February 2026 Vol. 81 No. 2
Business
Business People: Promotions, leadership changes and industry milestones
ZamCo Directional Drilling & Utility
Eric Dupré was recently named CFO and president of the Texas division of ZamCo Directional Drilling & Utility Co.
ZamCo is a veteran-owned directional drilling and utility company started in Houston, Texas. The company provides a wide range of services in the underground construction industry, including boring, trenching, rock excavation, conduit and utility infrastructure for electrical and plumbing contractors. ZamCo Directional Drilling LLC can coordinate all electrical and underground utility needs under one managed contract.
“I am excited to announce my new role,” Dupre’ said. “Zamco’s decades of experience in horizontal directional drilling, underground utilities and safety enables our team to provide exceptional service to each of our valued partners. At ZamCo, we are grounded in core values that we uphold without compromise.”
Volvo
Volvo Construction Equipment (Volvo CE) made changes to its Executive Management Team (EMT) to strengthen focus on business and cultural transformation and further accelerate overall company performance.
Christian Hallbjörner was appointed head of Finance and chief financial officer (CFO) at Volvo CE, succeeding Klara Eiritz, who took on a new assignment outside Volvo CE. Hallbjörner previously served as senior vice president-Finance, and CFO for Volvo Financial Services. He brings more than 28 years of experience in finance, business control, and business development, including the last 15 years within Volvo Financial Services, Volvo Trucks, and Volvo Penta.
Malin Norman was appointed head of People & Culture, succeeding Ann-Sofie Räftegård, who, after more than six years in the role, assumed a new position as Senior Transformation Lead at Volvo CE.
Malin has built a long and successful career across several parts of the Volvo Group, including roles at GTO Powertrain in Köping, Sweden; GTO Powertrain in Hagerstown, US; and, since 2021, serving as Head of People & Culture Technology at Volvo CE.
Hyundai
HD Construction Equipment Hyundai North America promoted Michael Ross to the role of chief operating officer, where he will oversee daily operations, as well as support Hyundai North America’s president and CEO, Stan Park, in overseeing the organization's operational strategy.
Ross joined Hyundai in February of 2020 as vice president of CE Sales, following 24 years working for other construction equipment manufacturers, working his way up from territory sales manager to director of product/operations. Prior to that he served six years in the U.S. Army after graduating from West Point with a degree in economics.
Ross worked with Park to help the company navigate through COVID, grow its dealer network and expand its product and parts support operations. Most recently, Ross served as senior vice president over Sales, Service, Product and Marketing, before being promoted to COO.
HD Construction Equipment Hyundai North America offers a full line of crawler excavators, ranging from compact models to heavy excavators; wheeled excavators; wheel loaders; articulated dump trucks; skid steer and compact track loaders, crawler dozers, and hydraulic breakers. Hyundai offers sales, service, parts and rentals through the brand’s network of more than 80 dealerships operating from more than 200 locations across the United States and Canada. Hyundai delivers regular product and service training to ensure dealer partners are equipped to provide top-caliber support to meet the growing business needs of Hyundai construction equipment customers.
Oatey
Oatey Co., a leading manufacturer in the plumbing industry since 1916, promoted Kelsey McMillan to vice president of Cherne Global.
Part of the Oatey family of companies, Cherne Industries is the industry leader in pipe plugs and testing equipment for residential, commercial, industrial and municipal piping systems. In 2023, Oatey acquired Lansas B.V., a manufacturer and distributor of underground pipe and disc plugs based in Eijsden, Netherlands, further positioning the company to grow its presence in the European waterworks market and beyond.
McMillan joined Oatey seven years ago as retail national sales manager before transitioning to the International team, where she served as sales manager and later as director of International Business Development. She subsequently took on the role of director of Strategic Initiatives, where she played a key role in developing the company’s multi-year strategic roadmap.
In her new role, McMillan will lead the company’s Cherne business activities around the globe, overseeing several functions across the business. Her leadership will be instrumental in aligning operations, product development, quality and commercial strategies to elevate the Cherne brand, enhance collaboration and grow Cherne’s presence in key international markets.
In Memoriam
Robert Joseph "Bob" Darby, proud CEO of Darby Equipment Company, music lover, fisherman, pun-enthusiast and devoted husband, dad, and grandpa, passed away on Feb. 10, 2026, at the age of 72.
Born in Tulsa, Okla., to Lucile and Lee Darby on March 19, 1953, Darby spent much of his life rooted in the city he loved. He graduated from Cascia Hall Preparatory School and went on to attend both the University of Notre Dame and the University of Tulsa.
Darby believed Darby Equipment Company was more than a business, it was a community. He valued relationships over transactions and took pride in the friendships he built with employees and customers alike.
Darby was an active member of the Distribution Contractors Association for many years and served in several leadership roles within the organization, including as Junior Associate Member Director for 2012–2013 and Senior Associate Member Director for 2014–2015. During his tenure, he contributed to board initiatives and helped guide programs supporting workforce development and industry engagement.
He also served on numerous DCA committees, including the Associate Member Nominating Committee, Recognition Committee, Strategic Planning Committee and several scholarship and grant committees. Through these roles, Darby supported educational programs and funding initiatives aimed at strengthening the next generation of drilling and underground infrastructure professionals.
As a Board Member of the Ed Darby Foundation, Darby was more than a leader, he was a participant. He helped shape the foundation's spirit of community through hands-on involvement, from recording sessions at The Church Studio with North Tulsa schools, supporting the Chess Club at Unity Learning Academy, to passing out hams during the holidays.
Darby is survived by his wife, Bonnie; his sons Bobby Darby and wife Karen, and their children Elise, Hudson, and Davis; Ryan Darby and wife Sarah, and their children Cullin and Lucile; and Alex King and wife Alyson, and their children Brody (wife Lexi), Taylor, and Jaxson. He is also survived by his siblings Pat Darby, Jim Darby (wife Sunny), Dan Darby (wife Betsy), and Mary Darby Huntze (husband Steve).
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