Innovation Overload

In this Contractor Takeover edition of Innovation Overload, hosts Adam Davis, Director of Fabrication & Modular Solutions at Miller Electric Company, and Adam Rude, Vice President of Construction Support Operations for ERMCO, discuss how contractors can turn innovation into measurable business results.  From preconstruction and VDC to fabrication, logistics, and tool management, the conversati...

In this episode of Innovation Overload, hosts Dorin Nicorici, President and CEO of Dynalectric Oregon and Arizona, and Joe Barnard, President of National Installation at ArchKey Solutions, speak with Pruthvish Shah, Segment Leader for the Electrical Market Division at 3M, about how they develop technologies that address real-world contractor challenges.  Shah discusses 3M’s approach to innovation,...

In this episode of Innovation Overload, host Adam Davis, Director of Fabrication & Modular Solutions at Miller Electric Company, talks with Brian Yetter, Prefabrication Manager at Hatzel & Buehler, about building a prefab operation that drives real project performance. Yetter shares practical lessons on creating feedback between the field and shop, involving teams in problem-solving, and d...

"Innovation is order born from chaos."  In this episode of Innovation Overload, host Todd Grossweiler of Allison-Smith Company talks with Cameron Binegar from Gerke Electric about embracing the messy moments, growing through the challenge, and turning effort into real progress. Innovation is simple—it’s what you put in that defines what you get out.

"Find your champions. You find the people that want to push the envelope, you find the folks on the cutting edge." In this Contractor Takeover edition of Innovation Overload, Eric Spaeth of Southland Industries and Nathan Zelenock of Miller Electric Company discuss how contractors can adopt new technology by empowering internal champions, aligning tools with field needs, and building mom...

“The people in this industry are special and they love to mentor and bring others up.” In this episode of Innovation Overload, hosts Todd Grossweiler of Allison-Smith Company and Tom Adamson of Custom Electric speak with Christy Phillips of Southwire about the culture that makes the electrical industry unique. Phillips shares her unexpected path into the industry, the mentors who helped her learn...

"I'm not keeping track of when these subscriptions renew or how many copies we actually have." In this Contractor Takeover edition of Innovation Overload, hosts Sean Lazarian and Jared Christman discuss a growing challenge for electrical contractors: managing the expanding number of software subscriptions used across the business. As companies add tools for estimating, project manag...

"We need innovative minds.  We are energy producer providers."  This episode of Innovation Overload we are joined by Teila Allmond, Pre-Apprenticeship Manager, Instructor for Rosie's Girls, and a member of IBEW Local 98. Tune in as we dive into the creative strategies that are shaping the future of our industry.

“This isn’t your typical national convention — everyone here is deep in the weeds on innovation.” From the MEP Innovation Conference in Austin, Texas, Jared Christman and Shawn Lazarian show why this gathering stands out in the industry. It’s all about rolling up sleeves and tackling real operational challenges with cutting-edge tools and data-driven practices. If you want to hear how innovation i...

“For us, innovation is the practical application of creative ideas that solve real world problems.” Michael McLin, Managing Director of Maxim Consulting Group, breaks down why organizations often struggle to convert ideas into action and how leaders can jumpstart progress by communicating better, executing more consistently, and nurturing a culture of continuous improvement. Hear how practical app...

"Thinking out of the box is refreshing." In this episode of Contractor Takeover, host Jared Christman of Big State Electric sits down with Chris Summers, Application Engineer with Augmenta, for an insightful exploration into the rapidly evolving world of AI in the electrical industry. Together, they break down what it really means to embrace emerging technology — its strengths, its limit...

"Innovation to me is pushing for change, not just to make your company better but the industry as a whole."  On this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, we’re joined by Katie Folk, Controller for Kaiser Electric. Tune in to hear how Katie leverages cross-functional collaboration to drive innovation, impact, and industry-wide progress. 

