No Guts, No Glory

Tyler and Wes’ journey from oil fields in North Dakota to co-owning Glory Utilities, successful horizontal directional drilling company in North Carolina, is a story of grit, resilience, and consistently rising above.

The Early Years: A Work Ethic Solidified in the Oil Fields

Tyler’s story starts in 2005, when he was fresh out of high school. While many of his peers were heading off to college full-time, Tyler decided to split his time between college and part-time construction work, using the latter to pay off student loans. Even then, his strong work ethic was clear—so it was no surprise that once the oil field kicked off in the Bakken, North Dakota, he left school to seize the opportunity.

Two years later, in 2007, he would meet his now business partner, Wesley Wittkop. Tyler was an excavator operator, and Wes was an engineer. Reflecting on their friendship, Tyler fondly recalls how naturally they hit it off:

“When we worked together, we just clicked. We were somewhat close to the same age, we’re both good looking men, and we both had the same interests, so it was pretty awesome to begin with.”

Together, they weathered the highs and lows of life in the oil fields.

While it paid well, the job was grueling: they worked in all weather conditions, from freezing snow to humid heat, and almost all year round, with only 4-10 days off a year. But even amid the grueling hours and unpredictable conditions, Tyler wouldn’t trade those years for anything:

“It built a work ethic, and that was our calling,” he says. “We like to work hard, we like long hours, and we like nice things.”

With that realization, the duo decided to finally leave the oil fields in 2012.

“It was crazy. One minute we were teenagers in the oil field, the next we were 30. We didn’t know what the future held because our lives were a blur through the whole process,” Tyler admits.

But they were both looking for something more—something stable and fulfilling.

One Giant Leap into HDD

After a brief stint in Texas, where Tyler landed a career job, a phone call from a friend in North Carolina changed everything. The friend needed help starting a fiber optics business.

Tyler, who had no experience with fiber or horizontal directional drilling, jumped at the opportunity, thinking it would be an easy gig.

“I went there for what was supposed to be three weeks. By week two, I called Wes and said, ‘I’m in way over my head. I need you down here.’” Wesley didn’t hesitate. “He didn’t even tell his parents goodbye. He just drove all the way from Wyoming to North Carolina.”

Once the job was completed, the pair realized they wanted to settle down in North Carolina. “It had bigger cities, a cool atmosphere—that’s what Wes and I were chasing.” They also met their now wives at the time, solidifying their decision to stay and start a living in the state.

But there was still a problem: they didn’t know the first thing about HDD.

“We didn’t even know how to drill,” Tyler admits. “We had only ever assisted on bores, never drilled ourselves. When we were doing HDD in North Dakota, it was on holes that went up to 48 inches, on bores that took one to two years to do. We didn’t know there were machines that were that small that did fiber optic work! We didn’t even know what went in a [mud] tank. We just thought it was water. But that didn’t stop us.”

With no formal training but plenty of determination, Tyler and Wesley created Glory Utilities in 2017, a company they named to symbolize a higher standard of work and integrity.

"We picked the name Glory because it's symbolic…if you look up ‘glory,’ it’s about rising above. And that’s what we stand for,” Tyler explains.

The Growth of Glory Utilities

To build the company, Tyler and Wes had to learn through trial and error.

“Long story short, we didn’t learn going out there and being successful. We learned exactly what to do, how to do it, who to call, who can assist us…by literally getting out there and getting our hands dirty.” Tyler said. “We found out it’s really not about what you know, it’s who you know. And thank God we’re good with people, because we needed all the help in the world.”

The early days of Glory were rough. It was just Tyler and Wes, and for the first four years, their only goal was to make payroll. “What we made our first year is what we make a month now,” Tyler says with a smile.

But with the work ethic they learned in the oil fields, their business grew—and so did their knowledge of their craft. They began taking on larger jobs, handling bores with larger diameters and building out complex bore profiles. Tyler and Wesley became more than just contractors—they became specialists.

Today, they’re one of the most trusted HDD companies in their area, operating in multiple states and managing multiple crews.

