Page 11 - TX811 2022 issue 4

Damage Prevention Council of Texas
2022 Andy Hoel Excellence In Damage Prevention Award
John Sparks, DPC of Texas (left) presents Andy Hoel award to John Cannon, Mears Group
The Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award
is the Damage Prevention Council of Texas’ top honor, recognizing one champion selected from the best across Texas. The DPC board of directors created this annual legacy award in 2020 to recognize up-and- coming damage prevention champions in the industry. The late Andy Hoel
was a man who was always willing to offer a helping hand, saw everyone as his friend, and was passionate about damage prevention. Our journey
with Andy began in January 2015
when Plains All-American Pipeline assigned him responsibility for damage prevention of their Southwestern Division crude oil pipeline assets. Andy was an active participant in multiple damage prevention council chapters, encouraging excavators, other operators, and all stakeholders to attend, engage, and build our membership base for
a common purpose. Andy routinely volunteered for regional DPC events such as the Eagle Ford Safety & Equipment Rodeo Roundup. Andy
was also instrumental in planning and executing damage prevention events in Pearsall and George West. He served on the DPC of Texas board of directors until his untimely death in 2019.
The 2022 Andy Hoel Award Candidates:
• Mike Culp – ATMOS Energy – WEST-TX
• John Cannon – Mears Group
• Shade Spencer – Midcoast Energy
Our winner, John Cannon has a
long history with the DPC of Texas, beginning his relationship with DPC
in 2007, and serving as President of
the Central Texas chapter for several years representing heavy highway contractors and the AGC of Texas.
John has a knack for bridging the gap between excavators and operators. He effectively convinces excavators to take their seats at the table, helping foster a team dynamic with all stakeholders. To our benefit, our winner’s expertise isn’t limited to the underground construction industry, as he is highly effective at spreading our message to the public
through community outreach through the church, school events, and other unique and innovative methods.
A career safety professional in the infrastructure construction industry,
his experience includes industrial, heavy civil, utility infrastructure, telecommunications, and commercial construction. In addition to safety programs under his purview over the years, he has effectively influenced other construction safety professionals to integrate damage prevention into their respective company safety management systems. Fifteen years after his journey with DPC began,
John is back in Austin, employed by Mears Group, managing the safety of telecommunications construction crews, and serving once again as President of the Central Texas chapter bringing his passion for helping us meet our mission to facilitate underground utility & pipeline damage prevention, excavator and public safety.
Please help us congratulate – our 2022 Andy Hoel Award Winner: JOHN CANNON.
2022, Issue 4 Texas811 • 9