The Electrical Current

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 about the past, present and future of electrical cont...

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 to grow and further align with your passion and ta...

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 to serve your members and stakeholders, as well as...

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 opportunities to seize the challenges before us: by eating a...

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 finding a home in the electrical industry that is challe...

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 interesting and successful business engaged in the me...

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 challenges and humility needed to lead people and...

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 is a leader in the industry and within the associa...

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 from the commitment and dedication of Jerry Thomas t...

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 to ultimately help others to grow in their lives, c...

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 manufacturing plant. Learn a bit more about where you could g...

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 and we’re grateful that he is a part of what makes...

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 learn about each individual in our companies as a...

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 views and approach for vocational, apprenticeship, an...

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 provide, growing a business, and engaging with you...

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 podcast that business owners, futurists, and aspir...

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 efforts. You’re going to enjoy this inspiring con...

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 NEC®, that will be included in the IEC National App...

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 back, listen intently, and enjoy this conversatio...

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 greatly from connecting with like-minded business lead...

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 National. Thank you for sharing your story with us, Gl...

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 insights on IoT and the opportunities available fo...

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 that he does. Matt’s enthusiasm is infectious and you...

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 conversation with a true leader, Carol Reynolds.

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 gonna love it. #WeAreIEC