Know Your Candidate
Daniel Beckett
Daniel is a Technical Trainer with 37 years of experience in the communications industry. His background includes Operations Maintenance, OSP Construction and Engineering. He is passionate about helping others grow and succeed through learning and personal development, especially in the areas of safety, efficiency and practical industry knowledge. He was born and raised in rural central Ohio. Daniel lives with Karen, his wife of 35 years. Together they have two adult sons and five grandchildren. His greatest joys are Christian music ministry, spending time with family and being outdoors. Daniel also serves on staff at his local church as Worship Director.
Rob Clabaugh
Rob is an Operations Leader with Lumen Technologies with more than 30 years of leadership experience in telecommunications, infrastructure and network operations. He is proud to currently serve on the OHIO811 Board of Trustees as Chairman of the Audit Committee and as an active member of the Board Development and Facilities Committees. He is committed to advancing safe excavation practices, protecting Ohio’s underground infrastructure and supporting OHIO811’s long-term strategic success through strong governance, operational excellence and industry collaboration.
Nicholas Corcoran
Nick has been an OHIO811 Trustee since 2022 and an Alternate Trustee since 2019. He is currently serving on the Corporate Governance Committee and the Operations Committee. His day job is the Engineering Technician Supervisor for the City of Cincinnati Department of Transportation and Engineering. I look forward to continuing my association with OHIO811 and working to keep Ohio safe.
Deanna Dewitt
Deanna is the Manager of Joint Use & Cable Locating at FirstEnergy, where she has worked for nearly 20 years. She oversees contract negotiations and invoicing for pole attachments, manages the ticket screening process for underground damage prevention and maintains relationships with FirstEnergy’s contract locating companies across Ohio, Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey. Deanna serves on the boards of OHIO811 and PA811. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling with her husband, Ed.
Justin Freudeman
Justin started his career in telecommunications in 1997. Justin has been supported throughout his career by his beautiful wife, Christy and their 8 kids and 2 grandkids, Madilynn (26yrs old), Sydney (25yrs old), Lyvia (25yrs old), Justin II (24yrs old), Brandon (23yrs old), Brady (20yrs old), AJ (15yrs old), Nadia (14yrs old), grandson Blake (10yrs old), and granddaughter Josie (3mnths old). Justin’s favorite thing to do is spend time with his family. His hobbies consist of anything outdoors, fishing, hiking, traveling, kayaking, motorcycling and sport shooting. He is a member of numerous clubs, mainly focusing on conservationism.
Chad Fritsch
Chad has been with Duke Energy for 37 years. His current role is General Manager, Technical Field Operations. He leads Technical Field Operations, overseeing approximately 250 employees and contingent workers. Responsible for the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of Duke Energy’s natural gas system across Ohio, Kentucky, North Carolina and South Carolina. He also serves on the Board of Trustees for the Ohio Gas Association. His previous work experience with Duke is eight years as Managing Director, Customer Field Operations; five years as Manager of Field Operations; 13 years as Supervisor, Field Operations; four years as Gas Controller; four years as Gas Control Technician; and two years as Electric Generation Instrument and Controls Technician.
Don Huck
Don currently serves on the Board of Trustees for OHIO811. He has served on various committees of OHIO811 since the Ohio oil and gas producers became members. Don currently serves on the Corporate Governance, Governmental Relations and Operations Committees for the Ohio Oil and Gas Association and the Technical Advisory Council for Oil and Gas. He has spent the last 20-1/2 years working as Exploration Manager for Artex Oil Company in Marietta, Ohio. Don received a B.S. Degree in Petroleum Engineering from Marietta College in 1987 and currently resides in Lancaster, Ohio.
