APWA Sees Strong Competition During 8th National Equipment Roadeo at PWX 2025 in Chicago

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS—The stakes were high Monday, August 18 at the 8th Annual APWA National Equipment Roadeo at Soldier Field in Chicago, Illinois, during PWX 2025. Eighty-two operators from across the country competed for prizes and bragging rights in two categories: mini excavator and backhoe. Joe Eades, Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, went for and achieved the ultimate “three-peat,” earning the highest combined score and taking the championship for the third year in a row.

Eades has about 10 years of experience operating equipment and only three to four years in his current public works position in Louisville, Kentucky—a role for which he clearly has an innate talent. When asked how he has honed his operator skills, he credits on-the-job training and frequent practice. When told he makes it look easy, he humbly responded: “I wouldn’t say easy. There’s a lot of good competition out there.”

Hosted and designed by the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter, the 2025 National Equipment Roadeo drew many operators who also compete at the state or regional level. At the national event, each had to complete four Chicago-themed obstacles as quickly as possible. With the Caterpillar backhoe, competitors were challenged to maneuver a metal peg through a maze of Chicago’s public transit system without touching the sides of the wooden apparatus. Each touch resulted in a time penalty. Then, using a Bobcat excavator, competitors had to pick up a bowling ball and drop it into a lane set with pins, stack four boxes on top of each other to build a Chicago-style hot dog, and hook three tall puzzle pieces—each featuring a prominent Chicago skyscraper—and fit them in the correct spot.

After a safety briefing and overview of the Roadeo parameters and rules, Robert Garland, APWA President-Elect, officially opened the event, recognizing sponsors as well as first-time and veteran competitors. APWA President Vic Bianes of San Diego, California, also took the mic to congratulate the operators for all they do for public works daily.

The winners of the 8th Annual APWA National Equipment Roadeo are as follows:

Champion
Joe Eades, Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky

Mini Excavator
First place: Donnie Rowan, Western Virginia Water Authority, Virginia
Second place: Joe Eades, Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
Third place: Jimmy Floyd, Pioneer Construction Engineering Services, Nevada

Backhoe
First place: Joe Eades, Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Kentucky
Second place: Cameron Paradise, City of Aiken, South Carolina
Third place: Tevin Washington, Richland County, South Carolina

Prizes in both categories include large, custom APWA Roadeo belt buckles and other swag. The prize for the champion included a custom belt buckle, Yeti cooler, backlit metal sign, and a loving cup trophy for the agency. All of this would not have been possible without the following sponsors: Bobcat, Caterpillar, SANY, JCB, United Rentals, and Crowder Gulf.

To learn more about PWX, visit www.apwa.org/pwx.