Built In Boots

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 devel...

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 emp...

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 ap...

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...

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 saf...

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 ...

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, illustrat...

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 nei...

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 Man...

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 c...

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 ...

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 ...

Episode 4 Summary (Built In Boots Podcast)

• Hosts and Guests
  • Jordan 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 Albany
  • We recorded in the Albany DDS shop following a morning “safety stand-down.”
  • Discussion centers around what’s happeni...

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—forem...

Episode Summary:

• Featured Guest: Jeremy Wyatt, Director of Quality & Training at Miller Pipeline
• Main Focus: The power of structured training and leadership development in the utility construction industry
• Key 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 r...

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 ...