HDD Reunion, Hall of Fame Class of 2025 Announced

Underground Infrastructure magazine and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association, in conjunction with the HDD Reunion Organization, are proud to announce the HDD Hall of Fame Class of 2025. The honorees will be inducted during the HDD Reunion on Wednesday, March 5.

The HDD Hall of Fame nominating committee named five people to the Class of 2025. Representing the general – under 100,000 pounds of pullback – category are: Peter Hambling, Digital Control Inc.; John Mercer, Digital Control Inc.; and Bryan Tucker, Online Directional. Rigs over 100,000 pounds of pullback are represented by: Grady Bell, Bell Trenchless; and Vernon Harris, Ranger Directional Drilling.

Unfortunately, as the business of HDD continues to grow and evolve, key members of the community have passed. Posthumous honors in this class go to: Bob Rankin, AdTech; Frank Forest, Sharewell; Monty Scruggs, Isaacks Directional Drilling; and Gene Carpenter, Horizontal Rig & Equipment.

The formal recognition and awarding of the coveted HDD Hall of Fame granite obelisks will be held at a special ceremony during the renowned HDD Reunion celebration, held in conjunction with the Underground Infrastructure Conference, at the George R. Brown Convention Center in Houston. There will be HDD-specific educational sessions, conceived and produced by the HDD industry, on both March 4 and 5.

In addition to the morning’s HDD educational program, on March 5 there will be a special, interactive panel held on the floor of the Exhibit Hall with the five honorees from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. The actual reception for the Class of 2025 Hall of Fame inductees and the HDD Reunion will begin at 5:15 p.m. History will be relived, tall tales shared, and visionaries revered at both the morning and evening events.

As the use of HDD for the installation of pipelines, fiber and power exploded in the ’90s, UIC was the primary event that embraced groundbreaking technology and continues to do so today. Thus, it remains the perfect place for the HDD celebration and the HDD Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Contractors and related personnel still flock to UIC to learn from the industry’s most extensive HDD educational program, “kick the tires” on new equipment, and network with their peers.

As the underground infrastructure industry prepares for 2025, it’s still a challenging time for HDD. Large rig operators historically focused on energy have successfully transitioned to new markets, yet the recent election has given encouragement to a stronger energy market as well. Small rig operators remain operating at full tilt, trying to keep up with the fiber/5G boom and, increasingly, power markets.