BILOXI, MS — Equipment operators from Departments of Transportation around the southeast recently competed at the Southeastern Regional Equipment Operators Roadeo in Biloxi. Individual winners of each competition and the overall state with the most points have been announced.

Focusing on efficiency and skill, roadeos provide highway workers with an opportunity to display their mastery of vehicle handling, trailer maneuvering and heavy equipment precision. The event and judging criteria provide feedback and let operators evaluate their strengths and challenges. Operators improve techniques and learn new skills while engaging in some friendly competition.

The safety and training event was hosted by the Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) in Biloxi at the Gulf Coast Convention Center.

“Employee training is one way state DOTs ensure that crews in the field are operating as safely as possible,” said Melinda McGrath, PE, MDOT Executive Director. “Roadeos allow skilled maintenance workers to share best practices and demonstrate knowledge, skills and abilities gained from experience working on our nation’s highways.”

Competitors in the Southeastern Regional Roadeo were chosen from state competitions held earlier this year. Competing states include Arkansas, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia. Competitors are judged for how well they operate and maneuver equipment such as dump trucks, backhoes, motor graders, tractor mowers and truck trailers.

The top three states that competed were: Tennessee, Mississippi and Arkansas.

Event Winners

• Backhoe: Ethan Norman – Arkansas, Joe Sharp – Kentucky and Courtney Vanover – Kentucky
• Lowboy: Billy Coward – Mississippi, Richie Fulgham – Mississippi and Johnny Jason – Arkansas
• Motor Grader: Jeremy Hankins – Mississippi, Robert Hodnett – Georgia and Joel Bates – Tennessee
• Single Axle Dump: Brandon Varnadore – South Carolina, Wade Ramsey – Tennessee and Brandon Hickson – Tennessee
• Tandem Axle Dump: Keith Carpenter – Arkansas, Scott Burgess – South Carolina and Michael Bezok – Virginia
• Tractor/Mower: Trevor Staggs – Tennessee, Ben Yost – South Carolina and Jason Lacks – Virginia