With both pride and a measure of wistfulness, Ellingson-DTD announces the retirement of James (Jim) Doesburg, effective January 31, following a long and fulfilling career as a remediation geologist, corporate founder, technology advocate, and inventor.
Jim has been a powerhouse contributor to the world of environmental directional drilling. In the early 1990’s, he became involved in the industry through work with Battelle Pacific NW laboratory at the Hanford site in eastern Washington. There, he headed Battelle’s Environmental Management Office, a group tasked with commercializing new and effective environmental cleanup technologies. His work with HDD as a remediation option increased when he was selected to head Flowmole Environmental Services, a joint venture between UNOCAL and a Washington underground utilities firm, UTILX. Flowmole morphed into Directed Technologies Drilling, Inc. in 1995, with Jim at the helm as President and CEO, continuing as CEO until 2019, when DTD was acquired by Ellingson Companies. The DTD team continues to operate within Ellingson as a group specializing in environmental cleanup, one of only two such niche companies in the country. After the merger, Jim continued to consult with select clientele on projects of exceptional interest and technical challenge.
During his career, Jim developed significant core technologies now used in the industry, mentored and educated hundreds of clients and colleagues, and extended technical knowledge and the range of projects that can be successfully completed using directional drilling. He was awarded a prestigious National Groundwater Society Life Member award in 2021, recognizing his lifetime achievements and contributions to the industry.
In retirement, Jim intends to travel with his wife, Jean, and looks forward to spending time with his daughter and grandchildren.
Jim has been an inspiration to his colleagues, employees, and co-workers, and although we wish him the best in his new endeavors, we hate to see him go. We have been honored to work with him.