December 2025 Vol. 80 No. 12
Features
HDD Reunion brings the family together
2026 Hall of Fame class to be honored
For the first time, the renowned Horizontal Directional Drilling Reunion will be held at the Henry B. Gonzales Convention Center in San Antonio, Texas, on Jan. 28, in conjunction with the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (Jan. 27-28). The formal recognition and awarding of the 2026 HDD Hall of Fame will be held at a special ceremony during the HDD Reunion celebration.
This’s year reunion will again allow the many veterans and new participants in the remarkable HDD industry to celebrate the technology that has forever changed the way utilities and pipelines are installed. Contractors and related personnel consistently flock to UIC to learn from the industry’s most extensive HDD educational program, “kick the tires” on new equipment, and network with their peers.
Underground Infrastructure (UI) magazine and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) are the primary sponsors of both the Reunion and Hall of Fame. HDDA is a technology-focused association dedicated to the growth, professionalism and safe practices of HDD. UI is the leading publication for construction, rehabilitation and asset management of the underground infrastructure.
This highly anticipated event provides a unique opportunity for drillers of all generations to reunite in the perfect environment for HDD networking, education and vision provided by UIC. The show has always been the primary event to support, embrace, educate and share vital information for drillers of all ages, job levels and company sizes, and continues that role today.
In addition to the Reunion and Hall of Fame, Underground Infrastructure and HDDA have partnered to develop powerful educational sessions Jan. 27-28. Both old and new personnel to the industry will find the information and knowledge they gain extremely useful and immediately applicable to their current work. The event encompasses all those who have participated in the industry throughout the years, including contractors, owners, engineers and manufacturers no matter what the rig size, from jumbo to mini units.
Also, three special interactive panels will be held at the Center Stage area of the convention center. Small and large rig panels will run on Jan. 27 and on Jan. 28 there will be a special, interactive panel held at Center Stage on the floor of the UIC Exhibit Hall with the HDD Hall of Fame honorees from 1 – 2:30 p.m. These HDD veterans will recount their careers, tell war stories and answer questions from the audience.
The formal recognition and awarding of the coveted HDD Hall of Fame awards will be included in a special ceremony during the HDD Reunion celebration, held immediately after the exhibit hall closes on Jan. 28. The HDD Reunion will begin at 5:15 p.m.
To register for the HDD Hall of Fame/Reunion activities and/or UIC, go to ui-conference.com. or contact Karen Francis for more information, Karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (713) 487-5676.
For sponsorship details, contact either Josh Allen, josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018, or Peter Royall, peter.royall@gulfenergyinfo.com.
HDD LEGENDS TO BE INDUCTED INTO HALL OF FAME
The HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2026 will be honored at the Underground Infrastructure Conference Jan. 28 at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center, San Antonio, Texas.
The celebration is sponsored by the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA) and Underground Construction magazine.
The HDD Hall of Fame nominating committee named five people to the Class of 2026, plus recognized three industry standouts posthumously.
- Eric Skonberg, Trenchless Engineering
- Don Riggs, Future Infrastructure
- Frank McKenney, Sharewell, InRock
- Russell Baker, Berco
- John Teer, Prime Horizontal
Posthumous honorees:
- Mark Van Houwelingen, Vermeer (1943 – 2020)
- Robert Hamil, Laney Directional Drilling (1932 – 2007)
- Thomas “Tom” Michael Allen, Tom Allen Construction/American Fiber Comm (1940 – 2023)
To attend UIC and/or register for the HDD Reunion, please go to UI-Conference.com. If your company would like to participate as a sponsor for the HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame, contact Josh Allen at josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018 or Karen Francis, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com.
HDD REUNION, HALL OF FAME SCHEDULE AT UIC
Tuesday, Jan. 27
- HDD Educational Program, 8 a.m.-noon
- Center Stage (Exhibit Hall) Panels
- HDD Large Rig Contractors Roundtable, 2-3 p.m.
- HDD Small Rig Contractors Roundtable, 3-4 a.m.
- Exhibits open, Noon-5 p.m.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
- HDD Educational Program, 8 a.m.-noon
- Center Stage (exhibit hall) Panel
- HDD Hall of Fame Interactive Conversations, 3-4:30 p.m.
- HDD Reunion, 5:15-6:45 m., and includes formal induction of the 2026 HDD Hall of Fame Honorees
For more information, visit UI-Conference.com. or contact Karen Francis, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com.
To attend UIC and/or register for the HDD Reunion, please go to UI-Conference.com. If your company would like to participate as a sponsor for the HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame, contact Josh Allen at josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018 or Karen Francis, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com.
SPECIAL HDD INTERACTIVE PANELS
These panels feature veteran contractors discussing issues, opportunities and trends in the HDD marketplace.
Center Stage (Exhibit Hall)
Tuesday, Jan. 27
2 – 3 p.m.
Small HDD Rig Contractors Panel
Panelists: Jim Watland, Watland Custom Underground LLC; Aaron Graff, Dakota Utility Contractors; Mike Seriani, Mark Construction.
Description: An interactive panel of contractors operating primarily smaller HDD rigs will discuss mutual challenges, varying procedures and the developing culture of today’s industry.
3 – 4 p.m.
Large Rigs Contractors Roundtable
Panelists: Austin Gautreaux, Direct Tech Drilling
Description: A panel of large rig operators will talk about their unique challenges in today’s regulatory-heavy environment as well as market conditions producing a variety of opportunities in the coming years.
Wednesday, Jan. 28
3-4:30 p.m. HDD Hall of Fame Interactive Conversations Panel
Panelists: Don Riggs, Frank McKenney, Russell Baker, Eric Skonberg, John Teer
Posthumous: Robert Hamel, Tom Allen, Mark Van Houwelingen
Description: Presenting the Class of 2026 HDD Hall of Fame. Eight HDD pioneers (six living, three posthumously) will be honored at the annual HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame celebration. This panel will include the honorees and representatives discuss old times, good times and the HDD industry future in an interactive format with the audience. So, bring your questions or comments to this group of HDD stalwarts in what always proves to be an entertaining session.
To attend UIC and/or register for the HDD Reunion, please go to UI-Conference.com. If your company would like to participate as a sponsor for the HDD Reunion and Hall of Fame, contact Josh Allen at josh@undergroundinfrastructure.com, (832) 922-9018 or Karen Francis, karen@undergroundinfrastructure.com.
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