Rush names Tech Skills Rodeo 2021 winners

Purcell placed first in the Medium-Duty Division, International, as well as being named Grand Champion of the Medium-Duty Division. In the end, Purcell was named All-Around Grand Champion. As All-Around Rodeo Champion, Purcell received an additional $5,000 for a total winnings of $19,000. Purcell has participated in the Rush Tech Skills Rodeo event four times, though this was the first year he advanced as a finalist in his category. Being named All-Around Rodeo Champion in his first year as a finalist is an impressive achievement.

“Since the competition was virtual, it was definitely different than the in-person competition,” Purcell related. “The International Medium-Duty testing consisted of timed written tests covering brakes, suspension, engine, A/C—pretty much bumper-to-bumper knowledge—an interactive diagnostic test, and more.”

When asked which tools Purcell leveraged in the competition, he attested, “I relied on my 21 years of experience and knowledge, along with access to OEM service information.”

What does it take to compile 21 years’ worth of industry expertise? Purcell explained it was a culmination of experience and keeping an inquisitive attitude.

“I have completed countless hours of OEM online training and in-person classes, but nothing can take the place [of] the knowledge you gain from years of hands-on experience. Being inquisitive and understanding [of] how the different systems that make up modern trucks work independently and together is the key. If you understand how something works, it makes diagnosing problems easier. Most repairs are no longer as simple as replacing broken parts; proper diagnostics and failure identification are extremely important so the correct repairs can be made, and the customer can get back on the road in a timely manner.”

And for future technicians, or Rush Skills Tech Rodeo Competitors, Purcell heeded some championship-caliber advice.

“Focus on absorbing as much knowledge as possible, but also understand that you can’t remember everything,” he said. “It is important to use all resources available. Knowing where to find troubleshooting and repair information is the key to success.”

Below is a list of all the 2021 competition winners, along with some comments and insight from a few of the champions.

Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo 2021 winners

Truck Sales Division

• Ford: Rod Tankerson, Rush Truck Centers—Whittier
• Hino: Brad Munchrath, Rush Truck Centers—Dallas Medium-Duty
• Isuzu: Andrea Ramos, Rush Truck Centers—Charlotte
• International Medium-Duty: Jay Rickman, Rush Truck Centers—Doraville
• Peterbilt Medium-Duty: Chris Moss, Rush Truck Centers—Dallas Medium-Duty
• International Heavy-Duty: Andrew Hirsch, Rush Truck Centers—Charlotte
• Peterbilt Heavy-Duty: Travis Quadlander, Rush Truck Centers—Dallas

In only her second year competing in the Tech Skills Rodeo, Andrea Ramos went on to become the first female champion of the Isuzu Truck Sales Division. She made  a video demonstrating the benefits of the Isuzu NPR HD.

“I feel so blessed,” Ramos said. “This was not only fun, exciting, and educational for me, but it also was a huge financial reward and tremendous encouragement to keep working hard to grow and develop.”

Ramos credited her success to a mixture of training courses, studying previous competition winners’ work, input from colleagues and her husband, and especially her knowledge of the product. Ramos also translated her presentation into Spanish, getting feedback from native speakers, to make the presentation accessible to a wider audience.

“Product knowledge is power,” she said.

Each winner of the Truck Sales Division received $5,000

“There are numerous people that contribute to my success,” he said. “I did not get there on my own. From call center agents, warehouse personnel, and delivery system, they all contribute to that success. Throughout my career, I have learned by talking to people, asking questions, and most importantly—listening.”

Teamwork was one aspect of Wood’s success; he also attested to a dedication toward learning which has gotten him to where he is in his career.

“Give it you’re all every day,” Wood advised. “You can never ask too many questions. Retain answers to the questions you ask. Problems have solutions—find solutions.”

Parts Divisions

Ford

• Second: Tim Howard, Rush Truck Centers—Las Vegas
• First: Kory Sangster, Rush Truck Centers—Dallas Light- and Medium-Duty

Hino

• Second: Eric Hauser, Rush Truck Centers—Fontana Medium-Duty
• First: Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Centers—Houston Northwest

Isuzu

• Second: John O’Brien, Rush Truck Centers—Orlando South
• First: Matt Turpin, Rush Truck Centers—Smyrna

International

• Second: John Whaley, Rush Truck Centers—Dayton
• First: Jeffrey Dunn, Rush Truck Centers—St. Louis

Paccar

• Second: Tim Kreger, Rush Truck Centers—Denver
• First: Chris Klansky, Rush Truck Centers—Denver

Second place winners received $3,500; first place winners received $5,000

Champions

• Reserve Champion: Matt Turpin, Rush Truck Centers—Smyrna (received an additional $5,000)
• Grand Champion: Chris Klansky, Rush Truck Centers—Denver (received an additional $7,500)

“It means a lot,” Klansky said when asked about his continued success in the competition. “It means I’ve been able to grow my knowledge and stay on top of industry information. It also means I’ve been growing my team in their knowledge. I’m the lead in our location’s call center. I really wanted a dominant showing this year, and I think we did that. We had three of the five competitors in the Paccar Parts category this year and had the first and second place finishes in the category. All in all, I think we performed well as a team.”

