Leadership

Dan Carson is the president of Carson Corporation, headquartered in Lafayette, New Jersey. Carson has more than 30 years of experience in the construction industry as a specialty contractor performing both HDD and civil construction. Carson joined the DCA in 2013, served as co-chairman of the Trenchless & HDD committee and was elected to the board of directors in 2018. Dan Carson is the president of Carson Corporation, headquartered in Lafayette, New Jersey.

Reeves began working in the utility industry in 1989, performing power pole and power line inspections in Indiana. A career change in 1990 initiated a shift to the natural gas industry, where Reeves performed and later managed code compliance services such as leak surveys and line locating throughout the upper Midwest. Reeves moved to Minnesota in 1997 and joined Q3 Contracting (Q3C) in 1998. During his time with Q3C, Reeves held multiple positions in field operations management and estimating. He was named president of Q3C in September 2017 and moved into the President role with PSC in April of 2024. Doug Reeves is president of the gas line business for Primoris Services Corporation (PSC), Little Canada, Minnesota.

Andy Miller is the equipment fleet manager and director of special projects for Alex E. Paris Contracting Co., based in Atlasburg, Pennsylvania. The Alex Paris Company is a fourth-generation full service heavy/civil/utility and pipeline contractor that has been in business for over 96 years servicing the Mid-Atlantic areas. Miller graduated from Washington & Jefferson College with a B.A. in business and received his MBA from the University of Pittsburgh in 1987. He has been involved in the construction and heavy equipment industry since childhood. He joined the Alex Paris Company in 1993 and has been active in all aspects of the organization since. Miller attended his first DCA convention in 2012 and has served as co-chair of the Government Relations committee.

Albert studied business at Rhode Island College and engineering at the University of Rhode Island prior to founding AGI Construction. Under his leadership, AGI has grown from a small family-owned company into a regional natural gas contractor with nearly 300 employees servicing New England and upstate New York. Albert guided AGI through its rapid expansion in the natural gas industry and helped to create a proprietary cloud-based work management system specifically customized for the industry. He and his team created a training program that also serves as AGI’s apprenticeship program for its field personnel, ensuring AGI’s employees are the best and the most highly trained in the industry. Albert also developed a very detailed damage prevention process that is now referenced as an industry best practice. Albert has served on the Northeast Gas Association Board of Directors for the past two years. He has served on the DCA Board of Directors since 2019 and was co-chair of the Government Relations Committee. Mark Albert is the founder and chief executive officer of AGI Construction (AGI), headquartered in Smithfield, Rhode Island.

Rob joined the staff in July 2009 bringing to DCA over 25 years of international meeting management and association experience, most recently as Executive Director of QuEST Forum, an international telecom association. Previously he held executive positions with the Young Presidents’ Organization and Spear One Productions. Rob graduated from Louisiana State University and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives (ASAE), Meeting Professionals International (MPI) and has earned certifications as a CMP (Certified Meeting Professional) and CAE (Certified Association Executive).

Dan Britz joined Michels in 2023 and is the president of Michels Utility Services Inc., headquartered in Brownsville, Wisconsin. Dan has more than 19 years of industry experience, beginning as a project manager overseeing transmission facility and maintenance projects across the Central US. During this time, he expanded his knowledge and education and was promoted to president of Minnesota Limited in 2021. Dan navigated both dynamic market changes as well as multiple ownership changes during his tenure. In January 2024, Dan accepted the role of president for Michels Utility Services Inc. where he continues to develop strategy and organizational structure. Britz graduated from Bemidji State University with a bachelor’s degree in industrial technology and completed his Master of Business Administration from St. Cloud State University. Britz has been involved with multiple industry events and associations in his career. He served on the PLCA board of directors in 2022 and has been a member representative for the PLCA, DCA, INGAA, and various others. He was elected as a DCA director in 2024.

