About North Country
North Country Directional Drilling (NCDD) is a close-knit, experienced, and hard working Minnesota-based company providing horizontal directional drilling (HDD) services across North America.
Overview
North Country has been in business since December of 2022, but are not new to the horizonal drilling business. Our senior management each have 18-30 years of experience in the industry. We have drilled in nearly all 50 states as well as internationally, installing pipe diameters from cables up to 56” pipeline and well over 50 miles of 42” pipeline. We have built our fleet and tool inventory with the best-in-class equipment. Our crews are experienced, loyal, and hard-working.
We started NCDD with a vision to bring back a team and family-like atmosphere to the industry, while delivering safe, on-time, and on-budget projects. We are proud of what we have accomplished thus far and look forward to building into the future, taking care of our customers, our equipment and the guys putting in the hard work in the field, keeping safety as our top priority and executing an on-time construction schedule.
How We Do Business
Superior Customer Service
Our clients have direct interaction with company owners at every step of the project, from project development to completion. We maintain a high level of communication to ensure coordination and control. We are proud that every new customer relationship has resulted in repeated business.
Industry-leading Experience
We have the experience to foresee and overcome challenges on difficult crossings and/or challenges on any crossing. Our commitment and fortitude ensures that we see projects through to the end, no matter the challenges faced. We have never walked away from a difficult crossing.
Best-in-Class Crews & Equipment
Access to rigs and crews to complete any project successfully and meet the strictest of deadlines. We use top of the line equipment and customized rigs/tooling.
Meet Our Team
A team designed to build off experience and have ownership involved in ALL aspects of the company.
Steve Ugrich
Executive Chairman
Steve Ugrich started in the pipeline industry in 1989 as a laborer. He advanced through the ranks and after 1.5 years in Australia helping take the Ozzie’s Pipeline Padder off the ground, Steve was put him in charge of the drilling division of Ozzie’s portfolio.
When Ozzie’s sold to private equity who liquidated the equipment, Steve and his work partners invested in two of the rigs and began Southeast Directional Drilling in 2002. Steve was the CEO until 2015 when they sold to a private equity group. By 2017, Steve had handed the CEO position down and remained on the board until 2019.
As the Executive Chairman of NCDD, Steve is involved in all major decisions and has been key in the early success of the Company.
Josh Ugrich
President
Josh Ugrich started with Southeast Directional in 2006 as a laborer on a drill rig and Josh advanced through the various positions running a mud system, drill rig, being a foreman and superintendent before making his way to the office in 2013.
Josh began estimating and managing projects before becoming VP of estimating & PM in 2015. Josh worked for SEDD until 2020, then did various HDD consulting positions until coming into the opportunity to become an owner and President for NCDD in 2023.
Derek Vogel
SVP - Operations
Derek Vogel started with Southeast Directional in 2006 as a laborer on a drill rig. Derek advanced through the various positions running a mud system, drill rig, being a foreman and
superintendent, becoming one of the youngest leaders at the time in the HDD industry.
Derek is in charge of all operations in the field and helps manage all the drill rigs and crews, making sure supplies are on site, permits are ordered, operations are being handled as they
should and crews are receiving the guidance they need on the job.
Eddie Ramos
SVP – Finance & Safety
Eddie Ramos started his career in the HDD industry back in 2002 with Southeast Directional Drilling. Starting from the bottom, Eddie took on the task of learning every job he could in the company and the industry. From office work to hotshot runs to projects, to learning how to operate an 80k rig. No task was off the table.
Over the years, Eddie has worked through various management positions, from Operations Manager, Controller, IT, and Project Management, finally ending with Director of Operations and Director of Safety and Transportation. Eddie, as a part owner of NCDD, now handles all financial obligations and leads the safety division for NCDD.
Neal Roberts
SVP – Project Management
Neal Roberts started in the HDD Business back in 1998 for Ozzie’s Directional Drilling. Starting as a labor and moved up to mud tech, and then became a driller by 2003. In 2004, Neal joined the US Army, serving overseas in Iraq.
Neal came back to the HDD Industry in 2009 with Southeast Directional Drilling right where he left off as a driller and then into a field superintendent, until joining the office staff in 2016 as a Project Manager. Neal has been in project management ever since and continues to expand in this role as a key owner of his craft, being the primary contact for all Project Management needs within NCDD.
Jolene Troumbly
Office Manager
Our Jolene is pretty special. Born and raised in the famous town of Taconite, MN, she is hardworking, honest, loyal, and always willing to go out of her way to help anyone in need. You would be hard pressed to find someone who’s met Jolene and doesn’t sing her praises.
“I started working in the construction industry in 2016 at the front desk of Bougalis and Sons and moved into the payroll position in late 2018. When given the opportunity to work for NCDD I didn’t hesitate. I knew that the business wanted to create a close and family-like environment with its workers and it has been just that. I’m lucky that I get to work with a group of people that have become not just friends but more like family.“
We have been fortunate to have Jolene as part of our NCDD family since 2023. From day one, she’s been an absolute game-changer, and we’d be lost without her. She’s simply irreplaceable.
Field Management Team
Our field team is made up of some of the best in the industry. They have been doing this work a long time and were a part of the SEDD team back when we helped put in over 40 miles of 42” through those Southern states in 2007-2009. We are proud to also have on staff a very qualified field safety manager who brings years of experience in that category to the team and is set up to help train our guys in various OQs, CPR training, first aid, AED utilization and more.
Aaron Carlson, Superintendent
– 18 years of experience
Randy Tilley, Superintendent
– 15 years of experience
Jeremy Griffin, Superintendent
– 12 years of experience
Bob Doerflinger, Superintendent
– 15 years of experience
Casey Erickson, Safety Manager
– 13 years of experience
