On the Fringe

Recorded live at the IBEW 5th District Progress Meeting in New Orleans, this episode captures the voices from business managers, presidents, and organizers across Mississippi and Louisiana locals. From life-changing career opportunities to retirement education challenges, these leaders share what matters most in their daily work serving IBEW members. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:07)...

Recorded at the 2026 IBEW-NECA Employee Benefits Conference, this episode weaves together insights from leaders across labor and management on healthcare, mental health, rising drug costs, and supporting today’s workforce. From apprenticeships to recovery programs, these rapid-fire perspectives reveal how benefits shape real lives. Tune in to this episode as we explore: (00:07) Why benefits must s...

The electrical workforce is changing – and benefits, training, and leadership are being tested in real time. Luke Kuhl, Executive Chairman of the Twin Cities Chapter of NECA, shares frontline insights on how contractors are navigating AI-driven demand, data center expansion, wage pressure, and the growing need for specialized talent. The conversation also explores why strong leadership (not just n...

Brandon Padget and Paul Ranisate from Union Bank & Trust – a unique, 100% labor-owned financial institution – unpack the often-overlooked risks and rising costs associated with issuing paper checks. They explain why now is the time for unions, contractors, and fund administrators to transition to secure electronic payments. You’ll hear first-hand accounts of check fraud, real-world examples of...

We’re coming to you from the NECA Convention in Chicago, capturing real-time insights from those shaping the future of electrical construction. In today’s episode, you’ll hear directly from chapter leaders, contractors, trainers, and technology trailblazers as they reflect on what drives them, the challenges they’re navigating, and the lessons learned on the front lines. From workforce shortages t...

In this episode, we sit down with Joey Shorter, Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter NECA, to explore how Atlanta is redefining workforce development in the electrical industry.    For 25 years, NECA Atlanta has been inside classrooms – from elementary to high school – showing that electrical work isn’t just a job, but a career. With dedicated outreach across dozens of schools and an apprenti...

Step inside the 3rd District Progress Meeting and hear directly from the people shaping the future of IBEW. From apprentices discovering their calling, to seasoned business managers navigating industry change, to organizers building union strength across New York, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey – these are the voices driving impact.   Guests share their most rewarding projects, from rebuilding Groun...

Once dubbed a “security badass” by the New York Times, Sherri Davidoff is CEO of LMG Security and joins On The Fringe to unpack the fast-changing world of cyber threats, with a focus on how AI-powered deepfakes are fueling a new wave of financial scams.   From real-world cases of AI-generated voice fraud costing victims thousands, to cybercriminals using tools like WormGPT and FraudGPT, they revea...

Mary Ann Gebauer is the NEBF Coordinator at the Illinois Chapter NECA office. She landed in the world of electrical contracting benefits through a chance neighborly connection, and over the past 11 years, has mastered the ins and outs of union agreements, contractor relations and the complex flow of benefit contributions.   In this conversation, she takes us inside the day-to-day reality of suppor...

In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the IBEW’s 4th District meeting in Cleveland, OH. In July 2025, we spoke with the people shaping the future of the electrical industry from Baltimore to Cincinnati and beyond.   You’ll hear firsthand from 12 voices – business managers, apprentices, training directors, and union presidents – opening up about the best and toughest parts of their...

Welcome to a behind-the-scenes look at the IBEW 4th District progress meeting in Cleveland from July 2025, where the On The Fringe team brought their microphones to the action and had twelve guests answer a set of thought-provoking questions.   In the spirit of community in this mini episode, Anne answers those very same questions, reflecting on the highs and challenges of leading a dynamic SaaS t...

Continuing our conversation with Andrew Varvoutis, Executive Director of NECA’s Gulf Coast Chapter, we dig into purpose, impact, the "we've always done it this way" mentality, and how small changes can make a big difference.    Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com Learn more at www.eprlive.com Host: Anne Larson Produced By: John Shaw Edited By: Kellan Green and A...

In this two-part episode, Anne sits down with Andrew Varvoutis, Executive Director of the Gulf Coast Chapter NECA.  From managing six locals across three states to navigating everything from contract transitions to apprenticeship reform, Andrew brings a wide-angle view of what it takes to keep a chapter running smoothly. In Part 1, we talk about what Andrew’s day-to-day looks like, what it means t...

In this episode, Anne sits down with Kevin Cope, Administrator of the NECA-IBEW Health and Welfare Trust Fund, Pension Trust Fund, and 401(k) Plan based in Decatur, Illinois, to talk about what it really takes to manage benefits at scale. From navigating billion-dollar pension assets to resolving high-stakes healthcare decisions, Kevin shares the behind-the-scenes challenges of serving thousands o...

In this episode, Anne sits down with Avery LaPan, Client Success Manager at EPRLive, to talk about what it really takes to guide NECA chapters and their partners through a successful implementation. From the first CBA review to full contractor adoption, Avery walks us through the hands-on, highly collaborative process of launching a digital reporting system and why communication, clarity, and curi...

In this episode, Anne sits down with Tim Gauthier, longtime Executive Manager of NECA’s Oregon-Columbia Chapter, to talk about the early days of payroll reporting, the birth of EPRLive, and what it really takes to bring a complex industry into the digital age. From punch card systems to billion-dollar remittances, Tim shares his personal journey, hard-won lessons from decades of negotiations, and...

In our third episode, Anne sits down with Larry Horner, Head of Sales for Contractors at Zuma Payroll, to talk about how he found his way into union payroll, the challenges of serving this unique industry, and the steep learning curve that keeps most competitors out. They discuss the origins of Zuma’s partnership with EPRLive, cultural resistance to change in the field, and why getting it right ma...

 In the very first episode of On the Fringe , Corellian CEO Anne Larson sits down with Product Manager Ashley Bennett to talk about why this podcast exists and how EPRLive came to be. From Ashley’s first days on the job to the early challenges of fringe benefit reporting, this conversation explores the real stories behind the software—how relationships, trust, and problem-solving shaped the produc...

In our second episode, Anne sits down with Ian Andrews, NECA’s Executive Director of Field and Industrial Labor Relations, to talk about his journey from NEBF coordinator to national leader. They explore the evolution of fringe benefit reporting, embracing new technology, labor negotiations, mentorship, and the future workforce of the electrical industry. Ian shares thoughtful insights on navigati...