The Driller
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
  • NEWS
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
  • EDUCATION
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
  • SUBMIT
  • ABOUT
  • SIGN UP
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • NEWS
  • Water
  • Geothermal
  • Construction
  • Environmental
  • Mining
  • All Industry News
  • EQUIPMENT
  • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
  • Consumables
  • Pumps
  • Featured Products
  • VIDEOS
  • Newscast
  • Drill Talks
  • Ask Brock
  • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
  • Drilling Business Insights
  • Reference Desk
  • Sponsored Insights
  • EVENTS
  • Conferences & Demo Days
  • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
  • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
  • Contact
  • Advertise
The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP
MarketsConstruction DrillingHorizontal Directional Drilling

How One Drilling, Tunneling Company Chose an ESOP

Midwest Mole Takes Employee Ownership Path to the Future

By Lori Lovely
tunneling

Midwest Mole has built a reputation in the Midwest as a solid contractor for tunneling and horizontal drilling.

Source: Midwest Mole photos

Midwest Mole
The company decided to go with an employee stock ownership structure after nearly 40 years in business.
Dan Liotti and Jason Miller
When Dan Liotti, left, decided to retire after 35 years, Midwest Mole entered an ESOP with Jason Miller as president.
tunneling
Midwest Mole
Dan Liotti and Jason Miller
August 24, 2020

For nearly 40 years, Midwest Mole Inc. has forged a reputation as a premiere specialty underground contractor providing boring, tunneling and directional drilling throughout the Midwest. More recently, it expanding its territory to the East Coast, as well as to other cities throughout the country as opportunities develop.

Based in Greenfield, Indiana, the family-owned business is considered a trenchless technology expert, tunneling under highways, railroads, buildings and airports on municipal and private sector projects, operating as either prime contractor or subcontractor. The majority of their work involves utilities or sewer, stormwater and water pipes.

Always at the forefront of cutting-edge technology, Midwest Mole is making changes — in ownership, in branding and in messaging. As the company prepares for transfer from second-generation family leadership to employee stock ownership, management assures its employees and clients alike that this new iteration of their established and time-tested operations will incorporate their capabilities and expertise in order to carry on for decades to come.


Early Years

Len Liotti acquired more than a decade of experience in the boring and tunneling industry by working for two companies. Trading his suit and tie in the sales department for a hardhat as foreman and then superintendent, he learned all aspects of the job. When his employer relocated from Indiana to St. Louis in 1982, Liotti stayed in the Hoosier state to launch his own tunneling business with a partner.

Trenchless tunneling was a relatively new technology when Liotti started the company, but he saw potential and perceived a need for this innovative work. The company was small at first, consisting of about 15 employees, including two to three field crews. Liotti’s wife, Jane, managed the office. Initially, they took on smaller tunneling projects within a short radius of their base.

In 1985, Dan Liotti, Len and Jane’s son, joined the company after graduating from Purdue University with a degree in civil engineering.

“I worked full time in the office, helping with accounting,” he recalls. “I learned estimating and helped in the shop.”

As Dan Liotti learned the business and climbed the ranks, the company grew. Dan and his father built and nurtured relationships in the industry, gleaning opportunities as their reputation for successfully completing challenging projects developed. By 1990, they needed a bigger headquarters.


Father to Son: A Legacy

Len retired around 2004, shortly after Dan, now chief executive officer, purchased the company. As the times and technology changed, Dan made adjustments within Midwest Mole to accommodate, but some things have remained. 

“I kept dad’s hard work ethic,” Dan Liotti says, adding that he worked almost every Saturday the first 25 years he was with the company.

But, in keeping with one of the company values to work smarter, Liotti introduced more technology. Gone were the days when his mother typed up proposals on carbon paper or bids were written in pen on two pages of legal paper.

“I’m big on technology,” he says.

In keeping with one of the company values to work smarter, Liotti introduced more technology. Gone were the days when his mother typed up proposals on carbon paper or bids were written in pen on two pages of legal paper.

Trenchless technology uses specialized equipment to tunnel beneath the surface. Owning the specialized equipment necessary for this type of tunneling enables Midwest Mole to meet client deadlines and budgets. To serve its expanding list of clients, the company has acquired a fleet that includes specialized auger boring machines, tunneling machines, directional drilling machines, pipe jacking, slip lining, and other equipment.

