Experience Matters!
- Danie Jensen
- 4 days ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 2 days ago
Field Experience & Project History
MadRock Dirt Design LLC – Excavation, Landscape & Site Work in Alaska
Built From the Ground Up
I began working in the field in February 2011 through the Operating Engineers Union apprenticeship program.
Early on, I was told:
“Be a jack of all and master of none—that’s what will keep you working.”
That mindset shaped how I approached every job from the beginning. I took every opportunity to learn every piece of equipment, every role on a job site, and how each part of a project comes together.
Over time, that approach turned into:
15+ years of hands-on experience
15,000+ hours operating heavy equipment
1,200+ hours of formal classes specific to dirt work, grading, and equipment operation
This isn’t just seat time—it’s understanding design, how to read plans, move material correctly, and build work that holds up over time.
2011 – Juneau Airport Runway Extension
My first major project was with ASRC on the runway extension at the Juneau airport.
I was trained across nearly every piece of equipment on site—graders, dozers, rock trucks, excavators, rollers, loaders, and dredge operations.
I was eventually moved to night shift, where I operated a skiff out to the dredge and ran a suction dredge, pumping material from the pond to build the runway.
Housing in Juneau was limited, so I lived on a small boat, used a gym for showers, and biked for groceries. It was a demanding environment that built independence and grit early on.
2012 – Fort Wainwright Demolition Project
After becoming a certified rigger/signaler, I went to work with CEI on a large barracks demolition project at Fort Wainwright.
This was a high-production job where I performed a wide range of work:
Pipe yard operations and pipe installation
Grade checking and layout
Loader work and truck loading
Rock truck, dozer, excavator operation
Forklift and mini excavator work
Trench inspection and safety oversight
Trench box assembly and relocation
Contaminated soil mitigation
I also completed overhead crane certification and continued advancing my grade checking skills during this time.
2013 – Highway Widening, Chickaloon
Working with Cruz Construction, I was part of a highway widening project that involved blasting the mountainside to widen the road away from the cliff.
Operating a rock truck in steep, winding winter conditions on the old Glenn Highway required constant awareness and control. It was straightforward work in scope, but demanding in execution.
2013–2015 – Port MacKenzie Railroad Extension
Working with Bristol on the railroad extension at Point MacKenzie and Big Lake was one of the most defining projects of my career.
I performed:
Grade checking
Dozer work, including finish work
Scrapers, rock trucks, excavators
Grader and roller operation
I helped build some of the largest continuous slopes in Alaska and gained thousands of hours on a dozer, developing into a strong finish operator.
During this time, I also completed:
GPS grade checking
Dozer and grader upgrade training
Machine control (GPS) systems
When the main work wrapped, I completed a full pit reclamation.
Additional local work during this time included:
Opening Clapp Road in Wasilla (first dozer pass)
Seldon Road extension
Fire department access road off Vine Road
2016 – Seward Drainage Project (Exit Glacier)
With Ahtna, I worked on a drainage and road reconstruction project near Exit Glacier.
This project was completed without GPS, using laser and theodolite for full grade control.
Scope included:
Large box culvert installation
Rip rap placement
Full road reconstruction
On a small crew, I handled grade checking while also operating equipment. It was a hands-on, detail-focused project in a challenging environment. This job, I lived with my (1) year old son and two dogs in the RV park, in an enclosed trailer. One of the hardest & best summers of my lifetime.
2018 – Austin, Texas Flood Reclamation Project
Following the Seward project, I continued working with Ahtna on a flood reclamation project in Austin, Texas.
This project focused on converting a 100-year flood area—previously a residential neighborhood—into a usable public park. It required careful planning, precise grading, and adapting to a completely different working environment, including the Texas heat.
My role on this project included:
Project layout and site setup
Grade checking
GPS setup and control
Operating equipment as needed throughout the job
This work added another layer of experience in large-scale land transformation—taking an area with major limitations and turning it into something functional, stable, and built to last.
2017–2019 – Commercial & Roadwork Projects
While working with Pruhs Construction, I was involved in a wide range of commercial and municipal projects across Anchorage and surrounding areas.
Projects included:
Odom Warehouse (from ground-up to finish construction)
Road resurfacing and ADA ramps in Eagle River
Culverts along the Glenn Highway
Doc’s Creek culvert and road reconstruction on Knik River Road
Drainage improvements on Edlund Road, Wasilla.
Trailer park and site development in Anchorage.
Waterline replacement at the Port of Anchorage
Runway extension and resurfacing at Birchwood Airport
Equipment and responsibilities included:
Finish grader and finish dozer
Water truck
Milling machine
Trenchers
Excavator and loader
Grade checking
This is where I developed a strong understanding of reclaimed asphalt (RAP), including how to properly place and reuse it for long-term performance.
2019–2022 – Winter Operations & Snow Management
From 2019 to 2022, I worked with K&K Enterprises performing winter snow removal and management throughout the Wasilla area.
This work was focused on commercial properties, where consistency, timing, and reliability are critical.
Responsibilities included:
Loader operation for snow plowing and stacking
Full snow removal and hauling when required
Maintaining access and safety for active commercial lots
Working during overnight and early morning hours to keep properties operational
All work was performed under tight timelines, often in active conditions where businesses needed to remain open and accessible.
This experience built a strong understanding of:
Equipment control in winter conditions
Snow management and site flow
Working efficiently under time pressure
Maintaining clean, functional commercial spaces throughout the season
2020–Present – MadRock Dirt Design LLC
In March of 2020, I founded MadRock Dirt Design LLC.
I transitioned from large-scale, out-of-town work to building a company focused on residential and local commercial projects.
In our first summer, we completed over 60 projects. To date, we have completed 250+ projects across the Mat-Su Valley and surrounding areas.
We operate with a small, solid fleet to include (2) Dump Trucks, (1) Tool Truck, multiple equipment trailers, Dozer, Excavator, Skid Steer, and Roller.
Working in Alaska – What That Means
Working in Alaska requires a different level of understanding.
Ground conditions, materials, drainage, and weather all play a major role in whether a project lasts or fails.
We are extremely familiar with:
Local ground conditions
Material behavior
Drainage needs
Long-term performance in Alaska conditions
When we speak about your project, it comes from real experience—not guesswork.
The Approach
Everything we do is built on the same foundation developed over the last 15+ years:
Read the ground correctly
Move material with purpose
Build for long-term performance
Do it right the first time
Why MadRock
This company is built on experience—not shortcuts.
Years of work across Alaska, training under experienced professionals, and a strong understanding of the trade all go into every project we take on.
We are Alaska born and raised, and we take pride in the work we do and the reputation we stand behind.
If you’re looking for true knowledge, real experience, and a level of care that shows in the finished product—that’s what MadRock Dirt Design is built on.
Comments