Father & Son Linemen on the Future of the Trade | ISS 2026 Perspectives Panel | 216

What responsibility do we have to the next generation entering the trade?In this special episode, Ryan shares a live recording from the Perspectives Panel at the 2026 Infrastructure Safety Symposium (ISS), where he moderated a discussion on one of the industry’s most important challenges: generational knowledge transfer.Featuring two father-son duos from the utility industry, the panel brings together leaders, journeymen, and apprentices to explore how experience, leadership, and safety knowledge can be passed down as skilled workers retire and younger crews step into larger roles earlier in their careers.Carey Kostyk, President of Valard Construction, joins his son Pat Kostyk, Journeyman Lineman at Valard Construction, alongside Jeff Ziemba, Manager of Contractor Safety at Pepco Holdings Inc., and his son Jeffrey Ziemba, 4th Year Apprentice Lineman at Delmarva Power.Together, they discuss the realities of entering the trade, the importance of mentorship, why communication and trust matter, and how organizations can help bridge the experience gap while building a safer future for the next generation of lineworkers.Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or industry leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on developing future leaders and ensuring critical lessons aren’t lost as the trade evolves.Topics covered:Generational knowledge transferBridging the experience gapMentorship and workforce developmentLeadership at every levelSafety culture and communicationCreating environments where people can speak upThe changing role of apprentices and journeymenRetaining and transferring institutional knowledgeDeveloping the next generation of lineworkersBuilding a safer future for the trade✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠⚡️GUESTS: CAREY KOSTYK, JEFF ZIEMBA & VALARD CONSTRUCTION⚡️CAREY KOSTYKLinkedIn: Carey KostykJEFF ZIEMBALinkedIn: Jeff ZiembaVALARD CONSTRUCTIONInstagram: @valardconstructionLinkedIn: Valard Construction🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥Email: ⁠⁠⁠[email protected]⁠