DCA’s holds exciting Fall Meeting in Chicago

Richardson, Texas - DCA Board Members and attendees convened at theWit Hotel in Chicago, Illinois, October 26 – 28, 2015, to discuss issues facing the association and the industry.

In addition to the regularly scheduled Board of Directors meeting, working and nominating committees convened and discussed current and future agenda items. Nominees were select-ed for the 2016 Board of Directors elections which will take place at the Annual Convention in Naples, Florida.

Monday’s Business Session speaker was John McDonough, Chief Executive Officer of the Chicago Blackhawks hockey team. On Monday night members attended a networking recep-tion and an exciting Blackhawks hockey game.

The Town Hall was held on Tuesday and Rob Darden, Executive Vice President, reviewed the Treasurer’s report, staff operations and upcoming DCA events and activities. Committee reports were received from the committee chairs.

A golf outing was held on Tuesday afternoon at Harborside Golf Course. For a list of the Networking Reception sponsors and photos from the event, please see page 2.

For a summary of the committee meetings that were held during the Fall Meeting, please see page 3 – 5. s

N O V E M B E R /D E C E M B E R2 0 1 5

IN THIS ISSUE:

Fall Meeting ....................... 1-5

Industry news ..................... 6-7

Convention ...................... 8-11

Member news................ 12-15

Safety news ........................16

Calendar ..............................16

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(continued on pg. 2)

2 www.dcaweb.org2 www.dcaweb.org

(continued from pg 1)

2015 DCA Networking Reception Sponsors

American Augers/TrencorBentonite Performance MineralsBridgewell MatsCASE ConstructionCaterpillar, Inc.CRC-Evans Pipeline International, Inc.Darby EquipmentDigital Control IncorporatedDitch WitchE&M Supply Group, LLCExpress 4x4 Truck RentalFabick CATGROEBNER HammerHead Trenchless EquipmentJANXJet-Lube, Inc.John Deere Construction & Forestry DivisionKomatsu America

LaValley IndustriesMcElroy Manufacturing, Inc.McLaughlin Group, Inc.Midwestern Manufacturing Company J.T. Miller, Inc.Oildom Publishing CompanyPipeLine Machinery InternationalRoland Machinery Company Rudd Equipment CompanySterling Lumber Company & Midwest Access SolutionsSubsite ElectronicsTT Technologies, Inc. United RentalsVac-Tron Equipment LLC VACUWORX GlobalVermeer CorporationVolvo Construction Equipment

November/December 2015 3

Board of DirectorsThe 2015 DCA Board of Directors met Wednesday, October 28th, at theWit Hotel in Chicago. Board members approved the 2016 Board of Directors Ballot: President – Dale Anderson, Miller Pipeline; Vice President – Dale Mykyte, Pe Ben USA, Inc.; Treasurer: Jay Osborn, Primoris Services Corp.; Immediate Past President: Frank Patterson, Patterson & Wilder Construction Co., Inc.; Past President Director – Greg Dahl, ARB, Inc.; Directors (3 to be elected to a 2 year term) – Dan Carson, Carson Corp.; Greg Gapinski, Snelson Companies; Mike Hickey, The Hallen Construction Co., Inc.; Jim Lagios, Nomad Pipeline Services; Ray Swerdfeger, K.R. Swerdfeger Construction, Inc.; Directors (1 year remaining on a 2-year term) – Tom Clapper, TekRock Trenching; Larry Ernst, Midwest Underground, Inc.; Ben Nelson, Michels Corporation; Director at Large – Rob DeRue, D.R.S. Enterprises Inc. Associate Member Directors (Senior elected for a 1 year term; Junior elected for a 2 year term): Brad Burris, Rudd Equipment; Jon Heinen, Vermeer Corp.; Dave Holcomb, TT Technologies, Inc.; Brian Metcalf, Ring-o-Matic; and Rich Prosser, American Augers, Inc. Elections for the ballots will take place on February 17, 2016, in conjunction with the 55th DCA Annual Convention in Naples, FL. (A full write-up of the 2016 Board of Director Nominees will be in the Jan/Feb 2016 DCANews.) It was announced that the 2016-17 scholarship amounts for the DCA-Dale R. Michels Scholarship and DCA-Curtis Allen Scholarship total $99,000 based on the current allocation formula. The Board of Directors also approved $3,000 for the Upton Scholarship.

