Franklin County GDOT Foreman Wins in Annual Competition

A Franklin County resident is one of the winners in the Georgia Department of Transportation’s annual Roadeo Competition.

The Roadeo is an annual competition between Georgia Department of Transportation employees to determine the “Best” driver in six categories: Single Axle Dump Truck, Double Axle Dump Truck, Tractor Mower, Backhoe, Motor Grader and Lowboy.

“The display of technical skills is amazing, said District Engineer, Bayne Smith. “Maintenance Employees performed intricate maneuvers with each piece of equipment including parallel parking, driving forward and backward through obstacles 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.” 

GDOT’s District One held their annual competition earlier this month.

“It’s really a time for them to show off their technical skills using the equipment, said GDOT spokesperson Teri Pope. “On the 22nd will be our statewide Roadeo where the first, second, and third place winners from each district will compete in the six categories.”

In the Motor Grader event, first place went to  Carnesville resident and GDOT Foreman, Jesse Thurmond. Thurmond is the Foreman for the Franklin County Maintenance Crew.

“He’s one of our hardworking, unsung heroes,” Pope said. “He is in charge of our maintenance crews in Franklin County and lives there.”

Thurmond placed first in that category last year as well.  And also came in second this year in the Backhoe Competition.

The winner’s of Wednesday’s State Competition will go on to compete in the national Rodeo Event later this summer, Pope said.