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The People Behind the Pipes: Supporting Reliable Water Infrastructure DIPRA Staff

March 20 2026JOIN OUR MAILING LIST

When communities turn on the tap, they expect clean, safe water to flow without interruption. What most people don’t see is the network of skilled professionals who make that reliability possible long before water reaches a home or business. Behind every dependable water system is a dedicated manufacturing workforce producing the pipes and materials that form the backbone of public infrastructure.

Pipe manufacturing is not automated at every turn. It relies on experienced technicians, engineers, metallurgists, machine operators, quality control specialists, and logistics teams working in coordination. From melting and casting to lining, coating, testing, and shipping, each step demands technical expertise and institutional knowledge. The strength and performance of a water main begin on the foundry floor, where craftsmanship ensures materials meet rigorous standards.

Workforce stability is a critical and often overlooked component of infrastructure resilience. Skilled manufacturing jobs are built on training, apprenticeships, and years of hands-on experience. A strong, consistent workforce provides utilities with predictable production schedules, dependable product quality, and a manufacturing partner that understands the long-term demands of water systems.

As utilities across the country plan major upgrades to aging infrastructure, this human element becomes even more important. Replacing water mains and modernizing systems is not a short-term project; it is a generational investment. Utilities need confidence not only in the materials they select but also in the expertise behind those materials. A stable workforce means manufacturers can maintain institutional knowledge, continuously improve processes, and adapt to evolving regulatory and performance requirements.

There is also a broader economic impact. Manufacturing jobs support families and communities, strengthening local economies while supplying essential infrastructure components. When skilled workers remain in the industry, they pass down knowledge to the next generation, reinforcing a culture of safety, quality, and innovation.

Infrastructure resilience is often discussed in terms of materials, engineering standards, and funding. But resilience also depends on people - the men and women who show up every day to produce, inspect, and deliver the products that keep water systems functioning. Their expertise ensures that pipes can withstand pressure and soil conditions as well as perform to the highest standards for more than 100 years while buried underground. Reliable water service is the result of planning, investment, and the steady hands of a skilled workforce committed to quality. Recognizing and supporting these individuals is just as important as investing in the infrastructure itself – because resilient water systems ultimately depend on the people who build and support them.

DIPRA’s Technical Staff

Supporting this mission is DIPRA’s technical team, which provides engineering guidance, research insight, and regional expertise to water professionals across the U.S. and Canada. These engineers help utilities and design professionals select the right materials, apply best practices, and plan for long-term system performance.

The team is led by L. Gregg Horn, P.E., Vice President of Technical Resources, who directs technical initiatives and ensures consistent, high-quality support for utilities, engineers, and industry stakeholders. Under his leadership, DIPRA’s engineering efforts remain focused on advancing knowledge, strengthening infrastructure resilience, and promoting informed decision-making throughout the water sector.

Now Hiring: Northeastern Regional Engineer

DIPRA is currently seeking a Regional Engineer to support the Northeastern United States.

The purpose of the Regional Engineer Program is to build working relationships with relevant decision makers within an assigned region by providing technical information regarding the proper application of Ductile Iron pipe, including its advantages over substitute materials.

Gregg Horn, P.E., Vice President, Technical Resources

Gregg Horn leads technical support and resource development for utilities, engineers, and industry stakeholders. With a professional engineering background and AMPP certification as a Corrosion Specialist, he oversees DIPRA’s efforts in Ductile iron pipe standards, research, and DIPRA’s Regional Engineer Program, advancing knowledge and education for the water sector.

Paul Hanson, P.E., Director of Special Projects

Paul Hanson applies his engineering expertise to advance initiatives that support water systems and industry engagement. In this position, Hanson focuses on managing specialized technical efforts, outreach programs, and collaboration with utilities and engineering communities. His professional experience includes in-depth involvement with Ductile iron pipe technologies and infrastructure resilience.

Janine Alexander, P.E., Senior Regional Engineer, Southeastern States

Janine Alexander provides expert engineering support across the Southeast, working with utilities and design professionals on materials selection, design considerations, and application of Ductile iron pipe systems. Her role includes offering technical resources, responding to engineering inquiries, and promoting industry best practices tailored to the region’s drinking water infrastructure needs.

David Billings, Regional Engineer, Midwestern States

David Billings serves as the regional expert for the Midwest, offering utilities and engineers technical assistance on the selection, specification, and application of Ductile iron pipe. David brings the perspective of a former manager of a municipal water system to his work with local water professionals, providing practical solutions to his region’s infrastructure needs.

Josh Blount, P.E., Regional Director, Western States

Josh Blount represents DIPRA across the Western U.S., where he helps utilities and consultants navigate technical challenges related to water transmission and distribution infrastructure. In addition to his engineering background, Josh holds credentials as a NACE Cathodic Protection Technologist and is an Envision Sustainability Professional, reflecting his expertise in corrosion control and sustainable infrastructure practices.

Jeffrey Butters, Regional Engineer, Southwestern States

Jeffrey Butters provides technical support for the Southwestern region. In this role, he assists water utilities and engineers with Ductile iron pipe selection, specifications, installation questions, and industry standards. His work helps ensure that infrastructure projects meet performance expectations and long-term sustainability goals.

Allen H. Cox, P.E., Regional Director, Southern States

Allen Cox brings decades of experience in water infrastructure and Ductile iron pipe applications, having worked in engineering and advisory roles since the early 1980s. As a Registered Professional Engineer and AMPP-certified corrosion specialist, he provides technical guidance, training, and support on system planning, design, installation, and asset management to utilities and consulting engineers throughout the southern U.S. He’s active in professional organizations including AWWA, ASCE, and NACE, and contributes to industry research and technical committees.

Sam Ghosn, M.A.Sc, P.Eng., Regional Director, Canada

Sam Ghosn oversees DIPRA’s engineering outreach in Canada. As a professional engineer with advanced engineering training, he helps Canadian utilities and consultants address technical questions about Ductile iron pipe, promote best practice standards, and support infrastructure planning and design tailored to Canadian regulatory and environmental conditions.