Young Trenchless Professionals Making their Mark

The trenchless industry is no longer young. With industry pioneers and seasoned veterans retiring, the industry’s “future leaders” are already here — and making a difference.

The professionals featured in this year’s Young Trenchless Professionals package have moved well beyond the up-and-coming stage. They are leading companies, divisions and major projects, influencing business decisions and advancing the technologies that keep the industry moving forward. They are the stewards of trenchless technology’s long-term future — and they are ready for the responsibility!

What sets this group — and hundreds of others like them — apart is not only what they have accomplished, but how they are paying it forward. Passionate about trenchless technology and the people behind it, they are investing theIr time and expertise in the next generation of professionals who will one day take their place.

They are builders, innovators, mentors and advocates — and they represent the present who are impacting the future of trenchless leadership.

Let’s meet them!

• Nikolas Magill, President, Avanti International
• George Gutierrez, P.E., Project Executive, Northeast Remsco Construction
• Claudia Law, Vice President at MTC, an Azuria Water Solutions company
• Ashley Galagusz, Northwest Tunnel Practice Lead, Black & Veatch
• Travis Savy, Chief Operating Officer, Savy & Sons

Nikolas Magill, President, Avanti International

Nikolas Magill knew he would one day lead the company his grandfather David Magill founded more than 45 years ago. He just didn’t realize he would take those company reins in 2026 at the age of 25.

Avanti International and the Magill name are synonymous with injection grouting and trenchless technology. David Magill passed away in 2014, and his son Daniel ran the company for a time. When the opportunity came knocking for Nikolas Magill in January of this year to step into the role as its president, he was ready for the challenge.

“I have been intentionally developing my business acumen and learning both the people and the industry in preparation for leading the Avanti team,” Magill says. “As president, I represent the third generation of the Magill family in this role. I was initially drawn to the industry because of its unique combination of technical complexity and practical problem-solving. Ultimately, what has kept me committed is the people. The individuals in this industry are genuine, hardworking, and deeply committed to what they do.”

Magill graduated from the University of Houston with bachelor’s and master’s degrees in business administration with an emphasis on leadership and entrepreneurship. Leading a legacy company such as Avanti brings tremendous responsibility. Magill believes in himself and the next generation of the trenchless industry who are stepping into mighty large shoes as industry vets retire.

“The industry is changing and trenchless veterans are beginning to retire,” he says. “Given the level of importance weighing on the trenchless industry, it’s incredibly important that the next generation of trenchless professionals is well equipped to handle the continuously growing demand for trenchless solutions. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to be working as part of the solution in the fight for more sustainable solutions to our deteriorating infrastructure.”

What has Magill gleaned from the veterans of his company and the industry? A lot during his relatively short time at the helm.

“Working alongside experienced professionals has reinforced the importance of collaboration, even among competitors, for the betterment of the industry as a whole,” he says. “I have also learned the value of knowledge sharing and mentorship. At Avanti, we emphasis education and as a core principle and that philosophy is rooted in the example set by those who have come before me.”

An example of Magill’s commitment to collaboration and information sharing is Avanti’s long-standing involvement with NASSCO, a partnership that has spanned more than 40 years.

“NASSCO holds a special place within Avanti’s history. [We have] been an active member and contributor for more than 40 years, including involvement in the Grouting Committee,” he says. “My grandfather and uncle both served on the board and I hope to one day follow in their footsteps. Participation in organizations like NASSCO is important because it fosters collaboration, establishes industry standards, and creates opportunities to learn from others while contributing to the advancement of the field.”

The trenchless industry has evolved over the years, and Magill is looking forward to what the future brings for the injection grouting market.

“The trenchless industry overall is strong and continuing to grow. Avanti resides within the injection grouting. This sector is still often viewed as niche, despite its significant value,” Magill says. “At Avanti we see grouting as a critical component of successful rehabilitation projects. It is essential to address infiltration before applying lining or coating systems. Additionally, there is currently a heavy reliance on reactive grouting, whereas a more proactive approach can help extend asset life, reduce long-term costs, and improve overall performance.”

