Meet our Team
Our team
Owner and President
Allie Nowlan
Allie Nowlan is the President of Underground Connections, bringing a wealth of leadership and industry experience to the role. With a strong background in construction and project management, Allie has been instrumental in driving the company's strategic vision and growth. Under her leadership, Underground Connections has expanded its project portfolio to include significant military and government contracts throughout Virginia. Allie is dedicated to fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment, ensuring the company adheres to the highest standards of safety and quality. She works closely with the management team, including overseeing operations, finance, and human resources, to maintain efficient and effective business practices. Allie's commitment to excellence and her ability to inspire her team have been key to the company’s success. Her vision and strategic approach continue to position Underground Connections as a leader in the underground utility construction industry.
Owner, Vice-President
Ben Nowlan
Benjamin Nowlan has over 15 years of experience in the Underground Utility Construction Industry. He began his career in 2008 as a laborer with a Horizontal Directional Drilling company in Chesapeake, VA, and quickly moved up the ranks. By 2010, he managed his first project at Fentress Airfield Rehabilitation under Lane Construction and E.G. Middleton. In 2016, Ben was appointed Director of Underground Construction, a position he excelled in for five years. In 2021, he decided to realize his vision of an ideal Underground Utility Company, founding his own enterprise. Ben has been involved in numerous high-profile utility projects, including those at NASA Langley, Naval Station Norfolk, Yorktown Naval Weapons Station, NAS Oceana, and Langley AFB, among other military and government projects throughout Virginia's Eastern Region.
Director of Operations
Eli Lopez
Eli Lopez has over 15 years of experience in the Underground Construction industry. He worked as an Operator and Foreman for nine years and served as a Project Manager for an Underground Construction company in Chesapeake, VA, for six years. Eli has managed high-profile projects such as the HRBT Expansion, City of Norfolk INET Fiber Ring, and various military communications upgrades. At Underground Connections, he oversees project scopes, timelines, and job site hazard analyses for Hampton Roads projects. Eli ensures daily reporting, crew safety, and utility damage prevention, maintaining high standards across all projects.
Project Manager, Hampton Roads Division
Russell Fletcher
William “Russell” Fletcher brings 25 years of expertise in utility construction, with a specialization in Horizontal Directional Drilling. For the past 20 years, he has been adeptly managing crews and projects. His notable projects include rock drilling at Dulles International Airport, traffic signal installations in downtown Savannah, Georgia, the HRBT expansion project, and various Dominion Energy projects throughout Hampton Roads. William's deep knowledge of underground utilities significantly contributes to the success of Underground Connections.
Project Manager, Civil Division
Richard Knapp
Carl “Richard” Knapp, born in Chester, Pennsylvania, and raised in Virginia Beach, has nearly 25 years of experience in construction. He began in grade work and quickly excelled in heavy equipment operation, becoming a foreman within a few years. Transitioning to underground utilities, Richard spent the last 14 years specializing in polyethylene pipe fusion, certified up to 48 inches. At Underground Connections, he manages projects, team building, sales, and estimating. Richard values the company's investment in his growth, considering Underground Connections as a family and a long-term partnership, helping him elevate his skills and expand the company’s success.
Executive Administrator
Luke Johnson
Luke Johnson applies his creative and operational background as Executive Administrator at Underground Connections to modernize branding, communications, and internal workflows. He develops standard operating procedures, automates key processes, and supports project coordination and permitting. He also manages content and training updates. These efforts streamline operations and maintain consistency across the company.
Chief Financial Officer
Rebecca Gladden
Rebecca Bell Gladden, a licensed Certified Public Accountant in Virginia, serves as Chief Financial Officer at Underground Connections, bringing over four decades of expertise in financial consulting, tax strategy, and business management. Her career began as Assistant Controller for the Kellam Companies, where she helped develop industry-specific accounting systems during the expansion into Shore Stops. After earning her CPA license while raising three children, she established her own firm on the Eastern Shore, advising individuals and businesses with strategic tax planning and financial insights. Rebecca later joined a corporate CPA firm in Norfolk, VA, supporting large-scale businesses with tax and financial management for more than ten years. In 2020, she returned to the Eastern Shore to serve her clients independently. At Underground Connections, she values teamwork, long-term growth, and empowering others to make smart financial decisions.
Office Manager
Lindsey Miller
Lindsey Miller brings six years of experience as a Staffing Manager in Kansas City, Missouri, where she managed recruitment and HR duties for over 30 clients and up to 200 associates. She now serves as the Office Manager for Underground Connections. Lindsey is responsible for contract review, purchase orders, accounts receivable and payable, new employee onboarding, employee benefits, and vehicle and equipment maintenance scheduling. Her extensive HR background and organizational skills ensure smooth administrative operations at Underground Connections.