Rush Enterprises hosted their 15th annual Tech Skills Rodeo competition as a virtual event due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Rush awarded $265,000 to winners this year, surpassing a total of $2.25 million since the competition began in 2006.
The Tech Skills Rodeo had 1,726 Rush employees take 3,733 tests to qualify; the competition was eventually narrowed to 157 competitors. Participants completed 212 hours of total testing over a four-day period.
The categories of the Tech Skills Rodeo are: Truck Sales Division, Aftermarket Sales Division, Parts Division, Rising Star Division, Collision Center Division, Medium Duty Service Division, Heavy Duty Service Division, and All-Around Grand Champion.
All-Around Grand Champion
This year’s Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo All-Around Grand Champion is Travis Graham out of Rush Truck Center – Orlando. Graham received 1st place in the Medium Duty Service Division, Peterbilt, then was named Medium Duty Grand Champion. Graham was awarded a signed Clint Boyer (driver of the No. 14 Rush Truck Centers Ford Mustang (2017-2020)) racing helmet, along with an additional $5,000 cash prize – bringing Graham’s total winnings for the competition to $19,000.
Truck Sales Division
Competitors in the Truck Sales Division submitted a 12-minute sales walk-around video in which they had to sell benefits as well as display vehicle expertise and Rush business expertise including parts, service, collision centers, and financing. The winners of the Truck Sales Division were awarded a $5,000 cash prize. The winners are:
- Ford, Eric Juengling, Rush Truck Center – Cincinnati
- Hino, Brad Munchrath, Rush Truck Center – Dallas Medium Duty
- Isuzu, Steven Nace, Rush Truck Center – Smyrna
- International Medium Duty, Jay Rickman, Rush Truck Center – Doraville
- Peterbilt Medium Duty, Eric Matteson, Rush Truck Center – Fontana Medium Duty
- This was Matteson’s second year in the finals, and he said that, “It feels good to finally bring it home.”
- International Heavy Duty, Zach Cygan, Rush Truck Center – St. Peters
- Peterbilt Heavy Duty, Kyle Smith, Rush Truck Center – Fort Worth
Aftermarket Sales Division
Rush’s top 20 aftermarket sales representatives with the most growth over 2019 competed and six finalists moved on to the finale. Competitors were given sales materials from the company’s manufacturer partners and one week’s time to study. The competitors were pitted in a “Who Wants to be a Millionaire?”-styled game, aptly titled “Who Wants to be a Grand Champion?” Two other rounds of testing covered the RushCare portfolio and the company’s history. The Reserve Champion was awarded a $3,000 cash prize and the Grand Champion was awarded a $5,000 cash prize. The winners of the Aftermarket Sales Division are:
Reserve Champion
- Steven Reed, Rush Truck Center – Cleveland
Grand Champion
- Michael Box, Rush Truck Center – Lubbock
- Box is a two-time Grand Champion in the Aftermarket Sales Division
Parts Division
Contestants in the Parts Division competition began with a written test and verbal questions from a moderator. Round two of the competition featured another written test, followed by a game of “Jeopardy” where contestants answered questions on truck parts, vendor products, and Rush inventory. For each category, second place was awarded a $3,500 cash prize and first place was awarded a $5,000 cash prize. The Reserve Champion of the Parts Division was awarded an additional $4,000 cash prize and the Parts Division Grand Champion received an additional $6,500 cash prize. The winners of the Parts Division are:
Ford parts
- 2nd place, Robbie Brown, Rush Truck Center – Oklahoma
- 1st place, Tim Howard, Rush Truck Center – Las Vegas
Hino parts
- 2nd place, Shivniel Maharaj, Rush Truck Center – Fontana Medium Duty
- 1st place, Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Center – Houston Medium Duty
Isuzu parts
- 2nd place, Matthew Turpin, Rush Truck Center – Smyrna
- 1st place, John OBrian, Rush Truck Center – Orlando South
International parts
- 2nd place, John Whaley, Rush Truck Center – Dayton
- 1st place, Jason Woods, Rush Truck Center – Bloomington
- Woods said that the competition was, “A lot less nerve-racking than last year,” speaking to the virtual platform.
Paccar parts
- 2nd place, Marco Serrano, Rush Truck Center – Oklahoma
- Serrano stated that he will be taking his wife on a shopping trip with the winnings!
- 1st place, Chris Klansky, Rush Truck Center – Greely
Reserve Champion
- Tim Howard, Rush Truck Center – Las Vegas
- When asked how he will enjoy his winnings, Howard responded, “Christmas is going to be good this year!”