Joel Johnson
My name is Joel Johnson and I have had the honor of serving as an OHIO811 Trustee for the past six years, representing the governmental industry. I am currently in my second year as Chairperson of the Governmental Relations Committee and serve as a voting member on several other OHIO811 committees and subcommittees. In my full-time role with Columbus Water & Power, I am entering my seventh year as the Damage Prevention Program Manager and have been employed with the organization for more than ten years. I strongly believe in the OHIO811 process and remain committed to promoting safe excavation practices across our state. I look forward to continuing to do everything I can to help ensure Ohio remains a national leader in safe digging and damage prevention.
Russell Johnson
Russ is an employee of TC Energy/Columbia Gas Transmission where he serves as a Land Representative, supporting front-line operations. He works proactively each day with landowners, developers and governmental agencies to help identify and protect underground facilities, preventing damage and promoting safe excavation practices. Russ serves on the Finance and Executive Committees and is Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee. He currently holds the position of Vice Chair. Outside of work, Russ is actively involved with Green Local Schools in Smithville, Ohio and Wayne Presbyterian Church.
Deron Large
I have been honored to serve on the OHIO811 Board of Trustees for the past six years and remain committed to advancing damage prevention, protecting underground infrastructure and strengthening collaboration among industry stakeholders across Ohio. Professionally, I serve as Senior Manager of OSP Field Operations for altafiber, overseeing multimillion-dollar construction and service delivery programs. My experience includes strategic planning, budgeting, contractor management, regulatory compliance and operational improvement. Throughout my career, I have managed capital budgets exceeding $25 million, negotiated complex contracts and led initiatives that delivered measurable operational and financial results. I hold an MBA in Finance from Northern Kentucky University and maintain PMP, Lean Six Sigma Black Belt and Certified Project Manager certifications. It would be a privilege to continue serving OHIO811 and its members.
James Mandera
Jim has been an employee of Enbridge Gas Ohio for the past 27 years. Jim currently holds the position of Damage Prevention Consultant and is responsible for managing their one-call ticket management system, managing Enbridge’s contract locating companies and is one of Enbridge’s representatives to the CGA. He sits on the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition (OUPDC). Jim has a Bachelor of Science Degree from IUP and a MBA from Keller’s School of Management. He lives in Medina with wife, Candice and their three children, Madelyn, Avery and William.
Kyle McLeod
Kyle is the Manager of Damage Prevention at NiSource/Columbia Gas of Ohio where he leads initiatives focused on enhancing public safety, protecting critical infrastructure and driving operational excellence. Throughout his career, he has been dedicated to advancing damage prevention through strategic leadership, cross-functional collaboration and a commitment to continuous improvement. With experience spanning damage prevention operations, safety programs and performance management, Kyle brings both tactical expertise and an enterprise-wide perspective to complex challenges. His work is rooted in a passion for protecting communities and fostering a culture of safety. Kyle lives in Columbus, Ohio with his wife, Sarah and daughter, Maggie.
Scott Mergler
Scott Mergler has dedicated over three decades to the damage prevention industry, bringing a wealth of experience and unwavering commitment to safety. With more than 26 years at AT&T, Scott has become a passionate advocate for protecting Ohio’s communities and infrastructure. His drive to elevate safety standards and foster collaboration has led Scott to serve as the Chairman of OHIO811, actively guiding initiatives that support damage prevention statewide. Scott also lends his expertise as a member of the Underground Technical Committee (UTC), continually working to encourage best practices and innovation. Scott’s focus remains steadfast in ensuring safety for all within the industry and Scott is proud to help shape Ohio’s damage prevention efforts for the future.
Seamus Mulligan
I have 35 years of utility experience, including 13 years with Columbia Gas of Ohio, two years with the PUCO, six years with Northeast Ohio Natural Gas and 14 years with The Energy Cooperative. The Energy Cooperative is an electric, natural gas and propane cooperative located in Central Ohio that serves 75,000 member accounts. I was an alternate on the OHIO811 board for seven years and a trustee for the last seven years, including the last five sitting on the Executive Committee. I am honored to serve OHIO811 and its members.
