Innovation Overload

#93: Mike Oakes Nov 08, 2024

“Don’t hesitate, just jump, …there’s never a right time. Go after the things you want, don’t look at all the obstacles in your way, look at what you want and when that comes into view and focus, you’ll find a way and you’ll be able to do it.” Join Mike Oakes, Founder and CEO of First Choice Electrical Solutions to discuss turning his dream of starting a contracting business into a reality, lessons learned along the way, and how he sees innovation as paramount to his success and the success of his company.

#92: Matt Lamb Oct 25, 2024

“I like to make sure I have my finger on the pulse of what's going on in the industry and share the lessons learned and the best of the best that we can all come up with.” Join Rosendin Electric CIO as he delves into insightful discussions, sharing strategies and best practices. This episode focuses on vital aspects such as recruiting IT talent, negotiating software contracts, navigating the legal process, and avoiding potential challenges along the way. Stay ahead of industry trends and gain valuable insights from this engaging conversation.

#91: Anna Jochim Oct 11, 2024

"Innovation is really just constantly re-evaluating all the different things around you and re-imagining what it could be, or why it should be different." Anna Jochim, MODL, Director, Future Workforce Development from Electri shares the challenges faced for our growing skilled labor gap and the use of innovative solutions to try to solve them.

#90: AI in Construction, Pt 2 Sep 20, 2024

"AI is not just a tool; it's becoming the foundation for smarter, more efficient construction practices." In this second part of the Contractor Takeover edition of the Innovation Overload podcast, hosts Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, continue their in-depth exploration of the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the construction industry.

#89: AI in Construction, Pt 1 Sep 06, 2024

"AI is not just a tool; it's becoming the foundation for smarter, more efficient construction practices." Whether you're aiming to leverage AI to streamline operations or stay ahead of industry trends, this episode of Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover delivers valuable insights and expert discussions with Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO. Their expertise provides practical tips and tools to help you stay competitive in a rapidly evolving industry.

#88: Lance Beck Aug 23, 2024

“Ultimately we all need to make money. Being efficient and trying to innovate and find new ways to do things is at the top of our list.” Join Lance Beck, VP of Contract Operations for an insightful discussion on the dynamic shifts occurring within the electrical construction industry. In this episode, we explore how self-improvement initiatives can serve as a catalyst for fostering innovation at both the team and organizational levels.

#87: Lonnie Cumpton and Adam Ketterer Aug 09, 2024

We see the amount of work going up and the number of electricians going down, so we have to focus on process improvement and automation. We need to shift the mentality from "technology is taking our jobs" to "we are filling holes that cannot be filled fast enough." Join the Contractor Takeover with hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO, as they discuss solutions for the skilled labor shortage with AEC Inspire co-founders Adam Ketterer and Lonnie Cumpton.

#86: Chris Lamb Jul 26, 2024

Innovation is how you make something better for somebody. Whether it's a very simple solution or a very complex solution, how can you make it faster, simpler, and easier to implement. Chris Lamb, Hilti North American Trade Marketing Manager, embodies this ethos, championing solutions tailored to the nuances of the electrical and mechanical trades. This episode of Innovation Overload explores the importance of understanding your customers and embracing how technology has reshaped the construction landscape. Chris discusses the value of a customer-centric approach that transcends simply providing a service to instead foster genuine partnerships aimed at catalyzing growth and elevating safety, speed, productivity, and profitability across all organizations. He shares transformative innovations spanning products, processes, and technology, empowering contractors to curb theft, eradicate downtime, overdrive ergonomic safety, and optimize resource allocation to scale their businesses.

#85: Sarah Bardot Jul 12, 2024

“Innovation can be defined in a number of different ways. I think it can be tangible in terms of a product that you are actually using that is very different than anything you've seen before. I think for me, I work for a company that is very innovative and we breathe the culture of that but for my day-to-day, it's really innovation in the way you approach things, your thought process. Be ok with trying different things." Sarah Bardot, Director of Electrical Trades, Milwaukee Tool joins the Innovation Overload Podcast and discusses networking, mentorship, collaboration, and taking note of those who have paved the way in our industry.

#84: Contractor Takeover | NECA EMERGE Conference Jun 07, 2024

One aspect often overlooked is the importance of relying on your peers. Don't hesitate to pick up the phone and reach out to someone. We're here to uplift the entire industry, and if we can offer assistance, we're more than willing to do so." Join Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, as they share valuable insights and learnings from their experiences at the inaugural NECA EMERGE Conference.

