About Us

About us

Having earned a proud reputation for building one of the most productive, qualified, and safest workforces in the utility service industry, Southeast Connections delivers superior results and unmatched value to our customers. Since 1996, Southeast Connections has provided pipeline and facilities installation and repair, HDD/boring services, and comprehensive sewer camera inspection.

Pioneers in the Gas Industry

Southeast Connections specializes in energy infrastructure serving the natural gas industry. Our world-class utility infrastructure solutions are backed by more than 350 crews serving the utilities natural gas distribution and transmission needs of almost every major customer in the Southeastern United States.

With a $40 million equipment fleet, we ensure our teams have the resources they need to do their best work and finish on time. We are committed to safety and training to ensure all team members understand how to mitigate the risks and perform their jobs to the best of their ability.

Job #22125 Atlanta Georgia

Core Values

Safety

First and Always

Operating safely is the most important thing we do. Every job, every day, begins with a focus on identifying hazards, understanding risks, and putting the right safeguards in place to protect our people, our customers, and the communities we serve. Through daily toolbox talks, training, and continuous improvement, we reinforce that safety is everyone’s responsibility. We never compromise on safe behavior because every person deserves to go home the same way they arrived.

Quality

In Everything We Do

Our teams take pride in delivering exceptional work that has a real impact on the communities where we operate. We show up prepared, professional, and ready to do the job right. We focus on understanding our customers’ needs and consistently exceeding their expectations by delivering reliable, high-quality work with the right people, equipment, and expertise.

Commitment

To Each Other and the Job

Our people make Southeast Connections who we are. We are built on honesty, respect, and accountability, and we stand up for one another in the field and in the office. Our word is our bond. We are committed to working together, doing what we say we will do, and taking ownership of our responsibilities so our customers and teammates can rely on us.

Reputation

Built on Integrity and Transparency

The strength of SEC’s reputation is built by doing the right thing, even when no one is watching. We never sacrifice safety or quality, and we always operate with honesty, integrity, and transparency. We welcome questions about our safety programs, training, quality standards, and our approach to every project. By being open, accountable, and hardworking, we earn trust and deliver extraordinary service in everything we do.

Safety

Operating safely is the most important thing we do. Every job, every day, begins with a focus on identifying hazards, understanding risks, and putting the right safeguards in place to protect our people, our customers, and the communities we serve. Through daily toolbox talks, training, and continuous improvement, we reinforce that safety is everyone’s responsibility. We never compromise on safe behavior because every person deserves to go home the same way they arrived.

Quality

Our teams take pride in delivering exceptional work that has a real impact on the communities where we operate. We show up prepared, professional, and ready to do the job right. We focus on understanding our customers’ needs and consistently exceeding their expectations by delivering reliable, high-quality work with the right people, equipment, and expertise.

Commitment

Our people make Southeast Connections who we are. We are built on honesty, respect, and accountability, and we stand up for one another in the field and in the office. Our word is our bond. We are committed to working together, doing what we say we will do, and taking ownership of our responsibilities so our customers and teammates can rely on us.

OUR HISTORY

1996
Company Founded
SEC founded with 4 pieces of equipment and 13 men
2004
Company Diversifies
Company diversified its portfolio by venturing into the Natural Gas Industry
2010
Company Transmission Project
Southeast Connections completes the first gas transmission project
2011
PowerTeam Services Formed
Southeast Connections becomes part of PowerTeam Services
2019
Continued Growth
Southeast Connections employs over 1600 people
2020
Artera Services
PowerTeam Services becomes Artera Services, with more than $2 billion in revenue and 9,200 employees

Our Work is Nationwide

Over the years, SEC has worked in the following states as the Prime Contractor or as a Subcontractor.

Our Leadership Team

Our leadership team is committed to providing solutions to the ever-changing needs of our customers. With over a century of industry experience and knowledge collectively, these men and women understand how to navigate the challenges of a constantly evolving and complex industry and consistently deliver best-in-class results.

