Canada’s Brock Leclerc rises to the top in Caterpillar’s Global Operator Challenge

At Caterpillar's Edward J. Rapp Customer & Training Center in Clayton, North Carolina, engines roared and crowds gathered as the best equipment operators from across North America put their skills to the test. Thirty-two competitors representing the top talent from the United States and Canada stepped into the cab to prove their mastery of mind and machine at the 2025 Global Operator Challenge North American Regional Semifinals.

When the dust settled, Brock Leclerc of Quattro Constructors in British Columbia emerged as the Western Region Champion, earning his ticket to the global finals in Las Vegas at CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 next March. Representing Finning Canada, Leclerc's performance across four gruelling events demonstrated precision, composure under pressure, and a true passion for the craft.

"I had no idea [if I could win]. I was full of nerves. I just had to give it a shot," says Leclerc. "I've always been complimented on how I operate here at work, so I took that and ran with it."

It started with Indeed

For Leclerc, the road to this moment started more than 14 years ago. His path was not the typical formal apprenticeship route. "After high school, I was on Indeed, and I was like, ‘You know what? I want to try the construction industry'. So I went for it," he recalls.

Since that decision, he's worked his way from ground-level operations to a supervisory role at Quattro Constructors, a growing B.C.-based civil construction company currently involved in expanding Vancouver's SkyTrain infrastructure. "I've done everything from land clearing, roadbuilding, intricate underground utilities, and planning," says Leclerc. "I thrived taking the challenge of a project from raw land to a finished product."

Though he now spends much of his time in a leadership role, Leclerc still jumps in the cab when needed. "I jump in and out for break relief or if somebody goes on vacation," he says. "But most of the time, I'm boots on the ground supervising."

From Maple Ridge to the main stage

Leclerc first heard about the Global Operator Challenge from a local operators' page online, before a call from his superintendent nudged him to sign up. "He said, ‘Hey, there's one more spot left here, do you want to take a shot at it?' And I was like, yeah, you know what, I'll come try it," he says.

Competing at Finning's training grounds in Maple Ridge, B.C., he was the last to run through the course. "I ended up placing first," says Leclerc. That dealership-level qualifier secured his invitation to the regional semifinals in North Carolina where he would face the best operators from across the continent.

There, competitors tackled four events designed to test the limits of precision and versatility: Over-the-Top, City Streets, Load 'N Loader, and Centennial Push. For Leclerc, one stood out. "I really enjoyed the Centennial Push," he says. "I don't get to run the dozer here as much as I'd like to, so that was nice to go out and showcase some of the skills that we've learned over the years."

The most difficult was the Load 'N Loader. "That [required] immense skill and precision to navigate a tight course and keep a competitive time," he explained. With a mix of timed events and penalty deductions for every misstep, staying calm and consistent was key. "I just focused on keeping a nice steady pace. Make sure it's a nice clean run. Don't hit anything. Do the best you can do. And it panned out."

Learning on the fly

Leclerc's semifinal run also tested his ability to adapt quickly to unfamiliar machine technology. "Our equipment isn't as loaded as what we had [in] the event at Raleigh," he says. "So it was a lot of new technology that I'm not used to."

During the City Streets challenge, a misunderstanding of the machine's onboard technology cost Leclerc valuable points. The event required competitors to load a rock truck to a precise target weight using the excavator's payload system, a feature Leclerc hadn't used before.

"I had a fault where I didn't understand the technology on the machine fully," he recalls. "I needed to be at a certain target weight loading a rock truck, and I scooped too much. It tells you inside the machine what the weight is. I was over. So I'm slowly letting out material out of the bucket, but it wasn't registering on the screen inside."

He repeated the adjustment several times, losing what felt like a minute as he tried to correct the load. "You're under the gun, right? It was probably like 10 or 15 seconds," he says. "I ended up just throwing it in, [dumping] the material into the truck, and [taking] the overweight penalty. I figured I'd cut my losses and go for time."

The decision was costly. "That cost me a couple seconds there and then my overweight penalty, which I think was 175 points alone," Leclerc says. But even with the setback, he still secured enough points to take the Western Region title. Looking ahead to the world finals in Las Vegas, Leclerc plans to use that experience as motivation. 

Support from Finning and Quattro

Throughout his journey, Leclerc has had strong backing from both Finning Canada and his employer. "Finning has been there every step of the way through this challenge," he says. "Shane has been awesome. He emailed me a package saying, ‘Hey, this is some of the tech that's in these machines,' and sent me videos on how to use all of the tech so I can start learning. [Finning] is very, very supportive."

At Finning, that support is both technical and cultural, according to Shane Glister, manager of application specialists. "Brock is incredibly skilled, humble, and open to feedback," he says. "He is a professional through and through, and we couldn't ask for a better representative for the global competition."

"In the lead up to the [final], I will work with Brock to make sure he has access to the latest technology on new models of the machines. He'll get some hands-on time with the equipment and I will continue to coach and support him with any questions he has," says Glister.

He added that Leclerc's success reflects the broader strength of Finning's customer base across Western Canada. "We are fortunate to work with the best customers in the business, and they employ great operators. Companies like Quattro Constructors set high bars: they're investing in people, training, and building cultures where operators want to excel."

For Quattro, the excitement is palpable. "They are over the moon excited," Leclerc says. "This is really getting their name out there. Everybody's booking off vacation time now to come down to Vegas and watch."

Why operator competitions matter

To Glister, the Global Operator Challenge represents far more than a test of skill. "From our perspective, these events hit three key areas," he says. "First, they showcase what equipment can do and how skilled operation makes all the difference. Second, they build community. Operators and contractors get to network, share knowledge, and take pride in their craft. Third, these competitions strengthen our relationships. When customers see us investing in operator recognition and development, not just equipment sales, it reinforces that we're partners in their success."

He also sees the event as a powerful tool for workforce development. "These competitions make operating equipment look like what it actually is: a high-skill profession worth pursuing," Glister explains. "When you've got operators competing for a global title at CONEXPO in Vegas, that's a different story than the old ‘learn a trade' pitch. It gets attention, especially from younger people who want to know there's a path for growth and recognition in their career."

Eyes on Las Vegas

With CONEXPO-CON/AGG 2026 fast approaching, Leclerc is focused on staying sharp and studying up. "I need to brush up on [the technology] and hopefully that'll give me a [more] competitive score," he says.

What will set Brock apart from his competition? Leclerc's edge lies in the traits that have always guided his work behind the controls of the excavator, his favourite machine: steady hands, precise control, and an ability to stay composed when it counts.

What would winning the world title mean? Leclerc paused before answering. "The sense of accomplishment for all the long hours and projects that I've undertaken. [The hard work] pays off in the end," he says. "It's just a really, really good feeling."

If all goes to plan, that feeling will be amplified on the biggest stage in the industry where peers, mentors, and fans will cheer on a Canadian operator who started with curiosity, built his craft with consistency, and now stands ready to take home the title in Vegas.

This article originally appeared in the 2025 November/December issue of Heavy Equipment Guide.