Board members approved an extension on the “Who Will Do the Work?” project for the next 9 months and reviewed the 2016 convention schedule.

Membership CommitteeThe focus of the October 26th Membership Committee meeting was how to get inactive members to participate at the upcoming Feb. 15-20, 2016 convention in Naples, Florida. The committee reviewed the list of inactive contractors and assigned committee members to contact the inactive member and encourage them to attend the February convention. The committee also reviewed the membership report presented to the DCA Board of Directors. It was noted that since the July committee meeting, two new Contractor Members and three new Associate Members had joined the DCA. Three Contractor Members and four Associate Member had dropped their membership. Membership totals were noted as 68 Contractor Members and 134 Associate Members. Members of the committee reviewed the prospective member list and assigned various members to contact the prospects. Committee members also reviewed the Convention Peer Guide process, where committee members would be assigned first time attendees to contact prior to the convention and arrange to meet them at beginning of the convention. The charge of the Membership Committee is to actively solicit and evaluate potential DCA members and make recommendations on member programs and awards to help recruit and retain members in the association. Rob DeRue of D.R.S. Enterprises

Committees focus on industry challenges; ongoing DCA priorities and initiatives during 2015 Fall Meeting

Committee News

(continued on pg. 4)

4 www.dcaweb.org4 www.dcaweb.org4 www.dcaweb.org

is the chairman and Rich Prosser of American Augers serves as vice chairman of the committee.

Safety/Risk Management CommitteeThe Safety/Risk Management Committee also met on October 26 at theWit Hotel in Chicago. Committee members reviewed the 2015 DCA Benchmarking questionnaire and made several suggestions to update the document for distribution in February. Results of the benchmarking questionnaire will be included in the DCA 2015 annual report Benchmarks. The committee reviewed the scoring processes for the Arthur T. Everham Safety Award and the safety director and person awards. Committees reviewed possibly splitting the Arthur E. Everham award Into 4 categories, dividing up the 900,000 and over manhours group. The discussion was tabled until February after the results of the 2015 award. The 2015 Safety Director and Safety Person of the Year award applications will be sent in December to all members with a March deadline in order to give members enough time to complete the documents. Plans for the 2016 DCA Safety Congress, April 18-20, at the Westin in San Diego, were reviewed. Stu Buhrendorf, The Hallen Construction Co., Inc. and Jeret Whitescarver, Snelson Companies are the co-chairmen for the event. The charge of the Safety/Risk Management Committee is to review all information concerning safety in the industry and safe job-site practices. The committee also has oversight for the Arthur T. Everham Safety Award and the Annual Safety Congress. Tom Clapper of TekRock Trenching serves as chairman and Kevin Parker of Mears Group is the vice chairman of the committee.

HDD CommitteeAttendees of the HDD Committee meeting reviewed and had updates on several items at their October meeting. The committee discussed creating a panel for the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (UCT), February 3-4, 2016, in Atlanta, GA, and then repeating the panel at the April 4-6, 2016 DCA & AGA Workshop in Chicago. The topics discussed were: HDD Risk Mitigation and Best practices: proper design, proper planning, and proper protocol. Members who wish to volunteer should contact Chairman Jon Heinen. Kelvin Self of Ditch Witch defined a proposal where DCA would sponsor a research project “HDD Drilling Mud Disposal Phase 2”. This would be a joint research project between DCA, Oklahoma State University (OSU) and Ditch Witch investigating new or improved methods of HDD mud residue disposal. A sub-committee was appointed to determine emphasis, provide samples for analysis and input regarding mud disposal and other support. The subcommittee will work for a term of three years. DCA’s Washington D.C. representative Eben Wyman, of Wyman Associates, updated the committee on the committee on a variety of issues and encouraged HDD members to attend the October 27 Government Relations Committee meeting. The charge of the HDD committee is to support safety, training, technical developments and voluntary operational guides, that sustain professional practices and contractors in the area of HDD. The chairman of the committee is Jon Heinen of Vermeer Corp. and the vice chairman is Dan Carson of Carson Corporation.

