Raoul Kouamou Featured in HydroVac Magazine: Building a Legacy Through Essential Infrastructure
Hilltop Infrastructure Group is proud to share the latest feature on its founder and CEO, Raoul Kouamou, in HydroVac Magazine.
The feature, titled “Permanently: Raoul Kouamou on Building a Legacy,” explores Raoul’s journey into infrastructure, his approach to acquiring and operating essential service businesses, and his vision for building companies that endure for generations.
For Raoul, the story is about more than acquisitions. It is about preserving what already works, investing in people, and building on the foundation created by the entrepreneurs who came before.
From Corporate Finance to Infrastructure Ownership
Raoul’s path to becoming an operator began with a long-standing ambition to build and run a business of his own.
After gaining experience across corporate finance, strategy, and operations, and later completing his MBA at the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, he ultimately returned to entrepreneurship with a clear objective: find an established business where he could create long-term value.
That opportunity came through REI Drayco, a family-founded business with decades of experience providing sewer evaluation, condition assessment, and maintenance services for underground water and wastewater infrastructure.
Raoul acquired the company and stepped into the CEO role with a simple philosophy: build something that lasts.
Building for the Long Term
The HydroVac Magazine feature highlights an important part of Raoul’s approach to business ownership: the value of the knowledge, relationships, and experience built inside established local companies over decades.
Rather than replacing everything that came before, Raoul believes in understanding the foundations of a business and strengthening them for the future.
That means investing in employees, maintaining strong customer relationships, improving operations, and continuing to develop the capabilities that have made these businesses valuable to the communities they serve.
“Small family businesses are both fragile in some areas and resilient in others.”
This philosophy is central to the way Hilltop Infrastructure Group approaches its acquisitions.
Preserving Knowledge. Investing in People. Building What Lasts.
Essential infrastructure businesses are deeply connected to the communities around them. Their work keeps critical systems operating, from water and wastewater infrastructure to environmental and utility services.
Raoul sees an opportunity to build on the expertise already present within these companies while creating new opportunities for employees, customers, and the communities they serve.
As Hilltop continues to grow, the goal remains consistent: build a leading family of essential service companies while preserving the knowledge and legacy that made each business successful in the first place.
Looking Ahead
The feature also looks at what comes next for Raoul and Hilltop Infrastructure Group.
The strategy is focused on thoughtful, long-term growth — expanding the company through carefully selected acquisitions while continuing to strengthen the businesses already within the group.
For Raoul, the ultimate measure of success goes beyond financial performance.
It is about creating organizations that are stronger years from now than they were when he first became involved.
“Build something that lasts.”
That idea continues to guide Hilltop Infrastructure Group.
Read the Full Feature
Read “Permanently: Raoul Kouamou on Building a Legacy” in HydroVac Magazine.
Read the full HydroVac Magazine feature
Learn more about Hilltop Infrastructure Group and its approach to building a family of essential service companies at hilltop-circle.com.
