” Walker; Second Place - Vincent Necaise; Third Place - Huglon “Hue” McLaurin
- Single-Axle Dump Truck: First Place - Vincent Necaise; Second Place - Michael “Mike” Jones; Third Place - Robert Hoodless
- Tandem-Axle Dump Truck: First Place - Larry “LA” Ridge; Second Place - Jacob Clinton; Third Place - Octavious “O” Cooley
- Backhoe: First Place - Kyle Woods; Second Place - Michael “Mike” Jones; Third Place - Joel Clinton
- Motor Grader: First Place - Kyle Woods; Second Place - Tracy Woods; Third Place - Casey Necaise
- Bushhog: First Place - Vincent Necaise; Second Place - Kyle Woods; Third Place - Charles Ladner
The top two winners from each event advance to the state finals. At the state competition, winners from all six districts will compete, and a state champion will be crowned.
