About Us

about us

Founded in 2023, by Brad Shephard, Drover Construction is a full-service telecommunications fiber construction company based in South-Central Alaska. Our highly skilled workforce has decades of experience executing long-haul projects, connecting up suburbs and operating in dense urban centers. We are signatory with the IBEW Local 1547, and our employees have a reputation for getting projects done on budget and on time.

Drover Construction specializes in: Design-Build Services; Project & Construction Management; FTTH/FTTX Deployment; Overhead Cable Construction; Conduit, Vault, and Underground Cable Construction; Plowing, Trenching and Directional Drilling; Cable Splicing, Testing and Turn-up Service.

Brad Shephard

Owner - CEO

Brad Shephard has over 20 years working in the electrical and utility construction industry. Brad's extensive trade experience, includes: cable splicing; working as an OSP telecom lineman; project bidding & estimating; project management; and as a superintendent on large OSP utility contracts and long-haul fiber construction projects. His leadership background encompasses crew, project, and OSP divisional management, as well as serving as Chief of Operations for a large utility construction firm.

Judd England

Project Manager

Judd England has 28 years experience in the telecom industry- 20 yrs. working as an Installer and 8 yrs. in Project Management. He is a BICSI Certified Technician. Judd has worked on projects extensively in Alaska, both on the road system and in the Interior/Bush. Some of his major contracts have included work on: Air and Army bases; National Guard installations; university campuses; hospitals; school districts; court houses; the National Park Service; State DOT; local phone utilities; and in the private sector.

Cory Hearn

Line Superintendent

Cory Hearn began his career in the telecom industry in 2012. He has built a strong background in both underground and overhead construction, through years of hands-on experience. Cory has managed crews and led a wide range of projects, including: long-haul fiber installations; FTTH deployments; full town build-outs; and rural bush work across Alaska, Washington, Wyoming and Montana. Known for his production and leadership in the field, Cory has completed hundreds of miles of plowing in varying terrain and conditions. He has developed a strong following among crews and takes pride in keeping projects efficient, productive and on track.

Richard Hennagin III

Project Superintendent

Richard Hennagin III began his career in the telecom industry in 2011. He has developed a strong background in both field operations and project leadership, through years of hands-on experience. Richard worked his way up through the trade into a senior role before stepping into a Project Superintendent position in 2024. Richard has been involved in a wide range of projects, including: FTTH full town build-outs in Fairbanks, Alaska, as well as, work across Hawaii, Wyoming and Montana. His experience includes fiber optic installation along the Hana Highway, in Hawaii, working in rugged and challenging terrain. Richard has also completed extensive overhead fiber installations in remote villages throughout Alaska. With a strong skill set in time management, project oversight, and fiber optic installation, Richard plays a key role in keeping projects organized and on schedule. He is a skilled overhead hand and places a strong emphasis on safety in all aspects of his work.

Tyler Nelson

Splicing Manager

Tyler Nelson has 17 years in the telecom industry. He has 6 yrs. of solid experience working as a utility splicer and 5 yrs. as a contracting splicer. In 2019, Tyler oversaw splicing on the MTA, 300 mile Alcan 1 project. He was able to finish the project early, in spite of the COVID pandemic, helping the customer with rapid turnup of the service. In 2020, Tyler became lead splicer on multiple DOT Relocation projects for ACS, including: McGrath Road and University Avenue, in Fairbanks. Tyler specializes in fiber testing & troubleshooting and copper splicing. He holds a minor in engineering.