“These events are so much more than just booths and classes—they’re about the conversations, the connections, and the energy that push our industry forward.” Tune in to the Contractor Takeover edition of the Innovation Overload podcast, hosted by Jared Chrisman and Sean Lazarian, with special guest Steve Swain, Project Manager at Swain Electric. This episode spotlights the NECA Convention, showcas...

"Innovation in terms of our industry is crucial.  If you are not willing to adapt and learn new things, then you will get passed very quickly."  On this episode of the Innovation Overload podcast, we will hear from Max Gallaway, VP,  Max Electric, as he discusses the best practices for supply disruption, innovation, and preparing your business for the future.

“It’s great to see the industry introduce and expose some of these technologies — it gets people excited about where we’re headed.” Eric Smith, president of the Penn State NECA Student Chapter, joins Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover Edition hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO to represent his team, winners of the 2025 Electrical Contractor Innovation Chal...

"It's ok to be afraid.  It's not ok to do nothing with it." In this installment of the Innovation Overload podcast, we learn about exploring groundbreaking technologies from Leah Mack, Project Manager at Allison-Smith Company.  Leah discusses the industry's evolution and what's to come.  Plug in and stay ahead with insights that spark real change.

"It’s like a shopping mall full of construction tools and services." In this Contractor Takeover edition of Innovation Overload, hosts Jared Chrisman and Shawn Lazarian preview the upcoming NECA Convention & Trade Show and unpack the tech trends shaping the future of the electrical industry. From AI-powered workflows to VR productivity tools and smart safety gear, they explore how in...

"Don't sit in the palace, but get outside and walk the grounds." In this latest episode of Innovation Overload, General Ron Bailey will share insights on the critical role leadership plays in driving innovation. 

"Innovation isn’t just about new ideas—it’s about creating value where others haven’t looked yet."  In this episode of Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover Edition, Gilbert Coronado, Account Executive at NavVis, dives deep into the world of reality capture and scanning technology. Drawing from his experience leading high-speed scanning initiatives on complex projects, Gilbert shares...

"I think change is inevitable. If we don't change, we're going to be left behind, especially in the world that we're in right now."  In this episode, hosts Andy Sellers, Management Executive at Quality Electric, and Phil Matthews, Vice President of Operations Support at O'Connell Electric, sit down with Michael Parkes, President and COO at O'Connell Electric. Tog...

“We just bit this elephant off and kept chunking it—one piece at a time.” In this episode of Innovation Overload, Contractor Takeover, hosts Jared and Sean welcome Aaron Graven, Senior Virtual Construction Engineer, and Brian Dilley, Director of Construction Services at Lake Erie Electric. Together, they explore how this established electrical contractor is embracing innovation through advanced BI...

"I encourage everyone as a call to action to stay engaged not only with your companies but also with your peers in the industry. We can achieve much more together than we can alone." In this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, Todd Grossweiler from the Allison-Smith Company and Eric Spaeth from The Brandt Companies discuss strategies for doing more with less.

"We are a system—not just silos. We’re an ecosystem, a biological organism. When you move one lever, it affects another." In this episode of NECA’s Innovation Overload: Contractor Takeover Edition, Mica Ashmore, Strategic Business Integration Manager at Alterman Electric, shares how embracing systems thinking can transform the way electrical contractors operate. Drawing on insights from...

“I look at so much of this and think we’ve institutionalized so much. We’ve got to get used to faster rates of change, be more open, and keep our eyes open to what’s next.” In this episode of the Innovation Overload Podcast, guest host Mike Oakes, President of First Choice Electrical Solutions, sits down with Ian Andrews, Executive Director of Field and Industrial Labor Relations, and Josh Bone, E...

“You can't go open a magazine article, you can't go to a conference without being slammed with 'AI', but no one understands what's going on under the hood.”  Join Contractor Takeover hosts Jared Christman of Big State Electric and Sean Lazarian of ESSCO as they break down the buzz around artificial intelligence, explore its real-world applications in electrical constructio...