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George Gutierrez, P.E., Project Executive, Northeast Remsco Construction

George Gutierrez, P.E., joined the trenchless technology ranks by, in his words, “seizing the opportunity.” And once he did, Gutierrez knew he was where he was supposed to be all along.

He started working for Northeast Remsco Construction (NRC) after graduating from Virginia Tech in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering. Initially, he worked in NRC’s utility and treatment plant divisions on projects in New Jersey and New York. In 2016, he was offered an opportunity to work with NRC’s vice president of trenchless, Rich Palmer to help with estimating and managing our trenchless work.

“Since then, I have been involved in all things trenchless for NRC,” Gutierrez says. “I did not start working at NRC with the intention of to work in the trenchless division. The work always sparked my interest. I was just asked to be a part of other project teams for the first six years of my career. Once I heard there was a need in our trenchless division for a project engineer, I jumped on the opening.”

The reason he finds trenchless work — specifically microtunneling — so intriguing is simple: we don’t really know what’s beneath the surface.

“There are more than a handful of reasons that the trenchless industry piqued my interest initially,” Gutierrez says. “The main reason was the question of ‘How do we know what’s under the ground surface?’ I quickly learned that the answer is we don’t. The excitement is in putting in the effort to best prepare for the expected conditions and the need to adjust on the fly to the actual conditions. Ten years later, the desire to be challenged, deal with the unknown and need to react expeditiously in a high stakes environment has not left me.”

As a true trenchless contractor, NRC and its sister company Huxted Trenchless, are skilled in about every trenchless application to solve an underground problem whether it’s microtunneling, horizontal directional drilling, auger boring, etc. Gutierrez credits the colleagues around him for NRC’s success, as well as his own, describing their wealth of experience and knowledge as unmatched.

Though it feels like only yesterday that he graduated college, Gutierrez views his place among the next generation of trenchless leaders as both an honor and a responsibility, particularly when it comes to mentoring those entering the industry.

“My mentors are winding down their careers, and I am now in a position to fulfill that same role for the next wave of trenchless professionals, which is not something I take lightly,” he says.

He notes that the industry veterans who took him under their wing had an extraordinary impact on his career, driving home the fact to expect the unexpected.

“The number of times I have heard, ‘I have never seen this before’ or ‘This has never happened before’ is unbelievable,” Gutierrez says. “That is not a knock on those who are saying it, but rather a reinforcement that the trenchless world will never stop throwing you curveballs.”

What part of trenchless technology drives him each day? The short answer is that he has a desire to make an impact.

“In the trenchless industry, we can make tangible improvements to our communities’ infrastructure while making minimal impacts on the community and environment. I relish the opportunity to push the boundaries of our industry and raise the bar for the next project to hurdle.”

He also enjoys the camaraderie that the trenchless community shares. He is a board member of the North American Microtunnel Association and has served with the Mid-Atlantic Society of Trenchless Technology.

The involvement in industry organizations is important to me because, whether we see each other as allies or adversaries, we are all a part of the same community and it is our duty to positively represent and progress each other and the industry while we can,” Gutierrez says.

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Claudia Law, Vice President at MTC, an Azuria Water Solutions company

For Claudia Law, the trenchless industry is far more than a career — it is a calling. Over the years, she has immersed herself in the profession, evolving into one of its most passionate advocates and dedicating her professional life to advancing and promoting the industry she proudly serves.

“What initially drew me to the trenchless industry was the opportunity to be part of an industry that solves real-world infrastructure challenges in a smarter and more sustainable way,” Law says. “I was fascinated by the innovation behind trenchless technology and the impact it has on communities by minimizing disruption while improving critical infrastructure. Once I became involved, I quickly realized how collaborative and relationship-driven the industry was, which made it an exciting place to build a career.”

Today, Law is vice president of MTC, but has spent the bulk of career at several trenchless companies, taking on more leadership responsibilities at each stop. Her interest in sustainable, environmentally-friendly infrastructure construction goes back to her student-athlete years at Fordham University — where she played Division 1 softball and studied architecture.

Law is passionate about the value the trenchless industry delivers to communities in need of sustainable, cost-effective infrastructure solutions. She is equally inspired by the industry’s continued growth, driven by innovation, faster project delivery and increased collaboration.

