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EP05 Road Show Series: From Farm Life & Military Duty to Modernizing Natural Gas Mains
Ever wonder how ex–military farm kids end up modernizing America’s infrastructure?
Meet John & Tom from our Gas Distribution team—two guys who turned wrenches, wrangled Angus cattle, and now dig deep (literally!) to replace century-old lines.
Catch their inspiring stories, crackups over BBQ (Pulled Pork vs. Brisket Showdown!), and plenty of “dirt” on the latest Built In Boots Podcast (Episode 05). Give it a listen—you might just find your next career move in the unlikeliest of places.
- John Case
- Military veteran who joined DDS in 2009.
- Progressed from yard/float work to heavy equipment operator, then became a gas distribution foreman in 2019.
- Credits mentorship and personal drive for his advancement.
- Tom Foster
- Grew up on a family farm, served in the Marine Corps, and explored various trades (forestry, logging, meat cutting).
- Recommended to DDS by a friend.
- Emphasizes willingness to learn and work hard in order to succeed in gas distribution.
Day-to-Day Work in Gas Distribution
- Typical Routine
- Arrive early to handle paperwork (permits, compliance, safety briefs).
- Conduct daily job briefings with the crew, set goals, and adapt plans to on-the-ground conditions.
- Crew Dynamics
- Emphasize the importance of strong team cohesion, respect, and good communication.
- Everyone on the crew has specialized roles (equipment operation, fusing pipe, public relations with homeowners, etc.).
- Key Challenges
- Managing relationships with property owners (often the biggest day-to-day hurdle).
- Dealing with changing inspectors, regulations, and different expectations on each project.
- Maintaining high safety and quality standards in a heavily regulated industry (i. e., “the compliance business”).
Training & Mentorship
- Extensive Qualifications
- Gas distribution requires numerous certifications (up to ~77 tasks/tests for full qualification).
- DDS provides robust training programs, hands-on experience, and strict testing.
- Learning Path
- Many start as laborers (“Hickory Handled Excavator”) to understand the basics and safety.
- Graduating to equipment operation happens after mastering ditch/shovel work and fusing fundamentals.
- On-the-job mentorship: foremen like John emphasize teaching and bringing up newer crew members, helping them advance more quickly.
At The DDS Companies, we don’t just build projects—we build careers. From field workers to office staff, every role contributes to our mission of excellence in the civil construction industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your journey, DDS offers the opportunities, support, and culture you need to thrive.
Ready to join a team where your skills and dedication are valued? Visit our Careers Page at www.ddscompanies.com/careers to explore current opportunities and take the first step toward building your future with DDS. Your journey starts here!
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By The DDS CompaniesEver wonder how ex–military farm kids end up modernizing America’s infrastructure?
Meet John & Tom from our Gas Distribution team—two guys who turned wrenches, wrangled Angus cattle, and now dig deep (literally!) to replace century-old lines.
Catch their inspiring stories, crackups over BBQ (Pulled Pork vs. Brisket Showdown!), and plenty of “dirt” on the latest Built In Boots Podcast (Episode 05). Give it a listen—you might just find your next career move in the unlikeliest of places.
- John Case
- Military veteran who joined DDS in 2009.
- Progressed from yard/float work to heavy equipment operator, then became a gas distribution foreman in 2019.
- Credits mentorship and personal drive for his advancement.
- Tom Foster
- Grew up on a family farm, served in the Marine Corps, and explored various trades (forestry, logging, meat cutting).
- Recommended to DDS by a friend.
- Emphasizes willingness to learn and work hard in order to succeed in gas distribution.
Day-to-Day Work in Gas Distribution
- Typical Routine
- Arrive early to handle paperwork (permits, compliance, safety briefs).
- Conduct daily job briefings with the crew, set goals, and adapt plans to on-the-ground conditions.
- Crew Dynamics
- Emphasize the importance of strong team cohesion, respect, and good communication.
- Everyone on the crew has specialized roles (equipment operation, fusing pipe, public relations with homeowners, etc.).
- Key Challenges
- Managing relationships with property owners (often the biggest day-to-day hurdle).
- Dealing with changing inspectors, regulations, and different expectations on each project.
- Maintaining high safety and quality standards in a heavily regulated industry (i. e., “the compliance business”).
Training & Mentorship
- Extensive Qualifications
- Gas distribution requires numerous certifications (up to ~77 tasks/tests for full qualification).
- DDS provides robust training programs, hands-on experience, and strict testing.
- Learning Path
- Many start as laborers (“Hickory Handled Excavator”) to understand the basics and safety.
- Graduating to equipment operation happens after mastering ditch/shovel work and fusing fundamentals.
- On-the-job mentorship: foremen like John emphasize teaching and bringing up newer crew members, helping them advance more quickly.
At The DDS Companies, we don’t just build projects—we build careers. From field workers to office staff, every role contributes to our mission of excellence in the civil construction industry. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take the next step in your journey, DDS offers the opportunities, support, and culture you need to thrive.
Ready to join a team where your skills and dedication are valued? Visit our Careers Page at www.ddscompanies.com/careers to explore current opportunities and take the first step toward building your future with DDS. Your journey starts here!