Underground engineering is a vast industry, and effective leadership is crucial to managing complex projects that involve various disciplines. It creates a collaborative environment that enhances team performance and innovation and drives project success. The leaders should have a transformative and innovative vision, strong decision-making skills, and technical knowledge to lead the team. David Paulin, Vice President of Always Underground Inc., is one such leader in delivering top-tier and sustainable underground engineering solutions. He is passionate about finding creative solutions and aims to use his expertise to provide excellent and affordable solutions that satisfy the client’s requirements.
Commitments Towards Safety & Sustainability
David Paulin has over ten years of experience in the underground engineering industry and began his career as a laborer in Northwest Indiana. He held various roles throughout his career – equipment operator, crew lead, and general foreman, which helped him gain essential business knowledge and skills. Apart from project management, his expertise extends to underground construction, design, and maintenance. His keen focus is on safety, risk, and environmental management, which is pivotal in delivering efficient and compliant projects with the highest safety standards.
In 2013, David joined Always Underground Inc. as a Vice President. His role at the company is to oversee daily operations, equipment purchases, and wage hikes and ensure compliance with all legal requirements. He has successfully delivered multiple underground projects across different geographies for various clients, including public, private, and industrial sectors. He has a passion for finding creative and sustainable solutions for underground challenges and collaborates with the diverse team of engineers, architects, contractors, and stakeholders at the company.
Leading the Way in Utility Construction Services
Always Underground Inc. specializes in wireless/wireline, aerial, and underground projects, providing comprehensive design-build utility construction services. Having over 60 years of experience, the company has been providing 24/7 emergency response for the most challenging projects. Its design, build, turn-up, and test teams are favorably situated throughout Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Michigan, Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, and eastern Missouri to be able to assist now. The company’s emergency response team has been instrumental in providing support for storm damage and other natural disasters for many years.
It provides end-to-end client experience that includes seamless communication, budgeting, staffing, on-site organization, and solid, quality construction every time. Having widespread connections in over 80 jurisdictions in the Midwest, the company guarantees and offers on-time, within-budget project delivery. It works with all stakeholders to bring quality infrastructure projects to life. The core values of safety, quality, quantity, and leadership make it a trusted partner. The company has worked with well-known customers like MYR Gropu, Altice, Comcast Xfinity, Lumen, Dish, Crown Castle, Zayo, and AT&T.
The Expansive Offerings and Innovative Utility Services
Always Underground Inc. started with just three employees and has evolved into a thriving workplace of over 400 individuals. It is currently working on major projects like SIFI-Rockford (6.2 million feet), Kenosha (3.2 million feet), and SIFI-Farmington (2.8 million feet). It specializes in Fiber optic installation, engineering, permitting, fiber splicing and testing, directional boring, trenching, and aerial construction. It has supported Lake Village Little League for a decade as a part of its community engagement and social responsibility initiatives. It has donated to its newest state-of-the-art baseball field.
It has obtained a significant contract for construction, maintenance, and round-the-clock field support in northwestern Illinois in 2023. This contract covers several countries where one of its prominent customers, Brightspeed, provides services and involves underground and aerial work, including copper and fiber network projects.
Always Underground Inc.’s services include,
| Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD) | Macro Tower radio/ antenna placements |
| Excavation | PIM testing |
| Micro Trenching | RF testing |
| Manhole placement and duct banks | Storm Damage Emergency Response |
| Concrete Coring | Service Drop Installations |
| Concrete Footings | Fiber Optic Cable (FOC) |
| Concrete and Asphalt cutting and repair | Wall-mount and freestanding cabinet and rack installations |
| Aerial Construction for Telecommunications | Private Utility Locating |
| Small Cell site construction | Project Management |
| Macro Tower AC/DC power and Hut construction | CAD Drafting and Permitting Services |
Skilled Team of Individuals to Navigate Challenges
The team of Always Underground Inc. is highly skilled at tackling challenges in wireless, aerial, and underground projects. For instance, when the team encounters an obstacle at a project site, they work closely with the customers to find alternative solutions to keep the project going smoothly. When bad weather affects customer service, the team acts quickly, restoring services by putting up new utility poles and fixing the lines, often within just 4 hours
Since its establishment, Always Underground Inc. has maintained a high level of expertise among its team members. The company ensures that the team stays updated with the latest industry trends by attending training sessions from various suppliers and through the IBEW. As a woman-owned business, the company actively promotes diversity and inclusion by hiring women and minorities.
Balancing Work-Life and Leadership Philosophy
David lives in Lake Village, Indiana, with his wife and son. He likes to visit his family’s cabin in Minnesota during his free time to fish and unwind. He is actively involved in his local community and plans to run for a position on the Baseball division’s board next year.
David identifies opportunities and takes calculated and strategic risks to drive the company’s growth. He promotes Always Underground Inc. to ensure that others get the help to achieve their dreams and goals. He is a trusted advisor and ensures that every project he undertakes meets the client’s expectations. David believes in transactional leadership and rewards employees in exchange for their successful work. As a leader, he is committed to assisting others to become the best version of themselves and excel.
Under David Paulin’s leadership, Always Underground Inc. has grown from a small team to a formidable force in the underground engineering sector. With a focus on safety, innovation, and client satisfaction, the company is well-positioned to tackle the challenges of the future. As the industry evolves, David’s strategic vision and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly continue to guide the company to new heights, ensuring it remains a leader in providing top-tier utility construction services.