“What excites me the most is being part of an industry that directly impacts public infrastructure and quality of life while continuing to push the innovation forward,” she says. “I also appreciate how interconnected the industry is — people genuinely work together to solve problems and advance the market as a whole.”

Working closely with customers and communities to improve their aging infrastructure is something Law thrives on in her trenchless role.

“In the sector I work in, there is a growing emphasis on customer partnership, responsiveness and delivering long-term value rather than simply providing products or services,” she explains. “The industry is becoming more sophisticated, data-driven and collaborative, which creates exciting opportunities for growth and innovation.”

Law’s commitment to the industry extends beyond her work with customers and communities. A member of NASTT since 2017, she has served on the Northeast Chapter board and currently sits on the Mid-Atlantic Chapter board. She enjoys the networking, exchange of ideas and opportunities to help advance the trenchless industry through her chapter involvement.

“Being involved in industry organizations is important to me because it creates opportunities to learn, collaborate and contribute to the future growth of the trenchless industry,” Law says. “These organizations bring together professionals from across the industry to share knowledge, promote innovation and help develop the next generation of leaders.”

Today, Law sees her role evolving from being part of the next generation to mentoring those who will follow. She takes that responsibility seriously, sharing the lessons she has learned from her own experience and from the industry veterans who guided her. For Law, investing in the next generation strengthens the future of the industry.

“One of the biggest lessons I have learned is the value of relationships and reputation,” she says. “The experienced professionals in this industry understand that trust, consistency, and follow through are critical to long-term success.

“I’ve also learned the importance of staying adaptable and never underestimating the value of hands-on field knowledge,” she adds. “There’s a tremendous amount of wisdom that comes from experience and I have been fortunate to learn from people who are passionate about sharing that knowledge.”

Law cannot say enough about the people who make up the trenchless industry, from each segment and sector.

“The best part is the people,” she says. “The trenchless industry has a unique sense of community where professionals genuinely support one another and share a common goal of improving infrastructure in smarter, more sustainable ways. It’s an industry that values innovation, relationships and practical problem-solving, which makes it incredibly rewarding to be a part of.”

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Ashley Galagusz, Northwest Tunnel Practice Lead, Black & Veatch

Ashley Galagusz landed in the trenchless industry by way of answering a job opening, after graduating from McGill University in Montreal, Quebec, in 2013. Her civil engineering degree came with a minor in environmental engineering. Tunneling and trenchless? She really had no knowledge of these disciplines but they sounded intriguing.

She has never looked back after accepting the position of tunnel engineer-in-training at Black & Veatch in Markham, Ontario. Now based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Galagusz has forged a successful career in tunneling, taking her from inside the tunnels to leadership roles within the industry.

“I didn’t plan on working in the trenchless industry. It was completely unexpected,” she says. “I had no idea what tunneling entailed at the time, but when I read the job description, it seemed like a good fit for me based on the courses that I had taken at McGill, such as geotechnical engineering and structural engineering. I applied for the job and ended up getting it. I haven’t looked back since then. The trenchless industry is an exciting industry to be in and I’m grateful that I found my way into it.”

And she doesn’t hold back when expressing how she feels about the profession that brings such motivation, joy and satisfaction — takes her underground, allowing her to get her hands dirty.

“Tunnels are fascinating! When I was searching for my first job …. I didn’t know much about tunneling, but the idea of designing underground structures and learning how to construct them was very intriguing,” Galagusz says. “Over 12 years later, I am still just as fascinated by tunnels as I was in the beginning. Getting to walk through a tunnel is exhilarating. I am someone who enjoys heights, so getting to ride in a crane basket down into a deep shaft and then walking through a tunnel is pure joy for me.”

She considers it a privilege to be a next generation trenchless professional and even more so as a woman in the tunneling field, which is still a male-dominated field.

“I am very proud to be a woman in this industry, and I am passionate about encouraging women to pursue and remain in engineering, especially in the tunneling and trenchless industry,” Galagusz says. “There is so much opportunity for women to succeed in this industry and to find meaning in the work. I know that I certainly do. I hope being a part of the next generation of trenchless professionals that I can inspire others to join the industry, too.”