Colson started in the industry in 1997 as an operator in the operating engineers. He worked his way through the ranks of operator, foreman, safety assistant, safety manager, project manager, and general manager. Colson has worked with many union pipeline contractors and HDD contractors across the nation. When Pretec formed in 2016, Colson was asked to fill the role of general manager. Colson has been attending and actively participating in the DCA since 2017, including becoming a co-chair of the Safety & Risk Management committee in 2018 and being elected to the board of directors in 2023. Bill Colson is the general manager of Pretec Directional Drilling LLC, Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

Chad Davis joined Miller Pipeline in 1997. He is the Vice President of Operations for the central and south regions. He has served as a DCA director since 2023. Chad Davis has a progressive work history within Miller Pipeline, starting as a laborer in 1997, then advancing to an operator and becoming a foreman by 2000. In 2005, he earned a promotion to superintendent and, in 2011, assumed his current role, where he oversees construction operations in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa, Wisconsin, and Illinois. In the past decade, Davis has demonstrated exceptional skills in managing large projects, initiating new ventures, and integrating acquired operations in the eastern and southern regions of the United States. Davis is actively involved in the DCA and other industry organizations, as well as state gas associations. His dedication and contributions to Miller Pipeline were recognized in 2014 when he was honored with the Daniel Watters Individual Achievement Award, a distinction that highlighted his unwavering loyalty, outstanding leadership, remarkable performance, and integrity. This recognition has set a high standard for others. In addition to his professional commitments, Davis also engages with the Children’s Bureau of Indianapolis and annually participates in Habitat for Humanity.

Eastway started with Gabe’s in 2011 as the engineering & estimating manager and contract administrator after spending 8 years as a structural engineer for a consulting firm in Indianapolis. He then became the vice president of HDD & specialty projects in 2016, overseeing all aspects of Gabe’s HDD and Specialty (Civil) work. In July 2023, Eastway became the chief operating officer as Gabe’s added their telecom and wireless divisions to his responsibilities. He continues to be the responsible charge professional engineer for Gabe’s. Nate is active in national, state, and local associations of pipeline, gas, HVUG, water/wastewater, and telecom wireless industries. He is an active participant with the DCA, Pipe Line Contractors Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, and the IEEE Insulated Conductors Committee. He started attending DCA functions in 2013 and is the current co-chair of the Trenchless & HDD committee. Eastway served as the 2024 DCA director-at-large. Nate Eastway is the chief operating officer for Gabe’s Construction Co. Inc., in Sheboygan, Wisconsin.

Hotz currently leads ECI’s Trenchless Division, which includes the sales, estimating, project management and construction operations teams. Hotz has a Master of Science degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering from Missouri University of Science & Technology and is a licensed Professional Engineer in 10 states. He previously served as manager of engineering, division manager, and vice president of operations at Laney. Prior to joining ECI, Hotz worked with GeoEngineers, Inc., Mears Group and Laney Group. Hotz is active in several industry associations, including DCA, PLCA, and NASTT. He and his wife started attending DCA functions in 2016 and have enjoyed the many friendships and connections made throughout the years as well as the friends their children have made through DCA functions. Hotz has served as co-chair of the Trenchless & HDD committee, participated on the Strategic Vision and the Future Leaders’ committees, and currently serves on the DCA Government Relations committee. Rob Hotz is the general manager of HDD operations for ECI Contracting located in West Concord, Minnesota.

Stephanie Krabbe began her career in the industry over a decade ago in an accounting role with a gas contractor, initially managing payroll and purchasing. She quickly expanded her expertise by moving through various accounting functions, which provided a solid foundation for her transition to project management, where she oversaw regional operations. In this role, she collaborated closely with operations teams, gaining valuable field experience and a deeper understanding of the industry. Stephanie joined InfraSource in 2013, and over her 10+ years with the company, she has held numerous leadership roles. One of her most significant achievements was founding InfraSource’s Leadership Academy, a program that continues to thrive and foster talent. This experience ignited her passion for workforce development, inspiring her to establish programs for military personnel, college students, and technical school partnerships to cultivate the next generation of industry talent. She currently serves as senior vice president of organizational development. Stephanie is also active within the DCA, where she has served as co-chair of the Workforce Development committee. Before this role, she collaborated with previous committee chairs on initiatives such as the SkillsUSA Playbook and contributed to launching the DCA Leadership Development Program in 2023. Stephanie has shared her insights as a panelist for DCA, the American Gas Association, and the Center for Energy Workforce Development. In 2024, she was elected as a DCA director and currently serves as co-chair of the DCA Innovation & Technology committee.

