Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE: RSG), a leader in the environmental services industry, today announced the winners of its ROAD-EO National Championship, featuring collection drivers, heavy equipment operators and technicians from across the country. Republic’s ROAD-EO competition is an opportunity for employees to demonstrate their expert driving and maintenance skills and is the Company’s largest employee engagement event. Drivers and operators navigated timed courses with challenges featuring obstacles they face every day. Technicians completed a timed assessment to identify specific maintenance issues.
Hundreds of employees competed at local and regional levels with a total of 41 drivers, 22 operators and 21 technicians qualifying for the National Championship. The finalists traveled to Arizonafor the competition at Wild Horse Pass Motorsports Park. After a day of competitive skills challenges, eight winners were named:
- Rear-Load Driver: Returning Champion, Jesus Lizares, Gardena, Calif.
- Front-Load Driver: Mark Solorz, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
- Side-Load Driver: Returning Finalist, James Thompson, Telford, Pa.
- Roll-Off Driver: Jose Duarte, Huntington Beach, Calif.
- Wheel Loader Operator: David Talas, Phoenix, Ariz.
- Bulldozer Operator: Returning Finalist, Greg Schaff, Commerce City, Colo.
- Collection Technician: Matt Gallus, Sauk Rapids, Minn.
- Post Collection Technician: Corey Blair, Bishopville, S.C.
The collection drivers competed in one of four categories – Residential Rear-Loader, Residential Side-Load, Industrial Roll-Off, and Commercial Front-Loader – and were required to complete timed challenges, including parallel parking, alley backing and a serpentine course.
Eleven heavy equipment operators competed in the Bulldozer category, while 11 others competed in the Wheel-Loader category, completing challenges including forward/back, dirt pickup and back drag. Technicians were tasked with a complex diagnostic examination of either a collection or post-collection vehicle, during which they were required to identify 10 maintenance issues within 10 minutes. All first, second and third place winners received additional paid time off and cash prizes, as well as a trophy and bragging rights.