GREENVILLE, S.C.— Fifteen years ago, Tommy Toombs responded to an online job posting 
for an underground locating position. The hiring manager was hesitant to hire a novice but Toombs wouldn’t take no for an answer — and his persistence paid off.
Now a locator at USIC Inc., Toombs’ determination helped him shine again at the International Utility Locate Rodeo, held at the University of West Georgia, in Carrollton, Georgia, last month. Using a McLaughlin GX locator, Toombs outperformed 16 of his peers to sweep all three water division challenges and win the overall water division competition.
“This was the second year that McLaughlin sponsored me in the Locate Rodeo. I got second place in the water division last year, and I took it all this year,” Toombs said. “I like the challenge of competing in an event where we’re judged on timing and accuracy. It showcases our industry well because every day we’re faced with getting the job done efficiently and accurately so we can move onto the next one.”
Toombs discovered the McLaughlin GX locator about two years ago, when a sales representative conducted a jobsite demonstration.
“My boss told me to ‘just try it,’ and I kinda fell in love,” said Toombs. “The McLaughlin GX does everything that I need it to do.”
The Runner-up
Don Conner, a locating crew leader for Clayton County Water in Georgia, finished second in the Locate Rodeo overall water division competition. An 11-year industry veteran, Conner said he performs water and sewer locates on a daily basis.
“McLaughlin sponsored me last year, and I was really nervous and overthinking every aspect of the locate, and I finished middle of the road,” said Conner. “This year, I was able to keep calm and just focus on the competition. I relied on the GLX locator’s center point to show me that the wand was straight up and down, so I knew I wasn’t throwing off my locates.”
Conner said he hopes to compete in the Locate Rodeo again next year because it’s a “big adrenaline rush.”
For over 90 years, McLaughlin has been actively involved in the drilling tool industry. During that time McLaughlin has developed a reputation for designing and building dependable, low maintenance trenchless construction equipment. McLaughlin takes pride in providing solutions for OEMs and the underground industry.