(continued from pg. 3)

The application process for the 2016-17 DCA - Dale R. Michels Scholarship and DCA – Curtis Allen Scholarship is now open on our website at: http://www.dcaweb.org/Committees/SCHOLARSHIP.aspx and all applications will be completed online. Simply scroll the page and find the scholarship that you are applying for, click the button and follow the instructions. Do not forget to upload an unofficial or official copy of your transcripts.

A few basic guidelines:• The DCA – Dale R. Michels Scholarship encourages

students from all academic levels to apply. The DCA – Curtis H. Allen Scholarship focuses on those planning to attend a trade, technical or vocational school.

• Applications must include an unofficial or official

copy of a transcript. Please see the specific scholarship for the correct transcript that should be uploaded.

• Remember, the student’s application and supporting documents must be completed no later than Thursday, January 14, 2016.

• The winning applicants will be awarded an unspecified amount of financial aid for the 2016-17 academic year and this amount could be renewable for up to four (4) years with proof of academic success.

• Financial need and community service will also continue to be considered by the scholarship committees.

Scholarship applications deadline Thursday, January 14, 2016

November/December 2015 5

Government Relations CommitteeThe Government Relations Committee received an update on the Cross Bore Initiative at their October 27th meeting. The committee was reminded of the main points of DCA’s position on cross bore mitigation: cross bores are a significant problem facing the distribution construction industry; contractors are often in a position to address and mitigate a cross bore situation, but they should be compensated for fulfilling that responsibility; the entity that derives revenue from a service lateral should be responsible for locating and marking it; state damage prevention statutes should require municipalities to locate and mark their service laterals; and criteria for federal grant assistance should apply to exemptions from one-call membership in the same manner as it applies to one-call notification. Committee attendees also received updates on the PHMSA Post-Construction Inspection rule; the Operator Qualification (OQ) Portability effort that included the MEA OQ Council and the next Western Energy Institute’s Roundtable; and a legislative/regulatory update on OQ. DCA is planning a Washington Fly-in November 11-13 to meet with National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners (NARUC) to discuss a proposed NARUC resolution addressing cross bores. The charge of the Government Relations Committee is to target specific regulatory and legislative items and report their findings through the following publications: DCA Insights, DCA News and the DCA web site. The chairmen of the committee are Greg Dahl of ARB, Inc., and Dave Wisniewski of Vermeer Corporation.

Education CommitteeThe Education Committee met on October 26 and reviewed the upcoming speakers for the 2016 DCA Convention, February 15-20, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort, in Naples, FL. Steve Hayes, political columnist for The Weekly Standard, a Fox News contributor will share his insights on the 2016 elections at the Opening Keynote Breakfast. Jeff Havens, will entertain and enlighten at the Members’ Breakfast on the topic of millennials in the workplace. Author and Professor David Horsager will speak at the Closing Keynote Breakfast on the topic of the bottom-line impact of trust. Future speakers for the 2016 Mid Year meeting and 2017 Convention were also discussed. The committee also discussed their mission and the growing issue for DCA members of work force development. It was also suggested that the committee assist technical schools develop curriculum for underground distribution of gas and oil. It was noted that much has been done for the diesel and refrigeration but less for the gas distribution industry. The charge of the Education Committee is to recommend educational programs for the association that would be of interest to the membership, many of which are technical in nature. Gary Lawson of Ditch Witch is the chairman of the committee and Ray Swerdfeger of K.R. Swerdfeger Construction, Inc., serves as the vice chairman.

