RALEIGH – Several heavy equipment operators for the N.C. Department of Transportation are headed to a regional competition this fall in West Virginia to show off their expertise.
They were among the best in a statewide competition held last month in Raleigh for the department’s the Equipment Operator Training Conference, nicknamed the state roadeo.
During the state roadeo, the employees of Division 6 garnered the highest team score, placing first as the overall division winner. A trophy will be presented next week to the Division 6 staff in Fayetteville, where the trophy – and some friendly bragging rights – will remain for a year until the next state roadeo.
Division 6 covers Bladen, Columbus, Cumberland, Harnett and Robeson counties.
“This annual event is a great opportunity for our heavy equipment operators to sharpen their skills and learn from one another,” said Robin Barfield, NCDOT’s Director of Safety and Risk Management. “We take safety and staff training very seriously.”
The NCDOT employees competed in seven categories that promote work zone safety, employee morale and teamwork. Winners from each category are now advancing to the regional event for the Southeast, set for Sept. 26-28, in Beckley, West Virginia.
“I’m really proud of the hard work and professionalism our team demonstrated at the state conference,” Division 6 Engineer Drew Cox said. “They maneuver heavy equipment every day. It’s a job that requires precision and dedication to operate in a safe manner.”
The following NCDOT employees who placed first and second last month will compete in September at the regional event:
Single Axle
• First: Tommy Staton (Anson Equipment/Division 10)
• Second: Jimmy Lambeth (Davidson Maintenance/Division 9)
Tandem Axle
• First: Greg Wright (Jackson Maintenance/Division 14)
• Second: Jackson Waddell (Wilson Maintenance/Division 4)
Lowboy
• First: Toby May (Guilford Bridge/Division 7)
• Second: Alan Cochran (Macon Bridge/ Division 14)
Backhoe
• First: Jonathan White (Cumberland Maintenance/Division 6)
• Second: Dustin Johnson (Duplin Maintenance/Division 3)
Motor grader
• First: Dan Evans (Nash Maintenance/Division 4)
• Second: Josh Leatherman (Shelby Maintenance/Division 12)
Tractor Mower
• First: Nathan Pike (Alamance Maintenance/Division 7)
• Second: Matthew Jones (Pamlico Maintenance/Division 2)
Crane
• First: Larry Flowers (Cherokee Bridge/Division 14)
• Second: Will Davidson (Union Bridge/Division 10)
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