Roussel Wins JLG's Telehandler Skills Challenge

Eric Roussel of Roussel Masonry, Dubuque, Iowa, poses in the SkyTrak Model 6042 he used to win the Telehandler Skills Challenge held during the January World of Concrete Show held in Las Vegas.

February 7, 2006 — Eric Roussel representing Roussel Masonry, Dubuque, Iowa was the grand prize winner of the inaugural JLG-sponsored Telehandler Skills Challenge held in Las Vegas during the World of Concrete Show on January 17-19. Roussel used a SkyTrak Model 6042 telehandler for his winning run. The contest was held among licensed telehandler operators on a simulated worksite. Participants from 17 states and Canada had their choice of a JLG, Gradall, Lull, or SkyTrak telehandler to use in the contest.

The first day of the contest consisted of preliminary rounds and the second day presented the finals consisting of the eight first-day finalists each completing two circuits of the course. Judging for the finals was based on the best of the two runs. Second place was awarded to Len Mackowiak from Midwest Masonry, Alsip, Ill., who used a Lull Model 644E-42 telehandler and third went to Darin Mason from Knowlton & Sons Masonry in Clifford, Pa., using a Gradall Model G6-42P telehandler.

Along with the winners, the other finalists on the second day were: Mike Bortz (Bortz Masonry, Portage, Wis.), Jeff Curlee (Curlee Masonry Inc., Concord, N.C.), Rich Seymour (Knowlton Construction, Montrose, Pa.), Pete Talboys (MSC Construction, Inc., Willard, Mo.), and Jaysen Walther (Kotze Construction, Green Bay, Wis.).

For his first place effort, Roussel won two tickets to the 2006 NCAA Men's Final Four basketball championship in Indianapolis, including two nights accommodations, an Indianapolis Motor Speedway experience that includes laps at 180 mph in a stretch Indy Car, a $1,000 American Express gift card, and a trophy. Runner-up Mackowiak won a $1,000 gift card and a trophy. Third place finisher Mason won a $500 gift card and a trophy. All three also received a JLG leather jacket. Fourth through eight place finalists won a $100 American Express gift card. All entrants received a 1:32 scale model of the telehandler they operated, JLG Telehandler Skills Challenge Polo shirts, commemorative photos, and hard hats.

“Our congratulations go to Eric Roussel and all the others that competed in ‘The Challenge,'” said David Baxter, JLG director of marketing. “They definitely showed their skills in how a telehandler can be safely and effectively utilized on any type of masonry job where materials need to be delivered and placed. As the largest manufacturer of telehandlers, JLG is delighted to have sponsored this contest and to have the opportunity to showcase the capabilities of the operators and our Gradall, Lull, SkyTrak and JLG brands of telehandlers. Our plan is to continue sponsoring this type of event to demonstrate how the best operators use our telehandlers to safely maximize productivity on the job site.”