FAYETTEVILLE – Johnathon White sat behind the controls of a backhoe tractor as more than 100 pairs of eyes intently watched him.
White, a 13-year maintenance employee for the N.C. Department of Transportation, deftly guided the boom of the backhoe, dropping golf balls into a small tube.
A superior show of precision and speed landed White first place out of the 24 from across the Southeastern United States who competed in the backhoe event during the regional Equipment Operator Safety Training Conference. North Carolina hosted the event, which drew competitors from a dozen states to the State Fairgrounds in Raleigh last week.
“I was definitely nervous," White said with a laugh Monday. “But, we're used to performing under pressure situations."
Tennessee was the overall winner, followed by NCDOT, which placed second.
NCDOT held its statewide competition – informally known as the “roadeo" – this summer with various winners from its 14 highway divisions. The annual event help employees sharpen their skills using heavy equipment.
Transportation Worker
White is a transportation worker who lives in St. Pauls and works for Division 6, which is based in Fayetteville. He is assigned to NCDOT's Cumberland County maintenance yard. Last week was his second chance to compete at the regional level, but his first time winning.
During the competition, judges evaluate and score the competitors. White achieved the fastest time with a perfect score to place first in the backhoe category. He received a trophy in the shape of the state of North Carolina and featuring the department's triskelion logo.
He said he is comfortable using a backhoe on the job. He uses the machinery to remove fallen trees and ditch along state-maintained highways to improve the flow of storm drainage. He also works on replacing crossline drainage pipes and installing driveway pipes.
“I really like the atmosphere and the people I work with at the department," White said. “It's a great place to work, and it provides you with opportunities to grow in your career."