Built To Last – The Journey of Andy Gana & Charlotte Reeves Summary: In this episode of Built In Boots, hosts Jordan Potter and Mark Payne sit down with Andy Gana, a seasoned gas foreman with over 37 years of experience, and Charlotte Reeves, a rising leader who transitioned from pharmaceuticals to gas construction. Recorded on-site in Ithaca, NY, the conversation dives into career evolution, leadership in construction, and the critical role of teamwork in high-stakes environments. Charlo...
Feb 21, 2025
39 min
Episode #6: On the Jobsite with Dylan Bird and Matt Brown Get an inside look into the next generation of leaders shaking up the utilities industry. Recorded on Dylan Bird’s active jobsite, this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast brings together two dynamic voices in gas distribution: Introducing Dylan Bird – A young but ambitious Gas Distribution Foreman for DDS Utilities, sharing insights on leading a team and keeping morale high in a fast-paced environment.Meet Matt Brown – A Gas Distrib...
Feb 7, 2025
36 min
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. Joh...
Jan 24, 2025
32 min
Episode 4 Summary (Built In Boots Podcast) Hosts and GuestsJordan Potter (Host) and Mark Payne (Co-Host) introduce themselves from DDS Companies.Special guests:Dave Raber – Regional Manager for DDS Albany.Chase Winegard – Supervisor/Project Manager at DDS Albany.Focus on DDS Utilities in AlbanyWe recorded in the Albany DDS shop following a morning “safety stand-down.”Discussion centers around what’s happening with DDS Utilities, particularly the replacement of aging gas infrastructure.Roles a...
Jan 10, 2025
32 min
The third episode of the Built in Boots podcast features a conversation among host Jordan Potter, co-host Mark Payne, and guest Mike Fallat, the president of the DDS Companies, as they reflect on the company’s inaugural Leadership Summit and envision what comes next. Episode Overview: The discussion centers on a recent, first-of-its-kind Leadership Summit at DDS. This event brought together nearly one hundred field leaders—foremen, supervisors, and emerging crew leaders—for a multi-day, in-de...
Dec 27, 2024
47 min
Episode Summary: Featured Guest: Jeremy Wyatt, Director of Quality & Training at Miller PipelineMain Focus: The power of structured training and leadership development in the utility construction industryKey Insights:Foreman Leadership Programs help frontline leaders gain both technical and soft skills.Core values guide every training session, ensuring consistency and alignment.Early investment in people fosters better retention, job satisfaction, and team cohesion.Company Collaboration:U...
Dec 13, 2024
29 min
We’re excited to launch the very first episode of the Built in Boots podcast, hosted by Jordan Potter and Mark Payne. This podcast shines a spotlight on the stories and journeys of DDS employees—from field workers to office staff. In this episode, you’ll hear about: The inception of the podcast during a DDS Leadership Summit.The purpose of Built in Boots: sharing diverse employee stories and promoting careers in utility construction.Behind the scenes into the company’s first ever Leadershi...
Nov 25, 2024
28 min