The Annual Damage Prevention Council of Texas awards recognize individuals’ outstanding achievements and contributions to damage prevention. The Regional Champion Awards recognize individuals who have demonstrated exceptional leadership and a commitment to preventing damage to underground facilities in their respective regions. Additionally, the Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award is awarded to an individual who has made a significant and lasting impact on the industry through their dedication to safety.
Southeast Region Champion – Crescencio Gonzalez, CenterPoint Energy
Crescencio has been involved in our industry for several years, but just over a year ago, he joined CenterPoint Energy’s Public Awareness team. From the first day working with him, his passion for safety stood out. He brings not only great ideas, but also the drive to make them happen—and that combination has been unmatched.
Crescencio has a real gift for connecting with people and making the 811 safety message relatable to any audience. In Houston, he has built strong partnerships with Home Depot, nurseries, and hardware stores, placing safety signage where the public needs it most. He has represented our message at Astros games, the Galveston Sandcastle Competition, and numerous other events. At Safety Days, he’s often the first to arrive and the last to leave. Cres is dependable—whether it’s a small project or a major event, you can always count on him to give it his all.
Northeast Regional Champion – Tommy Graves, PCI Utilities
With over 40 years of experience in the construction and safety industries, Tommy Graves has built an outstanding reputation as both a leader and a strong operations professional. A proud graduate of Arkansas College, he has consistently applied his expertise to improve processes, elevate safety standards, and ensure employees return home safely each day. Tommy’s leadership is defined not only by technical knowledge but also by a genuine commitment to the people he serves.
Tommy works tirelessly to identify ways to improve the industry. His long-standing advocacy with the Damage Prevention Council of Texas reflects his commitment to collaboration and education. Over the years, he has been a key supporter—attending, presenting, and actively participating in chapter meetings and events across the Northeast Texas Region. Tommy’s presence and contributions have strengthened the council’s mission and inspired others to adopt best practices in safety and excavation. Tommy always leads by example and is not only a strong voice for safety, but an active problem solver seeking innovative solutions to reduce risks and prevent damage. His influence extends well beyond his company, as he has dedicated countless hours to promoting a safety culture and damage prevention practices throughout the industry.
Lower Southeast Region Champion – Joanne Salge, City of Corpus Christi
The Lower Southeast Regional Champion is Joanne W. Salge with the City of Corpus Christi. Joanne has proven to be a model contributor to the mission of damage prevention. Her leadership and commitment extend beyond her daily responsibilities—she has been an active and valuable member of both the Pipeline Damage Prevention Committee, the Coastal Bend LEPC, and the Coastal Bend Chapter for the Damage Prevention Council of Texas, where her voice has consistently strengthened collaboration and compliance.
Joanne is quick to respond and willing to step in whenever help is needed. She ensures that compliance with damage prevention laws is not just met, but actively enforced, keeping both people and infrastructure safe. Joanne is dedicated, with an unwavering commitment to the safety and protection of our communities.
Southwest Regional Champion – Aldo Loya, Texas Gas Service
The Southwest Region Regional Champion is Aldo Loya, Inspector Specialist at Texas Gas Service (not pictured). Since stepping into the role of President of the Paso del Norte Chapter in November 2024, Aldo has brought a new level of energy and innovation to the chapter. He forged a meaningful partnership with El Paso Community College, securing a consistent meeting space and bringing in OSHA-qualified guest speakers to elevate the quality and impact of chapter meetings. Aldo’s leadership is hands-on and collaborative. He meets bi-weekly with fellow chapter officers to plan meetings, coordinate speakers, and secure food sponsors — ensuring every gathering is not only informative but welcoming and engaging.
Aldo has built strong relationships with local industry stakeholders, regularly meeting with them to promote excavation safety and damage prevention. His commitment to field site safety inspections shows his dedication to turning plans into action and words into results.
At every chapter meeting, Aldo is the first to welcome attendees, the one who facilitates the discussion, and the voice that introduces our guest speakers. In just a short time, he has become a respected leader — not just within his chapter, but across the broader damage prevention community.
Northwest Region Champion – Douglas Beck, WTG Energy
Doug Beck has built his career on service, leadership, and a steadfast commitment to safety. Always prepared to present, provide feedback, or address tough conversations around damage prevention and Texas law, he stands out as a true advocate for safe digging practices.
Before entering the pipeline industry, Doug served 24 years in the United States Air Force, where he was awarded the Airman’s Medal for Heroism—one of the nation’s highest honors for acts of valor outside of combat. Since 2008, he has carried that same dedication into the pipeline world, working in line locating, operator maintenance, and safety programs across multiple companies. Doug has also been an active member of the Damage Prevention Council since 2010, where he has advanced safe excavation practices, One Call procedures, training, and worker safety—benefiting utilities, excavators, and communities across Texas.
Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award
The Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award is the Damage Prevention Council of Texas’s top honor, recognizing one champion selected from the best of the best from all across Texas. The DPC Board of Directors established this annual legacy award in 2020 to recognize emerging damage prevention champions in the industry. The late Andy Hoel was a man who was always willing to offer a helping hand, saw everyone as a friend, and, above all, was passionate about damage prevention. Our journey with Andy began in January 2015 when Plains All American Pipeline assigned him responsibility for damage prevention of their Southwestern Division crude oil pipeline assets. Andy was an active participant in the Coastal Bend, South Texas, Border, and Permian Basin Chapter’s activities, encouraging excavators, other operators, and potential sponsors to attend and help build our membership base. Andy routinely volunteered for regional DPC events and was instrumental in planning and executing multiple excavation safety events. Andy served on the DPC of Texas Board of Directors until his untimely death in 2019.
The 2025 Andy Hoel Excellence in Damage Prevention Award was awarded to Douglas Beck and the DPC of Texas proudly recognizes Doug for his service to his country, his industry, and for his unwavering dedication to damage prevention.
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