Jody Pollard, senior vice president of dealership operations, Rush Enterprises.In its 14th year, Rush Enterprises’ Tech Skills Rodeo again set a record for number of participants as the event got underway Sunday in San Antonio.
More than 200 Rush Enterprises employees are competing in the Tech Skills Rodeo and more than $300,000 in cash and prizes will be awarded during the two-day competition. In addition, 90-plus vendors and business partners are attending the expo being held during the competition.
“This year we will eclipse over $2 million that we’ve given to our employees as part of this event. All of our employees are really engaged in this competition,” said Jody Pollard, senior vice president of dealership operations, Rush Enterprises.
“It started with technicians. We added the body shop. Then we added parts people. Then we added aftermarket sales reps and last year we added truck sales folks. We’re touching every bit of what our customers see every day,” Pollard said.
During the opening general assembly, Pollard stressed the importance of the annual event.
“What we’re trying to do by way of this event is recognize our employees, keep them engaged and make sure we reduce turnover. It’s about career enrichment — learning your skills so that we [continue to] do exactly what we do at Rush Truck Centers and that’s keep our customers up on the road running,” he said. “That’s our primary focus as a truck dealership group. It’s always about our customers and you, our employees, are the reason why … why people come to Rush Truck Centers.”
Pollard addressed all of the new Rodeo participants this year, asking them to stand to be recognized by the audience. “Congratulations for being here. I don’t want to be cliché, but I mean it. You’re a winner already for being here,” he said.
Pollard emphasized the role newer technicians play at Rush Enterprises in combatting an issue that continues to plague the industry.
“We are really focused on the development and enrichment of our technicians and it all starts out with our entry-level technicians and we want to make sure we put an emphasis on our Level 1 and Level 2 [techs] because we know what’s happening in the marketplace as it relates to the shortage of technicians,” Pollard said. “If we want to win the up-time battle … we have to own the labor supply, which is why we have placed such an emphasis on recruiting and hiring technicians the last three years.
The evening also included recognizing 2018 winners, such as Grand Champion Steven Brain; Jason Swann, winner of the Heavy Duty Technician honor; Quintin Likely, who was named the company’s top parts man; and Michael Box who earned the top aftermarket sales rep honor.
