Dustin Kleinman

Distribution Engineer II

Mr. Kleinman graduated from The Citadel in 2010 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering. Originally from North Carolina, Mr. Kleinman was brought on because of his knowledge of Electrical engineering and prior experience in telecommunications which are valuable attributes to UtilityPros and our clients.

Eric Rodriguez

Engineering Team Leader

Mr. Rodriguez graduated from North Carolina State University in 2013 with a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering. Eric’s experience includes professional office management within the survey engineering and computer aided drafting and design (CADD) fields he obtained working with a small business firm in Rocky Mount, North Carolina. Mr. Rodriguez brings his knowledge of Electrical Engineering and prior experience in maintaining positive client relationships and on-time service delivery, to UtilityPros clients.

Steven St.Surin

Associate Distribution Engineer

Mr. St.Surin earned his Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of South Florida in 2023. Alongside his engineering expertise, he has experience in 2D and 3D CAD design. Steven is a proactive team player with excellent communication and customer service skills, demonstrating a strong ability to foster relationships with clients and address their needs efficiently.

Nicholas DeSantis, P.E.

Transmission Engineer

Mr. DeSantis has over 40 years’ experience in all aspects of Transmission Line Engineering for voltages ranging from 69kV to 500 kV. Responsibilities included economic route / site selection, structural design, bill of material requirements, permit requirements, real estate requirements, survey requirements, right-of-way clearing requirements, foreign utility coordination, outside consultant coordination, local, federal and state agency coordination, vendor evaluation and selection, contract construction bid packages, standards development. He has extensive knowledge of industry standards and has actively participated in various National Standards Committees, most notably the 2002 Edition of the National Electrical Safety Code, ASCE Manual 74 and is currently a member of ANSI C29 Insulator Standards Committee

Dale Kniffin

Vice President of Telecommunications

Mr. Kniffin holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree with a concentration in Project Management (BSBA-PM) from Strayer University. He began his career in the United States Navy as an Electricians Mate, responsible for managing the daily maintenance of all the ship board electrical distribution systems with aboard the USS MIssouri-BB63. After serving for 6 years, he began his career with Verizon as an Installation/Repair Tech. Over the 16 years that followed, he gained experience and knowledge in telecommunication copper and fiber optic placing, splicing, maintenance, and design engineering, ending his career with Verizon as an OSP Engineer, responsible for all aspects of engineering in the Fredericksburg, Spotsylvania, Stafford, and Hartwood wire centers. Mr. Kniffin joined UtilityPros in 2005 and brings his expertise of telecommunications and electrical engineering. 

David Nelson

Director, Telecommunication Engineering

Mr. Nelson manages daily operations, providing telecommunications consulting and engineering services. In his role as director he is also responsible for coordinating all of the dry utilities, including electric and gas, while working with our clients to deliver those services on time and on budget. Mr. Nelson brings over 43 years experience in dry utility design and engineering to UtilityPros. Before joining UtilityPros he worked for Verizon Communications doing telecommunications design, right of way engineering, pole and underground design engineering, and micro station design. The majority of his career was spent with C&P Telephone Company (also known as Bell Atlantic, Verizon and Frontier Communications) where he held several different positions. His experience includes equipment supplying, electronic switch engineering, lineman, and splicing. He ended his tenure with Verizon as an Engineer. He designed outside plant including pole lines, conduit systems, air pressure, highway work, and high tech equipment for high speed systems.

Paul Gestwick

Manager of Distribution Engineering and Construction

Mr. Gestwick achieved an Associate in Applied Science - Electronics from J. Sargent Reynold Community College and then received a Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering Technology from Old Dominion University. Mr. Gestwick worked at various companies building, testing, and installing different types of machines from uninterruptable power supplies, to liquid filling, and cigarette manufacturing and packaging equipment before obtaining a position as an engineering assistant for Verizon. Mr. Gestwick started at Verizon in the Circuit Provision Center. Then moved on to the Network Operation Center designing long haul carriers, optical network rings, node adds, and Litespan 2000 cabinet deployments. After 6 years, Mr. Gestwick moved on to Outside Plant Operations where he was responsible for all relocations, pole line applications, and new service coordination from Cumberland in the West to Waverly in the East and from the James River to the North to McKenny in the South. Mr. Gestwick joined the UtilityPros team in 2022 bringing his vast knowledge of title research and communications expertise to the team. 

Joe Landon

Manager, Gas Engineering

Mr. Landon graduated from The Citadel in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining UtilityPros, he spent 16 years working in construction management and accounting and 16 years in property management. Mr. Landon joined UtilityPros in 2014 and brings valuable knowledge and skills to our Construction Management team.

Rand Sompayrac

Director of Construction

Mr. Sompayrac joins UtilityPros with a wealth of knowledge and experience in a variety of fields that prove invaluable as the Director of Construction. Mr. Sompayrac is a graduate of the Virginia Military Institute. His previous experience with Hazel Land Companies, Inc. as the Director of Residential Sales and Marketing brings a valuable set of skills including budget management, market analysis, and development of large master planned communities. Mr. Sompayrac also has previous experience as a contractor for the Federal Government managing advanced military technologies for the US Army’s Technology Security Project. As a previous small business owner, Mr. Sompayrac understands the financial and regulatory nuances of running a business, optimizing cash-flow, and managing personnel. All of his experiences have given him the tools to work with our client’s and their teams to successfully complete the dry utility construction portion of their projects.

Joe Landon

Manager, Construction

Mr. Landon graduated from The Citadel in 1979 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration. Prior to joining UtilityPros, he spent 16 years working in construction management and accounting and 16 years in property management. Mr. Landon joined UtilityPros in 2014 and brings valuable knowledge and skills to our Construction Management team.

Tony Milam

Manager, CAD Engineering

Mr. Milam has 24 years of experience in the Drafting field in all genres including Civil, Mechanical, Architectural, Structural, and Electrical. He has an Associate’s Degree in Computer Aided Drafting Design Technology from ITT Technical Institute. Mr. Milam has a strong background in Civil for Communications survey, design, and preparation of detailed drawings for Permitting, Easements, and Construction. He also has experience in management over small groups of CADD Technicians, Installation Technicians, and Utility Construction crews. With UtilityPros Mr. Milam manages the CAD Department and is responsible for managing the day to day operations and scheduling of the design work load.

Director Client Services

Dawn Leidy

Sr. Client Services Administrator

Ms. Leidy has been in the accounting services field since 1994. Previously a Budget Specialist for 7 years at the Federal Judicial Center, she managed various deposit accounts and served as liaison between vendors and the accounting department. Dawn has been with UtilityPros for 6 years serving as a Senior Client Services Administrator, supporting the management of the financial tracking system, monthly billing, and client services. Dawn holds a Bachelor’s of Science Degree from Virginia Tech.