DPS, Inc. is owned and operated by Jacqueline K. McCarter and James D. McCarter with the guidance of Rob McCarter. In 1987 two enthusiastic entrepreneurs, Rob McCarter and Austin Evans started E&M Pipeline. E&M Pipeline installed natural gas lines for several natural gas companies in South Carolina. This is where the foundation for DPS would originate. In 1992 Rob and Austin decided to offer more services to their customers by starting a locate division of E&M Pipeline that was named E&M Services. A short time later, E&M Services would become VMAC with the new owners being Jackie McCarter and Rob McCarter. The name VMAC was derived from Rob's mother Vera (V) and his Father who's nickname was (Mac). VMAC (previously E&M Services) operated from 1992 until 1996, specializing in natural gas line locating. In 1996 VMAC was sold and the McCarter's along with Mr. Evans focused solely on their pipeline installation company, E&M Pipeline and would no longer be involved in the locating industry. VMAC operated under new ownership from 1996 until 2003. After VMAC went out of business, the McCarter's were contacted by a utility representative to inquire the interest level of getting back into locating. The McCarter's decided to start a new business and get back into the locating industry under the name of Damage Prevention Specialists, LLC, which would become a Sub-S corporation in 2006. DPS started with 12 employees, working only in the upstate of South Carolina to where we are today with 50 employees, covering three states which are South Carolina, North Carolina and Kentucky. Since 2003 DPS has been offering 100% dedicated service to utility companies with the mindset of single locate service.
