ISPC Tailboard Talks

Host Jim Vaughn interviews Dr. George Gela, PhD, Peng.  Dr. Gela is an internationally recognized expert in electric utility systems with a PhD in Electrical Engineering from the University of Toronto and a distinguished career spanning research, teaching, and consulting. He has managed major R&D initiatives at EPRI, taught power systems and renewable energy at several universities, and delivered training and technical seminars across more than 20 countries. Founder of Berkshire Electric Transmission Consulting, Dr. Gela has authored hundreds of technical publications, served in leadership roles for IEC and other international organizations, and received numerous global awards for his contributions to the electric power industry.   This episode is sponsored by:   iP Institute’s Frontline Leadership Program Attention all utility professionals! Are you ready to transform your safety leadership culture? Introducing iP Institute's Frontline Leadership Program—a comprehensive training program that will elevate safety throughout every level of your organization. Led by one of the industry’s premier leading minds, David McPeak, this program offers in-depth modules on Leadership, Human Performance, and Incident Prevention. Don’t miss your opportunity to take your organization’s safety culture to the next level.  iP Institute's Frontline Program—empowering utility professionals to lead with confidence and safety, ip-institute.com to start your journey today! Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:03] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [1:12] Tailboard Talk: Anomalies Matter [5:22] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [35:22] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [36:13] Special Guest, Continued [57:55] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Frontline Program [58:08] Conclusion

Jerry Havens and Jim Vaughn kick off a new era for Tailboard Talks and discuss what’s next. They talk about upcoming guests and both the iP Conference and T&D Trainers Conference and Tradeshow. Jim also shares his experiences about writing for Incident Prevention Magazine and its early days of publication.   This episode is sponsored by: UBM Utility Business Media

Mark Forster & Jerry Havens sit down with Mark Savage to discuss everything Underground. In this episode of ISPC Tailboard Talks, we dive into the life-saving importance of proper cable identification and remote cutting in the electric utility industry. Our guest, Mark Savage shares real-world stories, proven best practices, and critical safety steps that align with OSHA 1910.269 and NFPA 70E standards. From testing before you touch, to using multiple verification methods, to leveraging remote cutting tools that keep you outside the arc flash boundary, this conversation is packed with practical advice every lineworker and safety leader needs to hear. Whether you’re in the field or leading a crew, these insights will help you prevent costly mistakes and ensure everyone goes home safe. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:12] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [5:41] Tailboard Talk: Cable Identification and Remote Cutting [11:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [12:12] Special Guest: Mark Savage, Deadbreak, LLC [50:58] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [51:52] Conclusion

Mark Forster Jerry Havens sit down with NECA’s Mike Starner to discuss the high-level changes under the new regulatory landscape in Washington DC and what that means for the electric utility industry in the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment.  The conversation with Mike continues as they dive into regulatory changes, training, attracting new people to the industry, what is changing from a contractor standpoint, NECA’s support and standing in the industry, and lastly, Mike’s final words to the contractor industry. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [4:47] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [5:34] Tailboard Talk: What the Regulatory Landscape Means for the Outside Line Industry [15:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [16:13] Special Guest: Mike Starner, Executive Director for Outside Line Safety with NECA [51:24] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [52:04] Conclusion

In episode 27, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Trucks and Step Potential in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for trucks and step potential. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ for trucks and step potential and what hazards are brought into the work zone at ground level for the workers working on the ground. How to protect the workers on the ground and what actually goes into protecting them.   This episode is sponsored by:iP Institute’s Frontline Leadership Program Attention all utility professionals! Are you ready to transform your safety leadership culture? Introducing iP Institute's Frontline Leadership Program—a comprehensive training program that will elevate safety throughout every level of your organization. Led by one of the industry’s premier leading minds, David McPeak, this program offers in-depth modules on Leadership, Human Performance, and Incident Prevention. Don’t miss your opportunity to take your organization’s safety culture to the next level.  iP Institute's Frontline Program—empowering utility professionals to lead with confidence and safety, ip-institute.com to start your journey today!   Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:05] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [2:13] Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn [11:28] Tailboard Talk: EPZ for Trucks and Step Potential [29:16] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [33:16] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [1:01:12] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention’s Front Line Program [1:02:22] Conclusion    

In episode 26, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Substations in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Substations. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in Substations and what the big differences are when working inside the fence. If the substation is an equipotential plane and everything is bonded together why is EPZ still needed. What are some of the challenges with EPZ in subs, and what is Jim’s one takeaway that all should get from this episode.   This episode is sponsored by: Bierer Meters Electric Culture of Safety Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:44] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [2:46] Tailboard Topic: EPZ for Substations [14:01] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [17:00] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [54:01] Sponsor Message: Electric Culture of Safety [55:35] Concussion

