Leadership Team

JD Harris serves as Chief Executive Officer, overseeing operations across the Plainfield, IN and Mt. Sterling, KY offices and the company’s five operating divisions. He co-founded JDH Contracting, Inc. with his wife, Dee, in 1995 and has grown the company while remaining committed to each team member’s professional and personal development. What began as excavation services for the cellular tower industry has evolved under JD’s leadership into a fully integrated construction enterprise, expanding into utility infrastructure, tower services, fiber optic construction, and vertical drilling. Today, JDH delivers fully integrated solutions across the utility, civil, and commercial sectors, from initial development through project completion.

Cal Harris’ career with JDH began in 2011 as a summer employee, gaining hands-on experience across multiple divisions before joining the company full-time after college. He has since progressed through key roles in both field and office operations, including Project Manager in Fiber Construction and Director of Fiber Operations, before advancing to his current role as Acting President. As part of the next generation of leadership, Cal is proud to carry JDH into its next chapter while staying grounded in the values it was built on—honesty and integrity, doing what’s right for customers, treating others with respect, never compromising safety, supporting the community, and protecting the environment.

Scott Sontag began his career with JDH in 1995 as a part-time employee when the company was founded and transitioned into a full-time role in 1999. His progression through roles including laborer, foreman, construction manager, estimator, project manager, vice president, and now Chief Operating Officer reflects more than 30 years of hands-on industry experience and leadership.

As COO, Scott oversees construction operations across the Indiana and Kentucky offices and is focused on keeping projects running efficiently without ever compromising safety or quality.

Sam Richard serves as Vice President of Operations for the Indiana office and brings over 27 years of experience in the construction industry. His background spans civil construction and fiber infrastructure, giving him a broad operational perspective across multiple service lines. Sam is responsible for overseeing day-to-day operations, driving performance, and ensuring projects are executed safely, efficiently, and aligned with company standards while consistently delivering high-quality results.

Jon Hayse is a seasoned telecommunications leader with over 18 years of experience. He combines hands-on field experience with strong leadership and takes a lot of pride in building teams that put safety first and get the job done right. Over the years, he’s led a wide range of wireless infrastructure projects, from site development and tower work to network installations, while building solid relationships across the industry and keeping safety at the center of everything he does.

Kyle Meranda is an accomplished construction professional with over 15 years of experience specializing in foundation drilling and ground service operations. He has led a wide range of projects involving drilled shafts, caissons, and complete site development, consistently delivering results from initial layout through final restoration. His approach is centered on safety, accountability, and keeping projects moving efficiently without sacrificing quality.

Ethan Wildman has been a member of the JDH team since the fall of 2013 and currently serves as Director of Fiber Operations. Over the years, he has worked his way through roles including laborer, project coordinator, and estimator, building a strong, hands-on understanding of the business along the way. Today, he leads teams delivering fiber projects from planning and design through construction, including underground and aerial installation, splicing, and testing, while staying focused on strong customer relationships and getting the job done right.

Jake Clendenen is a graduate of Ball State University and an Associate Safety Professional with 18 years of experience in the utilities construction and maintenance industry. His expertise includes trench and confined space safety, and he is certified as a First Aid/CPR/AED Trainer through the American Red Cross. Jake is passionate about leveraging his field and operations management experience to implement safety practices that support both compliance and efficiency in the field.