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78 79 DISTINCT INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP DISTINCT INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP MORE THAN HOLES, POLES, AND TRENCHES J oeLanni andAlexAgius,co-foundersandco-CEOsof Distinct InfrastructureGroup,eachbringaspecial setof skills,strength,andexperience tothe table; asymbiosis andsynergythat’s servedthemwell sincestartingthe companyin2007.Whatbeganasastart-up in Joe’sgarage is nowapubliclytradedfirmontheProfit500FastestGrow- ingCompanyinCanada list,servicingtelecommunication companies,utilities,andgovernmentsacrossNorthAmerica fromever-expandingfacilities inOntario,Manitoba,and Alberta,Canada. Lanni shares theback-story:“I grewup inconstruction andwent touniversitytostudyfinance.But I droppedout because I’dstartedabusiness topayfor tuitionandthat businessbecamesobig I couldn’tdoboth.So,I decidedto WHAT: Infrastructure and environmental services provider WHERE: Headquarters in Toronto, Ontario WEBSITE: www.diginc.ca AT A GLANCE DISTINCT INFRASTRUCTURE GROUP continuewiththecompany,instead.Alexcomes fromthe industry,aswell.Hestartedat18onthe technical sideof the businessandworkedhiswayupthroughdifferentmanage- ment andexecutivepositions.” The twomet in1999whenLanniwas runningasmall familybusinessandsub-contractingat thecompanywhere AgiuswasVPofConstruction.Fast forwardto2007–they wereboth lookingfor thenext thingtodoandsawanoppor- tunitydeveloping inthe infrastructurespace,particularlywith

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