The Hydrovac Excavating Story
Hydrovac, Inc. is a fourth-generation, family-owned hydrovac excavation specialist serving the Tri-State area since 2003. Built on the Conklin family’s legacy of integrity and innovation, we deliver reliable, safe, and efficient excavation solutions for utilities, contractors, and engineers.
At Hydrovac, Inc., our business is more than excavation—it’s upholding a family promise to deliver excellence, every time.
Ira Conklin III
Owner, Hydrovac Excavating
Our Pillars of Excellence
Client-First
Mindset
We treat every project—and every customer—as part of the family, responding rapidly and communicating transparently.
Operational
Expertise
From emergency call-outs to precision mark-outs, our seasoned team combines hands-on experience with cutting-edge hydrovac technology.
Safety &
Compliance
Fully certified and insured, we adhere strictly to industry regulations (including NY Code Rule 753) and maintain rigorous in-field protocols.
Continuous Improvement
Leveraging data-driven insights and cross-generational know-how, we constantly refine workflows to reduce downtime and optimize results.
Leadership Team
Ira Conklin III
Owner
Ira founded Hydrovac Excavating, Inc. in 2003 after selling his family’s pump-and-tank business—where he’d worked since 1977 and served as president until its 1998 sale. Following a brief retirement, a trip to Canada inspired him to pioneer one of New York State’s first hydro-excavation fleets.
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With hands-on construction experience starting at age 14, he brings real-world know-how and “extreme ownership” leadership—listening closely, then making decisive calls. A longtime board member of a local bank, Ira is driven by total client satisfaction (no site left until the job’s done right). He’s especially proud that his adult children have joined the company, continuing the family legacy. Out of the office, he enjoys motorcycling, hunting, and spending time with family.
Cait Conklin Hogan
Vice President
Cait officially joined Hydrovac Inc. in 2009, managing accounts receivable at a time when the company operated with just two vac trucks. Over 15 years later, she now oversees all office operations and administrative decisions. A proud graduate of Mount
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Saint Mary College with a degree in Business Management, Cait thrives on the autonomy of running a family business and cherishes the opportunity to work alongside her relatives every day. Her leadership hasn’t gone unnoticed—her dad, Ira III, likes to joke that she’s “the real boss” of the company. Outside the office, she’s a devoted mom, often found on the sidelines of lacrosse games or traveling across the country for national dance competitions to support her daughters.
Ira Conklin IV
Operations Manager
If you’ve called Hydrovac recently, you’ve likely met “Little” Ira Conklin IV, our Operations Manager—his earliest memory is bouncing along in a dump truck with his dad, proof he’s been part of this family business since he could walk. He officially joined the trenches in 2015,
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digging holes and earning his stripes (and his CDL), then ran his own crew for five years before moving into fleet management and handling 24/7 emergency calls. With his CDL, confined-space permit, and New York State operator qualifications, Ira thrives on saying “yes” to customers, solving problems efficiently, and hearing their positive feedback. Passionate about preserving the Conklin legacy, he loves meeting new clients, tackling unprecedented jobs, and finding clever ways to cut project time in half. Off the clock, this avid outdoorsman and hunter recharges on hiking trails and in the fresh air.
Support Team
Robin Kozinn
Office Administrator
Robin joined Hydrovac, Inc. in March 2023 as our Office Administrator, where she handles billing, phone inquiries, mark-outs, and all the day-to-day admin work that keeps us on track. With a strong bookkeeping background and certification as a tax preparer, she’s our go-to for anything numbers-related. Robin thrives in the
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welcoming, family-first atmosphere here and values the close-knit team dynamic. Outside the office, she’s a proud mom of two—one of whom serves as a female U.S. Marine—and loves cheering on her kids’ latest adventures.
Mike Bates
Fleet/Operations Manager
Mike has been a cornerstone of the business since the beginning,—starting with the Conklin’s as a helper in the early ’80s, then rising through sandblasting, lining, and crew-chief roles before stepping into operations management. Today, he oversees scheduling, pricing, bidding, equipment readiness, and certification for
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every job, while also bringing in major accounts and negotiating national contracts. Mike holds a CDL-A, confined-space permit, OSHA 10 & 40, and a Pennsylvania lining license, making him the go-to expert for keeping crews safe and projects on track. He thrives in our family-owned environment, where cohesiveness and mutual support drive every success. Off the clock, Mike’s a lifelong sports fanatic—especially golf, a passion he’s chased since age eight.
Mr. Robin Fiore
Sales & Business Development Manager
Robin is a new addition to Hydrovac, Inc. and already feels like family. He leads customer relationship management and drives growth by diversifying service offerings and expanding key segments. With an extensive background managing dealer networks and sales teams in the powersports industry,
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Robin brings a data-driven mindset and strong organizational skills to every challenge. He thrives in our fast-paced, family atmosphere and finds real satisfaction completing the big projects that make a difference. Certified in motorcycle safety, first aid, forklift operation, and a variety of technical programs, Robin lives for the outdoors—especially when he’s out on his motorcycle exploring new terrain.
Our Crew On the Job
