History
ELI Directional Drilling is a utility construction contractor based in the greater St. Louis metro area. ELI began in 2016 with a single drill and two-man crew just north of San Antonio, Texas, brought in to build out the infrastructure needed to supply the area VA hospitals with solar power as they transitioned to renewable energy.
In the years since, ELI has grown into a premiere, turn-key contractor with hundreds of miles of infrastructure built throughout the Midwest and Southwest regions, and was one of Inc. Magazine’s Inc. 5000 honorees in 2022 and 2023.
With a customer list including some of the largest utility providers, technology firms and private network customers in the country, we continue to build the critical infrastructure our communities rely on every day. We take immense pride in the quality of our work and are dedicated to the success of our clients, the satisfaction of their customers and the sustainability of the communities we serve.
Get in touch
At ELI Directional Drilling, we’re dedicated to the success of our clients and are committed to building better, stronger communities through quality services and community-minded culture.
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Leadership Team
CEO
Samantha Clemons Long
Sam is the Founder + CEO of ELI Directional Drilling. She has over a decade of Business Management under her belt, with experience spanning multiple industries. After studying at Kansas State University, Samantha began working in the Property Management industry, where she managed multi-million dollar property portfolios, increasing efficiency and implementing improved practices in an effort to increase margins and ensure continued profitability. She soon transitioned into the information technology space, managing data, systems and associated personnel in both the private and public sectors.
Since founding ELI Directional Drilling, Samantha has continued leveraging her diverse background and education within the organization and her greater community. In 2018, Samantha was selected as a member of FOCUS STL’s Emerging Leaders cohort and in 2021 she was selected as one of Inc. Magazine’s Female Founders 100 honorees. She currently serves on a number of non-profit and local advisory boards in Missouri and Texas.
president
David Long
David serves as President of ELI Directional Drilling, Inc. overseeing customer relations and operational integrity. David has over 15 years of construction & manufacturing experience, having served in various management and leadership capacities throughout his career. He is a demonstrated leader in the utility construction space, having earned recognition and accolades for his ingenuity and effectiveness.
Director of OPERATIONS
Ryan Kuntz
As Director of Operations, Ryan brings with him over 20 years of experience in horizontal drilling and trenchless technology applications. Since 2017, Ryan has been a key member of ELI’s leadership team, establishing its position as a sought-after partner in the Midwest. In addition to leading its expansion efforts, Ryan’s breadth of knowledge has been an asset to ELI’s continued growth.
DIRECTOR OF ADMINISTRATION
Christine Kuntz
Christine’s management experience spans multiple decades and industries. In her short time as a member of ELI’s leadership team, Christine has spear-headed its administration, stream-lining ELI’s back-office operations and enabling the recent acquisition of one of its long-time subcontractors, facilitating the organization’s growth and supporting the exceptional work of ELI’s teams in field.