Zack has been in the industry for nearly 30 years, and now is the Training Director for IEC Fort Worth/Tarrant County. In this podcast- you’ll hear his passion in teaching the next generation of electricians and how he is hyper focused on implementing new ideas to recruit the next generation of electricians (hint start early!). In addition, he’s br…

Darren is a Project Manager and Estimator for Ohio Valley Electrical Services. As a younger member of the electrical workforce, Darren shares his observations on how important culture within a company is to retain people and create a healthy working environment. His important lessons on how to relate to a different generation can apply to all busin…

Thayer Long talks with Danna Stone, Vice President, Category Management at Graybar. Together, they discuss trends in the industry and how Graybar is dedicated to supporting electrical contractors.By Independent Electrical Contractors

Thayer Long talks with Steve Killius, Vice President, Contractor Industry Affairs and Programs, Legrand, North America, a 30-year industry veteran who discusses the latest trends in electrification and the exciting future in front of the industry.By Independent Electrical Contractors

IEC Executive Director, Thayer Long talks with Elizabeth (Liz) McGoldrick, Project Administrator for Electrical Consulting Services, Inc. (ECSI) in West Palm Beach, FL. In addition to her demanding job, Liz is an active U.S. Army drill sergeant and Head JV Softball Coach for Palm Beach County School District. You will be inspired by this impressive…

Get to Know NAWIC (National Association of Women in Construction) by Independent Electrical ContractorsBy Independent Electrical Contractors

Thayer Long talks with Cecil Leedy, of LEW Electrical Services, and the current President of IEC's National Board of Directors.By Independent Electrical Contractors

Raeshawn Crosson and Maria Rioumine of Agora Systems talk about how outdated procurement methods are responsible for inefficiencies and slowing down the rate of projects. They discuss Agora’s offerings to serve the full breadth of the electrical and systems contracting industry. They also discuss how the pandemic has affected materials ordering and…

Raeshawn Crosson and Spenser Villwock talk about the future Vision and direction of IEC National. They discuss expanding offerings to serve the full breadth of the electrical and systems contracting industry. They also discuss Servant Leadership, member-driven-purpose-focused work, collaborating together as a team, and Diversity, Equity, and Inclus…

Spenser Villwock talks with Bruce Kohan of Kohan-Allen in Patterson, NJ. They discuss growing up in the family electrical contracting business, being an entrepreneur, going to Woodstock in 1969, starting an IEC chapter, finding a niche service to provide, emerging technology and low voltage, and the changing demands in today's electrical and system…

Spenser Villwock talks with Matt Parkin, Project Manager and Service Manager at Eworks Electric, LLC in Portland, Oregon. They discuss what Merit Shop means to Matt; how the pursuit of a continual drive for learning and perfection is life-long; the excitement around the launch of the new Emerging Leader program that can help create linkages to furt…

Spenser Villwock talks with Larry Ayer, Vice President at BizCom Electric in Cincinnati, Ohio. Larry currently sits as the Chair of the Correlating Committee for the NFPA’s National Electric Code (NEC). They discuss growing up in the family business, pursuing an engineering degree, and growing in the industry over the years. Larry shares insights o…

In the latest Electrical Current podcast, Spenser Villwock talks with Steve Humphrey, Jr. about being a third-generation electrician, building strong company culture by following Biblical principles, gaining the ultimate satisfaction in leadership by seeing team members overcome challenges, and gaining wisdom through the trials and tribulations of …

Spenser Villwock talks with Bill Fowler, Senior Instructor & Manager of Industry Partnerships at Southwire. They discuss growing up in a rural farming community, creative problem solving, innovation, lifelong learning, giving back, and inspiring others. Bill shares about his grandfather's philosophy of "listening to people that have been down the r…

Spenser Villwock talks with Mike Montanari, VP of Power Systems Business at Schneider Electric. They discuss trends in the construction industry post-COVID, technology, systems integration, collaboration, communication, and the Internet of Things (IOT). This insightful conversation is not one to be missed. Thanks to Mike for the deep insights and p…

Spenser Villwock talks with Joel Smith of Greenlee-Emerson on how the electrical contracting and construction industry may change in the years ahead. They discuss a Design-Manufacture-Construct process that is disrupting how construction projects have historically been completed. Smith shares some safety innovations and solutions for the industry a…

Spenser Villwock talks with John Crawmer, Safety Services Supervisor at Pinnacol Assurance in Colorado. They discuss choosing the rewarding and challenging profession of the electrical trade. John shares details on how his career working in the field turned to one dedicated to safety and education due to a sudden incident that occurred on a jobsite…

Spenser Villwock talks with Steve Killius, Vice President of Contractor Industry Affairs and Programs at Legrand. Steve shares his lifelong passion and interest in the construction and electrical industry, as well as his dedication to the advancement of skilled trades education. They discuss the potential acceleration of prefabrication and modulari…

