Louis Panzer
Unaka In 2019, four people died and part of a block was destroyed when a pipeline exploded in Durham. Louis Panzer wants to prevent that tragedy from happening again.
Panzer is executive director of North Carolina 811, a 501(c)(3) organization. His position as a damage prevention professional is to make sure that people are aware of the need to dial 811 prior to digging. Panzer is responsible for the communications between excavators and utility owners and operators.
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The process involves a call to 811 for a request to dig followed by a three-day wait to allow utilities to mark their areas. A person would then check back for the request outcome. After that, a person can then dig with care around the markings.
Dialing 811 before digging is required by law (N.C. Statute 87-115-130). Depth is not considered when digging, only that one calls beforehand. The exception to contacting 811 before digging is if the dig location is on private property, fully contained and not on an easement.
Penalties can include a fine up to $2,500 per incident, as well as the cost and liabilities of any damages done while digging illegally. When in doubt, call.
“We take in 2.8 million requests each year, and it’s rising,” Panzer said.
The three top reasons for damages nationally are failing to call, the possible location was done inaccurately or the excavator failed to exercise due care. There were 17,000 damages to underground facilities statewide just in 2023.
Panzer is a man of many talents. When he’s not working with North Carolina 811, he enjoys music and writing.
The local resident was born in 1966 in Decatur, Ga., then grew up in New York, Florida and North Carolina. He graduated from the University of South Florida with a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
At age 23, Panzer was a professional musician as a heavy metal keyboardist. His resume includes being a professional cook, researcher for municipalities and a project manager for a software development company. He also worked at AMC Theater as a movie house manager.
His other accomplishments include being a playwright, with several short plays produced in Greensboro. He also has several long-form plays, including two musicals, to his credit. He still enjoys writing and recording songs.
The father of one grown daughter has been married for 25 years and has two
cats, Charlie and Lulu. The craziest thing he’s ever done was to participate in world tours.
In 10 years he would like to “be retired and just living the dream,” he said.
Panzer’s advice to younger folks is “to learn everything you can and never be ashamed of following a dream. If you have a gift or something, give it a shot,” he said.
“Treat people as people, regardless of whether they are red or blue in this case. Treat people right and with respect, and don’t expect that everything’s gonna be done in the world the way you want it to be done.”
Details: Visit nc811.org/north-carolina-law.