When Casco-based operator Greg Devroy asked his boss Robert Clancy, of Robert Clancy Contracting if it was “OK” to enter the Michigan Cat Global Operator’s Challenge, he figured he’d get a day of fun to test his skills against some of the best heavy equipment operators in Michigan. But when he won two out of three of the division competitions and the overall title, Devroy not only competes but beats his competition soundly.
“I was really pleased to win the first-round competition for the 2022/2023 Caterpillar Global Operator Challenge,” said Devroy. “I was hopeful going in that I wouldn’t embarrass myself, but had no idea I would win not one, but two of the division competitions and be chosen the overall winner for this state.”
Devroy beat out some of the best union and non-union operators in Michigan and with the win, he advances to the regional semi-final round of the competition, which will occur in Clayton, NC in October. According to Clancy, he knew Devroy was good enough to win and proud to have him represent his company in this prestigious competition.
“It is due to all of Greg’s hard work and time spent honing his craft that he won,” said Clancy. “He doesn’t take short cuts in his work and makes sure that he operates his equipment in a safe and purposeful manner—he never wastes time and always has a sound, but safe plan of action when operating on a job site. He knows his team and how they move—often it looks choreographed, but it is hours of repetition and practice that allow them to move in harmony with each other.”
“I was hopeful going in that I wouldn’t embarrass myself, but had no idea I would win not one, but two of the division competitions and be chosen the overall winner for this state,” said Devoy.
With division competitions in excavating, precision backhoe, and bulldozer course, Devroy had a chance to apply all the skills he uses on a job site in action. He felt confident in the dozer and excavator but was a little surprised by the backhoe… not because he couldn’t handle the demands of the competition, but because it was brand new and had “different” controls.
“I was a bit surprised by the backhoe, it was new—it was next generation, but once I familiarized myself with its operation, I quickly adapted,” said Devroy. “The entire competition is timed, so I didn’t want to waste any but knew I needed to understand how the equipment operated and handled—it is always worth the time to figure things out ahead of time and operate safely. Even though I perhaps spent a little longer than I wanted to in familiarizing myself, I still finished the event a good three minutes ahead of the second place finisher, so not too bad.”
Not too bad indeed—all the best to Devroy this Fall in North Carolina!
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