“I knew if I hired the right people in the field that it would just work, because it takes both the field and the office. You can’t be lacking in either one.”
Thus, Dana Hood, president of Underground Systems, Suwanee, Georgia, describes her decision to continue the business following her husband’s death in 2005. Her story unfolds in the video above.
Today, Underground Systems, with $5 million in annual revenues, excels in underground utilities, directional drilling, hydro excavation, private locating and underground power installation and repairs throughout the Atlanta area.
A major factor in Dana’s decision was her employees, who now number around 40. “My purpose is to take care of these people, to give them a steady job and somewhere where somebody cares,” she says.
Because of this, Dana emphasizes keeping jobs local so her crew can go home every night. In addition, unlike most construction firms, Underground Systems operates on a four-day work week.
Says her son Michael Hood, who serves as Underground Systems’ general manager, “I know a lot of companies that do power work, do a lot of traveling … but we are a little bit different and like everyone to go home to their family at night.”
Concludes Dana: “This is what I know, and what I’m good at. It’s exciting … and I couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.”
For that reason and more, Underground Systems was a finalist for Equipment World’s 2025 Contractor of the Year.
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00;00;00;01 - 00;00;15;16
Dana Hood
It's just been a growing industry and we keep trying to change as the industry changes. That's while we're still growing and we're gonna keep growing.
00;00;15;18 - 00;00;48;28
Dana Hood
But when I was 18 years old, met my, future husband. And at that particular time, he did work in the cable industry. Some of the things he did, he had, vibratory power that buried phone drops in cable jobs and also inside wiring of multi dwelling units. And then in 1991, we decided to buy a few more plows into vans and become a prime contractor for our sales.
00;00;49;01 - 00;01;10;04
Dana Hood
But in 2005, my husband passed away and we were small. Then there was only, I think, about five of us at that point. And I decided to continue the business.
00;01;10;06 - 00;01;29;13
Dana Hood
I knew if I did not change the direction of the company, we would not survive. Because you can't work in an industry where the revenue is constantly going down. You know, I wasn't sure how that was going to turn out, but every time I turned in a new direction, it just worked out.
00;01;29;15 - 00;01;40;12
Michael Hood
The bulk of our work is for Georgia Power, and we have a lot of smaller companies plumbers, electricians. We do stuff for like the City of Sugar Hill, Gas City coming water, you know, stuff like that.
00;01;40;17 - 00;02;08;18
Dana Hood
Right now we stand at 38 employees. We're right at 5 million a year. It can grow. And I see it growing. And these people that work for me are just the best. I don't know how to say that. They're the best. And I'm happy to be here to take care of them. They know that their job is safe, that their money is safe, and that if they need something, they're going to have their safety gear.
00;02;08;18 - 00;02;23;01
Dana Hood
They're gonna have a truck that has good tires on it, and all's been changed to any tool that they need. That means a lot to them. I don't want them out there working just with the bare minimum.
00;02;23;03 - 00;02;33;17
Michael Hood
I know a lot of companies that do power work, do a lot of traveling, and but we do a little bit different, kind of like everyone to go home to their family at night.
00;02;33;20 - 00;02;37;20
Dana Hood
That's one of the reasons we went to the four four day work week.
00;02;37;23 - 00;02;49;25
Michael Hood
I think all the guys like it. They have Friday off. You know what I mean? Having a three day weekend to actually have, you know, a full day with like, no obligations to decompress or to do your stuff.
00;02;49;27 - 00;03;08;17
Dana Hood
We're still growing and we're gonna keep growing. I can't wait to see where it goes. Never would have thought this back in 91. We sat there and looked at each other and they said, no, Tony, Matt, you know, we said, no turning back. And I'm still not going to turn back.
00;03;08;19 - 00;03;54;01
Jordanne Waldschmidt
For more contractor of the year videos. Click the playlist on the screen. Now.