#83: Adam Rude May 03, 2024

"Don't be afraid to fail. Let's throw things out on the table, let's brainstorm. I really try to empower everyone within our organization to think outside the box. To not just do what we always have done. We need to move the needle a bit every single day," Adam Rude, ERMCO. In this episode of NECA's Innovation Overload learn how beneficial student chapters are and where they can take you.

#82: Curtis Harbour Apr 05, 2024

“You have to be open minded and look at problems as opportunities if you want to have a culture of innovation.” Curtis Harbour, Senior Vice President at The Brandt Companies joins the Innovation Overload Podcast to offer invaluable insights into strategies and techniques for cultivating a culture of innovation within a company. His discussion extends into the intricacies of team dynamics, highlighting the importance of recognizing and utilizing their strengths and explores how behaviors and relationships within the team can contribute to elevating creativity and productivity to unprecedented levels.

#81: Collin Weiner Mar 01, 2024

We're looking at an estimated 1.5 million skilled tradesman shortage over the next 10 years. We really have to leverage all of the advanced technologies that are becoming available to fill that gap. As a contractor you need to be nimble and you have to be able to identify the opportunities within this marketplace and adapt. Collin Weiner, President of CalEnergy Corporation, teams up with Jared Christman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, on this Contractor Takeover episode of Innovation Overload. Together they offer a contractor's perspective on the pivotal technologies fueling America's drive towards electrification and the imminent era of intelligent, interconnected structures. Check out their insights on highlights from the NECA 2023 Convention, the paradigm shift towards automation tools to streamline workflows, the mainstream integration of AI solutions to amplify productivity, and the transformation of futuristic concepts such as microgrids into tangible market opportunities for contractors to expand their capabilities and evolve their businesses.

#80: ECIC Competition Finalists Feb 02, 2024

“I think the younger generation is definitely where you want to start, you want to start in middle school and high school. I was a sophomore in college before I got into Construction Engineering.” Join the contractor Takeover as Jared Chrisman, Director of Innovation and Technology at Big State Electric, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO interview the student chapter finalists of the Electrical Contractor Innovation Challenge to discuss their individual journeys and explore what motivates them and younger generations to get involved in the construction industry.

#79: Andy Sellers & Mike Oakes Jan 08, 2024

“Coming here really opens up your knowledge to a lot of product that you didn’t know about, which is huge for us!” Mike Oakes, President of First Choice Electrical Solutions and Andy Sellers, Management Executive at Quality Electric join Sean Lazarian to discuss valuable tips, strategies, and experiences they’ve had attending the NECA Annual Convention.

#78: Todd Reed Dec 01, 2023

Definitely plan your schedule out for conventions, look for what's going to make you happiest and get you the most productive. Join Innovation Overload as we hit the road to the 2023 NECA National Convention in Philadelphia, PA. Gain insights from Todd Reed, the host of Graybar's Keepin' The Lights On podcast and a corporate innovation expert, as he shares his expert tactics for conference readiness and time optimization at meetings and events. Discover his invaluable approaches to absorbing knowledge, fostering post-event discussions, and capitalizing on the in-person experience. In this episode, two introverts share their best tips for enhancing engagement and fortifying connections to elevate your personal and professional innovation journey.

#77: Dr. Pauline Mosley Nov 03, 2023

"Innovation to me is the opportunity to think, to explore, and to take risks in an effort to solve a challenge, remove an obstacle or optimize a process." Dr. Pauline Mosley, Full Professor, Seidenberg School of Computer Science and Information Systems for Pace University discusses part of being an innovator is to be a mental gladiator, having fortitude and resilience. Listen to Dr. Mosley discuss closing the Stem gap.

#76: Adam Davis Oct 13, 2023

“We’re going to see AI affect us in ways that we didn’t even anticipate in the next year.” Check out Adam Davis, VDC Project Manager at Miller Electric, as he discusses project coordination, EV charging, AI, robotics, and future opportunities for electrical construction.

#75: Sean McGuire Sep 01, 2023

Innovation is just improvement. You can be innovative in any sector of your operation, it doesn’t have to be just technology focused.” Sean McGuire joins the Innovation Overload podcast to talk about mental health, process improvement, fabrication and practical ways to get started in applying innovation across your business.

#74: Samuel Rokowski Aug 04, 2023

“It’s about constantly changing and critiquing the process and making sure that what you’re doing is the correct path and learning from successes and failures and constantly moving , ...you have to avoid complacency at all costs.” On this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast Sam Rokowski, Director of Training & Construction Technology at Maddox Electrical Company dives into the challenges of keeping pace with the rapidly changing electrical industry and discusses innovative strategies for success today and what will be required in the future.