Grand Champion
- Chris Klansky, Rush Truck Center – Greely
Rising Star Division
The Rising Star competition featured Level 1 and 2 technicians with no more than two years in the industry. Competitors used Diesel Laptops devices and were tested on general knowledge items and common daily tasks, followed by the completion of an 85-question written test within an hour. The winners of the Rising Star Division are:
- 3rd place, Devin Vogle, Rush Truck Center – Doraville. Vogle received a $1,000 cash prize.
- 2nd place, Michael Groomes, Rush Truck Center – Albuquerque. Groomes received a $2,000 cash prize.
- 1st place, Samuel Jakubauskas, Rush Truck Center – Denver. Jakubauskas received a $3,000 cash prize.
Collision Center
The Collision Center Division was broken down into two separate categories: Body Repair and Body Paint. The Body Repair competitors were shipped a damaged piece which they had to repair and ship back for evaluation. Body Paint competitors were shipped a Go-Kart truck and had to paint the entire body. The Go-Karts were shipped back for judging. Second-place winners received a $3,500 cash prize and first-place winners received a $5,000 cash prize. The winners of the Collision Center Division are:
Body Repair
- 2nd place, Austin Sandoval, Rush Truck Center – Salt Lake City
- 1st place, Marcus Silva, Rush Truck Center – San Antonio
Body Paint
- 2nd place, Christopher Hooks, Rush Truck Center – Lufkin
- 1st place, Daniel Garcia Gonzalez, Rush Truck Center – Salt Lake City
Medium Duty Service and Heavy Duty Service Divisions
Competitors in the Medium Duty Service and Heavy Duty Service Divisions completed a 45-minute test featuring written and verbal questions specific to each category. A second round of the competition featured a 90-minute test on Peterbilt and International vehicle service. A third round of the competition featured highly detailed questions on all truck manufacturers represented through Rush Enterprises in another “Who Wants to be a Grand Champion?” game. Second-place finishers were awarded a $3,500 cash prize and first-place finishers were awarded a $6,500 cash prize. The Reserve Champion received an additional $5,000 cash and the Grand Champion received an additional $7,500 cash. The winners of the Medium Duty Service and Heavy Duty Service Divisions are:
Medium Duty Service Division
Allison Transmission
- 2nd place, Jason Vasquez, Rush Truck Center – Austin
- 1st place, Jason Timmons, Rush Truck Center – Albuquerque
Ford
- 2nd place, Bryon Eyre, Rush Truck Center – Dallas Light and Medium Duty
- 1st place, Joe Walsh, Rush Truck Center – Orlando Light and Medium Duty
Hino
- 2nd place, Steven Brain, Rush Truck Center – Dallas Medium Duty
- 1st place, Roberto Ochoa, Rush Truck Center – Fontana Medium Duty
Isuzu
- 2nd place, Scott Torres, Rush Truck Center – Fontana Medium Duty
- 1st place, Rick Nonamaker, Rush Truck Center – Waco
International
- 2nd place, Jose Gonzalez, Rush Truck Center – Joliet
- 1st place, Joseph Behrend, Rush Truck Center – Idaho Falls
Peterbilt
- 2nd place, Mark Jones, Rush Truck Center – Denver
- 1st place, Travis Graham, Rush Truck Center – Orlando
Reserve Champion
- Mark Jones, Rush Truck Center – Denver
Grand Champion
- Travis Graham, Rush Truck Center – Orlando
Heavy Duty Service Division
Alternative Fuels
- 2nd place, Frank Lake, Rush Truck Center – Colorado Springs
- Lake stated that a portion of his winnings will be donated to a local Humane Society.
- 1st place Jorge Alverez, Rush Truck Center – Houston
Vocational
- 2nd place Rex Schulte, Custom Vehicle Solution – Denton
- 1st place Travis Webster, Rush Truck Center – Houston
Cummins
- 2nd place, Nathaniel Brill, Rush Truck Center – Mobile
- 1st place, Raymond Jesse, Rush Truck Center – Tulsa
Eaton
- 2nd place, Paul Serr, Rush Truck Center – Denver
- 1st place, Jason Swann, Rush Truck Center – Dallas
Navistar Engine
- 2nd place, Jon Steckman, Rush Truck Center – Columbus, Ohio
- 1st place, Tim Kelley, Rush Truck Center – Smyrna
Paccar MX
- 2nd place, Alex Haberkorn, Rush Truck Center – Colorado Springs
- 1st place, Jared Little, Rush Truck Center – Dallas
Reserve Champion
- Jon Steckman, Rush Truck Center – Columbus, Ohio
Grand Champion
- Alex Haberkorn, Rush Truck Center – Colorado Springs
- Haberkorn credited his success to his career path beginning with a Navistar background and later transitioning to a Paccar dealership. Haberkorn was also a finalist for the All-Around Grand Champion.
Congratulations to all the Tech Skills Rodeo competitors and winners!