In episode 25, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Transmission and Induction in the electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Transmission and Induction with the real difference being the increased likelihood of induction being present at higher voltages.  During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in Transmission and what causes induction, what hazards it brings to the de-energized work area, and what challenges exist and how to overcome those. Jim also gives his final thoughts on what all levels of the organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ in the transmission space. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:48] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [2:20] Tailboard Topic: OSHA Requirements for Equipotential Grounding [19:30] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [20:09] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [52:58] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [53:32] Conclusion

In episode 24, host Mark Forster sits down with Jim Vaughn to discuss EPZ for Distribution and URD in electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in EPZ for Distribution and URD.  During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing EPZ in overhead distribution and underground distribution and what challenges exist and how to overcome those. Jim also gives his final thoughts on what all levels of the organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ in the OH & UG distribution world.   This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:57] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [2:28] Special Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn [6:33] Tailboard Topic: EPZ for Distribution and URD [17:42] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [18:27] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [1:05:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [1:05:46] Conclusion

This is the first in our six-part series on Equipotential Zones and Field Safety. Host Mark Forster sits down with industry expert Jim Vaughn to discuss the law and principles of EPZ in the electric utility industry. Mark and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer regarding EPZ, as well as the three safety principles for grounding and bonding.  Their conversation continues by discussing EPZ laws and principles in overhead and underground distribution, what challenges exist, and how to overcome them. Jim gives his final thoughts on what all levels of an organization need to understand when it comes to EPZ. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:29] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [3:06] Tailboard Talk: EPZ – The Law and the Principles [39:16] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [40:03] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [51:20] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [52:07] Conclusion  

In episode 22, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Jim Vaughn to discuss Grounding and Bonding in electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark, Jerry, and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in grounding and bonding, the difference between grounding and bonding and more. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing the history of grounding, the biggest misconceptions while grounding a de-energized line, bracket grounding versus EPZ, and bonding into your work location. This episode is sponsored by: Gritty Tools, Eliminating Workplace Injuries One Tool at a Time. Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [0:58] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools [1:56] Special Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn [10:47] Tailboard Topic: Grounding and Bonding [30:44] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools [32:50] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn [1:02:12] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools [1:03:09] Conclusion

In episode 21, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Terry Clinefelter, Department Head, Construction Technologies for Oklahoma State University-Oklahoma City and Mike Eckart, Training Supervisor for Oklahoma Gas & Electric to discuss training in the electric utility industry in the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment. Mark, Jerry, Terry, and Mike discuss how colleges support the electric utility industry, how colleges rely on industry partners, how getting a degree from a college can launch your career in the electric utility industry, what it takes while at college to be successful in obtaining your degree, and how colleges assist students in securing employment after college. This episode is sponsored by: iP Institutes Frontline Leadership Program Attention all utility professionals! Are you ready to transform your safety leadership culture? Introducing iP Institute's Frontline Leadership Program—a comprehensive training program that will elevate safety throughout every level of your organization. Led by one of the industry’s premier leading minds, David McPeak, this program offers in-depth modules on Leadership, Human Performance, and Incident Prevention. Don’t miss your opportunity to take your organization’s safety culture to the next level.  iP Institute's Frontline Program—empowering utility professionals to lead with confidence and safety, ip-institute.com to start your journey today!   Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:03] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program [6:48] Tailboard Talk: Education Meets Energy [17:00] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program [17:54] Special Guests: Terry Clinefelter and Mike Eckart [1:00:15] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program [1:00:29] Conclusion  

In episode 20, host Mark Forster sits down at the 2025 Trainers Conference in San Antonio to discuss support for our veterans with four special guests. Jeremy Gee from Jackson EMC, Joesph Fields from Linetec Services, Ronnie Abernathy from Centerpoint Energy, and Ryan Cooper from Centerpoint Energy discuss utility industry support for veterans, making the transition from military life to the workforce, what each of their companies is doing to support veterans, and why veterans make a good fit for employers in the electric utility industry.   This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills, LLC Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [3:51] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC [5:25] T&D Trainers Conference Roundtable [38:11] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC [39:01] Conclusion  

In episode 19, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris to discuss the next 20 years of ISPC in partnership with NWPPA and Lubbock Power & Light respectively. They discuss how the partnership started with both organizations, how we got to today, and what the future looks like. This episode is sponsored by: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:48] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [4:49] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris [24:23] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [25:16] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris [44:11] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [45:18] Conclusion  

