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Utilities Business Review: Specials Magazine
The power-delivery landscape in the U.S. is undergoing rapid change as the domestic economy electrifies. Over the last five years, unprecedented energy demand has occurred due to technological advances, population growth and migration, onshoring of manufacturing, electric vehicles, and, most recently, data center installations. Factors like aging infrastructure and increasing climate events are reshaping expectations for modern, resilient power delivery, driving the development of electric infrastructure—from generation to delivery—in new ways. Given the urgency of moving fast to ensure resilient, affordable power, demand for solutions is often greater than the supply of resources. Energy providers need a partner that can support the full lifecycle of infrastructure and work alongside them in this new era. Pike Corporation has evolved its approach in this direction. Grounded in a customer-first philosophy, Pike serves as a comprehensive partner for the energy infrastructure sector. As an end-to-end solutions provider, it delivers planning, engineering, construction, maintenance, and storm response services that enable energy companies to strengthen and expand their infrastructure with confidence. With more than 80 years of experience and relationships with several customers lasting more than five decades, Pike has earned a strong reputation for reliability, integrity, and quality. “Success at Pike is defined by the trust our customers have in us to be a constant partner, from strategy to execution and beyond. We earn that trust through our solutions-driven mindset, a proven commitment to safety and quality, and alignment with our customers’ vision at every stage of the journey,” says Will Pike, chief commercial officer. A Unified End-to-End Model That Delivers Pike’s philosophy is supported by an integrated service model that spans the full lifecycle of energy infrastructure. It supports customers in early-stage planning, conceptual design and engineering, right-ofway acquisition, civil construction, vegetation management, and the full scope of transmission, distribution, and substation construction. Pike also provides maintenance and storm response services that help sustain and protect assets long after initial delivery.
Top Utility Contractor Service 2026
From a single backhoe in 1976 to a thriving full-service utility contracting company today, the Lambert family’s story is one of perseverance, innovation, and generational craftsmanship. Talley Lambert Construction, LLC (TLC), founded in 2019 by Talley “Bubba” Lambert Jr., stands as the latest chapter in a legacy that began nearly five decades ago with his father, the late Bucky Lambert, a Vietnam veteran whose entrepreneurial spirit shaped the family’s enduring presence in the construction industry. The origins of TLC trace back to Lambert Inc., the family’s original enterprise. When Bucky received a backhoe instead of back pay from a departing contractor, he turned that modest start into a business, taking on small local projects across Alabama. Within a few years, Lambert Inc. had grown into a reputable contractor, securing work with a major railroad company alongside Bucky’s brother Rickey and their father Johnny. In 1985, the company earned its first significant opportunity with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), performing wetlands and pipeline work that set the stage for its expansion into utility services. Bubba Lambert grew up amid this environment of hard work and high expectations. From a young age, he accompanied his father to job sites, learning the business from the ground up. By eighteen, he was already operating equipment full-time and he continued to rise through the ranks —from Equipment Operator to Superintendent, then Vice President at Lambert Inc., and later co-owner of Southern Concrete Products. In 2019, driven by his passion for the trade and desire to continue the Lambert family legacy after his dad passed away he sold his shares in both companies and then Bubba established Talley Lambert Construction, LLC. TLC has since become a trusted partner in Flat Rock, Alabama, and beyond. It is known for its expertise in utility construction, excavation, storm drainage, heavy hauling, and demolition. The company’s utility services encompass the installation and operation of sanitary sewer systems, stormwater networks, and water service lines. TLC’s crews are adept at working in complex, densely populated environments, where precision and safety are paramount. Excavation, one of TLC’s core services, is handled with equal diligence. Every project begins with a careful environmental assessment to ensure that natural habitats and historical sites are preserved before breaking ground.
CXO INSIGHTS
How The Energy Transition Is Reshaping Engineering
Christian Lopez, Senior Director Engineering: Performance, Commissioning & SCADA, The AES Corporation
Pacing Along the Energy Evolution
Julian Kaufmann, Chief Commercial Officer, CAMS
Identifying the Value in Automating the Drill Floor
Jeremy Angelle, VP of Well Construction, Expro
The Key to Reducing Fuel Consumption and Reduced Environmental Footprint
Frode Jensen, President Rig Technologies NOV, National Oilwell Varco
Lead Testing in Schools: A Study in Planning Ahead for Compliance
Sophie James, Vice President, Water Quality & Environmental Affairs, California Water Service
IN FOCUS
Redefining Turnkey Infrastructure for Tomorrow's Needs
Turnkey infrastructure is evolving toward modular, intelligent, and performance-driven models, offering integrated solutions that meet the complex demands of modern projects.
The Rise of Turnkey Projects: Streamlining Industrial Infrastructure
Turnkey projects offer businesses a unified, efficient way to deliver ready to use facilities by combining design, build, and delivery under one responsible contractor.
EDITORIAL
Turnkey Models Now Define Utility Performance
The utilities sector is navigating a period defined by execution risk, regulatory complexity, and the growing demand for end-to-end delivery models. This edition of Utilities Business Review examines how turnkey infrastructure providers are responding with integrated capabilities, disciplined project management, and operational accountability.
Our cover story recognizes Pike Corporation as the Turnkey Infrastructure Solutions of the Year 2026. Pike’s recognition reflects its ability to deliver comprehensive infrastructure solutions that align engineering, construction, and field execution under a unified operating model. By emphasizing safety, scalability, and consistency across projects, Pike has positioned itself as a trusted partner for utilities seeking predictable outcomes in increasingly complex environments. Its work exemplifies the value of turnkey execution in reducing fragmentation, managing risk, and accelerating project timelines without compromising standards.
This issue also highlights excellence across adjacent service categories. Talley Lambert Construction, LLC (TLC) is named Top Utility Contractor Service 2026, recognizing its focused expertise and disciplined approach to utility construction. The company’s recognition reflects its role in supporting critical infrastructure projects through reliable field performance and long-term client alignment. Together, these award recipients illustrate how specialized contractors and turnkey providers are shaping a more resilient and execution-driven utility ecosystem.
CXO perspectives add further depth. Jonathan (J.W.) Hackett, senior director, environmental products at Global Partners LP, offers a perspective on aligning environmental products with operational realities. Complementing this, Christy Clark, director, environmental management and safety at DTE Energy, addresses the governance and safety frameworks required to sustain performance at scale.
Together, these contributions highlight that leadership in today’s utilities sector is defined by execution discipline, integrated delivery, and accountable stewardship. We invite readers to engage with the full coverage and explore how these organizations are setting practical benchmarks for the industry’s next phase.
