Key Personnel

James Driver - Chairman & CEO

James began working in the pipeline construction industry in 1957.  From 1957 to 1971, he worked for Rivers Corporation and R. H. Fulton Company in various capacities including as a heavy equipment operator, welder and foreman.  James founded Driver Pipeline in 1971 and, under his leadership the Company has grown into a nationally recognized and respected service provider to the country’s best energy companies.

Russell Driver - President

Russell grew up working in the family business. As a young man, he spent his summers and holidays working out in the field, learning the pipeline construction industry from the bottom up. Upon graduating University of North Texas in 1985 with a BS in Management, he entered the family business working full time in the corporate office. For the next twenty-one years, Russell served in many different capacities helping grow Driver Pipeline into one of the premier pipeline construction contractors in the United States. 
In 2006, Russell ventured out to pursue his entrepreneurial spirit by co-founding an oil and gas exploration company and in 2009 co-founded a frac sand business to serve the oil and gas industry. In July of 2017, Russell stepped back into Driver Pipeline to serve as President. 

Chuck LeCroy - Executive Vice President of Operations

Chuck began working for Lone Star Gas in 1980. He performed various operations and construction functions including operating equipment, leak repair, crew leader, supervisor and superintendent. In 1986, Chuck was promoted to Superintendent II in Dallas over construction performed by outside contractors and inspection of work performed by those contractors. Chuck joined Driver Pipeline in 1997, was the superintendent over projects throughout North and Central Texas, and then oversaw the East Dallas Service Center, which performs both gas and electrical work. In 2012 Chuck became General Manager of DFW Metroplex Operations, and in 2014 was promoted to Vice President of Operations.

Donald R. (Buzz) Pruit - Vice President - Transmission Pipelines, Stations, Terminals, and Business Development

Buzz began working on cross country pipelines in 1970 in Texas and Wyoming as a laborer, welder’s  helper all the way up to General Superintendent. In 1995, he began his career with Diamond Shamrock  running operations and maintenance of over 1250 miles of pipelines and terminal facilities in Texas,  Oklahoma, Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas. Diamond Shamrock was sold to Valero, and after several years, NuStar Energy split from Valero forming a pipelines and terminals company. In 2005, Buzz was promoted to Director of Construction and was responsible for Capital Projects construction throughout the United States, Scotland, Amsterdam, and the Caribbean Island of St. Eustatius. In 2013, his role was changed to Director of Safety/Capital Projects, where he remained until his retirement in September 2018 to go back into the private sector and back into pipeline and facility construction.

Jeff Moore - Vice President - Health & Safety

Jeff joined Driver in 2009 as a lead safety coordinator and has since steadily proven himself and moved up the ranks to Director of Safety and the position he currently holds, Vice President of Health and Safety. His experience in construction and oil and gas safety spans several decades including lead positions at AOK Construction and Delta Gulf Energy Services. Jeff is an active participant in multiple safety groups, such as the APCA (American Pipeline Contractors Association), North Texas Damage Prevention Council, and the Oil and Gas HSE Practitioner’s Group.

Allen Friar - Vice President - Equipment

Allen started working at Driver Pipeline in 1981 performing mechanical services and repairs on the company’s fleet of vehicles and equipment in the shop and in the field.  In 1986, Allen's responsibilities were increased to supervising all of the work being performed in the mechanic shop as well as at all job sites.  In 1990 Allen was promoted to Equipment Superintendent, and in 2014 was promoted to Vice President of our Equipment Division  where he is responsible for all vehicle and equipment preventive maintenance, repairs, leases, rentals and acquisitions.

Vivian Winston - Vice President - Business Development and Special Projects

Vivian received her B.A. in Marketing from University of Houston. She is a member of the Pipeliners Association of Houston and San Antonio Pipeliners Association.
Vivian has been in the oil and gas industry for over 20 years. She began her career with an international company, PERTAMINA. She then joined ExxonMobil and held various supervisory and global positions within the ExxonMobil Pipeline Company, Americas Fuels Operations, Global Lubes Operations, Chemicals, and Development. During her 20-year tenure with the company, she gained invaluable experience from both engineering and operations departments in the areas of pipeline and terminal area of High Consequence Area (HCA), audit, risk assessment, measurement, recruiting, and facility drawings.
In early 2020, she was appointed to her current role as the Vice President of Business Development and Special Projects of Driver Pipeline Company.
Vivian enjoys volunteering and leading Day of Caring projects for the United Way of Greater Houston, making a difference in people’s lives.

Daniel Mitchell - CFO

Daniel joined Driver Pipeline as the Director of Finance in 2015, and was promoted to Chief Financial Officer in 2018. Daniel brings with him numerous years of experience from his previous employment at Austin Industries. Daniel’s extensive knowledge of Finance, Treasury, and Asset Management in the Construction Industry enable him to lead the continued financial growth of the company. He has been instrumental in facilitating and solidifying banking and vendor relationships, and works closely with the operations team to make informed financial decisions on the acquisition and disposition of equipment. Daniel is a University of Missouri alumnus and received his MBA from Saint Louis University. He is a member of the Dallas Association of Financial Professionals and CFMA.

If you have a project coming up and would like a bid, or would like to speak with someone on our Marketing team, please send us your contact information and a brief description using the form below.