Subsurface Stories: The Underground Infrastructure Podcast

In this episode, Underground Infrastructure speaks with Corey Baker, Chief Operations Officer, HardRock Infrastructure Services, and Chris Jones, Chief Commercial Officer, HardRock Infrastructure Services. The discussion focuses on the company's recent project that relocated a 6,180-ft. waterline pipe to deeper depths due to a deepening of the ship channel, as well as an additional project in Trin...

Underground Infrastructure  sat down with Cory Baker, Chief Operating Officer, HardRock Infrastructure, for an in-depth discussion on the company's 1,740-ft  tunneling project for El Paso Water, which involved running a wastewater line underneath a mountain. The discussion includes challenges and the solutions that were used to successful complete the project. 

Underground Infrastructure speaks with Mike Hoffmaster, Vice President of Business Development, OBIC, regarding his organization's advanced coating technologies for holding systems, treatment facilities, manholes, vaults and other structures susceptible to damage from infiltration or corrosive chemicals.

On this episode, Troy Stokes, Sales Manager, Akkerman, discusses his time in the underground infrastructure industry, focusing on the evolution of operations and technologies in microtunneling activities.

Underground Infrastructure takes a deep dive with Rylan Ardoin, Chief Commercial Officer, PURIS, on his company's growth over the past several years, including the innovations and technologies under the PURIS umbrella of companies, including end-to-end water infrastructure renewal solutions and specializing in environmentally sustainable trenchless pipeline rehabilitation.

On this showcase episode, Underground Infrastructure speaks with Karen Gunderson and Lydia Passolt of KorTerra to learn how their organization helps mitigate risk and ensure the safety of field personnel by providing secure software cloud and mobile platforms for processing 811 locate tickets, tracking and reporting asset damages, meeting regulatory compliance, and more.

Underground Infrastructure speaks with Dennis Pivin, Director Health, Safety and Environmental, NASSCO, on the showroom floor at the Underground Infrastructure Conference. Dennis speaks about new confined space training techniques available for underground infrastructure professionals. 

Underground Infrastructure  sat down with Dustin Rhodes, Product Manager, TRUVAC, to discuss the latest advancements in hydro excavation, including how it is used and what value it brings to the underground infrastructure market.

On this episode,  Underground Infrastructure  speaks with Brian Kenkel, Director of Market Development, Hammerhead Trenchless, on his company's recent acquisition of ProKASRO Services, lining technologies, the current and future state of the trenchless marketplace and much more.    

In this episode,  Underground Infrastructure provides its forecast and market analysis of the U.S. municipal sewer/water infrastructure sector. This survey polls U.S. municipalities about their top concerns and issues, 2025 infrastructure spending plans and much more.

In this episode, Eben Wyman, Principal, Wyman and Associates, discusses the impact the U.S. presidential and congressional elections will have on the domestic underground infrastructure market.

In this episode, Josh Allen, Director of Marketing Solutions, Underground Infrastructure, and Robert Carpenter, Editor-in-Chief, Underground Infrastructure, announced the HDD Hall of Fame class of 2025. Josh and Robert detail each recepient, and their contribution to the underground infrastructure sector.

Underground Infrastructure and Harry Miller, Vice President, Director of Safety, SAK Construction, take a deep dive into various aspects of safety on the job site. This includes incorporating safety in the early stages of project development, training, communication between operations and safety personnel, and much more. 

On this episode,  Underground Infrastructure sat down with Eben Wyman, Principal, Wyman and Associates, to discuss the upcoming U.S. elections, and how the outcomes of various races could affect the U.S. underground infrastructure market. 

Explore the impact of vacuum excavation in this episode. Mike Reis from Super Products shares his expertise on how this technology is transforming the way contractors approach digging, emphasizing the importance of precision, safety, and reduced risk in today's fast-paced construction environment.

In this episode of Subsurface Stories , hosts Josh Allen and Robert Carpenter sit down with Chris Jones, chief commercial officer at HardRock Infrastructure Services. Chris shares the journey of HardRock's strategic shift from a focus on oil and gas to a more diversified portfolio that includes renewables and municipal projects. He shares the challenges of entering new markets, navigating the bidd...

In this episode, hosts Josh Allen and Robert Carpenter are joined by David Kozman, senior product engineer at HammerHead Trenchless. With over 20 years of industry experience, David shares his journey into the world of underground infrastructure and discusses the latest advancements in pressure pipe technologies. From the evolution of cured-in-place pipe (CIPP) to the development of new standards...

Join hosts Josh Allen and Robert Carpenter on Subsurface Stories as they chat with Chip Jones, Vanair's strategic manager of electrified products, about the game-changing benefits of fleet electrification. Learn about the environmental and financial perks of electrifying your fleet, the importance of idle management, and the quick return on investment that makes this transition a smart move for co...

In this episode of 'Subsurface Stories,' hosts Robert Carpenter and Josh Allen continue discussing the HCD survey published in the June issue of Underground Infrastructure. They explore the concept of hardening power lines by moving them underground to withstand harsh weather conditions. The conversation also delves into the diversification within the HDD (Horizontal Directional Drilling) market,...

In this episode of Subsurface Stories, host Josh Allen and co-host Robert Carpenter discuss the annual HDD survey published in the June issue of Underground Infrastructure. Robert, who has been conducting this survey for 26 years, explores significant trends and technological advancements in horizontal directional drilling (HDD). They delve into the survey's findings, including the increase in fib...

Join hosts Robert Carpenter and Josh Allen as they chat with Ralph Kokot, CEO of Vanair Manufacturing. Discover how Vanair's innovative underdeck air compressors and FailSafe® technologies are transforming the underground utilities market. Ralph highlights the benefits of their thermal guard systems and the rise of electrification with the EPEQ® product line. Learn how these advancements are boost...

In this episode, we talk with Mike Hoffmaster, VP of Business Development at OBIC, live from the Underground Infrastructure Conference in Oklahoma City. Mike shares insights from OBIC's largest OBICcon event yet, emphasizing the power of collaboration and education within their certified installer network. Discover how OBIC's commitment to quality and extensive warranties sets them apart in the in...

In this episode of Subsurface Stories, hosts Robert Carpenter and Josh Allen sit down with Rob Hotz, General Manager of ECI Contracting. They review the intricacies of a horizontal directional drilling (HDD) project in Waukesha, Wisconsin. Despite challenges like ruptured pipelines, contaminated soil, and stringent environmental regulations, the team triumphed through strategic redesigns, innovati...

In this episode of Subsurface Stories, we spotlight HardRock Infrastructure's execution of HDD operations for the Texas International Pipeline Systems (TIPS) project across Galveston Bay. Learn how HardRock's team navigated the complex maritime and geological challenges to lay 44,000 feet of pipeline, connecting crucial energy infrastructure under some of the most testing conditions.

Welcome to Part 1 of our series featuring interviews from the 2024 Underground Infrastructure Conference. In this episode, Josh Allen interviews leading industry experts who share their latest advancements and solutions for managing underground infrastructure challenges. From innovative software solutions that enhance fleet management to strategic partnerships that redefine industry standards, thi...