The next board of director and committee meetings will be in conjunction with the 55th Annual Convention, February 15-20, 2016, at the Naples Grande Beach Resort in Naples, Florida. s

Richardson, Texas – The 2016 Annual DCA Auction will be held Wednesday, February 17, 2016 at The Naples Grande Beach Resort as part of the DCA Convention.

The auction is a night filled with food, fun and fund raising for the association. The proceeds support the association’s scholarship program and general activities.

Items donated by DCA Members are auctioned by Butch Graham of Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers.

The success of the auction relies on the generous donations by DCA members. A few weeks prior to the event, the full-color catalog will be available online. The excitement and energy continues to grow from

the start of the online silent auction bidding to the closing gavel of the live auction.

The winning bid of an item also helps the donating company achieve sponsorship levels of Silver, Gold and Platinum for next year’s convention.

We ask that your generosity continue this year by donating an item.

Visit the DCA website to donate online or down-load an auction brochure.

We are requesting all auction donation descrip-tions and photos by December 11, 2015.

DCA is grateful for the generous support of the association!

Auction donations due December 11, 2015

4 www.dcaweb.org4 www.dcaweb.org6 www.dcaweb.org

Tempe, Arizona – The main union for construction workers is accusing President Obama of throwing them “under the bus” by rejecting the Keystone XL oil pipeline.

The Laborers’ International Union of North America (LIUNA) is one of the few labor unions that broke with the majority of Democrats and supported the project, which Obama rejected Friday after a seven-year review.

“We are dismayed and disgusted that the President has once again thrown the members of LIUNA, and other hard-working, blue-collar workers under the bus of his vaunted ‘legacy,’ while doing little or nothing to make a real difference in global climate change,” Terry O’Sullivan, the union’s general president, said in a statement. “His actions are shameful.”

The group’s statement cited a State Department report that Keystone could reduce greenhouse gas emissions when compared with oil transportation by rail.

“But facts apparently mean as little to the president as the construction jobs he repeatedly derided as insig-nificant because they are ‘temporary,’ ” O’Sullivan said. “Ironically, the very temporary nature of the president’s own job seems to be fueling a legacy of doing permanent harm to middle- and working class families.”

In Obama’s White House speech on the rejection, he dismissed the argument that the United States needs the jobs that Keystone would have created.

“If Congress is serious about wanting to create jobs, this was not the way to do it,” Obama said.

“If they want to do it, what we should be doing is pass-ing a bipartisan infrastructure plan that, in the short term, could create more than 30 times as many jobs per year as the pipeline would, and in the long run would benefit our economy and our workers for decades to come.” s

Union: Obama threw workers ‘under the bus’ in Keystone decision

Industry News

Executives from DCA and sister associations meet in Singapore

The World Federation of Pipeline Industry Associations (WFPIA) met on October 7th at IPLOCA’s annual meeting in Singapore. WFPIA meets to detect areas of common interest and share information, issues and ideas from a global indus-try perspective.

Items discussed at the meeting were the replenishment and growth of a qualified workforce in the pipeline indus-try, the sharing of current safety initiatives, status of drug and alcohol testing, revising current WFPIA operational guidelines and exploring growth of the World Federation Association. s

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Tempe, Arizona – Arizona State University’s Del E. Webb School of Construction and Benjamin Media Inc. are once again working together to plan the 2016 Horizontal Directional Drilling Academy (HDD Academy).

Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) is rapidly emerging as the primary choice for owners when confronted with river, road and railway crossings or situations requiring mini-mal disruption to surface activities. The technique provides a less-disruptive method and, oftentimes, a lower-cost opportunity for utility pipeline installations. The goal of the HDD Academy is to establish an annual learning platform for owners, regulators, contractors and engineers focusing on the options and opportunities for future utility pipeline projects.

