Robert Carpenter to be Honored as 2027 MVP
For 35 years, Robert A. Carpenter has guided the growth and influence of Underground Infrastructure magazine, the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC), and related media within the complex sphere of the infrastructure industry. For his long-term leadership and devoted efforts to support and promote the underground infrastructure industry, the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) has named Carpenter as the honoree for its annual industry’s Most Valuable Professional Award.
Carpenter will be formally honored at a special luncheon on Jan. 26, 2027, at the Yellow Rose Ballroom in the Gaylord Texan Hotel in Grapevine, Texas. The luncheon will headline The Awards program held in conjunction with the annual Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC). The awards are co-sponsored by UCTA and Underground Infrastructure magazine.
Through his involvement with various groups, organizations, associations and educational institutions, Carpenter’s efforts have strived to focus Underground Infrastructure upon a mission of market support, education and information, while providing candid coverage of the industry’s successes and challenges, and helping keep it on a true north trajectory.Carpenter is a two-time recipient of the annual International Construction & Engineering Writers Association’s Boger Award for outstanding editorial writing. Under his direction, Underground Infrastructure developed and annually conducts two exclusive industry research projects tracking key markets: Municipal Sewer/Water Infrastructure Forecast and the Horizontal Directional Drilling Survey. His extensive industry experience has also made him a frequent speaker at various meetings and events and a sought-after consultant.
Carpenter founded the Underground Construction Technology International Conference & Exhibition (1995), now the Underground Infrastructure Conference (UIC), as well as the RehabZone, and was a co-founder of the HDD Hall of Fame. He also developed the concept for the Pipelines Opportunity Conference, sponsored by sister publication Pipeline & Gas Journal.
Lauren Kubin, P.E., engineering program manager for the North Texas Municipal Water District and UCTA national president, made the announcement on behalf of UCTA and the magazine.
“We are excited to present this distinguished honor to Robert (Carpenter) for all his efforts promoting the underground infrastructure industry and his immeasurable contributions to the UCTA organization,” Kubin said. “I have had the privilege to support Robert on numerous conferences and UCTA coordination. His dedication and enthusiasm for educating others in the industry have made a lasting and meaningful impact.”
Among his industry achievements, recognition and involvement:
- In 2026, Carpenter was inducted into the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association’s Hall of Fame.
- In 2019, he was inducted into NASSCO’s prestigious honorary Select Society of Sanitary Sewer Sleuths.
- He was elected as a Trenchless Technology Center Industrial Board Lifetime Member.
- He is an honorary board member of the Buried Asset Management Infrastructure International (BAMI-I).
- The Center for Underground Infrastructure Research and Education (CUIRE) presented him with its “Recognition of Distinguished Service to Underground Infrastructure Construction.”
- He has served as a board member and advisor to the Underground Construction Technology Association (UCTA) since its founding.
- He serves as board of directors’ advisor for the Horizontal Directional Drilling Association.
- He remains active in several key industry associations. For his contributions and participation, he has been honored by the Power & Communication Contractors Association, Distribution Contractors Association, American Pipeline Contractors Association and the RehabZone Foundation.
- He has supported and served on a dozen planning committees for the Underground Engineering & Surveying Institute of ASCE Annual Pipeline Conference.
Before joining Oildom Publishing in 1992 as editor of Pipeline & Utilities Construction and Underground Construction, predecessor publications to Underground Infrastructure, he served as editor of WorkBoat magazine. In 2017, Oildom was acquired by Gulf Energy Information, now part of Compare Networks.
Prior to his transition to business magazine journalism and trade show/events, Carpenter worked in various editorial and management positions in the newspaper industry.
Born and raised in Woodward, Okla., he is a proud alumnus of Oklahoma State University with degrees in news-editorial journalism and broadcast sales and management.
He has been married to the incredible Susie Woodruff Carpenter for 46 years, has helped raise two amazing daughters and boasts of five extraordinary grandchildren and three active granddogs.