Midwest Mole's David Howell Named 2026 NUCA Chairman
According to Trenchless Technology, David Howell of Midwest Mole, an Indianapolis-area underground utility contractor, has been named chairman of the National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) for 2026.
Background and Industry Standing
Howell joined Midwest Mole in 2004 as a field engineer, when the company was approximately 22 years old and transitioning to second-generation leadership under Dan Liotti. Over his career at the firm, he has held roles spanning project engineering, estimating, project management, and safety director, giving him broad operational experience across the utility construction business.
His path into the industry started at Purdue University in Indianapolis, where he studied civil engineering technology and construction management after initially considering a pure engineering degree. Before joining Midwest Mole, he worked as a CAD technician and field inspector at Commonwealth Engineers, gaining hands-on exposure to water and sewer infrastructure projects. He credits an early influence, his stepfather’s view that utilities represent a stable sector because “people always need water and they always need to flush the toilet,” as a factor in his commitment to underground construction as a career.
What It Means for Subcontractors
- NUCA leadership shapes industry advocacy. With a contractor leading NUCA, subcontractors working in underground utilities, including HDD, auger boring, microtunneling, and vacuum excavation crews, have a chair with direct field experience influencing the association’s priorities.
- Safety and workforce development may get attention. Howell’s background as a former safety director suggests these issues could receive increased focus during his chairmanship, relevant to subcontractors managing OSHA compliance and field crew training.
- Trenchless specialists should track NUCA activity. Companies providing pipe rehabilitation, directional drilling, or water and sewer construction services should monitor NUCA policy positions and contracting guidance under the new leadership.
- Indiana and Midwest operators have a regional voice. Subcontractors in the Midwest utility corridor may find stronger regional representation in national industry discussions during Howell’s term.
