It’s that time again for another Hylan Family Blog! This month we journeyed down to the Virginia area to Down Under Construction (DUC) and spoke to Master Electrician and Foreman Laurence Williams. Read on to learn more about Laurence and his time with DUC!
What led you to your position at Down Under Construction (DUC)? How long have you worked there?
I was working for a different company and we were using DUC as a subcontractor. Something about DUC really stood out to me, so when I left my previous company, I immediately called Daryl Dunbar, President to ask if he needed anyone. He did, and the rest is history! I’ve now been with DUC for six years.
What does your role as Master Electrician/Foreman entail at DUC?
Primarily I work on the wireless side doing work with small cells. I also support the underground division while they’re doing outside work. They used to have to give it away to a different contractor for the inside portion but now we do the inside portion as well.
What do you most enjoy about working for DUC, and Hylan as a whole?
I really enjoy the wireless part of it! I’m an electrician, and it helps me integrate what they’re doing into my other work. Plus, I’m learning more about cellular equipment and RF equipment, which is a huge bonus and very exciting to me. I love just learning new stuff.
What project and/or accomplishment are you most proud of with your work at DUC?
One that comes to mind immediately is a project we did at Leesburg Outlet Mall. We installed these new light poles that had antennas on them. The job was really intense and challenging, and I really enjoyed working on it.
What are you most looking forward to in 2021 and beyond with DUC?
I am really excited to continue learning more about how the cellular network works! Being a part of those kinds of builds is really interesting to me.
Where do you live?
I live in Clinton, Maryland. I’m from Baltimore and my wife’s family is from Virginia, so we ended up in Clinton because that’s in the middle.
Where did you go to school or get training?
I completed my apprenticeship in Baltimore with Associated Builders and Contractors. That was my four years of apprenticeship for my electrical background.
If you could address young college graduates or apprentices who are interested in a career with DUC or a similar company, what’s the best advice you can give them?
Stick with it! Every day is not going to be groundbreaking, some days it’s going to be hard work digging a hole! But other days you will get to see how the technology works and have a chance to really learn something.
Now, just to get a little personal! Tell us what you like to do in your free time.
I enjoy spending time with my family, including my 17-year-old daughter and when I have free time you’ll find me constantly renovating my home. I do most of the work myself and try to utilize the experience and training I gathered throughout my career but there’s always a puzzle or problem I’m faced with the keeps me challenged, motivated and looking for the next project.
As you can see, Laurence is a dedicated and curious Hylan family member. Of his impressive work ethic, his Supervisor, Chris Moore, had the following to say: “Laurence is very interested in the work we do, which really makes him a valuable employee. When he is on the job, you can really tell he cares and pays attention to detail. He is a key part to the success of all projects he works on.”
We thank Laurence for his dedication and for being yet another key member of the Hylan family. DUC just wouldn’t be DUC without him!