Klansky’s humble team-first attitude is not the only reason for his success, as he attested to the knowledge gained through first-hand experience.

“Experience has been the best,” he said. “I learn something every day, whether it’s a way to improve my processes, or about a product. I try to learn from every mistake and success so I can continue to improve.”

Klansky’s advice to new-comers in the industry—building relationships is key.

“Be thorough,” Klandsky advised. “Exhaust all avenues to find a solution. Search out every option and let the customer decide. This business is about relationships. Maintaining those relationships is key to your success in your current position and in future positions. I try to provide the best service I can to every customer, no matter how big or small.”

Rising Star Division

This division is for Level 1 or Level 2 technicians who have been in the industry for two years or less.

• Second: Angel Ortiz, Rush Truck Centers—Cotulla
• $2,000 prize
• First: Benjamin Harper, Rush Truck Centers—Atlanta
• $3,000 prize

Collision Center Division

Body Repair

• Second: Elfego Jaimes, Rush Truck Centers—Denver
• First: James Gholson, Rush Truck Centers—Nashville

Body Paint

• Second: Charles Woody, Rush Truck Centers—Richmond
• First: Chris Hooks, Rush Truck Centers—Lufkin

Second place winners received $3,500; first place winners received $5,000

Medium-Duty Division

Allison Transmission

• Second: Jason Vasquez, Rush Truck Centers—Austin
• Frist: Jason Timmons, Rush Truck Centers—Albuquerque

Ford

• Second: Riley Dodson, Rush Truck Centers—Dallas Light- and Medium-Duty
• First: John Dobberpuhl, Rush Truck Centers—Denver

Hino

• Second: Thomas Powell, Rush Truck Centers—Austin
• First: Roberto Ochoa, Rush Truck Centers—Fontana Medium-Duty

Isuzu

• Second: Michael Hartz, Rush Truck Centers—Denver
• First: Jacob Ely, Rush Truck Centers—Columbus, GA

International Medium-Duty

• Second: Joseph Behrend, Rush Truck Centers—Idaho Falls
• First: Chris Purcell, Rush Truck Centers—Atlanta

Peterbilt Medium-Duty

• Second: Paul Crawford, Rush Truck Centers—Haines City
• First: Louis Fontano, Rush Truck Centers—Fontana

Second place winners received $3,500; first place winners received $6,500

Champions

• Reserve Champion: Paul Crawford, Rush Truck Centers—Haines City (received an additional $5,000)
• Grand Champion: Chris Purcell, Rush Truck Centers—Atlanta (received an additional $7,500)

Heavy-Duty Division

Alternative Fuels

• Second: Jorge Alvarez, Rush Truck Centers—Houston
• First: Nicholas Keepers-Phillips, Rush Truck Centers—Oklahoma City

Vocational

• Second: Carl Trevino, Custom Vehicle Solutions—Denton
• First: Travis Webster, Rush Truck Centers—Houston

Cummins

• Second: Chris Brunelle, Rush Truck Leasing—Las Vegas
• First: Travis Roland, Rush Truck Centers—Indianapolis

Eaton

• Second: Robert LaValley, Rush Truck Centers—Flagstaff
• First: Jerry Carpenter, Rush Truck Centers—Charlotte

Navistar

• Second: Tim Kelley, Rush Truck Centers—Smyrna
• First: Jon Steckman, Rush Truck Centers—Columbus, OH

Paccar MX

• Second: Erick Lincoln, Rush Truck Centers—Albuquerque
• Frist: Leonardo Lechuga Ponce, Rush Truck Centers—Phoenix

Second place winners received $3,500; first place winners received $6,500

Champions

• Reserve Champion: Jon Steckman, Rush Truck Centers—Columbus, OH (received an additional $5,000)
• Grand Champion: Erick Lincoln, Rush Truck Centers—Albuquerque (received an additional $7,500)
• Eric Lincoln is a previous All-Around Rodeo Champion.

All-Around Rodeo Champion

Chris Purcell, Rush Truck Centers—Atlanta