NUCA Announces Annual Award Winners
The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) announced the winners of its Annual Awards. The winners will be honored at the NUCA National Convention to be held Feb. 10-13, 2026, in Tucson, Arizona.
The winners include:
2025 Ditchdigger of the Year
Tony Privitera
Executive Vice President
Mark One Electric Co. Inc. | Kansas City, Missouri
NUCA’s most distinguished award, presented annually to a contractor who has made a significant national contribution to NUCA and the utility construction industry.
Associate Member of the Year
Phil Goodwin
Director of Marketing Services
U.S. Pipe | Birmingham, Alabama
The association’s most distinguished annual recognition of a NUCA associate member, awarded to an individual who stands out from the crowd through their actions and their support of NUCA, our members, and the industry at large.
2025 William H. Feather Safety Awards
Presented to NUCA member companies who have shown a significant commitment and effort to safety.
- Overall Winner – J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Co. Inc. | Morrisville, North Carolina
- 0 – 100,000 Manhours – DeKalb Pipeline Co. | Conyers, Georgia
- 100,001 – 200,000 Manhours – J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Co. Inc. | Morrisville, North Carolina
- 500,001 – 1,000,000 Manhours – Martin Contracting, Inc. | Richmond, Kentucky
- 1,000,000+ Manhours – HEI Civil | Castle Rock, Colorado
- 2025 NUCA STAR Award – Platinum Level – DeKalb Pipeline Co. | Conyers, Georgia
Chapter Excellence Awards
Presented to chapters that support their members, the industry, and their communities with outstanding services, events, and information.
- Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President – Wade Sexton, NUCA of East Tennessee
- Legislative and Governmental Affairs – NUCA of Washington
- Workforce Development Chapter Grant Award – NUCA of South Florida, Introduction To Underground Utility Construction Course
- Jeffrey Hanson Memorial Award Outstanding Achievement by a Chapter Executive Director – Sheri Nowlan, NUCA of E. Washington & N. Idaho, and NUCA of Southern Idaho
- William H. Clausen Community Service Award – Petticoat-Schmitt Civil Contractors, Digger Day
Top Jobs Projects Awards
These NUCA member companies have been nominated for the 2025 Top Jobs Project Awards. Our three finalists and overall winner will be voted for onsite at the Annual Convention.
Trenchless Technology
Horizontal Boring & Tunneling Co., Exeter, NE (Thornton Water Project)
Garney Construction, Virginia Beach, VA (James River Crossing)
Water or Water Treatment Plant
Cleary Construction, Tompkinsville, KY (Metro 96-in. North Secondary)
Excavation Site Development
Hunter Contracting, Gilbert, AZ (Twin Peaks Rattlesnake Pass Widening)
Water Distribution Category
Garney Construction, Fairfax, VA (Naval Facilities Engineering Systems Command)
Water or Water Treatment Plant Category
Garney Construction, Fairfax, VA (Occoquan River Crossing)
Sanitary Sewer Collection Category
J.F. Wilkerson Contracting, Morrisville, NC (West Neuse Interceptor)
Garney Construction, Virginia Beach, VA (James River Crossing)
Be sure to attend the 2026 NUCA National Convention to support and congratulate the winners! For more information or to register, visit nucadigs.com.
