Hermiston’s Jake Noyes Wins Buckle at Oregon 'Roadeo'

Jake Noyes has been behind the controls of heavy equipment since he was a kid. It runs in the family. Growing up in Imbler, he was operating an excavator at age 10 when his dad got home from work.

That early hands-on experience developed the skill and precision that recently earned him first place at the American Public Works Association (APWA) Equipment Roadeo for the state of Oregon.

The competition in Bend put heavy equipment operators from municipalities across the state to the test on an excavator, front-end loader, and grader. Each driver had to navigate a cone course as quickly and precisely as possible, picking up rings with the equipment and avoiding knocking over cones. Mistakes add time, making precision the key to success.

Jake and his boss, Hermiston Streets Superintendent Ron Sivey, attribute steady hands and adaptability for the win. He not only earned a belt buckle but an all-expenses-paid trip to Chicago where he’ll represent Oregon at the national APWA Equipment Roadeo later this year.

Jake has worked for the Hermiston Street Department for four years and puts those same skills to use on road construction and maintenance projects. He said learning to operate heavy equipment takes patience, but competing in the Roadeo puts that training to the test.

"You’re flying by the seat of your pants," he said, because the equipment is provided by the conference, and the controls are much different than what Hermiston runs. When everything is running smoothly, though, he said the machine feels like an extension of himself.

Jake’s win is a perfect example of the skill and dedication that keeps Hermiston streets and utilities in top shape. The City is proud to have Jake on our team and will cheer him on as he represents Oregon at the national competition.