Employee Login

Michelle Walker

CCIFP, CRIS, SPHR
Vice President of Operations

Michelle Walker serves as the Vice President of Operations at SSC Underground, a trenchless technology company that delivers underground construction and consulting across the country. With over 20 years’ experience working in the underground construction environment, she brings specialized knowledge from both a business and technical perspective to safety, project management, and logistical issues. Since joining in 1998, Michelle has risen up the ranks and held multiple positions within the organization prior to being promoted to Vice President of Finance & Administration in 2009 and then her current position in 2022. Credentials she has earned include Certified Construction Industry Financial Professional, Senior Professional in Human Resources, and Construction Risk and Insurance Specialist.

In her current role, she works alongside company ownership to direct the core functions of the business on a daily basis. Her areas of responsibility include company strategy, succession, business development, technology integration, accounting/finance, human resources, workforce development, and more. She contributes to project development by ensuring full regulatory compliance, managing funding, creating schedules of values for positive cash flow, and directing all facets of risk management and safety. Michelle has been an integral part of the creation of the company’s core values and has worked with professional trainers to create programs to instill the values into SSC’s team members, so they are exhibited in the daily operations and ingrained in its culture. 

Michelle’s combination of business acumen and passion for people merged as she became the founding chairman of the Construction Industry Alliance for Suicide Prevention, a nonprofit organization to combat the epidemic of suicide in the construction workforce and provide workplace solutions for the challenges of mental illness and addiction. As an active member of the Construction Financial Management Association, Michelle is a past president of the Valley of the Sun chapter. She is a highly rated presenter on subjects including finance and accounting, workforce development, risk management, and suicide prevention at many industry, business, and human resource conferences.

Notable Awards:

  • 2016 – CFMA Valley of the Sun’s “Best Under the Sun General Member”
  • 2017 – CFMA Valley of the Sun’s “President’s Award”
  • 2020 – Construction Business Owner’s “Outstanding Women in Construction”
  • 2021 – CFMA’s “Debra Hahn Memorial Award”

On the personal side, Michelle has been married to Steve Walker, General Manager at SSC, since 1998 and they have two children. Michelle enjoys being an active member of her church community and has served as a small group leader as well as a kindergarten teacher. In her free time, you can find her traveling, hiking or baking.  

What Our Clients Say:

  • “My experience with the SSC was positive. Their professionalism, efficiency, and commitment to customer service made me feel confident in their ability to handle my construction needs. I would definitely recommend their services to others in need of a reliable construction office.”

    Kyler Colin, General Managing Partner, Phoenix Water Solutions

  • “I was impressed with the communication and appreciate SSC’s help to get this potholing done in a quick and professional manner.”

    Lynne Stocker, Assistant Project Manager, Garney Construction

  • “Workers were very knowledgeable about how to find the utilities despite differences in the drawings and actual field conditions. Very helpful in going above and beyond by working with us.”

    Johnathan Hoffman, Assistant Project Manager, City of Sedona

  • “Their collaboration with my team on large-scale infrastructure upgrade projects has been exceptional. Their expertise and professionalism have been invaluable in delivering successful outcomes. I highly recommend SSC Underground to any organization in need of top-notch services.”

    Ben Kooinga, Project Manager

  • “The Crew from SSC went above and beyond to locate our water line that turned out to be more challenging than originally expected.”

    Kevin Tallman, Director of Construction, Shane Co Jewelers

  • “SSC is accommodating and punctual.”

    Jeff Strasser, Managing Partner-Custom Structures LLC

  • “We had a project in North Scottsdale that had to be completed while school was out for Christmas break. I gave SSC one week notice and sent them plans with over 80 potholes. They jumped right on it and completed the work for us to meet our deadline. Everyone from Michelle and Arvid in the […]

    Kelley Hlavsa, Project Manager, Achen Gardner Construction

  • “Really appreciate you helping us with our boring need. The drilling crew did a great job and completed the entire job above and beyond our expectations, without any issues. We look forward to working with you again if any such need arises in future.”

    Satya Chataut, BHP

  • “Arvid, you and your team performed a difficult task with precision and safety at the forefront. Well done and thank you for all of your efforts.”

    Kelly Haberly, B&F Contracting

  • “Just wanted to reach out and say thank you for your crews’ work today at Asante Well #4. They were safe, professional, and went above and beyond making sure the site was cleaned up after they left. Please pass my thanks onto your crew.”

