On Dec. 15, Rush Enterprises (Rush) held its 15th annual Tech Skills Rodeo where Travis Graham was crowned the All-Around Grand Champion presented by Rush CEO and President Rusty Rush, bringing home $19,000 in total winnings as well as a signed racing helmet from professional NASCAR driver Clint Bowyer. Bowyer joined Jody Pollard, senior vice president of operations and Robb Nixon, vice president of aftermarket sales as a special guest of the Rodeo.
The event, held virtually this year instead of the usual in-person competition in San Antonio, Texas, was divided into several segments: service, parts, aftermarket, sales, truck sales, collision center, and rising star - levels one and two technicians with less than two years in the industry.
Check out the full list of winners of the 2020 Tech Skills Rodeo.
Divided amongst these categories, Rush Enterprises gave away $265,000 to the winners this year, surpassing a total of $2.25 million since the event first launched in 2006.
Of the 1,726 employees that took 3,733 tests to be able to qualify for the Rodeo, 157 participants were chosen to compete virtually through 65 testing locations throughout the Rush dealership network.
After 212 hours of total testing over four days, in addition to technical skills tested with written and verbal exams, many participants took part in game show-style tests - such as "Jeopardy!" and "Who Wants To Be A Grand Champion?" — covering their areas of expertise, plus a speed round of questions on Rush Enterprises, including company history.
“[The competition] was a lot less nerve-wracking than last year,” said Jason Woods, the Bloomington, Ind.-based technician who placed first in the International parts division and won $5,000, speaking to the virtual platform.
Truck sales participants submitted a 12-minute walk-around video displaying their expertise in a vehicle, plus selling other features Rush Enterprises has to offer.
All-Around Grand Champion is familiar ground for this year’s winner - Graham received the same recognition in 2015. Out of all the 2020 competitors, Graham was the only one to advance all the way to the final (million-point level) in the “Who Wants to be a Grand Champion?” game.
Last year, history was made when 32-year-old Rebecca Chewning - one of FleetOwner’s Women in Transportation - brought home the gold for the Hino parts division as the first female All-Around Grand Champion after her second year competing. Since the competition, Chewning has been promoted to parts manager at Rush.
“I was not expecting it,” Chewning said of her 2019 victory. “It’s a little overwhelming, honestly. I hope it opens more doors and opportunities for more females to be inspired to do this.”
Other winners throughout the Rodeo shared how they would spend their cash prizes.
Colorado Springs-based Frank Lake, second place winner of the heavy-duty service alternative fuels division, shared that a portion of his winnings will be donated to a local Humane Society while reserve champion Tim Howard of Rush Truck Center – Las Vegas said, "Christmas is going to be good this year!"
Rush plans to hold the 2021 Tech Skills Rodeo in person, in San Antonio, Texas next December.
