Ditchmen • NUCA of Florida April 2019 | Page 7

WHY YOU ARE IN THE UNDERGROUND UTILITY BUSINESS AND HOW DID YOU GET STARTED? WHAT ARE YOUR HOBBIES OR INTERESTS OUTSIDE OF WORK? Hunting and fishing. Bumping around the islands in our power catamaran, Tampa Girl. While I have been involved in underground utility work since I was a kid working for my family’s businesses, I got my introduction to the underground industry and SUCA as an adult in the early 1990’s when I was working with Doug Ebbers and Terry Cradick at S&E Contractors, as an owner and Executive Vice President. In 1996 or so, Andy Mayts, Sr., at the time the President of the Underground Utility Contractors of Florida statewide organization (n/k/a NUCA of Florida) asked me to serve as General Counsel to the UUCF. Since then, my law practice has emphasized representation of the underground utility and transportation industry. IF YOU COULD HAVE DINNER WITH ANYONE, LIVING OR DECEASED, WHO WOULD IT BE AND WHY? My father who passed away last summer, because I miss him. DO YOU HAVE ANY PETS? We are currently between pets. We have had yellow Labs for years. I am sure one day I’ll come home to find a new pup. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB? WHAT IS THE FIRST CONCERT YOU ATTENDED? My first real paying job was as a laborer building a golf course. After I proved I knew which end of a hand shovel goes in the ground while doing erosion repairs, I was “promoted” to greasing the undercarriages of the tracked equipment. Eventually, I was a driver and equipment operator (when the work didn’t have to be performed too precisely). WHAT IS YOUR LOCATION? FAVORITE Charlie Daniels Band at the old Miami baseball stadium in the 1970’s. WHAT IS THE SECRET TO YOUR SUCCESS? Being straight forward. If you ask me whether your kids are ugly, and they are, I’ll tell you so. That, and a sense of humor. TRAVEL WHAT WOULD VACATION? The Bahamas fly fishing for bonefish. In fact, I just returned from a trip to Man O War Cay and a successful trip annoying bonefish. BE YOUR DREAM Cruising from Maine to the Bahamas aboard our boat with my wife, Anita, with friends occasionally joining us along the way. WHAT ARE YOU CURRENTLY READING? CAMPFIRE OR FIREPLACE? The list of questions being used for my profile. Campfire. GRILL MASTER OR RESERVATIONS? WHAT WAS THE FIRST CAR YOU DROVE? Big Green Egg. Chevy C-10 pickup truck with three on the tree. My grandmother taught all the kids how to drive on the dirt roads of the family property as soon as we could see over the top of the dash board. WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? Current favorite is Tropic Thunder. A classic. • • • APRIL 2019 • DITCHMEN 5