Bridger Oberg
Bridger Oberg is the Damage Prevention Manager at Metronet. He leads contractor damage prevention programs, utility strike investigations, safety training and compliance initiatives. He develops damage prevention policies and training materials while working with contractors and field leadership to improve safe excavation practices. Bridger holds a Civil Engineering Technology Certificate from DMACC, has completed the State University of New York’s Energy Production, Distribution & Safety specialization and earned his OSHA 30 General Industry certification. He currently serves as a Trustee on the OHIO811 Board and participates in industry organizations and conferences. Bridger is committed to promoting collaboration, education, and continuous improvement to help make Ohio a safer place to dig.
Elizabeth Pyles
Elizabeth Pyles serves as Utilities Supervisor for the Franklin County Engineer’s Office where she oversees utility coordination, right-of-way permitting and damage prevention efforts throughout Franklin County. With more than a decade of experience in the damage prevention industry, she has been an active leader within the Central Ohio Damage Prevention Council, serving in officer roles since 2021 and currently as Chair. Outside of her professional responsibilities, Elizabeth volunteers as a Court Appointed Special Advocate (CASA) advocating for the best interests of children involved in the court system.
Blake Ross
Blake Ross is a field technician with Marathon PipeLine. He has been with Marathon for 19 years and brings more than 25 years of experience in pipeline safety and maintenance. Blake works daily with landowners, utility locators, excavators and other utility operators. Blake has served on the OHIO811 Board since 2020 and currently holds an at-large position on the Executive Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Public Education and Outreach Committee. In addition, he is an active member of the Ohio Utilities Damage Prevention Coalition. Blake holds a degree from Hocking College and is committed to leveraging his experience and expertise to help keep Ohio a safe place to work and live, serving as a dedicated advocate for public safety.
Leslie Schell
Blake Ross is a field technician with Marathon PipeLine. He has been with Marathon for 19 years and brings more than 25 years of experience in pipeline safety and maintenance. Blake works daily with landowners, utility locators, excavators and other utility operators. Blake has served on the OHIO811 Board since 2020 and currently holds an at-large position on the Executive Committee. He also serves as Chair of the Public Education and Outreach Committee. In addition, he is an active member of the Ohio Utilities Damage Prevention Coalition. Blake holds a degree from Hocking College and is committed to leveraging his experience and expertise to help keep Ohio a safe place to work and live, serving as a dedicated advocate for public safety.
Mary Logan So
Mary Logan So is Vice President of Safety and Employee Development for George J. Igel & Co., Inc. She has more than 20 years of experience in construction safety and is actively involved in multiple safety and utility protection initiatives, including serving the Ohio Contractors Association (OCA) and the Ohio Utilities Damage Prevention Coalition, where she co-chairs the Abandoned Lines subcommittee. Mary holds a degree from Otterbein University and has built a career focused on preventing workplace injuries, promoting safety training and advocating better utility protection practices. Her work bridges contractor operations, legislative advocacy and community safety initiatives.
Thomas Travis
Tom has proudly served as an OHIO811 Trustee for the past six years, contributing to the organization’s mission of eliminating damage to member facilities and promoting safety across Ohio. He serves a role on the Technology and Governmental Relations Committees. Tom has been employed with Frontier Communications for sixteen years and has served as a General Manager and Local Manager. He is responsible for the network and teams in North Central, Central and South Central Ohio. Tom is enthusiastic about his continued involvement and growth with OHIO811, recognizing the importance of their work in promoting safety and awareness throughout Ohio.
Michael Wilson
Mike Wilson has been a trustee of OHIO811 since 2021 and serves as the Natural Gas Distribution Representative to the Board. I presently serve on the Corporate Governance Committee and Chair the Board Development Committee. In addition to attending and participating in the quarterly trustee meetings and committee meetings, I also co-chair the Ohio Underground Damage Prevention Coalition (OUDPC) and participate in various other programs sponsored by OHIO811.