#73: Travis Voss Jul 07, 2023

"I never try to seem like I'm the expert because I'm definitely not when it comes to the actual construction side. If I can keep that mindset right and keep the five 'why's, I can get to the root of the problem and hopefully find the right solution." Travis Voss, a practicing construction technologist, discusses the value of being a 'professional novice' and going in without presumptions to tackle problems and apply innovation to an organization. Join Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, as they host Travis Voss on Contractor Takeover. Stay tuned to hear an exciting announcement within the episode.

#72: Cindy Sanderfur Jun 23, 2023

"The world is big enough for collaboration." Cindy Sanderfur, Communications-DEI&B Manager at Electrical Training Alliance dives into the journey of the apprenticeship from how they started to where they are now. Listen to her perspective of the evolving culture of the electrical industry.

#71 Toby Mitchell Jun 14, 2023

"When we were on paper, it could take 30, 45 minutes, to even an hour to complete an invoice. Now, we're probably down to under 5 minutes," Toby Mitchell, President of Classic Electric Consulting joins Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI, and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, on the Contractor Takeover to delve into the vital but often overlooked field of construction accounting. This episode provides insights into accounting fundamentals and highlights game-changing tools and software that they utilize to save time and streamline processes.

#70: Jarret Bergkamp May 26, 2023

“It’s easy to identify or see problems, potential pitfalls, or risks. Use your community of professionals to form perspective. Then start working down the innovation cycle to implement a plan.” Jarret Bergkamp, the Executive Director of Preconstruction at Decker Electric shares his views of innovation from a technology, culture, and efficiency standpoint. Listen in to this discussion on finding the better, quicker, more resilient way to problem solve at all levels of an organization.

#69: Contractor Takeover - Office to Field Communication May 12, 2023

“One of the most simple tools that everybody has, it’s free, we choose how much or how little we use it. And that tool is communication.” Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI and Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO dive into the nuances and opportunities in office to field communication. From cloud sharing to security, Bluebeam to Navisworks, QR codes to communication principles, join the experts for this episode of the “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#68: Joe Aikens Apr 28, 2023

“Change takes time. It’s like everything else in life, you’re going to be a little apprehensive until you start seeing the fruits of whatever you’re trying to do and realize that it’s a timesaver and beneficial to you and the company.” Join us as Joe Aikens, Vice President of Technology at Cannon & Wendt shares his views on innovation to foster creativity, diversify revenue streams, and ‘build a better mousetrap.’ In this episode we tackle how the power of innovation influences culture, the importance of caring for your team, the value of peer groups, and the evolution of technology to drive better customer-focused services.

#67: Convention Overload - Alex Bunda Apr 14, 2023

“It’s all about taking meaningful steps in the right direction and embracing failure along the way.” Alex Bunda, Director of Innovation of Southwire Spark, shares the importance of staying up to date on future innovations and the need for adoption to stay competitive. Tune in to learn about Southwire’s Spark Lab and how NECA contractors can benefit from this amazing resource. Listen to future disruptions that are on the horizon and how they will impact the electrical contracting industry.

#66: Convention Overload – Landon Boyer Mar 31, 2023

“Innovation is pairing technology with a customer problem and making someone's life better.” In this episode Landon Boyer, Vice President of Engineering at Schneider Electric explains the agile process they use to create and innovate products. Landon also provides insights around supply chain challenges and worker shortages and how the solutions Schnieder is developing will help the industry triumph over the challenges of today and beyond.

#65: Convention Overload - Jonathan Marsh Mar 22, 2023

“Innovation is an idea that was divorced from a purpose.” Jonathan Marsh, CEO of Steel Toe Consulting, shares the importance of purpose driven innovation and matching key players to the correct roles in your business. Tune in to learn about process mapping and how curating workflows can help improve your business. Listen to how innovation and technology create a synergy that will improve the health of the electrical contracting industry.

#64: Convention Overload – Shane Snyder Mar 03, 2023

“We need to be better at selling our industry as something other than construction; we need to be better at showing what our industry really is, what it can be, what roads come out of an apprenticeship or a four-year degree, and how diverse that can look and be.” Shane Snyder, President of Cannon and Wendt joins us in the Innovation booth to discuss the extraordinary career opportunities electrical contracting offers how we can all do a better job evangelizing for the electrical contracting. Shane also shares strategies his company uses to recruit and retain talent and tells his own story about how he was introduced to the industry. These topics and more on this edition of the Innovation Overload Podcast!

