Digging Deep: An OKIE811 Podcast

Luis sits down with Dr. Paul Dickinson to discuss how fiber optic technology, distributed fiber sensing, and conduit pathway infrastructure can help protect underground utilities, improve damage prevention, and support safer excavation practices.

Luis and Bo sit down with Sharri Hiller to discuss utility coordination before construction, including Design-Survey requests, pre-excavation meetings, and why identifying utility conflicts early can help projects move forward safely and efficiently.

In this latest episode of Digging Deep, Luis is back from the Common Ground Alliance Conference in Colorado Springs and joins Bo to share key takeaways, industry insights, and conversations shaping the future of damage prevention. From education and outreach to excavation safety and industry collaboration, they dive into what stood out most from this year’s event.

Bo and Luis chat with Senior Vice President Mike Iadanza from Mason Private Locating to break down the difference between private and public lines, why understanding them is so important, and why misconceptions around the two still exist.

From the city of Austin, Texas, Luis and Bo are attending the Facility Notification Centers Association conference to connect with peers from across the country, exchange new ideas, and learn more about what different centers are doing to improve communication, innovation, and damage prevention.

On this episode, Bo and Luis sit down with Mell Greenall, CEO of Before You Dig Australia, to talk about their process, how their system works, and the importance of damage prevention. It’s a great conversation filled with insights, shared experiences, and a global perspective on excavation safety.

We sat down with Sam Hall, Vice President of the Damage Prevention Institute (DPI) at the Common Ground Alliance (CGA) to talk about CGA’s mission, how DPI supports the industry, and why best practices are key to protecting people, property, and essential services.

In this episode, Luis talks with Nathan Manzano, Operations Team Lead at Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline, about the importance of protecting natural gas pipelines and preventing excavation damage. We also learn about Nathan’s experience in the industry, what he’s seen in the field, and the key lessons he wants crews and excavators to remember to keep everyone safe. Want to dive deeper into safe...

On this episode of Digging Deep, Luis and Bo go international and visit with Laura Knight, the Head of Marketing and Business Operations at LSBUD, UK's underground utilities notification service. Check out the similarities, differences and how we all support excavation safety - all around the world! Want to dive deeper into safe excavation and damage prevention? Join us at the Oklahoma Excavation...

In this episode, Luis and Bo sit down with Chanell Alaniz, President of OKC ASSP (American Society of Safety Professionals), to talk about why safety protocols matter—on every job, every time. Practical tips, real-world perspective, and what it takes to keep crews safe and projects moving.  Want to learn more about the excavation industry? Don’t miss the opportunity to attend the Oklahoma Excavati...

Luis and Bo break down what to do when damage occurs on a jobsite—how to report it the right way, who to notify, and why honesty and responsibility matter every time. Reporting quickly helps protect crews, the public, and keeps small incidents from turning into major emergencies.

New episode 🎙️ Digging Deep with Nicole Rhodes — CEO of Center Phase Energy, OKIE811 Board Member, and a leader with deep experience in planning, coordination, and utility construction operations. We talk about how OKIE811 has evolved over the years, what growth really looks like in damage prevention, and why strong relationships between excavators, locators, and operators matter more than ever.

In this episode, we break down the different training options available for you and your crews—so you can choose what fits your operation best. We cover: ✔️ What to expect at Expo 2026 ✔️ Safety Days 2026 and on-site learning opportunities ✔️ Online training options you can access anytime ✔️ Customized, dedicated trainings built around your team’s needs

On the latest episode of Digging Deep, Bo and Luis break down what it really takes to excavate safely during the winter ❄️🚧. They talk about extra safety measures to take in low temperatures, how frozen ground changes the game, and what crews need to watch out for to stay safe and compliant when the weather doesn’t cooperate. Cold weather or not, safety always comes first.

In our latest podcast episode, we welcome William Bohannon to the OKIE811 team! He joins the Education and Outreach Department as a new Liaison, teaming up with Luis Rendón to strengthen our community education efforts in safe excavation and damage prevention.

In this episode, Luis Rendón from OKIE811 and Ruben Mendez from Texas811 discuss damage prevention, safe digging, and public education. They share insights from their work in different states, highlighting common challenges, outreach strategies, and the shared mission of keeping people and underground facilities safe.

In this week’s episode of Digging Deep, we talk with Noel Rojas from Gridhawk, who shares his experience in the field of locating underground lines — and how clear communication with excavators helps prevent costly mistakes and keeps crews safe.   Noel’s story reminds us that when everyone’s on the same page, the job gets done right — and safely.

In this episode, Luis talks with Jerrell Welch, Director of Operations at OKIE811, about what happens behind the scenes at the center. They dive into daily operations, teamwork, and leadership — and how it all comes together to keep things running smoothly.   It’s a great conversation that offers an inside look at the people making safe digging possible across Oklahoma.

In this episode of the OKIE811 Podcast, Luis sits down with Megan Jester, QA and AI Support Supervisor at OKIE811, to explore how AI is transforming the way we work — not by replacing people, but by empowering them. From real-time call support and chatbots to quality assurance, discover how OKIE811 uses AI to help humans help people.

As Hispanic Heritage Month wraps up, we’re proud to highlight the impact of the Hispanic community and our ongoing efforts to promote safe digging. Listen to our latest Digging Deep episode — presented entirely in Spanish with our friends from NM811!    Ya cerca de concluir el Mes de la Herencia Hispana, nos enorgullece destacar el impacto de la comunidad hispana y nuestros esfuerzos continuos por...

Ever wondered what it’s really like behind the scenes at OKIE811? In this episode of Digging Deep, host Luis Rendon sits down with Lisa Parenica, one of our experienced contact center agents, to uncover what it takes to keep Oklahoma digging safely. Lisa shares what a day in the life of an OKIE811 agent looks like — from managing locate requests to navigating tricky maps, ensuring accurate ticket...

In this episode of Digging Deep by OKIE811, hosts M.G. Govia and Luis Rendon catch up on the last 90 days, big outreach wins, and what’s ahead for the rest of the year. From the success of July’s Hispanic Chamber job fair to building momentum for the upcoming Spanish Safety Day in October, they share how OKIE811 is connecting with communities across Oklahoma—both in English and Spanish.   Luis tal...

In this episode of Digging Deep, MG and Luis welcome Haley Manning—OKIE811’s Education Outreach Manager. With over 20 years at OKIE811, Haley brings valuable insight into the organization’s mission and the impact of educational outreach. Together, they reflect on a recent milestone Spanish-language training event that brought in over 300 attendees, showcasing the growing need and enthusiasm for bi...

Luis hits his 90-day milestone, and in this episode of Learning the Dirt with Luis, he and MG reflect on how far he’s come—from learning the ropes to becoming a confident ambassador for safe digging. They recap their visit to the Oklahoma Rural Water Association Expo, talk about the Thunder’s championship parade, and even share a story about a possible appearance in an ESPN documentary. Plus, MG w...

In this episode of Digging Deep, MG and Luis celebrate hitting episode four and reflect on Luis’ journey through his first 68 days at OKIE811. From mastering presentations in a second language to learning the nuances of excavation terminology, Luis shares how practice and mentorship have helped him grow. The duo also recaps a busy week, including MG’s appearance on the news, a successful golf tour...