At McGuire and Hester, learning goes far beyond the office. Every summer, our Equipment Rodeo gives interns the opportunity to step into the field, work alongside experienced crews, and experience firsthand the equipment, teamwork, and culture that drive our projects every day.

This year's rodeo brought together interns from across the company for a full day of hands-on learning, friendly competition, and connection with the people who make McGuire and Hester what it is.

The day began with a Site Safety and Tailgate briefing led by our Safety team. Before anyone stepped onto the equipment, interns were introduced to the expectations, procedures, and mindset that keep our jobsites safe. From proper communication to hazard awareness, the session reinforced how every task and role on the jobsite is completed with safety procedures in mind.

With the morning briefing complete, interns rotated through a series of equipment stations led by experienced operators and field professionals. Each station offered the chance to learn directly from the people who have operated this equipment every day, gaining insight into the skill, precision, and planning required on every project.

Whether climbing into the cab for the first time or refining techniques throughout the morning, interns received one-on-one coaching while building confidence operating heavy equipment in a safe, supportive environment.

After a busy morning in the field, everyone gathered for a taco bar lunch to recharge, catch up, and share stories from the equipment stations. It was a great opportunity for interns and employees from different teams to connect outside of their day-to-day roles.

The afternoon shifted gears with one of the day's favorite traditions: the annual bocce ball tournament. Ten teams competed in a series of spirited matches filled with friendly rivalries and impressive shots.

Congratulations to this year's top teams and winners:

1st Place: Team Excavator - Matt Daley, Colin Daley, Kristian Seyler, and Uriel Flores

2nd Place: Team Roller - Aaron Lewetzon, Luke Vanderkooij, Clayton Seatrand, and Carson Lehman

3rd Place: Team Backhoe - Will Doud, Wade Schell, Veronica Cruz, and Fermin Ramos

The excitement carried into the day's final event: the Intern Excavator Challenge. Each intern put their newly developed skills to the test in a timed competition that demanded precision, patience, and control behind the controls of a mini excavator. With coworkers gathered to cheer them on, every competitor gave it their best effort.

Congratulations to Gustavo Alvarez, who claimed first place in this year's excavator challenge with an outstanding performance.

The Equipment Rodeo is more than a day of operating machinery. It is an opportunity for our interns to learn from experienced professionals, strengthen relationships across the company, and experience the collaborative, people-first culture that defines McGuire and Hester.

Thank you to everyone who helped organize, teach, volunteer, and cheer throughout the day. And to our interns, thank you for your enthusiasm, curiosity, and willingness to jump in. We look forward to seeing where your careers take you.

Want to see more from the day? Visit our Instagram for additional photos and highlights from the 2026 Intern Equipment Rodeo!