Galagusz has been active in the Tunnelling Association of Canada (TAC) since the start of her career, viewing organizations like TAC as invaluable for building professional connections and sharing industry knowledge. She is also grateful for the guidance of tunneling veterans who helped shape her career, absorbing the lessons and insights that can only be gained through years of hands-on experience in the field.

“Some of the qualities that I have adopted from the seasoned vets of the industry include curiosity and humility,” she says. “There is still so much to learn after 12 years in this industry and that is exciting to me.”

Galagusz looks at the trenchless industry going forward with excitement, as the discipline grows in popularity, particularly in urban areas where space is limited.

“Working on projects that benefit society is very motivating to me,” she says. “Whether it is a new wastewater pumping station or a cooling water tunnel for a nuclear generating facility, these projects provide essential services to the public such as wastewater treatment and clean energy.”

She ends with this: “The best part of being a member of the trenchless technology industry is that I get to work on some of the coolest, most interesting infrastructure projects in the world.”

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Travis Savy, Chief Operating Officer, Savy & Sons

Travis Savy’s path to trenchless industry was not easy or was it a given. And it came to him before he reached 20 years old.

His trenchless journey began as a kid, with his older brother Ralph, spending summers and school breaks alongside their father and grandfather on construction sites. From building sewer manhole inverts to laying brick and mortar, Ralph and Travis learned the trade from the ground up. Ralph joined the family business full-time after high school, while Travis became a union journeyman lineman.

In 2007, their father’s unexpected passing changed everything. Rather than stepping away, Ralph, then 21, and Travis, 18, stepped up. Guided by the work ethic instilled by their family, they persevered through the challenges of ownership, keeping the business alive and learning how to lead it successfully. In the process, they discovered a lifelong passion for the industry.

“I didn’t come up through a traditional college path, and I came up through the work,” Savy says. “Learning from the field, from my dad and papa and my mistakes, from being around crews’ jobs, customers and figuring it out day by day.”

After their father died, Savy & Sons rebranded and, in 2018, added trenchless technology to its services. Through the bumps and bruises of learning how to run a company, Savy & Sons has flourished. And Savy found his career path, although it wasn’t always a given.

“I grew up around it. It’s family,” Savy says. “But just because you grow up in something doesn’t mean you stay in it. I chose it because I saw the opportunity to build something real.

This industry isn’t flashy. It’s dirty, it’s hard and most people don’t even know it exists, but it matters,” he adds. “We’re fixing infrastructure that people rely on every single day. That stuck with me.”

Savy enjoys what he does and it comes through whenever you speak with him. He loves the work, the problem-solving component, the technology and, more importantly, the impact their work has on the daily lives of their customers and teamwork it takes with his employees.

“No two jobs are the same,” he says. “You’ve got to think, adapt and figure it out in real time.

“And on the technology side — robotic cutters and lining systems — is powerful when executed correctly,” he continues. “We’re going underground and fixing problems without tearing up entire properties. That’s real value.”

Equally important to Savy are the relationships he has built through industry associations. The connections, conversations and collaborations have helped him grow as a trenchless professional while deepening his knowledge of the industry.

“You’ve got to stay connected to what’s going on in the industry, learn from others and also contribute,” he explains. “It keeps you sharp and helps push the whole industry forward, and not just your own company.”

Contributing to something larger than himself and helping shape the future of the trenchless industry is a key motivator for Savy. He also takes great pride in mentoring the next generation and building on the legacy established by those before him.

“It means responsibility,” he says. “There are guys in this industry who built it the hard way, with less technology, less support and a lot more trial and error. You’ve got to respect that.

“But being the next generation means we don’t just maintain it, we improve it — better systems, better communication, stronger leadership. [We must] raise the standard without losing the work ethic.”

Savy sees a bright future for trenchless technology, and he is honored to be a small part of the bridge to its long-term success.

“It’s growing fast. There’s a lot of opportunities. Infrastructure is aging and trenchless is becoming the go-to solution,” he says. “But there is also a gap. Not everyone is doing it right. You see inconsistencies in quality, training and communication. The companies that are going to win are the ones that can execute consistently, do what they say, do it right and stand behind it.”

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Sharon M. Bueno is editor of Trenchless Technology.

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