#63: Convention Overload - Contractor Takeover: Reality Capture Feb 17, 2023

“Reality capture will revolutionize the way we do business.” Jacinda Matherne, Senior Manager of Industry Alliances and Josh Berger, Sales Manager of Trades at OpenSpace discuss the importance of tracking the process of a job with reality capture and how beneficial it is to visualize the job site. Listen to the barriers of adoption with new technology and how to combat them with Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#62: Convention Overload – Dennis Harter Feb 03, 2023

“As long as you're innovating and changing, you're going to do well; if you're not moving and changing and trying to do better, you're not going to survive.” Dennis Harter joins the NECA Innovation Booth to discuss the challenges and triumphs he’s experienced on his journey from soldier and apprentice to Vice President of Operations at Kaiser Electric. Dennis digs into strategies he and his company have deployed to recruit, develop, and retain an all-star roster of talent at Kaiser Electric. Additionally, Dennis explains how Kaiser fosters a culture that empowers their employees to take action on their own to implement new ideas and processes to keep fresh and stay on top of a rapidly changing industry and world.

#61: Convention Overload - Contractor Takeover – Hala Nassereddine Jan 20, 2023

“You need to understand the problem and the potential benefits of a solution.” Hala Nassereddine, Assistant Professor at the University of Kentucky discusses the importance of construction 4.0 and how vital the integration of technology is during the lifecycle of a construction project. Listen to the key role material management takes on with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#60: Convention Overload – Pete Mastrorocco Jan 06, 2023

“If you're not stretching, you’re not growing, it’s good to sometimes step outside your comfort zone and embrace what’s somewhat uncomfortable.” NECA’s own Pete Mastrorocco, Vice President of Education, Events, and Partnerships steps inside the Innovation Booth and pulls back the curtain on some of the inner machinations and statistics of the NECA Convention and what goes into successfully pulling off an event of such magnitude. Pete discusses how innovation is largely driven by educating oneself and people in your organization, which can be accelerated through the many avenues of literature and networking available through NECA membership.

#59: Convention Overload - Contractor Takeover Dec 23, 2022

“Nothing starts innovation like a force of change.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the NECA Convention trade show floor and how to maximize your experience. Listen to highlighted technology that can help improve material management and trends that are on the horizon that will affect the electrical contacting industry on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#58: Angie Simon Dec 09, 2022

“Innovation involves a lot of technology, but I look at innovation as change and being not afraid to change. How can we change the industry to make it better?” Angie Simon, past President of SMACNA and Advisor to the Board at Western Allied Mechanical, shares her take on innovation after 35 years in the specialty trades. As a trailblazer who became President of her contracting company in 2008 just as the recession hit and who became the first female President of SMACNA in 2019 just before the pandemic, Angie is no stranger to championing innovation during uncertainty. Hear her story and her exciting efforts to bring more young talent into the industry through the Heavy Metal Summer Experience. Check out more at hmse.org

#57: Contractor Takeover – Liz Campbell & Engaging the New Generation Sep 30, 2022

“Construction technology is a career that is out there for you regardless of where you start your career path.” Liz Campbell, Director of Chapter Development at The Atlanta Electrical Contractors Association discusses different pathways for students to enter the electrical industry and the importance of engagement with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI on “Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover,” where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#56: Brian Swiatek Jul 25, 2022

“Innovation as a whole requires a team effort, and everyone needs to be treated with respect.” Brian Swiatek, Director of Field Operations at Continental Electrical Construction Company, shares how to foster a growth mindset and instill innovative practices within a company. Listen to the importance of information exchange from field to office, and discover how technology has evolved to improve daily productivity.

#55: Contractor Takeover – Digital Tools Jul 11, 2022

“The more tasks that you can complete with one tool, the more valuable that one tool becomes.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss the practical applications of 360 cameras, augmented reality, laser scanning and more. Listen to the importance of these digital tools on the job site on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#54: David Peterson Jun 10, 2022

“We must continue to evolve; we must continue to change our strategy.” David Peterson, Executive Vice President and COO of ERMCO, shares the importance of company culture and business development. Tune in to learn the importance of mentoring, continually striving to improve, and being employee-owned. You’ll see how these qualities, among many more , have sharpened the power of ERMCO's corporate mission and vision.

#53: Contractor Takeover - Construction Technology May 27, 2022

“Construction technology allows for all of us to collaborate and benefit together.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI discuss construction technology tools and how these innovations can help bridge the gap from the field to the office. Listen to the benefits of how IT and construction go hand in hand on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#52 - Dorin Nicorici May 09, 2022

“Sustainable growth is the ultimate result of innovation.” Dorin Nicorici, President & CEO of Dynalectric Oregon, shares how important it is to have core values ingrained within daily operations to attain buy-in from the field and office. Listen to the benefits of utilizing BIM and how success is measured within Dynalectric Oregon.