In episode 18, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Ron and Mack to talk about the origins and the past 20 years of ISPC. They discuss how it all started, what some of the challenges where and are, what successes happened and where they see ISPC and the industry going in the future.   This episode is sponsored by: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:25] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [4:22] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 1 [26:06] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [27:10] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 2 [44:32] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction [47:46] Conclusion

In episode 17, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens joins David McPeak with Utility Business Media in the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment to discuss the core components and principles of Human Performance. Mark and Jerry then continue the conversation with David, covering key topics such as Utility Business Media’s mission, Incident Prevention strategies, cutting-edge safety training practices, and insights from David’s two influential books. This episode is packed with valuable takeaways for leaders, trainers, and professionals striving to enhance safety and performance in their teams. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames [7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames [32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [32:52] Conclusion

In episode 16, host Mark Forster sits down with Alan Ames to discuss the workforce challenges that face Michels Power and the contracting world. Mark and Alan then continue the discussion around training, manpower, and other challenges facing contractors in the electric utility industry’s ever-changing landscape. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames [7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames [32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [32:52] Conclusion

In episode 15, host Mark Forster and special cohost Mack Turner, Executive Director of ISPC, sit down from the trade show floor at the NWPPA/APA Alaska Electric Utility Conference in Anchorage to discuss the challenges of cold weather work and some tips to keep yourself safe in cold conditions while performing work. Don Maynor, Loss Control and Safety Specialist at Alaska Power Association, shares his experience and insights into the challenges of performing work in the electric utility space in Alaska. Mark, Mack, and Don discuss everything from resources, to training, to cold weather challenges, to the electric utility infrastructure challenges and more. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills   Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [0:40] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [1:37] Tailboard Talk: Cold Weather Preparedness [7:01] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [8:10] Special Guest: Don Maynor, Alaska Power Assocation [34:10] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [34:49] Conclusion

In episode 14, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens continue their discussion on The Power of Mental Wellness, Part 2 with special guest Mark Taylor, CUSP, Senior Advisor of Corporate Services at Primary Engineering and Construction in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. Mark Taylor, CUSP continues to share with Mark and Jerry his story regarding mental wellness, and the importance of creating a support network. He discusses what it took for him to come to grips with his struggles, before finally reaching out for help in dealing with mental illness. This episode is sponsored by: T&D Power Skills   Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [4:11] Tailboard Talk: The Power of Mental Wellness [42:09] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [43:26] Special Guest: Mark Taylor, CUSP [50:59] Conclusion [52:10] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills

In episode 13, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens are back for The Power of Mental Wellness, Part 1 with special guest Mark Taylor, CUSP, Senior Advisor of Corporate Services at Primary Engineering and Construction in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark and Jerry share and discuss mental wellness, as well as statistics on suicide in the construction industry. In our special guest segment, we have a great conversation with Mark Taylor, CUSP who shares his personal struggles with mental wellness throughout his life and career. He discusses what it took for him to come to grips with his struggles, before finally reaching out for help in dealing with mental illness. Stay tuned for Part 2 of The Power of Mental Wellness, coming soon. This episode is sponsored by: T&D Power Skills   Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:42] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [3:20] Tailboard Talk: The Power of Mental Wellness [17:44] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [18:51] Special Guest: Mark Taylor, CUSP [43:18] Conclusion [44:24] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills  

In episode 12, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens are back for Training and Accountability, joined by special guest Kody Morris, Transmission and Distribution Manager for Lubbock Power and Light in Lubbock Texas. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark and Jerry, discuss training and accountability and what OSHA says about that. They discuss how training and accountability can reduce incidents if the company and the employee work together.  In this episode’s special guest segment, Mark and Jerry talk with Kody Morris about his journey, LP&Ls conversion to ERCOT, how LP&L supports the community and everything training and accountability at LP&L. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [2:09] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [4:08] Tailboard Talk: Fall Protection [13:21] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [14:42] Special Guest: Kody Morris, Lubbock Power and Light [52:46] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [53:28] Conclusion