Randy Bunch joined Eastern Utilities/Haugland Group, located in Melville, New York, in July of 2023 as director of trenchless operations where he over sees all day-to-day trenchless operations. Bunch joined BNSF Railway in 1994, where he worked his way through the ranks holding several positions in his tenure with them. He started as a laborer and eventually worked his way to a supervisor. While employed at BNSF Railway, Bunch attended many classes, and training programs at Johnson County Community College in Kansas, such as leadership training, welding school, FRA (Federal Railroad Association) certifications and more. In 2008, Bunch started working in the underground construction industry for Gabe’s Construction, Nomad Pipeline Services and Aaron Enterprises. He worked positions from directional drill foreman to vice president of operations. Bunch has been an active member in the DCA since 2014. He served as co-chair on the Safety & Risk committee from 2021-2024. He currently serves on Safety & Risk and HDD & Trenchless sub-committees. Randy participated in several other subcommittees and round table discussions that have focused on trenchless operations. He represented DCA in the 2022 Below Ground Worker Demonstration Day in Washington DC and the Celebration of Construction at the National Mall in 2023.

Mike James joined ISCO Industries in 2005 and is presently the vice president of sales and business development. James started in the mechanical construction industry where his father worked and soon after transitioned to the industrial poly piping business in 1988. Mike’s professional experience has been in all aspects of the industry such as fabrication & manufacturing, sales & customer service, sales management, business development and many years of general management with financial responsibility. While at ISCO, James helps manage a large sales team in addition to a focus on business development activities both domestically and internationally. Mike has over 30 plus years of experience working with companies, such as builders, developers, mining companies, pipeline contractors, pumping companies, engineering firms and government agencies. He develops business through trusting relationships and understanding of what people expect from a quality supplier and is a believer in working hard and creating your own luck. James has been actively involved in DCA and currently serves as co-chair of the DCA Innovation & Technology committee. Along with DCA, James is also involved in other sister associations that help education and promote the pipeline industry.

Ken Hugen joined the Vermeer organization in June of 1984 and is presently the general manager of Sales for RDO Equipment Co.’s Vermeer division in the US. RDO Equipment Co. distributes Vermeer industrial equipment in Minnesota, North Dakota, Northern Nevada, Oregon, California, and Hawaii. In 1984 Hugen started in the parts department at Vermeer in Memphis, Tennessee then moved to a sales position selling in Tennessee, Arkansas, and Mississippi. In late 1985, he moved to Northern California taking an account manager position in the San Francisco Bay Area. In 1991, he bought the Northern California Vermeer dealership with a partner, and they named it Vermeer, Inc. They opened locations in Sacramento, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Fresno. For the next 13 years Hugen learned the ins and outs of the Vermeer dealer life serving at different times many of these key roles: aftermarket manager, sales manager, account manager, secretary treasurer and vice president of sales. In November 2004, RDO Equipment Co. purchased the Vermeer organizations in California and Oregon and Hugen stayed with RDO as General Manager of Northern California. In 2009, he accepted the role of general manager of sales for the RDO Vermeer Area of Responsibility (AOR) in the US, which is the current role he serves today. In this role he works in the gas and oil pipeline sector and works with corporate and key accounts. He was a leader in the creation of RDO’s customer guarantee program, the RDO Promise, which was launched in 2010 and remains an instrumental part of the organization today. Hugen is active in the pipeline and gas distribution industry association, as well as Vermeer product application and fleet ownership strategist. He started attending DCA functions in 2012. He regularly attends the convention, mid year and fall meetings. He currently holds the secretary position on the Government Relations Committee and has attended a Washington DC fly in.

Dale Anderson joined Miller Pipeline in 2009 as the Executive Vice President, and in 2020, he was promoted to President and COO. In 2024, Dale was appointed to his current role as President and COO of Miller Pipeline and Otis Minnesota Services, the Union Gas division of Artera, where he is responsible for their operations. Prior to joining Miller Pipeline, Anderson began his career with the MRM Network of companies as a laborer, eventually working his way to president and COO. Dale joined the DCA in 1998 and was elected to the Board of Directors in 2007 and served as DCA president in 2016. Dale currently serves as chair of the Labor committee and is co-chair of UA-DCA trust.