CONCORD – The N.C. Department of Transportation held its annual Equipment Operator Training Conference at the Cabarrus Arena & Events Center in Concord last week, giving employees an opportunity to take part in a friendly competition of skill and accuracy.
Employees from Division 10, including Anson, Cabarrus, Mecklenburg, Stanly, and Union counties - maneuvered heavy equipment through several obstacle courses requiring precision, such as safely parallel parking a dump truck, or using the bucket of a backhoe to accurately drop a golf ball into cylinders of various sizes.
The overall goals of the conference include helping NCDOT employees advance their skills with emphasis on safety when operating these machines. The competition also fosters team spirit, recognizing employees who excel at their jobs.
The winners from each event will represent Division 10 at the statewide conference in Raleigh.
- Backhoe Exercise: Rico Miller, Cabarrus Maintenance
- Crane Exercise: Kevin Gathings, Anson Bridge Maintenance
- Lowboy Truck Exercise: Jeff Forman, Traffic Services
- Motor Grader Truck Exercise: Travis Roberts, Stanly Maintenance
- Single Axle Truck Exercise: Tracey Davis, Roadside Environmental
- Skid Steer Exercise: Seth Gathings, Stanly Bridge Maintenance
- Tandem Truck Exercise: John Shubert, Cabarrus Maintenance
- Tractor- Mower Exercise: Lee Trivette, Cabarrus Maintenance