The 2016 HDD Academy will take place February 11-12, at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel, located across from the conference hotel, the Marriott Residence Inn Tempe Downtown. Arizona State University will award 1.8

Continuing Education Units (CEUs) upon successful com-pletion of the course. Registration is limited in order to provide quality networking with HDD industry leaders and maintain a low student-instructor ratio.

Last year’s inaugural event sold out and brought together more than 100 HDD experts and contractors to Tempe, all of whom were interested in gaining knowledge about HDD and networking with HDD professionals.

HDD Academy program instructors are all industry lead-ers who will cover numerous topics including HDD con-tracts and specifications; estimating; designing projects for specific pipe materials; drilling fluids; locating; damage prevention; and case studies covering HDD installations for several pipe materials, Direct Pipe installations and instal-lations for specific utilities.

For more information, visit hddacademy.com. Contact bmaurer@benjaminmedia.com for sponsorship inquiries. s

2016 HDD Academy in Tempe, Arizona

Naples, Florida

Richardson, Texas – Perched on the Gulf of Mexico in southwest Florida, Naples is well known for its high-end shopping, world-class culture and sophisticated dining. But it’s also an affordable destination that appeals to nature lovers and beach aficionados. Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South are the focal points for Naples shopping in the historic downtown area, with numerous art galleries, chic clothing boutiques and home decor shops.

Naples Grande Beach Resort reopened its doors after a landmark renovation that restored the Southwest Florida hotel to its original vibrancy and splendor. Set on 23 waterfront acres, the new resort is a sanctuary of beachfront sophistication, complemented by spectacular ocean views and a portfolio of world-class amenities including a luxurious spa, 18-hole championship golf course, 15 tennis courts as well as a beautiful beach and vibrant swimming pool deck at the heart of the resort experience.

The convention planning team, headed by DCA presi-dent Frank and Carol Ann Patterson of Patterson & Wilder Construction Co. Inc. in Birmingham, Alabama and Mike & Alice Hickey of The Hallen Construction Co., Inc., have put together an excellent line-up of business, off-site activities, and social events.

When the day’s work is done, there will be many oppor-tunities to explore Naples, chat with business colleagues and create new friendships.

An exciting number of off-site tours are available such as Glassblowing with Conrad Williams, Stroll Back in Time to Historic Naples, Edison and Ford Winter Estates, The Rev’s Institute and Crave Culinaire with Chef Brian Roland.

You can also enjoy water activities such as Deep Sea Fishing, Catamaran Sailing or an Everglades Eco tour via Airboat.

This year’s live and silent auction will be bigger and better than ever. Watch your e-mail for the 2016 Annual Auction Catalog in January. It is packed with great items from drill bits to diamond earrings that you (and your spouse) will definitely want to bid on!

The Welcome Reception will be at the Naples Botanical Gardens and the President’s Dinner will be a fun evening of dinner and dance at the Naples Grande Beach Resort where attendees will come dressed in the colors of the sea.

The deadline for registration and housing is January 15, 2016. To register and download a registration brochure visit the DCA web site at www.dcaweb.org. s

2016 Annual Convention in Naples, Florida Monday, February 15 - Saturday, February 20

4 www.dcaweb.org4 www.dcaweb.org10 www.dcaweb.org

Join these members and be a Convention Sponsor!

Bentonite Performance Minerals LLC

Auction Desserts & Drinks

Darby Equipment Co. Auction Desserts & Drinks

Cleveland Brothers Equipment Co. Inc.

Business Session

Ditch Witch Mid-States Members’ Breakfast Speaker

DCA Industry Advancement Finishing Touches

Doosan Portable Power President’s Dinner Entertainment

Fabick CAT Photography

Georg Fischer Central Plastics LLC

Nightcap Reception

Groebner Auction Desserts & Drinks

Hunting Trenchless Auction Desserts & Drinks

LMCT-DCA Finishing Touches

McElroy Manufacturing Inc. Auction Desserts & Drinks

M-I SWACO Coffee Break

NDPIC&PF Finishing Touches

Pipeline & Gas Journal Printed Materials

Underground Construction Fun Walk/Run Shirts

Roland Machinery Co. Nightcap Reception

United Rentals Trench Safety Business Session

American Augers, Inc. Golf Tournament

Case Construction Equipment, Inc.

