Heath Patterson, state maintenance engineer for the Mississippi Department of Transportation, recently appeared on the agency’s ‘Extra Mile’ podcast to discuss how the annual State Equipment Operators Roadeo came into being.
[Above photo by Mississippi DOT]
He explained that the winners of the 2024 Roadeo – which took place June 6 at the Mississippi Coast Coliseum – will move on to the southeast regional competition September 17-19 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
Focusing on efficiency and skill, Patterson said the Roadeos provide agency 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 let operators evaluate their strengths and challenges – helping everyone improve their equipment-handling techniques and learn new skills; all while engaging in some friendly competition.
“It’s been about a little over 20 years since we adopted this [Roadeo] program of training and competition for equipment operators from the Arkansas DOT,” he said. “Then we decided, ‘Well, let’s see who is better.’ So in 2003 we competed against Arkansas DOT and that was the very first Regional Rodeo event. Now it has grown to include 13 states now – with Texas or Florida is joining in for their first year – with North Carolina [DOT] as the host.”
To listen to the full podcast, click here.
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