Department of Public Works (DPW) Director Chris Geldart was the big winner of the celebrity challenge segment of the DPW and the District Department of Transportation (DDOT) Professional Equipment “Roadeo” competition Friday, April 19, at RFK Stadium. The “Roadeo” is an annual competition where DPW and DDOT employees test their skills on various pieces of heavy equipment under unusual circumstances.

This year’s event featured a special “celebrity” competition that showcased the skills of Councilmember Mary Cheh, Councilmember Charles Allen, Deputy Mayor Lucinda Babers, DPW Director Chris Geldart, DDOT Director Jeff Marootian, Department of Motor Vehicles Director Gabriel Robinson, Department of For Hire Vehicles Director David Do, Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking Commissioner Stephen Taylor, Department of Consumer and Regulatory Affairs Director Ernest Chrappah, and Department of Energy and the Environment Director Tommy Wells. Contestants competed against each other by completing an obstacle course while operating a light snow plow.

“Driving around in these big trucks may look easy, but being able to maneuver equipment safely alongside DC traffic, all while carrying out critical operations, is a challenge our crews take on every day,” said DPW Director Chris Geldart. “We had a lot of fun today and proved that we have some of the most highly skilled operators in the region maintaining our city’s infrastructure.”

Professional equipment Roadeo competitions occur throughout the country. They are designed to allow the drivers of vehicles used to perform the most critical municipal functions to demonstrate skill, agility, and precision.

Directors under the Office of the Deputy Mayor for Operations and Infrastructure participated in the challenge as part of a team building exercise for the newly formed cluster.

“I wanted us to get together and to know what the men and women who do these jobs go through so citizens can maneuver easily through the city,” said Deputy Mayer Babers. “Residents, when you see our workers doing their job, give them space!”

DPW provides essential city services in two distinct program areas: environmental services/solid waste management and parking enforcement. Both contribute to making District streets and public spaces clean, safe, attractive and accessible for all residents, businesses, commuters and visitors.