GAINESVILLE - The Georgia Department of Transportation announces the winners of the annual District-wide equipment operation skills competition called the "DOT Roadeo." The ROADeo is a competition among GDOT employees to determine the "Best" driver in six categories: Single Axle Dump Truck, Double Axle Dump Truck, Tractor Mower, Backhoe, Motor Grader and Lowboy.<br />
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"The display of technical skills is amazing. Maintenance Employees performed intricate maneuvers with each piece of equipment including parallel parking, driving forward and backward through an obstacle course while being timed. This is just another example of the expertise we have at work every day here at Georgia DOT. I am proud of our Maintenance Staff. Their level of expertise is unparalleled even when working in dangerous conditions. Join with me to congratulate these outstanding employees," said District Engineer, Bayne Smith.<br />
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SINGLE AXLE DUMP TRUCK<br />
1st Scott Parker is an Equipment Operator One working on the District Guardrail Crew and lives in Gainesville.<br />
2nd James Newberry is a Mechanic One working in the District Shop and lives in Gainesville.<br />
3rd Reggie Wright is an Equipment Operator One working on the Area Wide Crew for Dawson, Forsyth, Gwinnett and Hall Counties and lives in Gainesville.<br />
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TANDEM DUMP TRUCK<br />
1st Robert Ryan is an Equipment Operator Three for the District Wide Sign Crew and lives in Banks County.<br />
2nd Scott Parker is an Equipment Operator One working on the District Guardrail Crew and lives in Gainesville. He also placed 1st in the Single Axle Dump Truck category this year.<br />
3rd Brandon Hicks is an Equipment Operator Three for the District Guardrail Crew and lives in Cleveland.<br />
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LOWBOY<br />
1st Calvin Millsap is an Equipment Operator One for the District Asphalt Laydown Crew and lives in Homer.<br />
2nd Chad Dale is the Highway Maintenance Foreman on the District Guardrail Crew and lives in Gainesville.<br />
3rd Tim Kitchens is an Equipment Operator One on the District Asphalt Laydown Crew and lives in Homer.<br />
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BACKHOE<br />
1st Mitch Garmon is the Assistant Foreman for the District Ditching and Operational Improvements Crew and lives in Hiawassee.<br />
2nd Jock Gosnell is a Maintenance Equipment Operator for the District Bridge Maintenance Crew and lives in Clarkesville.<br />
3rd Jesse Thurmond is the Foreman for the Franklin County Maintenance Crew and lives in Carnesville.<br />
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TRACTOR/MOWER<br />
1st Johnny Cantrell is an Assistant Foreman on the Lumpkin County Crew and lives in Suches.<br />
2nd Steve Thompson is an Assistant Foreman on the Rabun County Crew and lives in Tiger.<br />
3rd Tony Nichols is an Equipment Operator Three on the Forsyth County Crew and lives in Cumming.<br />
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MOTOR GRADER<br />
1st Greg Free is an Assistance Foreman on the North Hall Crew and lives in Clarkesville.<br />
2nd Scott Parker is an Equipment Operator One on the Sign Shop and Guardrail Crew and lives in Gainesville.<br />
3rd Jesse Thurmond is the Foreman for the Franklin County Maintenance Crew and lives in Franklin County.<br />
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Each of the seven Georgia DOT Districts held a District Roadeo. First and Second place finishers along with former State Roadeo Winners will compete in the State Truck Roadeo in May.
