People
UI Editor-in-Chief inducted into HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026
Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure, was inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026 in San Antonio, honoring decades of leadership and influence in the HDD industry.
Business People: Promotions, leadership changes and industry milestones
Executive appointments, leadership promotions and an industry remembrance highlight this month’s Business People column, featuring updates from ZamCo Directional Drilling, Volvo CE, Hyundai Construction Equipment, Oatey and the passing of Darby Equipment Company CEO Bob Darby.
Industry veteran Robert Darby dies at 72
The Drilling Contractors Association is mourning the loss of longtime associate member and former board leader Robert Darby, who served on multiple committees and supported industry programs and scholarships throughout his career.
NWPX Infrastructure names new executives to lead water transmission, precast operations
NWPX Infrastructure has promoted four leaders into senior operations roles, strengthening oversight across its water transmission systems and precast infrastructure businesses as the company positions for continued growth.
Business People: Leadership moves and industry remembrance
McElroy promotes longtime HR leader Steve Caldwell to vice president of human resources, recognizing more than 15 years of workforce and safety leadership, while the underground construction industry remembers Vermeer veteran Tod Michael, a respected engineer and mentor whose career spanned nearly three decades.
Robert Carpenter inducted into HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026
Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief of Underground Infrastructure, was inducted into the HDD Hall of Fame at UIC 2026 in San Antonio, honoring decades of leadership and influence in the HDD industry.
Texas Pipeline Association names Shelli Myers as chair, marking leadership milestone
Shelli Myers of WhiteWater Midstream has been elected chair of the Texas Pipeline Association, becoming the first woman to lead the nation’s largest intrastate pipeline trade group.
Avanti names Nikolas Magill president, signals leadership continuity
Avanti International has named Nikolas D. Magill as president, reinforcing leadership continuity at the trenchless and underground infrastructure technology provider.
Hyundai names Mike Ross COO to oversee North American operations
Hyundai Construction Equipment North America has promoted Mike Ross to chief operating officer, expanding his role to include oversight of daily operations and execution across the region. Ross brings more than two decades of construction equipment experience and has held multiple senior leadership roles since joining the company in 2020.
UI Business People: Leadership moves and industry appointments
UI People highlights recent leadership appointments, executive transitions, and industry recognition across the underground infrastructure, utilities, and trenchless sectors.
HDD Reunion to celebrate pioneers at 2026 Hall of Fame induction in San Antonio
The 2026 HDD Reunion will be held Jan. 28 at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio, featuring the formal induction of the HDD Hall of Fame class and a panel discussion with industry pioneers celebrating decades of innovation in horizontal directional drilling.
UI Awards 2026 finalists announced, winners to be honored at UIC in San Antonio
Underground Infrastructure has named the 2026 UI Awards finalists across HDD, water, sewer, asset management and fiber, with MVP + UI Honors to be presented at the Underground Infrastructure Conference in San Antonio.
Underground infrastructure leaders take on new roles across the industry
The latest Underground Infrastructure business people roundup highlights key leadership appointments, promotions, and achievements across the underground construction and water sectors, including Carollo Engineers, McElroy, PipeSense, Primoris, Fortiline, and DP Nicoli.
Primoris names Koti Vadlamudi as President and CEO to lead next phase of infrastructure growth
Primoris Services Corporation has appointed industry veteran Koti Vadlamudi as President and Chief Executive Officer, effective November 10, 2025. Vadlamudi brings over 30 years of global experience from Jacobs, where he led operations across energy, infrastructure, and mission-critical markets. He succeeds Interim CEO David King, who will continue as Chairman of the Board.
Centuri names Ryan Palazzo president of U.S. gas division
Centuri Holdings, Inc. has appointed Ryan Palazzo as President of U.S. Gas, where he will oversee the company’s gas infrastructure operations. The U.S. Gas segment represents roughly half of Centuri’s total revenue and plays a key role in supporting the nation’s expanding energy infrastructure.
Business people: Leadership moves at Bobcat, DEVELON and more
This edition of Business People highlights key executive appointments and promotions across the underground infrastructure and equipment sectors, including new leadership roles at Bobcat and DEVELON.