“Dan pushed technology — in equipment and techniques,” says Jason Miller, president. “The ability to make new technology work is what made us successful.” That, he says, and a willingness to take chances.

Not only is trenchless installation more cost-effective than other methods, it’s also less disruptive, which makes it a preferred option for certain applications, such as tunneling under railroad tracks. Midwest Mole performs installations that range from 2 inches in diameter for small conduits up to 10 feet in diameter for storm water and sewer lines.

Among their well-known clients is CSX Transportation, a Class 1 freight railroad operator. Thanks to the experience of Midwest Mole’s crews, as well as their fleet of trucks and specialized equipment, they’re able to respond quickly to emergency calls from CSX.

Trenchless drilling is also a safer option. Safety first is another company value that everyone takes seriously. Under the younger Liotti’s leadership, Midwest Mole has received numerous awards for safety, such as the 2017 CCS Zero Injury Award and the MICCS Zero Injury Award in 2016 and 2015.


New Direction

Liotti has always believed that the key to growth lies in hiring good people and trusting them to take responsibility.

“Our growth is due to great employees and good friends in the industry,” he says.

One of those people is Jason Miller, whose father David worked as a foreman at Midwest Mole. Miller joined the company in 1995 and quickly demonstrated dedication and what Liotti refers to as “an ownership mentality.”

“I wanted to know the future plan,” Miller recalls.

Every month, Miller learned more about the business. In 2006 he bought 10% ownership and in 2013, another 10%. Then, after 35 years in the business, Liotti felt it was the right time to retire. Various options for transition of the business were considered. Selling the company to an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) was the perfect fit.

An ESOP is a kind of employee benefit plan, similar to a profit-sharing plan. Liotti praises the retention benefits of the arrangement because the employees are invested. It also allows for certain tax advantages and growth potential. In addition, it’s relatively seamless, allowing the existing management team to stay in place.

A seamless transition for clients and vendors was important to both Liotti and Miller, who want to retain the company’s family values — where everyone is important and integrity is crucial.

“We’ll have the same goals,” Miller predicts. “Work safely every day, do things right, give people a great place to work.”

There are some changes in store.

“The timing was incredible,” Miller reflects. “It gave us an opportunity to clean up the brand, update the mission statement and goals and to tell our story.”

Part of the new branding includes an updated logo. Liotti points out that his wife Laura hand-drew the first logo sometime in 1987 or ’88, and that the logo was first digitized in 2009. The new branding will reflect Midwest Mole’s intention to grow geographically and develop joint-ventures for larger projects.

But some things will never change. As “America’s diggers” evolve, Midwest Mole will preserve core values that emphasize relationships with employees, equipment manufacturers, competitors and partners, as well as quality work in the uniquely challenging industry of tunneling, where they will continue to build on decades of experience. If anything, expect even more dedication, because the employee-owners all love what they do: taking on the tough jobs and getting their hands dirty to improve lives from under the ground up.

KEYWORDS: horizontal directional drilling tunneling and boring utility drilling

Share This Story

Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!

Lori Lovely is a freelance writer for The Driller.

Recommended Content

JOIN TODAY
to unlock your recommendations.

Already have an account? Sign In

  • geotechnical drilling rig

    6 Onsite Phrases Environmental Drillers Hate

    Here are six phrases that highlight common frustrations...
    Geotechnical Investigation
    By: Jeff Garby
  • Wayne Nash

    Pipe Stuck? Common Causes and Solutions for Drillers

    If you have drilled for any length of time, sooner or...
    Markets
    By: Wayne Nash
  • submersible pumps, water well pumps

    Selecting and Sizing Submersible Pump Cable

    This article helps pump installers and servicers decide...
    Markets
    By: Bob Pelikan
You must login or register in order to post a comment.

Report Abusive Comment

Subscribe For Free!
  • eNewsletters
  • Online Registration
  • Subscription Customer Service
  • Manage My Preferences

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast: 21st Century Drillers | Part 1 DEMAND

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast, Episode 147: Global Geothermal Collaboration at NY-GEO 2025

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: Coiled Tubing Drilling and the Future of Geothermal

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

The Driller Newscast: New York Geo Talks 2025 Conference with Hands-on Driller Education

More Videos

Sponsored Content

Sponsored Content is a special paid section where industry companies provide high quality, objective, non-commercial content around topics of interest to the The Driller audience. All Sponsored Content is supplied by the advertising company and any opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and not necessarily reflect the views of The Driller or its parent company, BNP Media. Interested in participating in our Sponsored Content section? Contact your local rep!

