Excavator and Locator of the Year Awards
The Outstanding Excavator & Locator Awards recognize the best partners in damage prevention in the State of Nebraska. One Excavator and One Locating Technician will receive a plaque, embroidered jacket and $150 gift card presented annually at the Excavation Safety Summit. Safety Summit committee members, One Call Board members and Nebraska industry representatives select the winners from the nominations received.
Nominations accepted through February 10. Click HERE to submit a nomination.
Winners of the 2022 award were announced at the 2023 Nebraska Excavation Safety Summit.
Congratulations to Mark Wrede, Excavator of the Year and Pete Suski, Locator of the Year.
The Following Individuals Were NOMINATED FOR LOCATOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2022
- Bill Nitzsche, Norris Public Power
- Brendyn Woolley, Consolidated Telephone
- Chris Thompson – Fastwyre
- Darin Korth, AT&T
- Dick Costello MUD
- Gilbert Bleich, Black Hills Energy – Honorable Mention
- Jeff Davis, Tallgrass Energy
- Jeremy Long, Tallgrass Energy
- Jimmy Chapman, Lincoln Transportation and Utilities
- Joseph (aka Joey ) Garcia, Stake Center
- Justin Muhle, Black Hills Energy
- Kelley Hannan, TJ Cable – Honorable Mention
- Nathan Blomenberg City of David City
- Nolan Opheim USIC
- Pete Suski, Metropolitan Utilities District- WINNER
- Tony Knollenberg, Black Hills Energy
The Following Individuals Were NOMINATED FOR EXCAVATOR OF THE YEAR FOR 2022
- Eric Lueth, Consolidated Telephone
- Jeff Dickinson, TJ Cable
- Jesus Munoz, JJ Drilling – Honorable Mention
- Justin Peterson, Bauer Underground
- Mark Wrede, Black Hills Energy – WINNER
- Mick Shipley, City of David City Electric Dept
- Mike Gundersen, NDOT
- Russell Tripp, Black Hills Energy – Honorable Mention
Outstanding Excavator & Utility Locator In Nebraska Were Awarded To The Following Individuals
Golden Shovel – Excavator Of The Year
- 2022 – Mark Wrede, Black Hills Energy, Lincoln, NE
- 2021 – CJ Lind, General Excavating, Lincoln, NE
- 2020 – Hugo Perez, LTU-Water, Lincoln, NE
- 2019 – Gary Christensen, Midland Trenching, Omaha, NE
- 2018 – Harold Brei, Grand Island Utilities – Grand Island, NE
- 2017 – Bill Froemel, TSI Mechanical – Omaha, NE
- 2016 – Chuck Lonowski, D&A Trenching – Alda, NE
- 2015 – Dave Geiger, Geiger Construction – Sidney, NE
Golden Spray Can – Locator Of The Year
- 2022 – Pete Suski, Metropolitan Utilities District, Omaha, NE
- 2021 – Shawn Lankton, Magellan – Omaha, NE
- 2020 – Joe Stock, Metropolitan Utilities District – Omaha, NE
- 2019 – Tom Vacek, Metropolitan Utilities District – Omaha, NE
- 2018 – Kenny Morris, Tallgrass Energy – Kearney, NE
- 2017 – Steve Kovar, Enbridge – Beatrice, NE
- 2016 – Albert Frewing – NuStar Energy, Norfolk NE
- 2015 – Sue Zarek, Hastings Utilities – Hastings, NE
2021 Locator of the Year – Shawn Lankton, Magellan – Omaha, NE.
2020 Locator of the Year – Joe Stock, Metropolitan Utilities District – Omaha, NE.
2019 Locator of the Year – Tom Vacek, Metropolitan Utilities District
2019 Excavator of the Year – Gary Christensen, Midland Trenching, Omaha, NE.
2016 Locator of the Year – Albert Frewing, Nustar Energy, Norfolk, NE.
2016 Excavator of the Year – Chuck Lonowski, D&A Trenching
2015 Excavator of the Year – Dave Geiger
2015 – Sue Zarek, Hastings Utilities – Hastings, NE