CEO for Existing NCA Portfolio Company (Utility & Infrastructure/ Southern California)

Novastone Capital Advisors (NCA) runs a global Operator-Led Search Fund program, helping mid-career professionals to identify, acquire, grow, and exit established small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) typically faced with succession challenges. This opportunity is for Horizon Underground Inc., a portfolio company of NCA and a well-established underground utility infrastructure contractor based in Southern California. With more than two decades of experience, the company has built a strong reputation for quality, safety, and reliability across telecom, energy, and public infrastructure projects.

About the role

Horizon Underground Inc. is seeking a hands-on, field-oriented CEO to lead and scale the business through its next phase of growth. The company has deep capabilities across directional drilling, trenching, hydro excavation, fiber installation, and utility construction, serving a diverse base of long-standing clients. The CEO will have full P&L ownership and be responsible for operational excellence, strategic growth, and cultural stewardship. This leader will work closely with frontline crews, project managers, and customers while building the systems, processes, and leadership bench required to scale responsibly. This is an opportunity for an operator-first executive who thrives in essential services, infrastructure, and industrial environments. The right candidate will combine strategic thinking with practical execution, preserving what already works while professionalizing the business for long-term sustainable growth.

Requirements

• 5 to 15 years of leadership experience in infrastructure, industrial services, construction, utilities, or related B2B sectors
• Demonstrated full P&L responsibility with a strong track record of revenue growth and margin expansion
• Proven operational leadership experience across multi-site or regional organizations
• Experience leading field-based teams, including project managers, superintendents, and skilled trades
• Strong background in process improvement, operational discipline, and performance management
• Experience managing customer relationships with telecom, utility, energy, or public sector clients
• Track record of scaling a business through systems implementation, KPI management, and leadership development
• Financial fluency including budgeting, forecasting, cash flow management, and capital allocation
• High integrity leadership style with a strong commitment to safety and culture
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, operations, business, or a related field

Nice to Have

• Experience in underground utilities, directional drilling, fiber deployment, or civil infrastructure services
• Background in larger corporate environments with exposure to structured operating systems, followed by leadership in smaller or founder-led businesses
• Experience leading business transformation or integration initiatives
• M&A experience, including acquisition integration and post-close value creation

Benefits

• Opportunity to lead a respected, established infrastructure company with a strong market position
• Partnership with an experienced partner focused on support and long-term value creation
• Competitive executive compensation package including performance-based incentives
• Long-term wealth creation opportunity tied to company performance
• Ability to shape strategy, culture, and legacy in a critical infrastructure business
• A platform to build, lead, and scale an essential services company with real community impact