close
  • demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit
    Sponsored byGeoprobe

    Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

Popular Stories

MainPhotoTwoBrothers.jpg

Two Brothers' Journey Through the Drilling Industry

AI and Drought Concerns

AI’s Growing Thirst for Water and Power

demo of a DM450 drilling rig during a customer factory visit

Built for You: Smarter Drill Rigs, Stronger Support, Bigger Opportunities

The Driller Classifieds

COMPRESSORS

EAST WEST MACHINERY & DRILLING IS BUYING AND SELLING AIR COMPRESSORS, AIR BOOSTERS, AIR ENDS & PARTS
Company: East West Machinery

DRILL RIGS

LOOKING FOR LATE MODEL TOPHEADS & DRILLTECH D25'S
Company: Spikes’s Rig Sales

DRILL RIG PARTS

MEETING DRILLERS NEEDS AROUND THE WORLD
Company: East West Machinery

ELEVATORS

SEMCO INC. PIPE ELEVATORS
Company: Semco Inc.

GROUTERS

GROUTING EQUIPMENT - GROUT PUMPS & GROUT HOSE REELS
Company: Geo-Loop Inc.

PUMP HOISTS

SEMCO INC. - BASIC PUMP HOISTS
Company: Semco Inc.

WELL PACKERS

LANSAS PRODUCTS - INFLATABLE WELL PACKERS
Company: Vanderlans Lansas Products

WELL SCREENS

WELL SCREENS & SLOTTED PIPE
Company: Alloy Screen Works

Products

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

Water Quality Engineering: Physical / Chemical Treatment Processes

By carefully explaining both the underlying theory and the underlying mathematics, this text enables readers to fully grasp the fundamentals of physical and chemical treatment processes for water and wastewater.

See More Products

Subscribe to The Driller Newscast

Related Articles

  • John Schmitt

    In Detail: How Did the Spudder on an Old Drilling Rig Work?

    See More
  • Ask Brock video series

    How Drilling Crews Can Get Past an Injury

    See More
  • diversity in the workplace

    How to Choose Diversity Training for Your Drilling Company

    See More
×
Midwest Mole has built a reputation in the Midwest as a solid contractor for tunneling and horizontal drilling. Source: Midwest Mole photos
The company decided to go with an employee stock ownership structure after nearly 40 years in business.
When Dan Liotti, left, decided to retire after 35 years, Midwest Mole entered an ESOP with Jason Miller as president.

Dig deeper into the drilling and water supply industry!

Build your knowledge with The Driller, covering the people, equipment and technologies across drilling markets.

SIGN UP NOW
  • RESOURCES
    • Advertise
    • Contact Us
    • Directories
    • Store
    • Want More
    • Classifieds
  • SIGN UP TODAY
    • Create Account
    • eNewsletters
    • Customer Service
    • Manage Preferences
  • SERVICES
    • Marketing Services
    • Reprints
    • Market Research
    • List Rental
    • Survey/Respondent Access
  • STAY CONNECTED
    • LinkedIn
    • Facebook
    • YouTube
    • X (Twitter)
  • PRIVACY
    • PRIVACY POLICY
    • TERMS & CONDITIONS
    • DO NOT SELL MY PERSONAL INFORMATION
    • PRIVACY REQUEST
    • ACCESSIBILITY

Copyright ©2025. All Rights Reserved BNP Media.

Design, CMS, Hosting & Web Development :: ePublishing

The Driller
search
cart
facebook twitter linkedin youtube
  • Sign In
  • Create Account
  • Sign Out
  • My Account
The Driller
  • NEWS
    • Water
    • Geothermal
    • Construction
    • Environmental
    • Mining
    • All Industry News
  • CLASSIFIEDS
  • EQUIPMENT
    • Rigs & Heavy Equipment
    • Consumables
    • Pumps
    • Featured Products
  • SAFETY
  • VIDEOS
    • Newscast
    • Drill Talks
    • Ask Brock
    • Emerging Drillers
  • EDUCATION
    • Drilling Business Insights
    • Reference Desk
    • Sponsored Insights
  • SOURCEBOOK
  • EVENTS
    • Conferences & Demo Days
    • Newscast LIVE
  • SUBMIT
    • Drillers @Work
  • ABOUT
    • Contact
    • Advertise
  • SIGN UP