SAPULPA, Okla. — Paragon Pipe Company, formerly Paragon Industries, has new ownership. New CEO Trinity Dawson bought the company in July for $40 million.
"Now we're all one team, moving in one direction, looking to build something special together," Dawson said.
And that's the message they hope to convey after acquiring the Sapulpa-based pipe company that's been in the headlines for all the wrong reasons recently after former CEO Derek Wachob's arrest.
"I mean there's been some interaction," Dawson said. "I mean, we're neighbors, right?"
Wachob still owns the large home next to the Paragon facility, and we were there when law enforcement flooded the property last November. He was arrested and, in July, pleaded guilty to federal wire fraud charges. He's set for sentencing in November.
Now it's Integrated Utility Services taking over the company. Their leaders? Dawson and Dustin Ketchum, Tulsa natives.
"We've been friends since the 7th grade at Union," Dawson said.
The two are tasked with taking over during a unique time.
TJ Eckert: "Was there hesitation given the cloud that's kind of over this place right now?"
Trinity Dawson: "You know, I wouldn't say there was hesitation."
"Mostly everybody was pretty well aware of what was taking place, and so it's just about us being focused on the future, talking about our value proposition and what we can add, like I said, both to the community and to the industry," Dawson said.
He adds a big part of his job right now is gaining that trust back from the community, but another factor is building back the trust with the employees that are still there.
"There's a lot of folks that were hurt by that, and to create an opportunity for everyone to get their feet back on the ground and get back to work," Dawson said.
A new era for Paragon, led by two guys who grew up right down the road.
"This business played an important role in the community," Dawson said. "And so we're excited to be able to not only step into that role but to hopefully build on it."
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