Spenser Villwock talks with expert construction economist at Sage Policy Group Chairman & CEO, Arniban Basu. They discuss the current impacts of the Coronavirus, COVID-19, on the economy, paying particular attention to how electrical and systems contractors in America can best act in the current time. Basu notes as a “short and vicious” V-shaped ma…

Spenser Villwock talks with Billy Ross Hill, President of Hill Electric in San Antonio, Texas. They discuss gaining the foundational aspects of leadership through the team sport of soccer; developing your teams through accountability and engagement; and determining your target customer, then aligning your business focus on top grading that targeted…

Spenser Villwock talks with Dennis Walker, Senior National Association Manager for platinum partner, United Rentals. Dennis is an association guru and active in several associations throughout the construction sector. They discuss alignment and involvement in associations, utilizing United Rentals value-add programs as an extension to business succ…

Spenser Villwock talks with Frank Nerio, Health & Safety Manager at Allied Electric Services in Georgetown, Texas. They discuss growing up on a ranch, learning the valuable lesson of carving out a career pathway with purpose, and being a mentor to ignite others along to reach their full potential along their own pathways. Frank shares some tips on …

Spenser Villwock talks with Tim White, Vice President of Service at APG Electric, Inc. in Tampa, Florida. Tim shares about being exposed to the electrical trade in high school vocational courses and falling in love with the career pathway. He shares details and gratitude about the mentors in his life that have helped him to learn, act, and achieve.…

Spenser Villwock talks with Brian Inskeep, President and Founder of InPwr, Inc. based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They talk about vision and pragmatism, dreams without action just being dreams. They discuss grit and perseverance, merit shop, drive and motivation, and becoming clear on who you want to become and getting there. His career in the electr…

Spenser Villwock talks with David Jones, Area Sales for QED, a Sonepar Company. They discuss the importance of culture, relationships, and providing value-adds to form true partnerships with those that you work with. David is a 35-year veteran in the industry, starting in the field and then working into the distributor world. He shares insights abo…

Spenser Villwock talks with Thomas Domitrovich, Vice President of Technical Sales at EATON Corporation. They discuss the need to find out what makes you happy and aligning your career with that found passion and talent. Thomas shares his insights on the importance of not being paralyzed of the fear of failure, but to explore opportunities as a way …

Spenser Villwock talks with Cindy Regier, Executive Director of IEC of Oregon. They discuss the nuances of regulations and apprenticeship unique to the state of Oregon. In addition, they talk about some of the tips of being an effective leader is not only vision, perseverance, and tenacity, but also patience and mindfulness to be present. Working t…

Spenser Villwock talks with Mark Wilke, AVP of Construction Segment at CNA Insurance. They discuss labor and workforce demands in the construction industry, changing the conventional mindset of skilled trades career to align better with the reality of economic outlook and outcomes, and viewing the inevitability of change in our lives as opportuniti…

Spenser Villwock talks with Andrew Monson, Leadman/Journeyman at King’s Electric Services in Cincinnati, Ohio. Andrew is the 2019 IEC National Apprentice of the Year, surfacing to the top of his trade through an enduring competition of grit, tenacity, and application of highly technical skill. He shares his story about growing up in Ohio and findin…

Spenser Villwock talks with David Henry, General Manager of Namaste Solar, based in Colorado. They discuss being purpose-driven, employee-ownership, being a certified B-Corp, transparency in finances and business operations, making leadership decisions in a distributed leadership model, and hair bands from the 1980s. Buckle in folks, this is an int…

Spenser Villwock talks with Gordon Stewart, General Manager of Joe Swartz Electric in Houston, Texas. They discuss growing up in a military family, being an athlete, central Texas small town living, college at Texas A&M, leadership opportunities through the Corps Cadets, and a 4-decade career in the skilled trades. Gordon shares insights about the …

Spenser Villwock talks with Mark Gillespie, President of TMI Energy Solutions in Cincinnati, Ohio. They talk about growing up in a big family, getting into the trade, inspiration from parents, servant leadership, gratitude, moving meditation through bicycle rides, being optimistic and positive, and the difference between knowledge and wisdom. Mark …

Spenser Villwock talks with Jerry Thomas, Executive Director of IEC Dallas. Jerry has been a leader of IEC for 31 years and helped make the association what it is today. They discuss innovative ways of attracting talent into the industry and providing a fulfilling and lucrative career pathway for young people. Merit shop in America has benefited fr…

Spenser Villwock talks live with Bruce Seilhammer, Electrical Group Manager at SECCŌ, Inc. in Camp Hill, PA. Between fits of laughter, they discuss principals and fundamentals of leadership. The two industry professionals explore the critical characteristics of a success business leader, the privilege and honor of the opportunity to lead, and how t…

