People
Trenchless Technology provider Vortex Companies appoints veteran employee as COO
As one of Vortex's first employees when the company opened its doors in 2015, Ryan Graham has steadily risen through the ranks, most recently serving as Senior Vice President for Vortex Services.
National Trench Safety appoints Fernando Pinera as new CEO
National Trench Safety (NTS), the nation’s largest pure play trench safety solutions provider, has announced the appointment of Fernando Pinera as its new CEO, effective April 1, 2024.
Business People
Mark Roberts, well-known and respected leader in the pipeline industry, died Feb. 2, at age 75; Michael Hoffmaster was promoted from director to vice president of Business Development at OBIC LLC; Jeremy Cress, P.E. joined Woolpert; and more!
Business News
VANAIR acquires Grip Idle Management; Aries Industries adds Phoenix-based Short Equipment Inc. to its dealer network; United Rentals offers game-changing equipment, tools, approaches; Yanmar celebrates launch of zero tail swing excavator; and more!
Business People
Industry pioneer and Distribution Contractors Association Past President Thomas Michael (Tom) Allen, of Edwardsville, Ill., died Oct. 23, 2023, at the age of 83. Additionally, LAN, Woolpert, McElroy and more announced promotions in Underground Infrastructure's latest issue.
Former EPA water administrator Radhika Fox joins Xylem as Senior Advisor
Fox will provide strategic counsel to Xylem on evolving issues and opportunities in the water sector and provide advice on a range of matters to support the delivery of Xylem’s strategy.
Annual MVP awards luncheon to be held March 19 at UIC
Russ Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored as the underground infrastructure industry’s Most Valuable Professional (MVP) at a special luncheon on March 19, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center.
HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame celebration to be held at UIC
The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame celebration will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
Editor’s Log: Industry honors and celebrations
It’s officially awards season for the underground infrastructure industry with some amazing people, projects and technology being cited for market contributions.
Matt Timberlake to lead Applied Felts as president after Vortex Companies acquisition
Matt Timberlake, a seasoned industry veteran, is set to assume the role of President at Applied Felts Inc. following its acquisition by Vortex Companies.
McElroy names Michael Grant as vice president of operations
McElroy, a prominent designer and manufacturer of thermoplastic fusion equipment, announces the appointment of Michael Grant as the new Vice President of Operations.
Outgoing DCA President Ray Swerdfeger stresses significance of local inclusion
Swerdfeger, the outgoing president of the Distribution Contractors Association (DCA), had the chance to grow up in the family business, working closely with his father. As a second-generation president following in his father's footsteps, Swerdfeger sat down with Underground Infrastructure for an exclusive interview. The discussion covered the accomplishments and directions of the DCA in 2023.
Business People
Latest industry news
Business News
Latest industry news
EPA water infrastructure administrator to step down in February 2024
Under Fox’s leadership, EPA has provided over $13 billion to states, territories, Tribes, and local communities, supporting over 2,600 water infrastructure projects.
Business People
Senior Associate Christine Kirby, P.E., ENV SP, with Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc. (LAN), was chosen to lead two committees for the American Water Works Association (AWWA).
HDD ’24 Reunion will unite past, present and future
(UI) — The biannual Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) Reunion and HDD Hall of Fame ceremony will be held on Wednesday, March 20, 2024, at the Oklahoma City Convention Center in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC). Also at the conference will be the formal recognition of the HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2024.
Southwest Gas Holdings appoints utility industry veteran as CEO of Centuri Group
Bill Fehrman brings decades of utility operation leadership experience, including most recently having served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Berkshire Hathaway Energy.
Condux International appoints James Radous III as CEO
(UI) — Condux International announced the appointment of James J (Jim) Radous III as chief executive officer (CEO) on Dec. 19. Radous, formerly chief revenue officer at Condux, is an accomplished business leader with extensive domestic and international experience.
Plastics Pipe Institute selects 20-year curriculum veteran to lead education committee
The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. appointed Jason McKinnon, Director of Engineering Services, Viega, LLC (Broomfield, CO), as the chair of its education committee.
Business News
Vacuworx celebrates 25th anniversary; Grundfos celebrates the 50th anniversary of its U.S. operations; 120Water selected to manage the data and submittal of Georgia’s lead service line (LSL) inventories; and more!
Russ Ford named 2024 MVP of underground infrastructure industry
(UI) — Russ Ford, a noted infrastructure expert, has been selected as the Most Valuable Professional of the underground infrastructure industry for 2024. Ford, a senior associate at Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam Inc., will be honored at a special luncheon on March 19 at the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC).
Utility clerk appointed to West Virginia Legislature as GOP House member
Erica J. Moore, a city administrative clerk from central West Virginia, has been appointed to the state Legislature. Moore said she’s looking forward to serving in the Legislature and contributing to policy with her knowledge of water and sewer issues from her work with the city.
San Antonio Water System appoints first Hispanic woman as Chief Operating Officer
San Antonio native Andrea Huizar Beymer will oversee all aspects of operations for the utility.
Jim Agnew’s vision continues to inspire: Celebrating his enduring legacy at Inrock
Inrock wishes Jim Agnew a hearty congratulations on his HDD Hall of Fame induction. His contributions to the HDD industry are only outmatched by the positive effect he left on everyone he came across.
PPI presents Donna Stoughton with lifetime achievement award
(UI) — The Plastics Pipe Institute, Inc. (PPI) presented Donna Stoughton with its Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her many years and vast contributions to the industry.
AGA Chair sees future shaped by education, innovation
(UI) — Sitherwood, who plans to retire from Spire this December, sat down with Underground Infrastructure to discuss her career, her outlook for the natural gas industry and her work as the 2023 chair of the American Gas Association (AGA).
Nominate now for the UI Awards
(UI) — Nominations for the second-annual Underground Infrastructure Awards (UIAs) are open. The Awards are a fantastic way to celebrate innovations and individuals that made a significant contribution to the market within the past year.
James Q. Crowe, fiber optic, telecommunications pioneer dies at 74
Crowe Company announced that James Q. Crowe, a technology and telecommunications visionary who spearheaded the fiber optic telecommunications revolution, died July 2nd in Paradise Valley, Arizona, after a battle with pulmonary arterial hypertension.
Primoris welcomes two industry experts to utilities segment
Primoris Services Corporation has welcomed two industry experts to its power delivery line of business within its Utilities segment. James Pratt will serve as President of Power Delivery, and Michael Luckey has joined as Senior Vice President of Major Projects.
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