In Memory of Stephen “Steve” Hontz
A Statement from the Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I)
It is with profound sadness that the Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I) mourns the passing of Stephen “Steve” Hontz, President of ACE Pipe Cleaning and a valued member of the BAMI-I Board of Directors.
Steve’s passing is a tremendous loss not only for his family, friends, and colleagues, but also for the entire underground infrastructure community. Throughout his distinguished career, Steve earned the respect of countless professionals through his leadership, integrity, generosity, and unwavering commitment to advancing the industry.
As President of ACE Pipe Cleaning, Steve led one of North America’s most respected and influential companies specializing in pipeline cleaning, inspection, condition assessment, and rehabilitation support. Under his leadership, ACE became recognized not only for technical excellence and operational performance, but also for its commitment to innovation, workforce development, professional education, and industry collaboration. Steve believed that the success of the underground infrastructure industry depended on more than delivering quality projects—it depended on developing people, sharing knowledge, embracing innovation, and building strong partnerships across the profession.
Throughout his career, Steve was a champion of collaboration. He understood that solving the growing challenges facing buried infrastructure required utilities, contractors, researchers, universities, technology developers, consultants, and professional organizations to work together. He consistently invested his time, expertise, and resources in initiatives that strengthened those partnerships and advanced the profession as a whole.
For BAMI-I, Steve was far more than a member of our Board of Directors.
He was one of our strongest advocates, a trusted advisor, and one of the Institute’s most significant supporters. His leadership, encouragement, and generosity helped BAMI-I expand its mission of advancing buried asset management through education, research, technology transfer, and industry collaboration.
Under Steve’s leadership, ACE Pipe Cleaning became a principal industry partner in the Switz City Asset Management Project, contributing technical expertise, field support, and collaboration that helped establish the foundation for one of BAMI-I’s most significant demonstration projects. The success of the Switz City initiative stands as an example of Steve’s belief that meaningful progress is achieved when industry, utilities, academia, and communities work together.
Steve also recognized that the future of our profession depends upon developing the next generation of leaders. Through ACE Pipe Cleaning’s generous support of the Purdue University Underground Infrastructure Team (UIT), student leadership initiatives, applied research, and technology development projects, he helped create opportunities for students and young professionals to gain real-world experience while contributing to the advancement of underground infrastructure management.
Beyond these initiatives, ACE Pipe Cleaning has been one of BAMI-I’s principal industry partners and sponsors, supporting conferences, educational programs, technical publications, student activities, research collaborations, and numerous other initiatives that have strengthened our international community. Steve never viewed these efforts simply as sponsorships; he viewed them as investments in the future of the profession and in the people who will lead it.
Those who worked with Steve knew him not only as an outstanding executive, but also as a humble leader, a thoughtful mentor, and a genuine friend. He was always willing to share his knowledge, encourage new ideas, support emerging professionals, and help others succeed. His influence reached far beyond the projects he managed or the organizations he served. He helped shape careers, build partnerships, and inspire a culture of professionalism and collaboration that will continue to benefit our industry for many years to come.
The underground infrastructure community has lost one of its most respected leaders. While Steve’s passing leaves an immeasurable void, his legacy will continue through the people he mentored, the organizations he strengthened, the innovations he supported, and the countless communities that will benefit from the work he helped make possible.
As we remember Steve, we also celebrate the example he set. The most meaningful tribute we can offer is to continue the work that he cared so deeply about—to strengthen collaboration across our industry, advance education and research, encourage innovation, mentor future leaders, and improve the stewardship of our nation’s buried infrastructure.
On behalf of the BAMI-I Board of Directors, our members, industry partners, Purdue University Underground Infrastructure Team, and the international buried asset management community, we extend our deepest condolences to Steve’s wife, family, friends, and everyone at ACE Pipe Cleaning.
Steve’s vision, leadership, generosity, and friendship have left a lasting mark on our profession. His legacy will remain an enduring part of BAMI-I and of the underground infrastructure industry he helped shape.
Rest in peace, Steve. Your life, your leadership, and your commitment to serving others will never be forgotten.
Respectfully,
Buried Asset Management Institute – International (BAMI-I)
On behalf of the Board of Directors, Executive Leadership, Members, Industry Partners, Sponsors, and the International Buried Asset Management Community
Tom Iseley, Ph.D., P.E.
Chairman and President
