Safety and skills competition recognizes best-of-the-best drivers, equipment operators and technicians

PHOENIX, Feb. 25, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Republic Services, Inc. (NYSE:RSG), a leader in the environmental services industry, today announced the winners of its 2025 ROAD-EO National Championship. Held every two years in Phoenix, the event recognizes the company's most skilled collection drivers, equipment operators and technicians from across North America.

This year's competition brought together 107 finalists from 36 states and the province of Ontario, showcasing their expertise in 10 competition categories. The ROAD-EO National Championship highlights the exceptional talent, dedication and safety performance of Republic Services employees.

"Safety is our top priority at Republic Services," said Gregg Brummer, chief operating officer. "The ROAD-EO National Championship is a celebration of our frontline drivers, operators and technicians. Their expertise and commitment to safety are what make Republic an industry leader, and we are extremely proud to recognize the best-of-the-best."

Republic Services collection truck drivers competed in one of five categories — Small Container, Rear-Load, Side-Load, Large Container and, new for 2025, Vac Truck — navigating a timed course with challenges such as parallel parking, alley backing and a serpentine segment. At the end of the competition, the following competitors were crowned champions:

Ron Torrez; Commerce City, Colorado; Small Container
CJ Hines; Sandusky, Ohio; Rear-Load
Eduardo Lopez; Chula Vista, California; Side-Load
Geno Rushing; Bridgeton, Missouri; Large Container
Eddy Ramos; Baltimore, Maryland; Vac Truck

Equipment operators competed in the Bulldozer, Wheel Loader and new Forklift categories, demonstrating their ability to maneuver through precision obstacle courses and complete skill-based challenges. This year's champions are:

David Muns; Las Vegas, Nevada; Bulldozer
Steve Smutnik; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Wheel Loader
Tyler Barnett; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Forklift

Technicians competed in the Collection and Post-Collection categories, where they were given just 10 minutes to diagnose 10 maintenance issues on a truck or bulldozer. The 2025 winners are:

Conrad Lacanlale; Milpitas, California; Collection Technician
Joe Schubert; Chicago, Illinois; Post-Collection Technician

Several of this year's winners are multiyear ROAD-EO finalists. CJ Hines and David Muns each won their categories at the 2023 National Championship, then defended their titles in 2025. Geno Rushing and Conrad Lacanlale were finalists in 2023, then returned to win this year.

To qualify for the ROAD-EO National Championship, competitors had to win local and regional competitions and maintain a perfect safety record. In addition to bragging rights, winners received cash prizes and additional days of paid time off. All competitors were treated to an expenses-paid trip for two to Phoenix, including luxury accommodations, hosted dinners and activities, and more.

Republic Services is always seeking talented individuals to join the team, offering competitive pay, comprehensive benefits, paid vacation and opportunities for advancement. For more information about careers at Republic Services, visit jobs.republicservices.com.

About Republic Services

Republic Services, Inc. is a leader in the environmental services industry. Through its subsidiaries, the company provides customers with the most complete set of products and services, including recycling, solid waste, special waste, hazardous waste and field services. Republic's industry-leading commitments to advance circularity and support decarbonization are helping deliver on its vision to partner with customers to create a more sustainable world. For more information, please visit RepublicServices.com.

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SOURCE Republic Services, Inc.

Republic Services Celebrates Winners of 2025 ROAD-EO National Championship