At Northern Lights Utility Locating, building strong relationships is at the core of everything we do. We recently sat down with Jess Miller, Vice President of Locate Services, to talk about business growth, customer communication, and what sets Northern Lights apart in the world of utility locating in Indiana.
OLIVIA CANTER: Today I'm sitting down with Jess Miller from Northern Lights. How are you?
JESS MILLER: Doing well, how are you?
OLIVIA: Awesome. Thank you so much for taking the time to chat utility locating. Do you mind telling me a little bit about what you do specifically at Northern Lights and kind of what your day -to -day looks like?
JESS: Yeah. My primary role is business development, creating relationships with our customers and growing the company. You know, we've had some great growth over the last few years, so it's been a fun ride.
OLIVIA: No kidding. So communication is incredibly vital in the utility locating space from communicating with different teams and over communicating with customers. How does that translate into relationship building and how have you been able to kind of do that successfully with all of your efforts?
JESS: Yeah, I think like you said, communication is like the lifeline of what we do. It starts there. I think first and foremost, it starts with being an open book. Transparency is key And that, I think, in our industry, that that got lost along the way. So kind of bringing that back to the forefront and creating that partnership from the start and if something's wrong, you let the customer know. That builds a trust level and builds that long -term relationship that I think a lot of utility partners are seeking right now. So it's definitely, we're seeing a definite change and shift in the utility locate industry right now.
OLIVIA: That's fantastic. It's especially important if you want to keep a customer around for a long time to be upfront and to be totally honest. So my last question for you today is if someone has never heard of Northern Lights before and has no idea what you guys are about, what's one thing you would want them to know about what sets you apart or what makes you different?
JESS: It's culture. It starts there. I mean, it starts from the top down. Our owners of our company treat us like family and, you know, we want to continue that even through the growth. I was one of 12 employees when I started here at Northern Lights and now we're over 300 and continuing to grow. So keeping that mentality and keeping that vibe throughout the entire industry, what we're trying to do is just different. So that's first and foremost.
OLIVIA: Absolutely. Well, thank you so much for taking time to sit down with me today.
JESS: Yeah, thank you.
As a leader in private utility locating, Jess focuses on business development and maintaining long-term partnerships with construction teams, engineers, municipalities, and utility providers. “We’ve had some great growth over the last few years, so it’s been a fun ride,” Jess shared.
That growth is no accident. It’s built on communication, transparency, and a commitment to doing things differently.
“Communication is the lifeline of what we do. It starts there.”
Why Communication Matters in Utility Locating
When it comes to underground utility detection, missed marks or delays can cause costly setbacks. That’s why the team at Northern Lights prioritizes clear communication with every locate.
Jess explains, “Transparency is key. In our industry, that got lost along the way. So we’re bringing that back—being honest with our customers when something’s wrong builds trust and creates long-term partnerships.”
This open-book approach is especially vital for large-scale projects in Indiana that require precision utility locating services and consistent coordination across multiple teams.
A Culture That Sets Northern Lights Apart
When asked what makes Northern Lights different, Jess didn’t hesitate: “It’s culture.”
From 12 employees to over 300, the team has grown fast—but the family mindset hasn’t changed.
“Our owners treat us like family, and we carry that same mentality into how we work with our clients.”
It’s a big reason contractors and project managers across Indiana turn to Northern Lights for accurate utility locating, reliable communication, and a partner they can trust to do it right the first time.
Ready to Work with Utility Locators Who Put People First?
If you’re planning a project and need utility locating in Indiana, Northern Lights is ready to help. Whether it’s private locating, subsurface utility engineering support, or underground utility detection, our team brings unmatched experience—and heart—to every job.
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Ready to safeguard your essential services and protect your community? Take action now. Call Northern Lights Utility Locating at 317.837.0520 or visit our contact page to ensure the integrity of your utilities today.