    JT Core, Felix Construction

  • “Just wanted to say thank you for the safety culture your company has. It’s a breath of fresh air to see other companies embracing being safe. I sat in on your crews’ safety meeting this morning prior to the start of their work on Ray Rd. “

    Scott Nunemaker – Vice President, RCCM

  • “Kuddos to your guys. Not once has any of your foreman’s EVER put up a fuss when I’ve asked them to work a little late. Response is always “whatever you want and we’ll stay as long as you need us to.” I really appreciate all the hard work they do for me.”

    Travis Barrick – Field Supervisor, Felix Construction

  • “A big thank you to SSC for jumping on this quickly as they did to help the team get this information so quickly. It’s much appreciated and was pretty impressive to see 5 separate potholing crews descend upon Rio Salado the way they did today!”

    Christopher Laute, Resident Engineer, Valley Metro

  • We’ve used SSC for a number of years and I’ve been very pleased. Thanks and keep up the great work.

    Dave Klann, Staff Engineer, Mactec

  • SSC did a great job. Their assistance during pre-construction was greatly appreciated and differentiated them from the competition. Keep doing what you do best!

    Jim Drago, Sundt Construction

  • I called with short notice to some work and SSC responded immediately. In this market, dollars seem to control everything and quality of people and work seem to have diminished. The professionalism and hard work of your crew takes me back to when people knew what they were doing and cared. Intelligent guys that work […]

    Lonnie Ferguson, Project Manager, Construction 70

  • As a civil engineering consultant, I usually recommend your services but rarely use them with the exception being vacuum excavating. I have attended your seminars in the past and find them very helpful. I recommend continuing the education to make designers better. If we understand and know how to specify your service, we are more […]

    Bill Gasque, Sr. Civil Engineer, Dowl HKM

  • SSC handled the project perfectly even went above to schedule directly with the gas company, made my job easier.

    Tony Smith, Owner, Western Underground

  • You and your staff are always responsive to our needs and make sure you clearly understand the scope of the work in advance, so there are no surprises. I really appreciate that attitude.

    Michael Rhodes, Civil Engineer, Gila River Indian Community

  • Overall a good company. Very professional in approach and execution of work. Courtesy and respect shown by all personnel, a welcome rarity in the business. Keep doing what you’re doing, and thank you.

    M. Gartner, Project Manager, Sybrant Construction

  • Your field crew did a great job!

    Nick Nikrant, Project Manager, Builders Guild

  • Crew was courteous & helpful.

    Jayde Bullard, Project Manager, Caljet of America, LLC.

  • This is the second time working with this foreman. Will request him again. Easy to work with.

    David Willett, Aero Automatic Sprinkler Co.

  • Superb foreman…Exceptional!

    Curtis Briggs, Shea Homes

  • Great work! SSC was timely, responsive and professional. I would use them again.

    Stewart Vaghti, Project Engineer, Gannett Fleming, Inc.

  • I have always had good and quick service from SSC.

    Sally Raymer, Sundt Construction

  • Arvid was very accommodating in getting crew onsite within 2 hours of my call.

    Dennis Sime, Project Superintendent, Hunter Contracting

  • First I want to express once again how impressed I am with you and your support group. You are all “top notch.” Yes the job went well and I appreciate your help. It really made a huge difference on such a critical facility. I still can’t believe (even though I saw it with my own […]

    David McKinley, VFC-Arizona

  • Great service on short notice. Thanks!

    Richard Komzelman, Carson Construction

  • The entire SSC crew was extremely professional and flexible. All of your company’s efforts are greatly appreciated and you will be our boring subcontractor on any future projects.

    Ben Myers, Project Manager, GRG Construction

  • Your team made this challenging casing push a success.

    Michael Fossett, Project Manager, SDB Inc.

  • Extensive knowledge of the local soil conditions coupled with their proven skills has insured that every job is completed within our schedule and budget. We’ve worked with SSC for many years and always found them to more than equal our high required standards and able to complete any task.

    Brian Chavez, Chief Estimator/Project Manager, Tyers Contracting

  • I would like to thank you for your prompt response to our urgent need for your services. The men you sent did a fantastic and quick bore. We do so appreciate your company for that. Thanks!

    Patricia Riggs, Town of Gila Bend

  • Our job was especially challenging. The SSC team worked six days, around the clock and the testimony to the success of their efforts is that the general public never knew they were here. An additional thanks to SSC for their professional courtesy. In our industry, it is something I do not encounter often enough.

    Chris McCoy, Superintendent, Gilbane Building Company

  • Your project manpower’s knowledge, attitude, safety and work ethic are outstanding!

    Mike Levi, Estimator/Project Manager, Holloman Corporation