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Built In Boots

The DDS Companies

17 episodes

2 months ago

This high school program has a waitlist every year. Here's why. In this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast, we welcome Dan and Josh Coleman from the Broome-Tioga BOCES Heavy Equipment Program. Dan, a veteran instructor with 16 years of experience, shares the inner workings of a program that’s building the future of the construction industry—literally. With a fully immersive two-year hands-on curriculum, high student demand, and real job placement success, this is more than just a school pr...

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This high school program has a waitlist every year. Here's why. In this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast, we welcome Dan and Josh Coleman from the Broome-Tioga BOCES Heavy Equipment Program. Dan, a veteran instructor with 16 years of experience, shares the inner workings of a program that’s building the future of the construction industry—literally. With a fully immersive two-year hands-on curriculum, high student demand, and real job placement success, this is more than just a school pr...

Show more...

Episodes (17/17)

Built In Boots

EP17 Training the Future Workforce: Inside Broome Tioga BOCES Heavy Equipment Program

This high school program has a waitlist every year. Here's why. In this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast, we welcome Dan and Josh Coleman from the Broome-Tioga BOCES Heavy Equipment Program. Dan, a veteran instructor with 16 years of experience, shares the inner workings of a program that’s building the future of the construction industry—literally. With a fully immersive two-year hands-on curriculum, high student demand, and real job placement success, this is more than just a school pr...

3 months ago

43 minutes

Built In Boots

EP16 Building Smarter: How the Hillstrom Brothers Are Revolutionizing Construction with Software

You Can’t Automate Culture: Leadership Lessons from Construction Software Xeratec’s Founders What happens when a former Army Ranger with a passion for people and a seasoned software developer with deep industry chops team up to serve the construction industry? In this episode of Built In Boots, co-hosts Griffin Haley and DDS’s Mike Fallat sit down with Jordan and Brett Hillstrom, the founding brothers behind Xeratec, a software development firm laser-focused on solving real problems in the tr...

4 months ago

50 minutes

Built In Boots

EP15 Field Precision - Powering The Natural Gas Workforce of Tomorrow Part 2

In Part Two of our powerful two-part conversation, host Mark Payne returns to sit down with the Field Precision crew—Cruz Gonzalez, Mark Todd Wiggins, and Matt Peterson—to go deeper on what it really takes to lead underground in today’s utility and construction trades. Field Precision OQ & Training is renowned for their mobile Operator Qualification evaluations, hands-on safety training, and field-first mentorship model that empowers natural gas crews nationwide. In this episode, we explo...

4 months ago

49 minutes

Built In Boots

EP14 Field Precision - Powering The Natural Gas Workforce of Tomorrow Part 1

In Part One of this powerful two-part conversation, host Mark Payne sits down with the crew from Field Precision—Cruz Gonzalez, Mark Todd Wiggins, and Matt Peterson—to explore what real leadership looks like on the ground in today’s construction and utility trades. Field Precision OQ & Training is known across the natural gas and underground utility industries for their hands-on Operator Qualification training and field-first approach to workforce development. In this episode, the convers...

5 months ago

44 minutes

Built In Boots

EP13 Behind The Numbers: How The Finance Team Drives Operational Excellence at DDS

In this episode of the Built In Boots Podcast, we dive deep into the world of finance at DDS with Patrick Climie and Jackson Parker from the Viper Squad—an integral team that connects the dots between operations and financial management. Whether it's translating operational data for accounting or ensuring financial information is actionable for project managers, the Viper Squad plays a crucial role in keeping DDS’s projects on track and profitable. Why listen to this episode? In this candid ...

5 months ago

35 minutes

Built In Boots

EP12 Make Safety Natural: Ryan Burke’s Approach to Building a Culture of Safety, Quality, and Accountability

In this insightful episode of the Built in Boots Podcast, hosts Jordan Potter and Mark Payne sit down with DDS’s Director of Safety, Ryan Burke, for an engaging conversation about building a powerful safety culture within DDS. Ryan shares his unique journey into the world of construction safety—starting from his early days working in his family's general contracting business to his impactful role at DDS, leading innovative safety initiatives. Listeners will gain valuable insights into: Ryan's...

6 months ago

38 minutes

Built In Boots

EP11 Introducing Our New Co-Host, Meet Training Coordinator Griffin Haley

Join host Jordan Potter and co-host Mark Payne as they welcome the latest member of the Built In Boots podcast lineup, Training Coordinator Griffin Haley. Griffin shares his story of working hands-on in the field to spearheading DDS’s innovative onboarding and training programs. He explains how his early experiences—pouring concrete, chasing heavy equipment certifications, and gaining real-world know-how—now guide him in preparing new hires for success right from day one. What You’ll Hear in ...

6 months ago

39 minutes

Built In Boots

EP10 The 8 Commandments of Becoming Masters Of The Underground

In this special post-2025 Leadership Summit episode, host Jordan Potter and co-host Mark Payne sit down with Mike Fallat and Griffin Haley to reflect on three successful leadership sessions, unveil the company’s new mission statement—“Masters of the Underground”—and examine the core principles needed to sustain it over the long haul. They stress the critical role of accountability as the “glue” between safety and quality, illustrating how these commandments bring that core value to life. Thro...

7 months ago

1 hour 7 minutes

Built In Boots

EP09 Road Show Series: Mastering the Art of Underground Telecom

Don’t miss this final chapter of the “Road Show Series” as we drop in on the Telecom Crew and meet Foreman Frank Gennuso and Drill Operator Joe Francz. They break down the art of directional drilling, share insider stories about fiber optics and utility work, and prove that hard work, adaptability, and a dash of humor can fuel a thriving career in underground construction. Get an up-close look at how they handle everything from neighborhood bores to rural terrain—plus some serious teamwork th...

7 months ago

32 minutes

Built In Boots

EP08 Road Show Series: Carter’s Rapid Rise | How Mentorship Fueled His Career in Utilities

On-Site in Canandaigua, NY Hosts Jordan Potter and Mark Payne visit a live DDS Utilities job site, where an eight-inch gas main is being installed via horizontal directional drilling to reinforce the region’s service capacity. Meet Carter Lucianatelli In just two years, Carter’s gone from entry-level to foreman—crediting mentorship, a willingness to learn, and a strong work ethic for his swift climb. Spotlight on Project Manager Joe Peppe Joe, a SUNY Canton graduate who joined DDS while stil...

8 months ago

31 minutes

Built In Boots

EP07 Road Show Series: Andy Gana’s 37-Year Legacy & Charlotte Reeves’ Rise in Gas Construction

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...

8 months ago

39 minutes

Built In Boots

EP06 Road Show Series: Next-Gen Leadership in Gas Distribution with Dylan Bird & Matt Brown

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...

9 months ago

36 minutes

Built In Boots

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. Joh...

9 months ago

32 minutes

Built In Boots

EP04 Road Show Series: Behind the Scenes with DDS Albany’s Gas Distribution Crew

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...

9 months ago

32 minutes

Built In Boots

EP03 The Power of Leadership Development in the Utility Construction Industry with DDS President Mike Fallat

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...

10 months ago

47 minutes

Built In Boots

EP02 From Laborer to Director: Jeremy Wyatt’s Rise at Miller Pipeline in the Utility Construction Industry

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...

10 months ago

29 minutes

Built In Boots

EP01 Built In Boots Launches: Exploring The People Building DDS

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...

11 months ago

28 minutes