Apprentice DJ Blake wins 3rd place at the State Equipment Rodeo, hosted by the American Public Works Association. 5/29/25 @ 3:00 p.m. - In March, the American Public Works Association sponsored their annual equipment rodeo. This event consisted of individual challenges designed to test the operator's skills in a variety of areas including speed, accuracy, and precision. The operators competed on a variety of heavy equipment including small excavators, wheeled excavators, backhoe loaders, and small wheel loaders.
Nassau County sent 8 Public Works employees to participate in the March event, all of which are currently in the Nassau County Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program. Employees Kenneth Thornton, DJ Blake and Travis Ray each placed first in individual challenges. DJ Blake finished 4th overall out of 61 competitors, earning him a spot to complete at the State level.
The State Rodeo was held in late April 2025 and we are excited to share that out of 100 operators, Nassau County's DJ Blake won first place in one individual event and placed in the top 5 for all individual events, earning 3rd place for the entire State Rodeo. DJ is a 3rd Year Apprentice with the Road Department and this was the second time he's earned a spot at the State Rodeo. We are proud to have DJ representing Nassau County. Seeing third-year apprentices win at an equipment rodeo further demonstrates that the County's investment into equipment and training has been beneficial to the organization and to the employees.
Interested in a career with Nassau County? Please see our Human Resources webpage for job opportunities.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
Nassau County sent 8 Public Works employees to participate in the March event, all of which are currently in the Nassau County Equipment Operator Apprenticeship Program. Employees Kenneth Thornton, DJ Blake and Travis Ray each placed first in individual challenges. DJ Blake finished 4th overall out of 61 competitors, earning him a spot to complete at the State level.
The State Rodeo was held in late April 2025 and we are excited to share that out of 100 operators, Nassau County's DJ Blake won first place in one individual event and placed in the top 5 for all individual events, earning 3rd place for the entire State Rodeo. DJ is a 3rd Year Apprentice with the Road Department and this was the second time he's earned a spot at the State Rodeo. We are proud to have DJ representing Nassau County. Seeing third-year apprentices win at an equipment rodeo further demonstrates that the County's investment into equipment and training has been beneficial to the organization and to the employees.
Interested in a career with Nassau County? Please see our Human Resources webpage for job opportunities.
-Sabrina Robertson
Communications Officer
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