Chief Executive Officer for Portfolio Company
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.
Check our website for more information: http://www.novastone-ca.com.
This opportunity is for Horizon Underground, 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.
Description
Horizon Underground is seeking a hands-on, field-oriented CEO to lead and grow the business through its next phase. The company has deep capabilities across directional drilling, trenching, hydro excavation, fiber installation, and utility construction, serving a diverse base of long-standing clients.
Horizon Underground is a well-run and consistently profitable operation with a track record built over more than 26 years. The mandate for this role is growth: winning new customers, opening new avenues of business, and extending the company's reach into adjacent end markets that rely on underground utility infrastructure, including military, government, and direct data center work.
The CEO will have full P&L ownership and will personally lead sales and business development, while sustaining the operational discipline and safety culture the company has already built. This leader will work closely with frontline crews, project managers, and customers.
This is an opportunity for an operator-first executive who thrives in essential services, infrastructure, and industrial environments. The right candidate will combine commercial drive with practical execution; someone who respects and preserves what already works while opening new paths to growth.
Requirements
10+ years of leadership experience in infrastructure, industrial services, construction, utilities, or comparable sectors
Demonstrated track record of top-line growth: winning new customers, entering new markets, and expanding service offerings
Direct, hands-on ownership of sales and business development, including personal involvement in pursuing and closing new work
Experience expanding a services business into adjacent end markets; exposure to military, government, data center, telecom, energy, or public sector clients is particularly relevant
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
Experience managing and growing long-term customer relationships with telecom, utility, energy, or public sector clients
Track record of building and developing a leadership bench
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
Existing relationships or contracting experience in military, government, or data center construction
Familiarity with public sector procurement, bidding, and contract award processes
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
Based in Southern California; candidates outside the region will be considered if they are committed to relocating
What We Offer
Opportunity to lead a respected, established, and profitable 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
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, and all submitted CVs pass through the same application process, regardless of gender, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, race, political affiliation, marital status, disability, age, parental status, or any other non-merit factor.