Key People - Dallas

Dallas - Corporate Headquarters

James Driver – CEO

After completing studies at Tyler Jr. College in Tyler, Texas, James began working in the pipeline construction industry in 1957. From 1957 to 1971, James worked for Rivers Corporation and R. H. Fulton Company in various capacities including heavy equipment operator, welder and foreman. He founded the company in 1971, and under his leadership, Driver Pipeline Company has grown into a well-known, safe, reliable and respected service provider to many of the country’s energy companies.

Jim Shaffer – President

Jim has over 20 years of management and corporate administrative experience. He has a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance from Penn State University and his MBA from Case Western Reserve University . Previously, Jim was Vice President of Administration and CIO for StatesRail, a short line railroad holding company, where he oversaw the accounting and IT departments and was in charge of insurance, risk management, employee benefit programs, claims, litigation management, contract administration, government relations, and real estate. Prior to that he was President of Kiamichi Railroad. At Driver Pipeline, Jim is responsible for all accounting, IT, safety, risk management, regulatory compliance, legal, human resources, treasury, and other corporate administrative functions.

Scott Driver – Vice President of Operations

Scott began his career in 1979, working in the field for Driver Pipeline Company on transmission related projects. From 1987 to 1996, Scott held foreman and superintendent positions for projects within the transmission and distribution groups. Beginning in 1996, Scott was promoted to Vice President where he directs the work activities for approximately 85 crews working on behalf of Atmos Gas Distribution and manages all functions associated with the fabrication shop, equipment fleet, and concrete crews.

Chris Parker – Operations Manager, Gas & Electric Distribution

Chris began working for Lone Star Gas Company in 1981, and performed various operational and construction functions including cathodic protection technician, regulator and pressure control technician, line locator, and construction coordinator. In 1994, he was promoted to construction supervisor, then to field superintendent. Chris joined Driver Pipeline Company, Inc. in 1996 and has been the general superintendent for work performed in North Texas, primarily for Lone Star Gas; and has supervised multi-million dollar projects involving polyethylene and steel pipeline lays, relocations, and HDD’s in downtown Dallas and Austin.

Steve Wallace – Fabrication Manager

Lone Star Gas Company and Lone Star Pipeline Company employed Steve from 1967 until 1997. During that time, Steve worked in various capacities including purchasing, inventory control, accounting, pipeline construction and fabrication. Steve joined Driver Pipeline Company in 1998, as fabrication superintendent and supervised the expansion of Driver Pipeline Company’s fabrication shop and its capabilities. Steve has extensive knowledge of meter and regulator station components and fit-up; and has supervised the fabrication of hundreds of PD, orifice and turbine custody transfer meter stations.

Brad Stringer – Fabrication Superintendent

Brad’s employment in the natural gas industry began in 1977 with Lone Star Gas Company – Transmission Division which later became Lone Star Pipeline Company. He worked there until 1997. During that time, Brad worked as shop helper, utility worker, welder, lead welder and shop foreman. Brad became a Driver Pipeline Co. employee in 1998 as our Fabrication Shop Foreman. Brad has thirty years experience related to the fabrication of all types of measuring and regulating stations including orifice meter tubes, rotary, turbine and positive displacement meter installations and other items such as pig launchers and receivers, header installations, etc.

Russell Hunn M.E. – Project Engineer

Russell has a Bachelors Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Texas A&M University and is a professional Engineer licensed in Texas and Illinois. After working for major oil & gas companies and engineering firms (like Brown & Root, NGPL, Sinclair Refining) and his own firm, Hunn Corporation, Russell joined Driver Pipeline Company Pipeline in 1995, and has managed projects involving the expansion of existing light oil terminals and designed, managed and constructed new terminal facilities. Over the past 30 years, Russell has had project development and/or O&M responsibilities for over 150 marine and pipeline terminals.

Allen Friar – Equipment Manager

Allen started working at Driver Pipeline Company Pipeline in 1981, and performed mechanical servicing of Driver Pipeline Company’s fleet of vehicles and equipment in the shop and in the field. In 1986, his responsibilities were increased to supervising work performed in the shop and at job sites. In 1990, Allen was promoted to Equipment Superintendent and is responsible for all vehicle and equipment preventive maintenance, repairs, leases, rentals and acquisitions.

Steve Knowles – Assistant Superintendent

From 1969 through 1973, Steve worked with various contractors as a laborer, oiler and operator. He joined Driver Pipeline Company in 1973, and worked a heavy equipment operator and truck driver, and then as a foreman for the following crews: ditch, stringing, tie-ins, river crossings, road boring, until 1991 when he was promoted to assistant superintendent. In 1993, he went to work for Welch Construction laying pipelines, building tank farms, and installing jet fuel systems at major airports. Steve returned to Driver Pipeline Company in 1996, and has overseen pump stations, several HDD’s, new pipe lay construction and relocation projects.