Opening Keynote Breakfast

Caterpillar, Inc. Welcome Reception/Dinner

Century Products, Inc. First Timer’s Luncheon

Digital Control, Inc. Audio Visual

Ditch Witch Members’ Breakfast

HammerHead Closing Keynote Breakfast

John Deere Construction & Forestry Division

President’s Reception

Komatsu America Corporation

Nightly Room Gifts

McLaughlin Group, Inc. Spouses’ Program

Midwestern Manufacturing Co.

Past Presidents’ Dinner

Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers, Inc. Annual Auction

Rudd Equipment Company Convention App

Sharewell HDD LLC Board of Directors & Leadership Council Luncheon

T T Technologies, Inc. President’s Reception

Vacuworx LLC Registration Party

Vermeer Corporation President’s Dinner

Volvo Construction Equipment

Auction Reception

West Side Tractor Sales Co. Transportation

ABI, Inc. After Hours Reception

Brooks Tractor Co. President’s Reception

Cross Country Pipeline Supply Co. Inc.

Nightcap Reception

Derrick Equipment After Hours Reception

Ditch Witch Midwest Members’ Breakfast Speaker

Ditch Witch Northwest Members’ Breakfast Speaker

InRock Drilling Systems, Inc. After Hours Reception

International Union of Operating Engineers

Farewell Breakfast

Miller Electric Mfg. Co. After Hours Reception

Morain Sales & Services, Inc. After Hours Reception

Murphy Tractor & Equipment Co. Inc.

President’s Reception

RDO Equipment Company President’s Dinner

Subsite Electronics After Hours Reception

Tulsa Rig Iron Inc. After Hours Reception

Vermeer – Wisconsin, Inc. President’s Dinner

Vermeer Heartland President’s Dinner

Vermeer Northern Ohio President’s Dinner

Western Supplies Inc. Nightcap Reception

WTS Inc. Nightcap Reception

Wyo-Ben, Inc. Nightcap Reception

CRC-Evans Pipeline Int’l, Inc. President’s Dinner Wine

Express 4x4 Truck Rental President’s Dinner Wine

JANX President’s Dinner Entertainment

J.T. Miller LLC Auction Desserts & Drinks

Laborers’ International Union of N.A.

Farewell Breakfast

Mathey Dearman After Hours Reception

The Lincoln Electric Co. Nightcap Reception

Pipeline Inspection Co. Nightcap Reception

PipeLine Machinery International

After Hours Reception

The Toro Company Nightcap Reception

United Association Farewell Breakfast

Vac-Tron Equipment LLC Coffee Break

Vermeer Midwest Inc. President’s Dinner

Gold Sponsors

Bronze Sponsors

Silver SponsorsPlatinum Sponsors

November/December 2015 11

As of November 16, 2015

Sponsorships are still available, please contact the DCA office.

2 www.dcaweb.org12 www.dcaweb.org

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Nomad Pipeline Services is recognized as a preferred contractor specializing in Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) and Tunnel Boring techniques in complex and environmentally sensitive terrain. Their team includes some of the most experienced, dedicated, and highly motivated drillers in the nation. Supplying their employees with state of the art equipment, Nomad has successfully built a reputation for delivering high quality results on time and on budget within a SAFE work environment.

Nomad Pipeline Serviceswww.nomadpls.com

GROEBNER was established in 1976 with the objective of providing high quality products and solutions to natural gas utilities and their contractors. To accomplish this, Chuck Groebner, entered into representative agreements with several manufacturers of distribution products including risers, repair couplings, valves, and various corrosion control materials. By providing timely deliveries, responsive service, and partnering with the most innovative equipment manufacturers, GROEBNER is well positioned to provide their customers with cost-effective and labor saving solutions well into the future.