Vortex promotes Chuck Parsons and Ryan Helmuth to key leadership positions
The Vortex Companies, a leading provider of trenchless water and sewer rehabilitation solutions, has promoted Chuck Parsons to Senior Vice President of Strategy and Operations, and Ryan Helmuth to Regional Vice President of its West Coast affiliate, Sancon Technologies.
Trenchless industry pioneer Maynard Akkerman dies at 69
Maynard Akkerman, trenchless technology pioneer and longtime president of Akkerman Inc., has died at 69. His legacy includes industry-first innovations and decades of leadership.
Vortex names Pete Dannenberg as new chief revenue officer
The Vortex Companies has promoted Pete Dannenberg to the role of Chief Revenue Officer (CRO). Dannenberg's expertise spans advanced trenchless technologies, including Vortex's Schwalm robotics, UV-CIPP curing systems, and CIPP curing monitoring tools, and his leadership will be instrumental in driving the company's growth initiatives, Vortex said in a statement.
ECI Contracting appoints Travis Vander Wert as new President
ECI Contracting has appointed Travis Vander Wert as President, effective in April 2025, the company announced this week. Vander Wert will lead ECI Contracting’s trenchless and distribution operations, taking on day-to-day leadership responsibilities. Vander Wert possesses a wealth of experience with over 25 years in the trenchless and horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.
Business people
New VP of sales joins IP Corp; Victaulic executive retires after 37 years; NUCA appoints interim CEO — and more leadership moves in Underground Infrastructure’s Business People column.
Caterpillar names Joe Creed as next CEO; Jim Umpleby to become executive chairman
Caterpillar has named COO Joe Creed as its next CEO, succeeding Jim Umpleby, who will become executive chairman. The leadership transition takes effect May 1 as the company marks its 100th anniversary.
NUCA leadership transition underway as Doug Carlson steps down, Chris Barrett named interim CEO
The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) announced that CEO Doug Carlson has submitted his resignation to the Board of Directors. The organization is beginning a search for a permanent replacement.
IP Corporation names Kevin Casey VP of sales
IP Corporation has appointed Kevin Casey as vice president of sales, a new role aimed at leading commercial strategy across its portfolio of manufacturing companies, including Interplastic, HK Research, and Molding Products.
Outgoing DCA president Mark Albert ‘fit right in’
AGI Construction founder Mark Albert reflects on his tenure as DCA president, emphasizing new leadership pathways, committee engagement, and the future of the natural gas pipeline industry.
Business people: Tesmec
Stay up to date with key leadership changes and industry appointments in the underground infrastructure sector. Each issue highlights professionals taking on new roles and driving innovation in the field.
Business News February 2025
Explore the latest business moves in the underground infrastructure industry, from groundbreaking tunnel construction to dealer expansions, cutting-edge pipeline detection technology, and beyond. This month’s Business column covers major projects and acquisitions, innovation milestones, and key developments shaping the field.
MVP celebration approaches sell-out
Houston-based underground infrastructure contractor Mark L. Boyer has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground industry for 2025. He has been serving the Texas and surrounding states’ markets for almost 40 years.
Business people: Industry leaders making moves
Stay up to date with key leadership changes and industry appointments in the underground infrastructure sector. Each issue highlights professionals taking on new roles and driving innovation in the field.
Business People
Explore the latest business moves in the underground infrastructure industry, from groundbreaking tunnel construction to dealer expansions, cutting-edge pipeline detection technology, and beyond. This month’s Business column covers major projects and acquisitions, innovation milestones, and key developments shaping the field.
- Inside Sempra’s 72-mile pipeline with 18 major trenchless crossings
- Trump vetoes bill to finish $1.3 billion Colorado water pipeline
- PHMSA warns of heat risks in aging plastic gas distribution pipelines following deadly Pennsylvania explosion
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- OSHA seeks $1.2 million fine after fatal trench collapse in Connecticut
- Worm-like robot burrows underground to cut power line installation costs
- First tunnel boring machines complete testing for Hudson Tunnel Project
- Infrastructure failure releases 100,000 gallons of wastewater in Houston; repairs ongoing
- Construction jobs stumble into 2026 after weak year
- NWPX grows water infrastructure portfolio with Colorado precast facility