NUCA Annual Awards
Ditchdigger of the Year
Congratulations to Tony Privitera, Mark One Electric, named 2025 Ditchdigger of the Year!
NUCA’s Ditchdigger of the Year Award is the association’s most distinguished award, presented annually to a contractor who has made a significant national contribution to the association and the industry.
Will be presented during the Gala event on Thursday, February 12th.
Associate Member of the Year
Congratulations to Phil Goodwin, U.S. Pipe for being named 2025 Associate of the Year!
The Associate Member of the Year Award is NUCA’s most distinguished annual recognition of an associate member.
Will be presented during the Gala event on Thursday, February 12.
William H. Feather Safety Awards
Congratulations to the following winners of the 2025 William H. Feather Safety Awards:
Overall Winner
J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Co., Inc.
Dekalb Pipeline Company
0-100,000 Man-Hours
J.F. Wilkerson Contracting Co., Inc.
100,001 – 200,000 Man-Hours
Martin Contracting Inc.
500,001 – 1,000,000 Man-Hours
HEI Civil – Colorado
1,000,001 + Man-Hours
Created to honor the contributions of the founding chairman of NUCA's Safety Committee, William H. Feather, and to recognize the same commitment to safety.
Will be presented during the Annual Meeting event on Thursday, February 12.
Chapter Excellence Awards
Congratulations to the following award winners for the Chapter Excellence Awards, which recognize outstanding NUCA chapters that support members, our industry, and their communities.
Legislative and Government Affairs
NUCA Of Washington
Outstanding Leadership by a Chapter President
Wade Sexton
NUCA Of East Tennessee
Jeffrey Hanson Memorial Award Outstanding Achievement by A Chapter Executive Director
Sheri Nowlan
NUCA of E Washington - N Idaho
NUCA of Southern Idaho
William H. Clausen Community Service Award
Digger Day
Petticoat Schmitt
Workforce Development Grant
Introduction To Underground Utility Construction Course
NUCA of South Florida
Will be presented during the Gala event on Thursday, February 12.
Top Job Projects
NUCA's Top Job Project award recognizes challenging, innovative, or unique projects completed with excellent results. These projects represent the best of the best and these jobs illustrate the highest quality of work our industry has to offer. Six construction job categories are eligible for submission.
All submissions will be on display at the National Convention for member voting. Voting will be open from Wednesday, February 11, 8:00 to Thursday, February 12, 3:00 pm. All votes will be counted, and the top three jobs will move to the final round. A secret panel of judges will select the winner.
TRENCHLESS TECHNOLOGY CATEGORY
HORIZONTAL BORING & TUNNELING CO., EXETER, NE
THORNTON WATER PROJECT - THORNTON SEGMENT A, PROJECT NO. 12-777H5
THE CITY OF THORNTON – COLORADO
GARNEY CONSTRUCTION, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
JAMES RIVER CROSSING
HAMPTON ROADS SANITATION DISTRICT - NEWPORT NEWS, VA
WATER OR WATER TREATMENT PLANT CATEGORY
CLEARY CONSTRUCTION INC., TOMPKINSVILLE, KY
METRO IDIQ 96-INCH NORTH SECONDARY EFFLUENT CONVEYANCE
METRO WATER SERVICES - NASHVILLE, TN
EXCAVATION SITE DEVELOPMENT
HUNTER CONTRACTING CO., GILBERT, AZ
TWIN PEAKS RATTLESNAKE PASS WIDENING
TOWN OF MARANA - MARANA, AZ
WATER DISTRIBUTION CATEGORY
GARNEY CONSTRUCTION, FAIRFAX, VA
P232, P233, & P234 POTABLE WATER LINES & ENERGETICS PRODUCTION FIRE SUPPRESSION LINE REPLACEMENT
NAVAL FACILITIES ENGINEERING SYSTEMS COMMAND - INDIAN HEAD, MD
WATER OR WATER TREATMENT PLANT CATEGORY
GARNEY CONSTRUCTION, FAIRFAX, VA
THE OCCOQUAN RIVER CROSSING TRANSMISSION MAIN
FAIRFAX WATER - OCCOQUAN, VA
SANITARY SEWER COLLECTION CATEGORY
J.F. WILKERSON CONTRACTING, MORRISVILLE, NC
WEST NEUSE INTERCEPTOR
CITY OF RALEIGH - RALEIGH, NC
GARNEY CONSTRUCTION, VIRGINIA BEACH, VA
JAMES RIVER CROSSING
HAMPTON ROADS SANITATION DISTRICT - NEWPORT NEWS, VA