#51: Contractor Takeover - BIM & VDC Part 2 Apr 18, 2022

“Get participation from the field to make your model constructible and prefabable.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology for ELECTRI International, discuss BIM and VDC workflows, the right computer for workflows, and the software that goes along with these topics. Listen to Part 2 of this conversation on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#50: Contractor Takeover - BIM & VDC Part 1 Mar 28, 2022

"We post our models up to the cloud, and that’s how we get our models to the field.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, VDC Manager at Big State Electric, discuss BIM and VDC workflows, the right computer for your workflow, and the software that goes along with these topics. Listen to Part 1 of this conversation on the Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover podcast, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#49 - Jeffry Fuentes Mar 07, 2022

“When we settle on something, we don’t welcome innovation.” Jeffry Fuentes, Executive Vice President of Aurora Electric, shares the importance of company culture and how Aurora Electric encourages their employees to have an innovator’s mentality. Listen to his perspective on the vital role communication plays on instilling innovation within a company and his views on the value of being part of the NECA Innovation Institute.

#48: Contractor Takeover - Shane Custer Feb 23, 2022

“Integration of systems is the name of the game.” Shane Custer, P.E. at Big State Electric discusses electrical engineering with Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, VDC Manager at Big State Electric on Innovation Overload Podcast: Contractor Takeover, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#47 - John Grennon Feb 11, 2022

“What can you do better today, than you did yesterday.” John Grennon, Director of Security and New Business Developments for Lan-Tel Communications, shares his perspective on the importance of attracting and retaining talent and how Lan-Tel innovates across multiple verticals. Listen to the benefits of low voltage integrations and how data storage can increase safety and provide innovative solutions.

#46: Contractor Takeover Feb 02, 2022

“There is a value to mistakes when you can share them.” Sean Lazarian, CFO at ESSCO, and Jared Christman, VDC Manager at Big State Electric, share their experiences with effective communication from the office to the field. Listen to the debut episode of the Contractor Takeover series, where innovations in the electrical industry are discussed from one contractor to another.

#45 - Stacy Zerr Jan 12, 2022

“As contractors we really have to figure out how do we work together to make sure that we are still in this marketplace in 15 years.” Stacy Zerr, Director of PreConstruction Services at The Waldinger Corporation, shares her perspective on the importance of sharing best practices across the MEP trades to help further the construction industry. Listen to her excitement leading up to the MEP Innovation Conference and the value of contractor-led educational sessions.

#44 - Shannon Tymosko Dec 15, 2021

“Be open to advice even if you think you know how do it.” Shannon Tymosko, 2nd Year Electrical Apprentice, shares her journey in the apprenticeship and how important company culture is in the electrical industry. Listen to her perspective on how valuable communication is and how she stays proactive while learning on the job site.

#43: Convention Overload - Caleb Pendergraft Dec 08, 2021

“Innovation is trying to find the next bigger and better thing.” Caleb Pendergraft, 1st Year Apprentice at the Nashville JATC, shares his journey and the advantages of joining the apprenticeship. Listen to the benefits of attending the Apprentice Appreciation Day at the NECA Convention and the highlights of working with tools on the trade show floor.

#42: Convention Overload - Elise Baker & Lina Jariri Dec 01, 2021

“Fostering an environment for solutions.” Elise Baker, Director of Marketing and Brand Strategy, and Lina Jariri, Payroll & Benefits Specialist at NECA, both share the importance of recruitment outreach to the upcoming generations and the benefits of going into the trades. Learn about the prototype of the student toolkit that aims to help educate young students about the electrical industry.

#41: Convention Overload - Kristin Causby Nov 24, 2021

"One small step makes a huge difference.” Kristin Causby, Assistant Executive Director at the Minneapolis Chapter, NECA, shares how important it is to remain up to date on the latest offerings in the industry to help with education for NECA contractors and Student Chapters. Learn about best practices for internships and how to run a successful NECA Student Chapter (4-year and 2-year programs).

#40: Convention Overload - Dan Tomal Nov 17, 2021

“Innovation is the ability to develop new concepts.” Dan Tomal, Faculty Advisor at the Illinois Institute of Technology (IIT), shares the importance of the NECA Student Chapters Program and the benefits that students gain in terms of education and opportunities. Listen to IIT’s recruitment efforts and best practices of creating synergy between the university, faculty, and the local NECA Chapter.

#39: Convention Overload - Andrea Klee Nov 10, 2021

“Looking to see what is next and keeping ahead of the industry.” Andrea Klee, Publisher of ELECTRICAL CONTRACTOR Magazine at NECA, shares the importance of their bi-annual Profile of the Electrical Contractor survey and the wealth of data that it contains to track the electrical contracting industry. Learn more about the two other amazing magazines that NECA publishes, Safety Leader and Line Contractor, and the valuable information within.