GROEBNER www.groebner.com

McElroy began operations in 1954 as a two-person start-up in an Oklahoma garage. In 1969, McElroy designed its first Polyethylene Fusion Machine. That line has now expanded to the industry’s most complete line of fusion equipment, used with a variety of thermoplastic pipe, from HDPE and Fusible PVC™ to Polypropylene-Random. McElroy has placed its stamp on the world as a leader in engineering and manufacturing. Throughout its history, there has been a strong emphasis on product development and continuous improvement to provide the customer with the most technologically advanced, rugged and durable fusion equipment on the market.

McElroy Manufacturing Inc.www.mcelroy.com

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March/April 2011 3 November/December 2015 13

NiSource’s Chuck Shafer receives Inaugural Pipeline Leadership AwardChuck Shafer, vice president engineer-ing and construction at NiSource Inc., is the recipient of North American Oil & Gas Pipelines’ Pipeline Leadership Award. Shafer received the award Nov. 4, at the Pipeline Leadership Conference at the University of Denver, in Denver.

Shafer oversees the execution of NiSource’s $900 million gas capital program, which includes planning, engineering, con-struction and project management. Shafer has 26 years of experience in the natural gas distribution and transmission business. He has held senior leadership positions in the oper-ations, construction, engineering, customer service, and corporate support functions.

“We’re proud to present the inaugural Pipeline Leadership Award to Chuck Shafer who has led NiSource’s impressive accom-plishments in the oil and gas pipeline indus-try,” said Bernie Krzys, publisher and CEO of North American Oil & Gas Pipelines.

The Pipeline Leadership Conference is a new event directed toward top executives involved with building and operating oil and gas pipelines throughout North America. The event brought together thought leaders to discuss innovative approaches and best practices for managing new construction, ensuring safety, improving efficiency and overcoming challenges from inside and out-side the industry. The conference includes

executives from pipeline operating compa-nies, utilities, contractors, engineering firms, field service providers and other leaders involved with the pipeline industry.

North American Oil & Gas Pipelines created the Pipeline Leadership Award to honor leadership initiatives and advances in the construction, operation and maintenance of oil and gas pipelines, including innovations in the construction process, design, procurement, contract administration, management, labor relations, training and safety that improve the global pipeline industry.

“We had many nominations for the Pipeline Leadership Award, but one candidate stood above the rest,” said Mark Bridgers, principal, Continuum Advisory Group. “Chuck Shafer and his team at NiSource really represent the ideal we set out to honor with this award by driving transformation and innovation in the pipeline industry through people, process and practice” said Brad Kramer Managing Editor of North American Oil & Gas Pipelines.

North American Oil & Gas Pipelines and Benjamin Media Inc., in partnership with Continuum Advisory Group, organized the Pipeline Leadership Conference in coop-eration with the Franklin L. Burns School of Real Estate and Construction Management at the Daniels College of Business at the University of Denver.

Jim Lagios joins Nomad Pipeline ServicesNomad Pipeline Services, LLC is proud to announce that Jim Lagios joined the company on September 8, 2015. Jim brings over 25 years of extensive experience in the Horizontal

Directional Drilling industry having held senior management positions in several high

Member News

NEW ON FACEBOOK & TWITTER:

NiSource’s Chuck Shafer

receives Inaugural Pipeline

Leadership Award

Photos from past DCA

events

Photos, videos and other

news from Regular and

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David Horsager

How to build multi-

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NEW ON THE DCA WEB SITE:

Register for the

DCA Annual Convention in

Naples, Florida

Download an Auction

Donation Form

Scholarship Applications

Digital download of the

2016 DCA Membership

Directory

Toolbox Talks for November

and December

Job Opportunities

IN THE NEXT DCA E-NEWS:

Senate votes to kill EPA’s

water rule

North Dakota regulators

relax natural gas flaring

mandate

How to build multi-genera-

tional unity and strengthen

productivity:

Construction

Unemployment Drops to

6.2% in October

Keystone off the table, but

back East, pipeline fight

builds

profile HDD organizations. He will be leading Nomad’s operations and strategic planning initiatives as they continue their mission to be the Preferred HDD Company in North America. Jim will continue to be active and instrumental within the DCA organization to help shape the future direction of the HDD industry.

