The Texas Department of Transportation’s (TxDOT) Brownwood District was well represented by two of its maintenance section employees as they earned the top honors at the 22nd annual TxDOT State Roadeo. Rex Miller of Coleman County and James Martin of Stephens County were named champion and runner-up respectively at the competition held in Austin last week.

The top two winners from each of TxDOT’s 25 districts and its fleet operations division competed against each other with Miller and Martin scoring the highest out of the 52 contestants at the event. Each year, roadeos challenge drivers at the local, district and state level competitions with multiple events testing crew members on items such as equipment inspection, identifying defects on equipment, and obstacle courses simulating equipment maneuvers used in daily work and often tight work zones.

Miller, the assistant maintenance supervisor in Coleman County, said he and Martin were still in shock that they had won, “It was a tough competition. We were surprised how well we were able to represent the Brownwood District.”
Martin stated that it was very enjoyable being a part of the competition and that he had met many good people. “Thanks to all of the people that volunteered, they helped to make it a good time,” he stated.

Brownwood District Safety Officer Jerry Johnson said he was proud of Miller and Martin. “I think it’s a great achievement for Brownwood because you have the top 52 drivers from across the state and they were able to go down and win it, first and second place,” said Johnson. Only two other districts, in the history of this event, have ever earned the top two spots.