In episode 11, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens are back in Harnessing Safety: The Importance of Fall Protection where they are joined by special guest Kat Clemmons-Lea, Co-owner/Vice President of JELCO, a manufacturer of fall protection equipment since 1892. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark and Jerry, discuss training, care, maintenance, and inspection of fall protection equipment. They go over OSHA’s requirements and what you need to know to make sure your fall protection PPE will do its job. In this episode’s special guest segment, Mark and Jerry talk with Kat Clemmons-Lea about her career, the history of JELCO, and what makes JELCO one of the top fall protection manufacturers. Then Kat shares some exciting news about JELCO that you won’t want to miss. This episode is sponsored by: T&D PowerSkills [0:00] Introduction [1:11] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [2:23] Tailboard Talk: Harnessing Safety [8:54] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [10:11] Special Guest: Kat Clemmons-Lea, JELCO, Inc. [47:28] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills [47:56] Conclusion  

In episode 10, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens are back for episode 10 called So you want to be a lineworker? where they are joined by special guest Curtis Bradley Jr., VP-Safety, Quality, and Training for the Desoto Group and Founder of Premier Lineman Consulting and the author of a book called “Selected to Lead” A foreman’s guide to success and his latest book called Welcome to Linework, An Apprentice’s Action Guide.. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark, Jerry, and Curtis discuss what it takes to be a valued apprentice, building a solid work ethic and teamwork skills, Effective communication on the job site, the importance of physical fitness and personal well-being, and Curtis shares his take to anyone out there trying to decide whether or not to become a lineworker what it takes.   This podcast is sponsored by: Gritty Tools www.grittytools.com Eliminating Workplace Injuries One Tool at a Time. Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [0:57] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools [1:51] Special Guest: Curtis, Bradley, Jr., DeSoto Group [52:29] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools [53:31] Conclusion  

In episode 09, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens are back for episode 09 called Are We Just Talking the Talk? where they are joined by special guest Derek Grimes, Director of Safety for El Paso Electric. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark, Jerry, and Derek discuss the core elements of an effective safety program, having good safety conversations, types of safety conversations and how to make sure those conversations aren’t avoided, stories that can enhance safety conversations, as well as leading by example. This podcast is sponsored by: Bierer Meters https://www.bierermeters.com  and the Electric Culture of Safety https://electriccultureofsafety.com  Timeline: [0:00] Introduction [1:19] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [2:21] Special Guest: Brent Jeffries, VP of Field Operations, Bierer Meters [9:38] Tailboard Talk: Core Elements of an Effective Safety Program [28:53] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [31:45] Tailboard Talk, continued [46:59 ] Sponsor Message: Electric Culture of Safety (ECOS) - Bierer Meters [48:55] Conclusion

In episode 08, host Mark Forster is back for episode 08 called Partnering for “LIFE”. In this episode, he highlights some lifelong partnerships that are being developed through a grassroots approach to safety and training in the electric utility industry to help save lives every day.   In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark sits down with special guest Brent Jeffries, VP of Field Operations and Safety Training at Bierer Meters. They discuss tool safety and the efforts that Brent and Bierer Meters have taken to help ensure that people in the industry understand the reality of what meters do and the potential dangers they can pose to workers.   Mark continues his conversation with Brent Jeffries, discussing Brent’s journey in the utility industry and the creation of the  constantly growing Electric Culture of Safety (ECOS). Then Mark lets the cat out of the bag about a partnership being formed by ISPC and Bierer Meters to create a state of the art training facility on the Bierer campus in Blythewood, South Carolina. Through partnerships and a grassroots approach, the training facility will be used to train the next generation of lineworkers. This podcast is sponsored by Bierer Meters (bierermeters.com) and the Electric Culture of Safety (electriccultureofsafety.com) [0:00] Introduction [0:50] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [1:51] Tailboard Talk: Tool Safety [20:56] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [22:18] Special Guest: Brent Jeffries, VP of Field Operations, Bierer Meters [50:34 ] Sponsor Message: Electric Culture of Safety (ECOS) - Bierer Meters [51:42] Conclusion

In episode 07, Mark Forster is back for the episode about “The Power of Association,” where he covers how public power associations work together to support their members, sharing resources throughout our industry to make us all better. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, Mark reminds us that June is Fire Safety month and covers the top 7 ways to prevent fires both at home and in the workplace. Mark is then joined by special guest Annie Wittenberg, Learning Program Manager for Northwest Public Power Association (NWPPA) to discuss this episode’s topic, what NWPPA offers its members, how they support their members, and more. Timeline: 1. [0:00] Introduction 2. [0:30] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters 3. [1:45] Tailboard Talk: Fire Safety 4. [9:12] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters 5. [10:38] Special Guest: Annie Wittenberg, NWPPA 6. [49:07 ] Sponsor Message: Electric Culture of Safety - Bierer Meters 7. [51:19] Conclusion