Henkels & McCoy, Inc., names Kevin Pedigo Business Line Director, Pipeline ServicesHenkels & McCoy, Inc., (H&M) is pleased to announce the promotion of Kevin Pedigo to Business Line Director, Pipeline Services. In his new role, Kevin will be responsible for the operations management of H&M’s

Pipeline Services Business Line based in Birdsboro, Pennsylvania. Specifically, he will oversee the management of operational development plans, P&L, company operating platforms, client development programs, labor and talent initiatives, and safety leadership. Kevin will focus on growing H&M’s integrity management business while continuing to deliver capital projects for Pipeline Services’ Northeast operations.

Kevin has nearly 25 years of experience in the pipeline industry, with the last 17 years of his career spent at Henkels & McCoy. Most recently, Kevin served as General Superintendent in the Pipeline Services Business Line. s

November/December 2015 15

Welcome New Contractor & Associate Members

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

Ring-O-Matic1714 Fifield Rd.Pella, IA 50219(262) 490-9485Email: BMetcalf@Ring-O-Matic.comwww.Ring-O-Matic.comBrian Metcalf, Chief Executive Officer

Strad Energy Services1 600 17th St., Ste. 1400NDenver, CO 80202(720) 292-2200 Fax: (720) 292-2215Email: Inquiries@StradEnergy.comwww.stradenergy.comAndy Pernal, President & CEOShane Hopkie, Chief Operating OfficerColin Patterson, Director Energy Infrastructure; CPatterson@StradEnergy.com; (403) 818-1095

CONTRACTOR MEMBERS

Manhattan Pipeline LLC5601 S. 122nd East Ave.Tulsa, OK 74146(918) 615-1055 Fax: (405) 592-3373Email: Info@ManhattanPipeline.comwww.,ManhattanPipeline.comAlex Jordan, PresidentMegan Schueller, HDD Divison Manager; (918) 527-4435; MSchueller@ManhattanPipeline.com

Richardson, Texas – The 21st Annual Safety Congress will be held April 18-20, 2016 at the Westin Hotel in San Diego, California. The focus of the event for 2016 will be

Leadership and will feature James Hunter or J.D. Hunter Associates. Registration and housing information will be available in mid-January. s

DCA Safety Congress in sunny San Diego April 18-20, 2016

APRIL 18-20, 2016 THE WESTIN HOTEL SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA

DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

DISTRIBUTION CONTRACTORS ASSOCIATION

DCA NEWS is a bi-monthly publication of Distribution Contractors Association101 West Renner Road, Suite 460, Richardson, Texas 75082

972-680-0261 Fax: 972-680-0461 www.dcaweb.org

Robert G. DardenExecutive Vice President

Candace Green Marketing & Communications Manager

2016 CALENDAR OF EVENTS

FEBRUARY 3-4Underground ConstructionTechnology (UCT)International Conference & ExhibitionGeorgia World Congress CenterAtlanta, Georgia

www.uctonline.com

FEBRUARY 11-12HDD AcademyTempe Mission Palms HotelTempe, Arizonawww.hddacademy.com

FEBRUARY 15-20 2016 DCA Convention Naples Grande Beach ResortNaples, Floridawww.dcaweb.org

FEBRUARY 23-2768th Annual PLCA ConventionHyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey RanchScottsdale, Arizonawww. plca.org

APRIL 4-6DCA & AGA Utility Contractor WorkshopRitz-Carlton Four Seasons Chicago, Illinoiswww.dcaweb.org

APRIL 18-20DCA Safety CongressThe WestinSan Diego, Californiawww.dcaweb.org