One Foot At A Time

In Episode 15 of the One Foot At A Time podcast, we sit down with Frank Duregger, owner of HDD Supply & Equipment in Florida, to talk about his path in the horizontal directional drilling industry and how he built his business by growing alongside his customers. Frank shares how hands-on service, strong relationships, and a contractor-first mindset helped him earn trust in a competitive market. We discuss the realities of supporting crews in the field, the importance of being present on the jobsite, and what it takes to build a reputation that keeps customers coming back. If you work in horizontal directional drilling, run a crew, or supply the industry, this episode offers practical insight into the value of relationships and long-term growth in HDD.

In this episode of One Foot at a Time, we sit down with Brook De Nault of Kondex to discuss his journey from military service to a career in the horizontal directional drilling industry.

Brook shares how the values of leadership, discipline, and service have shaped his career, the lessons he's learned along the way, and what ultimately led him to Kondex. We also take a look at Kondex's new line of HDD tooling, including the company's use of laser cladding technology and what it could mean for contractors in the field.

Whether you're a veteran, an HDD professional, or someone building a career in the underground construction industry, this conversation is packed with insights on leadership, innovation, and the people driving our industry forward.

Subscribe for more conversations with the people shaping the future of HDD.

#HDD #HorizontalDirectionalDrilling #Kondex #Veterans #Construction #UndergroundConstruction #OneFootAtATime #Leadership

We sat down with Matt Sharpe at the DrilRite booth during CONEXPO to talk about the launch of Wolf Machinery and Supply, his role on the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association board, and the path that got him here.

Matt walks through what it actually takes to start something new in this industry, where he sees the market going, and why involvement in HDDA matters more than most people realize.

In Episode 12 of One Foot At A Time, we sit down with Ben Hiler, Product and Marketing Manager at Radius HDD, to talk about the path that led him into the horizontal directional drilling industry and the role he plays in shaping the tools contractors rely on every day.
Ben shares how he found his way into HDD, how real feedback from the field drives product development, and what it takes to bridge the gap between contractors and the equipment they use. From listening to crews on job sites to turning those insights into practical solutions, this conversation highlights how innovation in HDD actually happens.
We also get into the role marketing plays in this industry. Not just selling products, but educating contractors, supporting better decision-making, and helping raise the standard across the board.
This episode is about paying attention to the people doing the work, staying connected to the field, and building better solutions one step at a time.

In Episode 11 of One Foot At A Time, we sit down with John Langford of Huxted Trenchless to talk about the kind of career path you can’t map out on paper.

John walks through his early years, the decisions that shaped his career, and how a completely chance meeting with a long-lost cousin at a restaurant ended up changing the direction of his life and leading him into the horizontal directional drilling industry. What starts as a casual conversation turns into a series of opportunities, lessons learned the hard way, and a career built step by step in trenchless construction.

This episode is about showing up, staying curious, and being willing to take the next step even when you don’t have the whole plan figured out yet. A real story about how most careers in HDD actually happen, one foot at a time.

In this episode we sit down with Rob Krzys, President of Benjamin Media and publisher of Trenchless Technology Magazine, to talk about the rebirth of the HDD Rodeo and why it matters to the horizontal directional drilling industry. Rob shares what it’s been like covering trenchless and HDD for decades through trade media, the changes he’s seen across the industry over the years, and the role events like the Rodeo play in bringing contractors, manufacturers, and crews together. We also talk about the joys of working with family, building something that lasts, and why this industry continues to be worth showing up for.

In this episode we sit down with Dave Helgeson of DrillWorx to talk about how he found his career path in horizontal directional drilling and the journey of building the DrillWorx brand into what it is today. Dave shares the experiences that shaped his direction in the industry, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and what it really takes to grow a brand with purpose in HDD.

n Episode 8 of the One Foot At A Time podcast, we sit down with Todd Taylor, owner of Infinity Tool MFG, to talk about what it really takes to build a company that lasts in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.
Todd shares lessons from decades in rock tooling, HDD tool manufacturing, and explains why he believes his employees mentor him every day. We dive into leadership, crew culture, long-term thinking, and what contractors should look for in a partner when it comes to HDD reamers, bits, and downhole tooling.
If you work in horizontal directional drilling, HDD construction, or run an HDD crew or shop, this episode gives real-world insight from one of the industry’s most respected manufacturers.

Recorded on the sidelines of the HDD Rodeo at the Utility Expo, this episode of One Foot at a Time features Aaron Graff, President of Dakota Utility Contractors and Secretary of the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association (HDDA). Aaron joins host Dennis Whitehurst for an honest, on-the-ground conversation about leadership, company culture, and what it takes to build and sustain a top-tier HDD operation.

In this episode of the One Foot At A Time Podcast, we sit down with Trevor Duncan, third-generation owner of Ditch Witch Louisiana, to talk about the power of family legacy in the horizontal directional drilling (HDD) industry.

From the early days of his grandfather’s dealership to leading the business today, Trevor shares how his family built trust with HDD contractors across Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. We discuss the challenges of growing a dealership, supporting drill crews in the field, and carrying a name that has been respected in the underground construction industry for decades.

This episode is valuable for HDD contractors, dealers, and industry professionals who want insight into the values, leadership, and commitment it takes to succeed in construction.

Topics Covered:
The Duncan family’s three-generation story at Ditch Witch Louisiana
How family legacy shapes leadership in the HDD industry
Supporting contractors with drilling fluids, equipment, and service
Lessons for the next generation of HDD professionals

The One Foot At A Time Podcast brings you real stories from leaders in horizontal directional drilling, trenchless technology, and underground utility installation.

#HDD #DirectionalDrilling #DitchWitch #TrenchlessTechnology #UndergroundConstruction