In episode 06, hosts Mark Forster and Jerry Havens are back to discuss the topic of how community colleges support electric utilities. In the ISPC Tailboard Talks segment, they discuss how to prevent ticks and other insects from getting on you, and what to do if they do. They are then joined by special guest Matthew Teeters, Operations Manager for Upper Peninsula Power Company (UPPCO), where they learn about Matthews’ career journey to becoming a utility manager, as well as continuing the discussion on how community colleges support the utility industry. [0:00] Introduction [1:16] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [2:20] Tailboard Talk: Tick Prevention [9:14] Special Guest: Matthew Teeters, UPPCO [21:20] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [23:58] Special Guest: Matthew Teeters, UPPCO (continued) [42:18 ] Sponsor Message: Bierer Meters [43:32] Conclusion

In episode 05, hosts Mark Forster and Jerry Havens are back to discuss the topic of becoming a leader. They highlight the process of a leader’s responsibility in regard to holding job briefings. Then they discuss leaders setting expectations for good quality job briefings, visiting or auditing the job briefings, and providing feedback about the quality of the job briefings to their team so corrections can be made. Special guest Curtis Bradley (VP of Safety for the Desoto Group, author of “Selected to Lead. A Foreman’s Field Guide to Success,” and trainer) discusses his journey to become a leader from a very modest beginning and some of the challenges he had to overcome in his journey. This episode is sponsored by Bierer Meters. Together we are changing our Electric Culture of Safety. [0:00] Introduction [1:28] Sponsor Message [2:34] Tailboard Talk: Job Briefings [10:36] Sponsor Message [11:48] Special Guest: Curtis Bradley, DeSoto Group [46:58] Conclusion

In episode 04, hosts Mark Forster and Jerry Havens are back to discuss the importance of hydration. They highlight some steps to take to avoid dehydration, and they go over warning signs, helpful statistics, and the effects dehydration can have on cognitive function. Special guest Mike Starner, Executive Director for Outside Line Services for NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) tells Mark and Jerry a little about himself and his journey to where he is in his career and the industry today.  The rest of their conversation covers all things safety. This episode is sponsored by Bierer Meters. [0:00] Introduction [2:44] Tailboard Talk: Hydration and Dehydration [12:04] Sponsor Message [13:19] Special Guest: Mike Starner, NECA [49:28] Sponsor Message [50:28] Conclusion

In Episode 03, we sit down at the 2024 T&D Trainers Conference in San Antonio, Texas with some of the industry’s best to discuss consistency in training, training a distributed workforce, and keeping training up-to-date with the changing needs of how apprentices learn.  Hear what issues other companies are dealing with, what they are doing to close the gaps, and some insights on how to improve your training programs. [0:00] Introduction from the T&D Trainers Conference [3:27] Training for Competency [13:07] Moving from the Classroom to the Field [19:53] Training a Distributed Workforce [26:25] Sponsor Message [27:30] Improving Training Consistency [34:07] Changing Training for a Changing Workforce [37:15] Conclusion

In Episode 2 of the ISPC Tailboard Talks podcast, we discuss some of the highlights with both ISPC and T&D PowerSkills since the last podcast. We touch on the upcoming Trainers Conference and Tradeshow and how, even though it is sold out, there is still the ability to attend virtually. We talk about a LinkedIn post last week where the US DOL announced 12 million dollars of funding for not-or-profit organizations who provide occupational skills training, support participation in Registered Apprenticeship programs, or other on-the-job training, and supply employment placement assistance for veterans – all part of the Homeless Veterans’ Reintegration Program. We discussed this episode’s ISPC Tailboard Talk topic, “The Framework” around Job Briefings. We then dove into a great conversation with our Founder/Owner Ron Schenk and had a great conversation about our three companies and everything in between. Introduction Introduction to the ISPC Team What’s New at ISPC What’s New at T&D PowerSkills Occupational Skills Training for Veterans Tailboard Topic: The Framework Sponsor: T&D PowerSkills Special Guest: Ronald Schenk Conclusion

In episode 1 of the ISPC Tailboard Talks podcast, we discuss who the host and co-host are and a little about their backgrounds. We talk about ISPC and T&D PowerSkills and what each company does. We discuss what ISPC Tailboard Talks will be about moving forward. We talk about our sponsor of the podcast. We discuss the upcoming Trainers Conference in San Antonio, Texas, and some of the speakers and benefits of attending the conference. We go over the benefits of becoming an ISPC member. We talk about audience participation and what that looks like, as well as what’s coming up in future episodes. Lastly, we thank our sponsor of the podcast and close out the podcast.