What happens before a single power line ever goes up?
Ryan sits down with Jake Brown, Brad Minerick, and Jonathan Pipsair to pull back the curtain on foundation drilling, one of the most important and least understood trades in the utility industry.
Jake is a VP-level drilling operations leader overseeing projects across North America. Brad is a superintendent who has spent years balancing road life, family, and leadership in the field. Jonathan brings more than 40 years of experience in foundation drilling, including marine and amphibious projects throughout the Everglades and Louisiana.
Together, they share what decades in the trade have taught them about road life, family sacrifice, career growth, leadership, and the hidden work that happens long before the lights turn on.
The conversation explores why drilling is more art than science, what most people never see behind reliable power, the realities of spending years on the road, and why the higher you climb the ladder, the more you should understand what you're asking for.
Whether you're an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or simply curious about the people who build the infrastructure around us, this episode offers a rare look into the foundation of line work.
Topics covered:
- The hidden trade behind every power line
- Why drilling is more art than science
- The realities of life on the road
- Family sacrifice and career growth
- The generation gap in the trades
- Leadership, ambition, and climbing the ladder
- Pride in building something tangible
- What decades in the field teach you about success
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🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️
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Email: powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com