The Importance of a Bore Plan

One of the core lessons Tyler and Wesley learned as they grew Glory Utilities was the importance of meticulous planning. “You have to engineer the bore. If you don’t have a bore plan, you’re gonna be successful five out of ten times. But with a plan, your success rate jumps to nine out of ten,” Tyler explains.

This level of precision is especially critical when working with hard rock or challenging terrains like those in the Carolinas. “Rock drilling is completely different than dirt drilling,” Tyler says. “Everything changes—the amount of equipment, the support, the personnel…Everything’s gotta be clean. Everything’s gotta be right.”

That’s why Glory Utilities places vast importance on having the right tools for the job. “I bring out tools that give me elevations and grades, so I can tell my guys, ‘This is the truth right here.’” One such tool that’s made a significant difference in their operations is the TeraTrak system, which Tyler credits with helping them secure major jobs that could have otherwise fallen apart.

Building a Company of Longevity and Trust

Tyler and Wesley lead by example. Tyler wakes up at 3:30 a.m. and drives 80 miles one way just to their yard in the morning. And while they could stay in the office, both Tyler and Wes are hands-on in the field every day. “The owner’s not off-site,” Tyler explains. “If there’s a question, I’m there. Every job, no matter how big or small, is important.”

The company’s values—efficiency, honesty, and integrity—are reflected not only in their work but in how they treat their employees and clients. “Presentation matters,” Tyler says. “We show up with clean equipment and a professional crew because that’s how we want to be known.” Glory is not just a company—it’s a family.

As a testament to their character, when asked what they’d define as Glory’s biggest achievement, they didn’t mention the money or name-drop a large client—it was that many of their employees have been able to buy homes.

Bound for Success from the Beginning

DCI Territory Manager Terry Crosier was the one who brought Glory Utilities to our attention—and we’re so glad he did. Below he speaks to how he knew Tyler and Wes would be successful, and how they continue to maintain that success today:

“I met Tyler Chilean early in his startup of Glory Utilities and my first impression was that I felt they were going to be very successful. Tyler and Wes took their time and were very selective about the type of work they were going to be getting involved in. They had an extensive background in pipeline and rock boring so they decided that rock boring was going to be where they would focus their pursuit and set them apart from most of the everyday startup companies. They always made efforts to stay current with the latest and greatest of the DCI product line, getting into the new Falcon F5 and upgrading as technology advanced. Tyler and Wes also saw the advantage in the early days of the TeraTrak R1 and made their purchase, the first one in the Mid-Atlantic territory. With that added to their arsenal in 2021 they were bound to ensure a high level of success and decided to also help other local drillers with providing bore plans on their tough projects—and make a little money along the way. Glory Utilities continues to set the bar high for the local contractors and show a great deal of respect for their crew members. It has been a great pleasure to see this company grow and be part of the support group that keeps them going strong. I've had the honor to meet their families and see that they have such a well-rounded plan with their spouses being involved in the company and making the treacherous long hours something they share together. These two families will go a long way and will enjoy great success in this industry, and I am glad to assist them along in any way I can.”

Looking to the Future

Now, with a new shop and yard in the works, Tyler and Wesley have their sights set on long-term growth. “It’s about quality over quantity,” Tyler says, reflecting on the company’s goals for the future. “We’re not just looking for quick money. The long game takes science. That’s where we want to take it. We want to establish something that lasts.”

With a 10-year plan and a focus on being technology-driven, Glory Utilities is on track to continue raising the bar in the HDD industry. And as Tyler looks back on his journey, he’s grateful for how far they’ve come.

“We eat, sleep, and drink this business,” Tyler concludes. “And at the end of the day, when Wes and I present ourselves, we stand by everything. I’ll keep that Glory hat on until the day I retire.”

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Tyler Chilian and Wesley Wittkop’s story is one of perseverance, growth, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. From humble beginnings in the oil fields to building a trusted name in horizontal directional drilling, Tyler and Wesley have created a company that stands for something greater—a company that will continue to rise above for years to come.