VIP Graduates Help Build Dallas Cowboys World Headquarters in Frisco, TX

Two Veterans in Piping (VIP) graduates are looking to make an impact with the National Football League.

Kameron Massey and David Santos, both former VIP Program students, are helping build a massive and unique football, fine arts and entertainment complex in Frisco, TX.

Hundreds of construction workers are currently building the new complex, called The Ford Center at The Star. It will serve as the home to the Dallas Cowboys’ entire football operations and practice fields. The facility includes a multipurpose, 12,000 seat, indoor stadium that will provide facilities for use by the Cowboys, the City of Frisco and the Frisco Independent School District for football and soccer games and other sports, athletic, academic, fine arts and entertainment events.

Massey, who currently works for Brandt Companies as a plumbing apprentice through Local 100 in Dallas, graduated from the Camp Pendleton program last year. He is grateful the VIP Program gave him the opportunity to learn an important trade.

“The VIP program taught us a lot, and I definitely felt like I had a foot forward coming out of the program,” Massey said. “I’ve been working fulltime ever since I got out. I’m very glad I went through the program. I don’t really know what I would be doing without it. I’ve told a lot of my friends about it.” 

For David Santos, a fifth-year pipefitter apprentice with Local 100 in Dallas, the decision to apply for the VIP Program was the right choice because he likes to work with his hands.

“I was a mechanic in the military, and this has just been a perfect fit,” said Santos.

“The program was intense, but I felt very prepared,” he said. “I found work right away once I came out here, and I’ve been working solid for three years now, going from one jobsite to the next.”

Like Massey, Santos works for Brandt Companies at the new Cowboys facility.

“I’ve been experiencing new things and meeting new people. If you have a good work ethic, you will do great. I feel blessed for going through the VIP program. It gave me an opportunity I couldn’t pass up,” Santos added.