Meet the Crew Behind Colorado’s Toughest Drilling Jobs

Elias Francisco Perez Sr., better known as Big Red, founder of Perez Drilling Co., isn’t just another name in the industry—he’s a living legend. Across Colorado, Nebraska, and Wyoming, his reputation as the best caisson driller west of the Mississippi stands tall. With unmatched grit, experience, and faith, he’s earned respect from crews, competitors, engineers, and the community he’s helped build.

The Early Years

Born in Nebraska and raised with blue-collar grit, Elias moved to Longmont, Colorado in the early 1970s with his wife Josie and their children. He worked countless jobs—warehouse labor, meatpacking, trucking—but never found fulfillment. His life took a pivotal turn thanks to his brother-in-law, the late Guerremo Ybarra, who introduced him to caisson drilling. From that moment, Elias knew he’d found his calling.

He trained under some of the best: Bud, Jon, and several other legends of the drill trade. He gained his stripes working for LMS Drilling, Anderson Inc., Indoor Drilling, Evergreen, and Mark Young Construction—where he was known for never flinching, no matter the conditions.

Building Perez Drilling

In 1982, Elias took a leap of faith and founded Perez Drilling. With nothing more than his name, his work ethic, and a secondhand rig, he built a company on the principles of precision, perseverance, and pride. He drilled for GH Phipps, PCL Construction, Hensel Phelps, Kiewit, and nearly every contractor from Fort Collins to Pueblo—earning the nickname "King of the Caissons."

Still Leading by Example

Today, Elias continues as Senior CEO and Senior General Advisor. You’ll still find him at the shop, on job sites, or guiding the next generation of Perez drillers. He’s trained up his sons and grandsons in the craft—and remains the final word when it comes to reading soil, choosing the right bit, and keeping operations true to the company’s roots.

Man of Faith, Man of Steel

When he’s not drilling, Elias is a devoted tent evangelist and pastor—traveling across the country to preach, pray, and offer hope to those in need. Whether he’s behind a rig or behind a pulpit, he brings the same strength, resolve, and compassion.

A Legacy Forged in Concrete and Character

Elias Perez Sr. is more than a driller—he’s a cornerstone of his community, a teacher to his family, and a trusted name in the hardest industry on earth. His story isn’t just about the holes he’s dug—it’s about the foundations he’s laid in life, business, and faith. And he’s still going strong.

I’m Nate Perez, the new CEO of Perez Drilling Co., and I carry a legacy that runs deep beneath the soil of Colorado. Raised in the drilling industry under the watchful eye of my father — the legendary Elias Perez Sr. — I was taught that hard work, faith, and family are the foundation of everything that lasts.

With over 35 years of experience in customer service and sales, I’ve spent my life learning how to lead people, build trust, and deliver on promises. I’m also a devoted, born-again Christian — and that spiritual rebirth has reshaped how I live, how I lead, and how I serve. My faith isn’t just personal; it’s the compass that guides every decision I make in business.

At Perez Drilling Co., we’re launching a new era. We’re upgrading our equipment, embracing new technologies, and building something bigger than a business — we’re building a team, a culture, and a mission to one day lead the caisson drilling industry in innovation and safety.

But through it all, I never forget where we come from. The Perez name is written across the foundations of this state — poured in concrete, carved into rock, and built through decades of sacrifice. My dream is that one day, my father and our entire family are recognized for the generations of labor, grit, and love we’ve poured into building Colorado.

At Perez Drilling Co., we don’t just drill — we lay the groundwork for what matters. With faith, with strength, and with heart.

Stephanie Perkins is the newest addition to the Perez Drilling Co. team, stepping into her role with a strong background in customer service and a natural talent for numbers. As our Accounts Payable and HR lead, she brings a sharp eye for detail, a calm presence, and a genuine passion for supporting both our team and our business operations.

Stephanie’s dedication, positivity, and professionalism make her a key part of our growing company culture. She approaches every task with care and precision, ensuring that the behind-the-scenes essentials — from payroll to people — are handled with excellence.

Outside of work, Stephanie is a proud and devoted mother, and she brings that same nurturing energy into the workplace. She’s excited to be part of the Perez Drilling Co. family and looks forward to growing with a team rooted in faith, legacy, and purpose.

Adam Perez is a second-generation driller, the middle son of Elias Perez Sr., and a man deeply rooted in faith, family, and tradition. With over 35 years of industry experience, Adam brings not only skill and knowledge, but a steady, loyal presence to Perez Drilling Co.

After running his own drilling company, Adam chose to return back, merging with his brother Nate Perez and working closely alongside his father, whom he has always admired and respected. His loyalty to his father runs deep, shaped by a lifetime of hard work, lessons learned, and shared values. For Adam, it’s not about titles — it’s about honoring where he comes from and helping build what’s next.

As Lead Estimator and Technology Innovator, Adam blends old-school wisdom with modern tools to provide the most accurate and honest estimates possible. His work is driven by purpose and precision, and he plays a key role in guiding Perez Drilling Co. into a new era.

Outside of work, Adam finds peace and joy in playing guitar and expressing himself through music. His faith in God grounds him, and his quiet strength is a reflection of both spiritual conviction and lived experience. For Adam, this work is more than a job — it’s a way to serve his family, his team, and the greater mission he believes in.

There’s a saying in our family: “You don’t earn your stripes just by your name—you earn it in the dirt.” My nephew Jake Perez, second-born son of Eli Jr., has done exactly that—and then some.

For years, Jake stood in the long, proud shadow of his late big brother, Isaac—a man we all looked up to, one of the best drillers the state of Colorado ever saw. Since Isaac’s passing in August 2020, Jake has carried that weight with quiet strength and deep respect. And now, it’s time to call it what it is: Jake has stepped up and become a leader in his own right.

I’m proud to say—from the bottom of my heart not just as a business owner, but as an uncle—that I am officially passing the torch. Jake is now Perez Drilling Co.’s head driller and top supervisor. He’s earned it the hard way, the right way—through grit, loyalty, and day-after-day of showing up when it counts. This kid I used to chase around the yard is now one of the finest men I’ve ever worked beside.

Jake’s more than just a tough driller—he’s the backbone of this crew, right alongside his grandpa, Elias Sr. And when the workday ends, he goes home to what might be an even tougher job: being a loving dad to four wild, beautiful kids who are every bit as rowdy and sharp as he was growing up.

He and his wife Meranda are raising a strong little crew of their own—Rosie, his sweet and fierce daughter; Ezzy “Mahomes”, who’s already got more footwork than a drill rig; Giddy, the sparkplug; and the newest heart-stealer in the family, Princess Anggie. Jake is a man who deeply loves his family, and especially his wife Meranda—who has stood by his side through every high and low. Her strength and support have been a quiet foundation for everything Jake has built, both at home and in the field.

Jake is the kind of man any outfit would be lucky to have—but I’m the one who gets to call him family. I’m not just proud. I’m blessed. Blessed as an uncle, as a boss, and as someone who’s watched Jake grow from a wild little shadow into the backbone of our future.