The finals of the three-part competition for the Thompson Tractor — 2019 Cat Global Operator Challenge was held in Montgomery, Ala., on Sept. 12. The top contenders from two previous events returned to compete against the best-of-the-best operators and the opportunity to represent Thompson Tractor in the regional finals, with the ultimate goal of competing against operators from around the world at the Cat Global Finals at ConExpo in Las Vegas, in 2020.

The competition level was high, and so were the Montgomery temperatures during the day. But when the competition was done and the dust finally settled, Jonathan Hagood of Stein Incorporated, Decatur, Ala., earned the top prize of $500, the big trophy and a paid trip to Clayton, N.C., to represent Thompson Tractor in the region finals. Second place went to Lee Curtis of Kelley's Welding & Excavation, Elberta, Ala., and third place went to Jonathan Womelsdorf of Integrity LLC, Moody, Ala. CEG

The Thompson Tractor series of Cat Operator Challenges were a huge success as a result of hundreds of hours of work and preparation from this dedicated group of staffers.  

The Olympic style podium was set and the winners (L-R) were 2nd place: Lee Curtis of Kelley’s Welding & Excavation, Elberta, Ala.; 1st place: Jonathan Hagood of Stein Incorporated, Decatur, Ala.; 3rd place: Jonathan Womelsdorf of Integrity LLC, Moody, Ala.  

The finals came down to (L-R): Lee Curtis of Kelley’s Welding & Excavation, Elberta, Ala.; Jamie Carter of Carter Construction, Lynn Haven, Fla.; Jonathan Womelsdorf of Integrity LLC, Moody, Ala.; Kelly Childers of Carmeuse Lime & Stone, Alabaster, Ala.; Anthony Brooks of Underground Solutions, Hartselle, Ala.; Jonathan Hagood of Stein Incorporated, Decatur, Ala.; Dustin Phillips of M&D Mechanical, Decatur, Ala.; and Jason Hiebert of Ziebach & Webb Timber Co., Monroeville, Ala.  

Some of the spectators watching the competition included (L-R, seated): Mike Thompson of Thompson Tractor; Sam Newell of W.S. Newell, Montgomery, Ala.; Lucy Thompson Marsh of Thompson Tractor; (L-R, standing): Skip Plumlee, Todd Cowan and Earnie Lewis of Thompson Tractor.  

Jeff Pirro (L) and Alan Pumklin (R) of Caterpillar provide Justin Evers of W.S. Newell & Sons, Montgomery, Ala., some coaching on remote operation of a Cat D8T dozer in Arizona from the Cat Take Command — Remote Control Operation trailer that was set up at the challenge event.  

Operating a Cat 980M and kicking up some dirt on his run at the Fully Loaded challenge is Jason Hiebert of Ziebach & Webb Timber Co., Monroeville, Ala.  

Jamie Carter of Carter Construction, Lynn Haven, Fla., finesses the bucket of a Cat 301.7D mini-excavator for picking up a golf ball in the Control To A Tee challenge.  

Lee Curtis (in cab) of Kelley’s Welding & Excavation, Elberta, Ala., talks with Clayton Walley, Thompson Tractor certified dealer instructor, as he awaits his official run at the Cat excavator challenge.  

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