Keepin' The Lights On

I know the importance of proper Cybersecurity in my personal life and company. I hadn’t spent too much time thinking about how well the companies I work with are doing to protect themselves. As I spoke with my guest this week, Pamela Kubiatowski, Global VP, CTO in Residence at Zscaler, my eyes were open to how collaborative cybersecurity is up and down the supply chain and the concept of Zero Trus...

Lighting controls can be as simple as the same switch you see in our logo to complex multi-building wide network-driven systems. There are many reasons to switch to more complex controls. But many have concerns or fears about installing them. To help ease those fears I spend some time with Steve Roe, Vice President of Controls at Acuity. You can also find Steve on YouTube in Roe On Controls. These...

Electrical Contractor construction technology and software have come a long way since its earliest days. The companies providing the services are doing a better job of learning from the industry and designing solutions that are helping ECs get their jobs done more efficiently. I was fortunate to sit with Nate Tockerman, Structshare’s Director of Partnerships, at the most recent NECA convention. He...

I’ve always been impressed how Milwaukee Tool works to improve the construction industry through associations. Their support goes beyond simply paying membership fees. It takes a well-thought-out strategy and plan to benefit both the industry and the business. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at...

For an electrical contractor, choosing the right software can be daunting. Chandler Brooks, Director of Industry Partnerships & Alliances at Procore Technologies, joins me during the NECA tradeshow to share his perspective on what an EC should consider when thinking about which software to implement in their business. What I like about our conversation is how much Chandler thinks about the hum...

In this episode, Pete Mastrorocco, Sr. Vice President, Education, Events & Partnerships at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) discusses the valuable insights and lessons learned through industry associations, which can be especially beneficial for small to medium electrical contractors. Pete and I explore the ways NECA supports its members. Thank you for listening and pleas...

This episode is a departure in format. Tauhira Ali, Executive Director of Industry Innovation at NECA, (National Electrical Contractors Association) and I sat down during the 2023 NECA Convention on the show floor to share ideas about conventions, innovation, podcasting, and food. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get...

Prefab is a topic so thoroughly discussed over the last 10 years that many start to tune it out when mentioned. After talking with Todd Grossweiler, Executive Vice President at Allison Smith Company about their approach to prefab, I wonder if we should start thinking of prefab not just as another process to complete projects, but as a vehicle to improve company culture. To build a great prefab pro...

Without materials, a contractor can’t do their job. Material management goes beyond simply ordering and receiving the material. A well-thought-out material strategy and plan can go a long way in helping a contractor get their projects done efficiently and can also help the bottom line. At the 2023 NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Convention I had the privilege to speak with David...

When I heard the words, “biodegradable lighting fixtures,” my curiosity was piqued. To learn more about this, I turned to Benjamin Rapkin, General Manager at Lightly. In this episode of Keepin’ The Lights On, I learn about the current state of sustainable building materials. We discuss what lighting customers, designers, and manufacturers can do to move the needle to more sustainable products. Las...

Most associations have an internal group that focuses on political advocacy. To learn a bit more about this side of the National Electrical Contractor Association, I asked Marco Giamberardino, NECA Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, if he would spend a few minutes educating us on how he spends his days as an association lobbyist. I met Marco at the NECA convention, so you will...

Many US cities and towns are beginning to show their age, with depopulation, aging infrastructure, and lost industry. In addition, many are looking for ways to make our communities more people-centric where walking and biking are more viable options. Overcoming these challenges and creating more people-centric communities is a big challenge and I’ve invited someone who’s been working on this probl...

The information, technology, and communications world hasn’t been spared the labor shortage that many trades are facing today. There is a growing talent gap and in this episode, Jennifer Roback, Director Global Systems Engineer at Commscope, shares her insight into this growing challenge. We’ll learn what industry veterans can do to help recruit and mentor the new generation of talent. In addition...

In this episode, we are going to talk about the importance of choosing the most qualified technician for your next installation. It goes beyond simply pulling cable. This episode's guest is RCDD Tech, Chuck Bowser. RCDD stands for (Registered Communications Distribution Designer). Chuck entered the Information and Communications Technology or ICT industry in 1982. Throughout his career, Chuck stri...

In this episode, Bill Marushak and I talk about some of the challenges facing higher-ed facility teams in controlling and managing their lighting and then share a few ideas on ways they can think through the problem to come up with the best solutions. Bill Marushak is currently a Strategic End-User Account Manager at Lutron Electronics. Bill is the architect of the Lutron Campus-Wide Solutions Pro...

We’re going to be discussing Legrand’s journey to create a more sustainable business. Susan Rochford, Vice President, Energy Efficiency, Sustainability & Public Policy at Legrand North America and Central America brings so much history and knowledge to this topic that I learned new ways of thinking about sustainability and how an organization can get there. I learned about the great resources...

In this episode, I speak with Rudy Agovic, PhD Chief Analytics Officer at Clarity Insights and we discuss the myths or challenges AI faces as companies think about implementing it. F From understanding what AI is and isn’t, the struggle with collecting data in silos, and challenges companies have in implementing AI. In addition, we’ll look at an example of how AI can facilitate building a new refi...

Kim “KC” Campbell served in the Air Force for 24 years as a fighter pilot and senior military leader. She has flown 1,800 hours in the A-10 Warthog, including more than 100 combat missions protecting troops on the ground in both Iraq and Afghanistan. In 2003, Kim was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism after successfully recovering her battle-damaged airplane after an intense close...

Municipalities are faced with many challenges as they plan for the future of their water, wastewater facilities. Aging infrastructure, technology advancements, data management, cybersecurity, and automation is a small list of concerns facing operators. In this panel discussion we feature the future of water wastewater from the perspective of industry leadership, integrators, and manufacturers. Top...

Have you ever wondered why we aren’t living in the world of the Jetsons or Star Trek, or even in a world where the traffic lights are smart and work consistently? In today’s show, I speak with Joe Reele, Vice President Solution Architects at Schneider Electric. Joe has more than 22 years of experience in strategic planning, business development, operations management, and system engineering strate...

In this episode, I’m speaking with LONNIE CUMPTON, Senior Director of Customer Success and Product Strategy at AEC Inspire. Lonnie has over 30 years in the design and building industry. Starting at the early stages of CAD design, then into BIM and Revit. He’s held positions in construction firms, associations, and now in consulting/services. In this episode we’re going to discuss why construction...

For smaller electrical contractors and communication integrators, selecting the right technology to run their jobs and business can be an overwhelming obstacle. I spend a few minutes with Jared Christman, Director of Construction Technology at ELECTRI International, the Research and Development branch of the National Electrical Contractors Association or NECA. Jared shares insights and lessons lea...

You can reach your host at podcast@graybar.com For show episodes and to subscribe to our show newsletter, please go to graybar.com/podcast Podcasts mentioned in the show: Construction Dorks Bridging the Gap Electrical Current by IEC NECA Innovation Overload MDM Podcast Broadband Bunch Talking Industrial Automation

The disruption of Covid required everyone to adapt to crisis. During this episode, Steve Guarracino LC, IESNA, Source Market Specialist at Cooper Lighting’s Training and Development Center, shares with me how he and his team at The Source adapted to the changes required to survive and thrive during the pandemic years. He shares the struggles and successes experienced over the past 2.5 years. Thank...

Steve Bannes, Professor of Practice and Director of Graduate Studies in Construction Management at Washington University, and I discuss how the discipline of construction management can help move the construction process from one that is often fragmented and adversarial to one that is integrated and collaborative. We'll discuss why this is so vital for the future of construction. Thank you for lis...