Kyle Ormsby
President
Kyle Ormsby serves as President of Southeast Connections and of the South Gas Division of Artera. Prior to joining SEC, Kyle spent 16 years with a major utility provider, with his last position being Managing Director, Construction Operations. In this role, Kyle was responsible for Distribution and Transmission Construction across all of the company’s assets throughout a seven-state area. Kyle has a BS in Industrial Engineering from Auburn University.
Ron Ridout
Chief Financial Officer
Ron Ridout serves as the Chief Financial Officer with Southeast Connections. He was named Vice President, Finance of PowerTeam Services in May 2014. Previously he served as Vice President, Finance at a leading building materials supplier.
Scott Warren
Vice President, Operations
Scott Warren serves as Vice President, Operations for Southeast Connections. In this role, Scott is responsible for Distribution Operations across the SEC footprint in Georgia and areas of Tennessee. Scott has successfully overseen numerous large Bare Steel/Cast Iron replacement projects, extensive PE rehabilitation projects, DOT projects, and select Transmission assignments. Scott has over 30 years pipeline experience, starting his career as a laborer and rising to this current position at the leadership team level.
Keith Ormsby
Vice President, Operations
Keith serves as Vice President of Operations supporting Southeast Connections. Keith has spent 15 years in the Oil and Gas Industry. His roles have required flexibility and the understanding of operations, business development, developing and managing teams, and commercial operations. He has a BS in Mechanical Engineering from Auburn University.
Jamie Everhart
Vice President, Human Resources
Jamie currently serves as the Vice President of Human Resources of Southeast Connections. Jamie has over 20 years of Human Resources experience with concentrations in benefits administration, compliance, safety and employee relations. Jamie holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration while being SPHR certified. Prior to joining Southeast Connections, Jamie served as VP of Operations for a leading clothing manufacturer.
Billy Kidd
Vice President, HSE, Field Development, and Training
Billy Kidd serves as Regional Vice President of Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE), Field Development and Training for the South Gas Division of Artera. With more than 23 years of experience in the utility construction industry, he began his career as a laborer and rose through the ranks working with both utility companies and utility contractors. His most recent role was as President of Northwest Lineman College (NLC) in Denton, TX, where he led operations, education, training, and the admission division of all four campuses. As a longtime champion of the skilled trades and natural gas industry, Billy led the development and opening of a first of its kind 7-week Natural Gas Program at the NLC Texas campus. Billy has completed several prestigious leadership programs including IBEW Gas Apprenticeship, which partnered with his past employer, and the Department of Labor, Professional Technical Educator Apprenticeship.
Chip Prosser
Vice President, Transmission Operations
Chip serves as Vice President of Transmission Operations. Prior to joining SEC, Chip worked for over 20 years in the large diameter pipeline construction industry. Starting out as a Laborer on the Right-of-way, he has served in all capacities of construction including bending engineer and superintendent.

In 2009, Chip transitioned into administration and leadership roles serving as contract administrator, Project Manager and most recently Construction Manager before joining SEC in 2019.

Chip studied mathematics at the University of Georgia.
Renee Hand
Director, Project Management & Continuous Improvement
Renee Hand leads project management and continuous improvement for the South Gas Division of Artera, driving operational excellence and financial performance across infrastructure construction projects. She spearheaded the successful implementation of our digital transformation for a field management and bid tool. She also plays a key role in developing best practices in project tracking, supplier oversight, and cost management. Renee supports executive leadership with scheduling, budgeting, and program execution while ensuring compliance with contracts and client requirements. Known for her expertise, she is a trusted resource and leader who fosters a culture of excellence, accountability, teamwork, and collaboration within the organization.
Doug Simmons
General Manager, HDD
Doug Simmons Serves as General Manager, of Horizontal Directional Drilling (HDD). Doug brings more than 30 years of HDD experience and has led the Southeast Connections HDD department for 20 years. Doug has extensive expertise working with projects of all sizes and is well known in the industry. Under his leadership, customers and peers have come to regard SEC HDD capabilities as some of the strongest in the industry.
Matt Stonica
General Manager, Municipal Water/Sewer Division
Matt brings 30 years of experience in grading and utility pipeline work across private, commercial, industrial, and municipal sectors in the Southeast. He specializes in municipal utility projects, delivering critical water and sewer infrastructure that supports communities. Throughout his career, Matt has led every phase of project delivery – from design collaboration and budgeting to field execution and closeout. His expertise spans estimating, procurement, subcontractor management, field operations, and equipment logistics. With deep technical knowledge and strong relationships with municipal officials and engineers, he successfully oversees division-level operations and ensures project success.
Chelsea Cullen
Senior Director of Communications
Chelsea Cullen is Senior Director of Communications for the South and North Gas Divisions of Artera Services, including Southeast Connections. Since joining Artera in 2020, she has built and leads highly productive teams that deliver internal and external communications strategies aligned with business objectives. With more than 15 years of experience across public relations agencies, large nonprofits, and global industrial organizations, Chelsea brings broad expertise in brand creation, marketing, employee engagement, and multi-channel communications. She holds a bachelor’s degree in English Literature from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Master of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.