#38: Convention Overload - Eric Tucker Nov 03, 2021

“Innovation is the pinnacle of vital problem solving.” Eric Tucker, Senior Business Development Manager at Procore, shares how Procore drives innovation by developing integrations to help contractors stay productive. Listen to the importance of internal key performance indicators and how Procore can help track metrics.

#37: Convention Overload - Kyle Witte Oct 27, 2021

“Willingness to change and seek out change.” Kyle Witte, Senior Project Manager at Lemberg Electric, shares how important it is to equip the field with proper tools to improve the flow of communication. Listen to his perspective on the value of being part of the Edison Cohort of the NECA Innovation Institute.

#36: Convention Overload - Josh Bone Oct 21, 2021

“It’s about simplicity—solutions to compliment people and process.” Josh Bone, Executive Director of ELECTRI International, shares exciting innovative events at the NECA Convention in Nashville, TN. Listen to his thoughts on the education sessions, technology offerings and the trade show highlights.

#35 - Tim Batty Sep 29, 2021

“Innovation is a combination of being empathic, creative, and connecting different solutions.” Tim Batty, General Manager at Buckingham Manufacturing, shares how important research is when developing tools and upskilling our future workforce. Listen to how Buckingham works with local contractors to continuously improve products and how important safety is for our electrical contractors.

#34 - Scott Block Sep 24, 2021

“Learning a trade can never be taken away from you and it opens so many doors for you.” Scott Block, Vice President of Block Electric in Chicago, shares the journey of starting a prefab shop and the obstacles that were faced along the way. Listen to how Block Electric approaches communication between the field and the office and how they have streamlined their processes.

#33 - Rob Trefz Sep 15, 2021

“Innovation is finding new and unique ways to solve a problem.” Rob Trefz, Vice President of Pipe and Electrical Solutions at Greenlee, shares how important driving productivity and efficiency is when developing innovative products. Listen to how Greenlee’s software and job site training aims to improve our contractors' jobsites.

#32 - Melinda Kershaw Sep 09, 2021

“Expanding the industry we are in and taking the next step to further the solar industry.” Melinda Kershaw, Director of Marketing at Day and Night Solar, a NECA Premier Partner, shares the importance of solar energy, microgrids, and EV charging and how big of an opportunity our NECA contractors have in this industry. Listen to how Day and Night Solar supports our contractors and how they focus on policy and technology trends around the U.S.

#31 - Russ King Sep 01, 2021

“You have got to have a strategy from the top down and leave no stone unturned.” Russ King, Director of Contractor Solutions at Southwire, shares the importance of research and development and how implementing a culture of curiosity can be beneficial for contractors. Listen to Southwire’s latest innovations and tools that help keep our electrical contractors safe and efficient on the jobsite.

#30 - Bill Weber Aug 18, 2021

“Building processes that produce superior results and continuously improving those processes while training your people.” Bill Weber, Principal of Gaston Electrical, shares his experience in peer groups and how working on your business—not just in the business—has been an impactful gained perspective. Listen to how Gaston Electrical approaches employee training by instilling company culture and empowerment across all levels.

#29 - Greg Santoro Aug 11, 2021

“Innovation is both the generation and execution of new ideas.” Greg Santoro, Co-founder and Head of Product at DADO, shares the importance of focusing on a targeted business case to help facilitate digital transformation within a company. Listen to how DADO approaches new technologies by using storytelling to help communicate pain points and gain trust in the development process.

#28 - Michael Deaton Aug 03, 2021

“Innovation in our organization means staying on the forefront of what is yet to come.” Michael Deaton, President of Laibe Electric in Toledo, Ohio, shares his experience in peer groups and how they help facilitate personal development and camaraderie. Listen to how teamwork and a growth mindset play important roles in running a family business.

#27 - Josh Sabatino Jul 28, 2021

“You can never grow if you don’t realize what your mistakes are.” Josh Sabatino, Owner of Paul’s Electric, New Ulm, MN, shares how he approaches new ideas and the resources that he uses to learn in order to keep up with the pace of innovation. Listen to Paul’s Electric’s perspective on bringing in a prefab shop and instilling a strong company culture.

#26 - Jeff Restine Jul 21, 2021

“Stay hungry and be willing to learn and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.” Jeff Restine, Vice President and CFO of Fuller Electric, San Diego, shares his outlook on electric vehicle charging stations and the exciting opportunities for future work due to our current infrastructure. Listen to how Fuller Electric engages its employees and adopts new communication strategies.