Spenser Villwock talks with Mark Kredit, President of Kredit Electric in Manhattan, Montana. Mark’s father helped introduce him to the trade as a career pathway back in Iowa. His excitement about the industry flourished from the very beginning. One of his jobs allowed him to eat as much ice cream as he could while in the confines of the manufacturi…

Spenser Villwock talks with Caleb Hunter, Owner of Extreme Electric in O’Fallon, Missouri. They talk about the trials and tribulations of business, great career pathways in the electrical industry, and speculate on the future excitement in techological changes within the electrical construction industry as a whole. Caleb has a great story to share …

Spenser Villwock talks with Harvey Hammock, Senior Vice President of Safety at IES. They discuss Harvey’s start in the field as an electrician’s helper in Macon, Georgia, his service in the United States Navy, and his terrific career in the electrical industry. Great insights on building safety culture within a business and investing in the time to…

Spenser Villwock talks one-on-one with Robert Lerman, PhD Economics, an Institute Fellow in the Center on Labor, Human Services, and Population at the Urban Institute in Washington DC. Dr. Lerman is one of the leading experts on apprenticeship in America and throughout the world. They discuss the need and the pathway for a paradigm shift in our vie…

Spenser Villwock talks with Gil Resto, President of GR Electric in Allentown, Pennsylvania. They discuss hiring for company culture through behavioral interviewing, maintain a learning mentality in leadership roles, changing the way that we talk about the opportunities within the skilled trades in order to deepen the value within others of what we …

Spenser Villwock talks with Doug Sanford, Electrical Group President at IDEAL Industries in Sycamore, Illinois. They discuss social stigma on the skilled trades, growing a national and international competition to feature the excellence within the electrical industry, innovation and market disruption, and the humbling role of leadership. This is a …

Spenser Villwock talks with Cesar Ramirez, Sales Manager of Precision Power Solutions in Houston, Texas. They discuss being a second generation electrician, going through the IEC apprenticeship program at IEC Texas Gulf Coast, competing at the IDEAL National Championships in Florida, teaching, and serving the industry through education and training…

Spenser Villwock talks with Ryan Jackson of Ryan Jackson Electrical Training in Salt Lake City, Utah. They discuss the National Electrical Code® (NEC®), starting in the electrical trade at 18, becoming an inspector, an instructor, and becoming a Code Nerd (term of affection). Ryan has recently authored a book for IEC, A Comprehensive Guide to the N…

Spenser Villwock talks with Joseph Hovanec, Jr., President of Advanced Electric Design and Service in Rahway, New Jersey. They go deep on the future of the industry, power over ethernet, regulatory and legal victories and challenges, and the brilliance of Walt Disney. Joe is a tremendously big thinker and great asset to the industry as a whole. Sit…

Spenser Villwock talks with Bryan Beckett, CEO of Office Sensei, IEC Partner and supplier of office products, tech, furniture, promotional products, and other key business solutions. They discuss Bryan’s history working in the construction industry, providing him a unique perspective on a vision of launching his company and, later, benefitting grea…

Spenser Villwock talks with Gloria Aey, CFO of Aey Electric in Youngstown, Ohio. They talk about being a financial professional in the electrical contracting industry, the workforce needs of the future, and work-life balance with kayaks on the lake. Gloria is a leader in the industry and association, both locally at IEC Western Reserve and IEC Nati…

Spenser Villwock talks with Phil Santoro, US Contractor Segment Manager at Schneider Electric. Phil started his career with Schneider at the age of 19 in Detroit, Michigan. He has seen the industry change dramatically over that time and focuses on leading solutions to today’s contractors. In addition to a number of key topics, Phil shares terrific …

Spenser Villwock talks with Matt Parkin, Foreman and Electrician at Bear Electric in Donald, Oregon. Matt shares about being a young leader in today’s industry and the drive to change the stigma on skilled trades as a career path in today’s world. He talks about the exciting challenges in his day-to-day and the intersection of technology in all tha…

Spenser Villwock talks with Carol Reynolds, Founder and CEO of United Industrial Services. They talk about being third generation in the electrical contracting industry, women in the construction workforce, testifying on apprenticeships to the US Congress, and opportunities for a prosperous career path in the industry. Listen in to this great conve…

Spenser Villwock talks with Jim Schoenfelder, owner of 1st Electric Contractors in Lakewood, Colorado. They discuss supporting your team, growing a successful company, and living a life of purpose—personally and professionally. Tremendous insights from this great industry leader and exceptionally well-rounded human being, Jim Schoenfelder. You’re g…

Spenser Villwock talks with Sara Navarro, Safety Director at Sun City Electric in El Paso, Texas. Sara shares her career path in the education sector and then shifting from the classroom to the electrical contracting profession in her family's 60-year old second generation business. Sara has brought her many talents to the IEC National A&T Committe…