Moving People Forward: Celebrating A Longstanding CATS Tradition

Published on March 30, 2026

On Saturday, March 25, 2026, the Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) hosted its Annual Bus Roadeo at the Charlotte Vehicle Operations Center – bringing together operators from Bus Operations, Special Transportation Service (STS), Mecklenburg Transportation System (MTS) and CLT Aviation for a day of friendly competition and skill-building.

A Day of Friendly Competition

Operators put their driving expertise to the test on a challenging obstacle course designed to evaluate precision, control and safety. Competitors also completed a written safety test, reinforcing the knowledge that keeps Charlotte riders safe every day.

Beyond the course, the event was a chance to connect with colleagues, have some fun and celebrate the people who help move Charlotte forward.

“This year’s Annual Bus Roadeo was an incredible event filled with energy, teamwork and a strong display of talent,” said Chief Operations Officer Victoria Johnson. “We are proud of all our operators who participated, and we thank them for their continued commitment to safety and service. It was a fun and well-deserved opportunity to celebrate their hard work.”

Safety, Skill and Teamwork on Display

The Bus Roadeo is more than a competition – it’s a showcase of professionalism and dedication. From tight turns to exact stops, every move matters and the event demonstrates the high standards CATS sets for its operators. Top competitors will advance to the State Roadeo during the North Carolina Public Transportation Association Conference in Cherokee, NC, from April 24–29, 2026. From there, winners may go on to compete at the International Bus Roadeo through the American Public Transportation Association.

Celebrating Our Winners

CATS congratulates all of its winners for showcasing their skills, dedication and teamwork, and for helping CATS continue moving people forward every day!

CATS Bus Operators

1st Place: Ever Marinez

2nd Place: Miguel DeValle

3rd Place: Lenord Adams

Maverick Award: Trevor Wheaton

Special Transportation Service

1st Place: LaKisha Bennett

2nd Place: Dorothy Campbell

3rd Place: Kalisa Mitchell

Maverick Award: Twanda Buckhalter-Rid

Administration Division

1st Place: Leroy Blackmon (CATS BOD)

2nd Place: Samantha Singh (Aviation)

3rd Place: Lea Orr (Aviation)