#25 - Josh Wheeler Jul 07, 2021

“From a business standpoint, diversity of ideas and diversity of people, actually makes a stronger company.” Josh Wheeler, President of Wheeler Electric, Idaho Falls, Idaho, shares his experience in a family business and the importance of how to approach the topic of succession planning. Listen to how Wheeler Electric pushes innovation in their people through education, culture and goal setting.

#24 - Nick Dobbs Jun 30, 2021

“You have to be looking for what is going to happen, not so much of what is happening.” Nick Dobbs, President of River Town Electric, Gallipolis, Ohio, shares how his company positions itself for future innovative opportunities and predicts future market changes. Listen to his journey of becoming an electrical contractor and how he learns to stay up on future trends.

#23 - Perry Thompson Jun 23, 2021

“Innovation is something that should be thought about, talked about, planned in great detail, and ensure that it brings value back, to who? The customer.” Perry Thompson, Executive Lead Director of Parsons Electric, Minneapolis, shares his experiences with lean construction and how the principles of lean are designed to help improve processes while eliminating waste. Listen to his perspectives on process mapping and how process step mining can add value while streamlining procedures.

#22 - Tom Adamson Jun 09, 2021

“It wasn’t until we created a process, made it better, made it better, and made it better with the input from the field.” Tom Adamson, Vice President of Custom Electric, Manchester, Conn., shares his experience with forming a prefab department and the lessons learned along the way. Listen to his journey in the electrical industry and the importance that communication has on running a company efficiently.

#21 - Stephen Duhon Jun 02, 2021

“Innovation can exist in a lot of different formats, but in my world, it’s taking great ideas and making them useful for every home, every company, and every life.” Stephen Duhon, MRO Key Accounts for 3M, Austin, Texas, shares his perspective on the importance of leveraging data and technology to prospect and reach more people. Listen to his take on how to increase your network with a captive audience by improving your personal and company brand.

#20 - Brian Morales May 26, 2021

“When I have an idea about something and someone comes from a different background that has a different way of thinking of it, that only creates value.” Brian Morales, CEO of ProCal Lighting, Vista, Calif., shares his journey as a minority small business owner and the importance he places on company culture. Listen to how ProCal Lighting innovates when developing and implementing cost-effective solutions as an application specialist.

#19 - Sean McCarthy May 19, 2021

“Innovation to me is not a technology. It’s not a piece of equipment that you can buy. It’s free.” Sean McCarthy, Estimator for Regent Electric, Toledo, Ohio, shares how he innovates for “free” and the value that Regent Electric puts into their company culture. Listen to his perspective on the practical applications of innovative ideas and how he leverages outside influences to formulate processes in a different way.

#18 - Veronica Rose May 12, 2021

“Innovation means the opportunity to take off every limit that the world and your mind has placed on you.” Veronica Rose, President of Aurora Electric, Jamaica, NY, shares how she maximizes Aurora Electric’s opportunities through innovative solutions and workplace place culture. Listen to how she faced adversity on her journey as she went from an apprentice to a business owner in the electrical contracting industry.

#17 - Rodney Schultz May 05, 2021

“Be open to the innovations out there in order to accelerate the deliverables to your customer.” Rodney Schultz, President of A&A Electric Services, Tampa, Fla., shares his rich history in the electrical contracting industry and how A&A Electric approaches training within the company. Listen to his perspective on process improvement through lean production and discuss the concept of the Kaizen method.

#16 - Philip Santoro Apr 28, 2021

“Innovation means embracing change, exploring your creativeness and striving for improvement.” Phil Santoro, Electrical Contractor Segment Manager for Schneider Electric, Nashville, Tennessee, shares his perspective on IoT trends and the importance of training to monitor facility systems. Listen to how Schnieder Electric supports our contractors through their online contractor portal, which has dedicated information for training, case studies and industry updates.

#15 - Ed Witt Jr. Apr 21, 2021

“As technical as our business can get it’s all about dealing with people, leading people and engaging with people.” Ed Witt Jr., Executive Vice President and Chief Construction Officer for Miller Electric, Jacksonville, Fla., shares his experience as a safety coordinator and the importance of standardization around documentation in the industry. Listen to his perspective on how important the roles of awareness and tools are for creating a sustainable recruitment pipeline.

#14 - Kristopher Lengieza Apr 14, 2021

" You should really think about how you can leverage technology in your business.” Kris Lengieza, Senior Director of Global Partnerships & Alliances at Procore in Carpinteria, Calif., shares his perspective on the importance of key performance indicators and how data can inform contractors on the health of projects. The discussion also touches on dashboard analytics and the value for cross-platform integrations. Learn more about the resources and free educational opportunities that Procore has to offer.

