The Mississippi Department of Transportation (MDOT) recently held its statewide Equipment Operators Roadeo in Jackson that featured competitors from its six districts. MDOT says the event focuses on proficiency in knowledge, skills and abilities of its maintenance workforce.
Roadeos also put emphasis on training, the department adds, and looks at how employees “maintain and enhance their daily operating skills while ensuring their duties are being performed as safely as possible.”
“The competitors at the Roadeos are the workers the traveling public sees on the side of the road day in and day out,” says James Williams, deputy executive director/chief engineer. “By practicing safe equipment operation, our workers not only protect themselves, but also ensure that motorists remain as safe as possible.”
Events and winners for the Mississippi statewide completion include:
Single Axle Dump Truck
- First place – John Hodge of Newton
- Second place – Ellis Akins of Ashland
- Third place – Billy Coward of Newton
Single-Axle Dump Truck Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, John Hodge; Second place, Ellis Akins; Third place, Billy Coward; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.Tandem Axle Dump Truck
- First place – Jeffrey May of Newton
- Second place – Mike Pritchett of Monticello
- Third place – Scott Horton of Newton
Tandem-Axle Dump Truck Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, Jeffrey May; Second place, Mike Pritchett; Third place, Scott Horton; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.Lowboy
- First place – Matthew Thorne of Newton
- Second place – Ron Phillips of Hattiesburg
- Third place – Terry Buckley of Newton
Lowboy Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, Matt Thorne; Second place, Ron Phillips; Third place, Terry Buckley; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.Backhoe
- First place – Thomas Goode of Holly Springs
- Second place – Wade Peeples of Batesville
- Third place – Melvin Taylor of Flowers
Backhoe Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, Thomas Goode; Second place, Wade Peeples; Third place, Melvin Taylor; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.Motor Grader
- First place – Simpson Wofford of Houston
- Second place – Darrell Tatum of Ripley
- Third place – Thomas Malone of Batesville
Motor Grader Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, Simpson Wofford; Second place, Darrell Tatum; Third place, Thomas Malone; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.Tractor and bush hog
- First place – Nathan Perkins of Clinton
- Second place – Steve Tackitt of Pontotoc
- Third place – Vincent Necaise of Saucier
Bushhog Winners – Pictured from left: MDOT Executive Director Melinda McGrath; First place, Nathan Perkins; Second place, Steve Tackitt; Third place, Vincent Necaise; and, Transportation Commissioner Dick Hall.MDOT also awards a team champion at the event, with the year’s top team being District 5 headquartered in Newton.
“The Roadeos are a way to make sure MDOT employees maintain their skills and practice safety,” says Executive Director Melinda McGrath. “They also allow the MDOT family to come together and enjoy a day of friendly competition while expanding skills, knowledge and abilities to keep the public safe.”
