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14 THE DAVEY BULLETIN | May/June 2024 DRG TEAM HELPS BRING INTERNET TO NORTHEASTERN VIGINIA through before and did not have set guidelines, to provide internet to some who had never had access to it, is a point of pride for his team and Davey, and that ties into the employee ownership aspect of the company. "We are one team, and when we take ownership of our work, we should be proud of it," Forton said. "It really keeps me believing in this company." A Utility Asset Management services (UAM), Davey Resource Group (DRG) make-ready engineering team partnered with Northern Neck Electric Cooperative (NNEC) and All Points Broadband to bring broadband internet to rural communities in northeastern Virginia. The UAM DRG team collected utility pole data, performed engineering to facilitate fiber attachments, and managed construction. Over a two-year period, approximately 40 UAM DRG employees collected data on roughly 25,500 utility poles. This work included route development and review, ensuring compliance with National Electric Safety Code clearances, and application submissions. UAM DRG's Nicholas Forton, account manager, oversaw the project as project manager and was the construction coordinator; Kyle Phillips, project manager, led data collection on the poles, and acted as lead field supervisor; and Dominic Krout, project manager, was an applications coordinator at the start of the project, overseeing the route review and applications, later taking the All Points Broadband aspect of the project over from Forton. Forton said, in the bigger picture, seeing that many employees come together on a process they had not been Davey Resource Group employees are pictured using a height stick to virtually measure a utility pole and its components. 1. When did you join Davey and what was your title and service line? I joined Davey in June 2018 as a utility systems specialist on the Ohio Edison Make Ready project. 2. What was your role in the Northern Neck Electric Cooperative and All Points Broadband project? My role has primarily been serving as the key point of contact and liaison between both entities. Drawing inspiration and learning from the expertise of the then project manager, Nicholas Forton, I've developed into this role with a focus on effective communication and collaboration. My aim has been Dominic Krout project manager Utility Asset Management services Davey Resource Group to facilitate seamless coordination and ensure the project progresses smoothly, ultimately contributing to the success of bringing broadband access to underserved rural areas. 3. What advice would you give to others for being successful at Davey? Say "yes" to the opportunities given to you. Take the leap and trust in the process. 4. What is a tip you might use on a project to get it done? The biggest tip I can give is "documentation, documentation, documentation," as that is the key to getting any project done. MEET DOMINIC KROUT MISSION

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