#13 - Todd Reed Apr 07, 2021

“Transparency, be willing to collaborate, and work together with your partners up and down the chain earlier in the process.” Todd Reed, National Construction Market Manager at Graybar in Clayton, Missouri, shares his perspective on supply chain optimization and some key steps you can take to improve your operations. Listen to how Graybar uses data to help improve catered contractor experiences and determine where the needs are to help streamline processes within the industry.

#12 - Angela Hart Mar 31, 2021

“We are constantly emulating and reiterating our core values, which generates our culture.” Angie Hart, VP of Operations of Rosendin, San Jose, Calif., shares her experiences with recruitment and training programs in the trades with a focus on company culture and catered intern experiences. Listen to her journey from start to present and her passion for this industry, as well as how she stays involved by volunteering and giving back.

#11 - Corey Dickert Mar 24, 2021

“Innovation is more of an aspiration and a compass that you set out there to guide your actions.” Corey Dickert, Senior VP of Product Management and Construction Technology at Milwaukee Tool, shares his perspectives on the role that data mining, IoT, and predictive analytics play in the construction industry, especially in terms of asset management. Listen to the benefits of Milwaukee’s ONE-KEY system and the effectiveness of a strategic research and development group.

#10 - Todd Grossweiler Mar 17, 2021

“You’ve got to innovate through your people and find the right champions at all levels.” Todd Grossweiler, Executive Vice President of Allison Smith Company in Smyrna, Georgia, shares how buy-in from your team and incorporating prefabrication processes go hand in hand. Listen to his experience on evolving and scaling offsite construction while overcoming hurdles.

#9 Nick Rol Mar 10, 2021

“You have got to be able to change within this industry because change will happen, and it’s fast.” Nick Rol, Project Manager, Electrical Construction, at Thompson Electrical Construction, Sioux City, Iowa, shares how important transparency is from top to bottom when it comes to communication. Listen to his perspective on innovating through technology solutions to help combat the overload that all contractors face.

#8 - Adam Davis Mar 03, 2021

“Every VDC professional out there experiences the crunch behind the design deliverable and the field needing the VDC output.” Adam Davis, Virtual Design Construction Manager of Lighthouse Electric, Canonsburg, PA speaks about the importance of proactive project coordination, establishing strong VDC goals, and the concept of evaluating a project through Labor by Volume.

#7 - Sonja Rheaume Feb 24, 2021

“Peer groups allow us to work together as a team to solve bigger issues and improve the overall industry.” Sonja Rheaume, President of Christenson Electric, Portland, Oregon shares her perspective on peer groups and how impactful they have proven to be while being an industry leader. Listen to her experience with ELECTRI International and how the research has been an important resource for her and her company.

#6 - Rilo Stephens Feb 17, 2021

“Trusting the leads that you have in place.” Rilo Stephens, President of Eckardt Group, Atlanta, shares his experience of overcoming challenges within the industry and how support from management can make an important difference in operations. Listen to his perspective on the tools of success and keys to market share growth.

#5 - Jared Christman Feb 10, 2021

“It’s only a failure if you don’t learn from it. If you learn from it, it’s a lesson.” Jared Christman, VDC Manager of Big State Electric, San Antonio, Texas, shares his perspective on the digital transformation of building information modeling (BIM) and how impactful it has been on efficiency. Listen to his BIM philosophy and how he has overcome challenges within his field.

#4 - Greg Padalecki Feb 03, 2021

“If you’re not willing to step out of the comfort zone, that’s when irrelevancy comes in.” Greg Padalecki, President & CEO of Alterman, San Antonio, Texas, shares his experience running a large company and his keys of success on managing employees and dealing with challenging situations. Listen to insights on how to keep learning and giving back as an electrical contractor.

#3 - Duane Hendricks Jan 27, 2021

“By nature, people resist change, but the most important thing is if you can help them understand the why.” Duane Hendricks, President & CEO of Egan, Minnesota, shares his experience as an effective leader and how he has adapted to change. Listen to his perspective on the change of values that the current workforce seeks, with culture being at the top.

#2 - Sean Lazarian Jan 20, 2021

“We had a harder time when we were complacent, there is a big cost of doing nothing.” Sean Lazarian, CFO of ESSCO, Pasadena, Calif., shares his experience of embracing change while running a third-generation-owned business. Listen on how to pit fear against fear in order to overcome those who are risk adverse.

#1 - Dan Shea Dec 10, 2020

"Leaders have to go first and be vulnerable and be willing to share their mistakes.” Dan Shea, COO of Shea Electric, Oshkosh, Wis., shares his journey and passion as an electrical contractor. Listen to his thoughts on how to overcome fear culture in the midst of change.

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