ISPC Tailboard Talks

ISPC Tailboard Talks

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ISPC Tailboard Talks episodes

  • Education Meets Energy with Terry Clinefelter and Mike Eckart

    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:

    1. [0:00] Introduction
    2. [2:03] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
    3. [6:48] Tailboard Talk: Education Meets Energy
    4. [17:00] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
    5. [17:54] Special Guests: Terry Clinefelter and Mike Eckart
    6. [1:00:15] Sponsor Message: Incident Prevention – Frontline Program
    7. [1:00:29] Conclusion

      8.  

      1 hr 3 min
    8. Supporting our Veterans with Jeremy Gee, Joesph Fields, Ronnie Abernathy, and Ryan Cooper

      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:

      1. [0:00] Introduction
      2. [3:51] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC
      3. [5:25] T&D Trainers Conference Roundtable
      4. [38:11] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills, LLC
      5. [39:01] Conclusion

        6.  

        41 min
      6. ISPC: The Next 20 Years with guests Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris

        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:

        1. [0:00] Introduction
        2. [1:48] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
        3. [4:49] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris
        4. [24:23] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
        5. [25:16] Special Guests: Annie Wittenberg and Kody Morris
        6. [44:11] Sponsor Message: The Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
        7. [45:18] Conclusion

          8.  

          48 min
        8. ISPC: The Past 20 Years with Ronald Schenk and Mack Turner

          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:

          1. [0:00] Introduction
          2. [2:25] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
          3. [4:22] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 1
          4. [26:06] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
          5. [27:10] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 2
          6. [44:32] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
          7. [47:46] Conclusion
            8. 50 min
          8. Safety, The Human Factor with David McPeak

            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:

            1. [0:00] Introduction
            2. [0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
            3. [1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames
            4. [7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
            5. [7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames
            6. [32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
            7. [32:52] Conclusion
              8. 59 min
            8. The Challenges of Being a Contractor in the Utility Space with Alan Ames

              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:

              1. [0:00] Introduction
              2. [0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
              3. [1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames
              4. [7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
              5. [7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames
              6. [32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
              7. [32:52] Conclusion
                8. 34 min
              8. Alaska: Not Your Average Work Day with Don Maynor

                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:

                1. [0:00] Introduction
                2. [0:40] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                3. [1:37] Tailboard Talk: Cold Weather Preparedness
                4. [7:01] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                5. [8:10] Special Guest: Don Maynor, Alaska Power Assocation
                6. [34:10] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                7. [34:49] Conclusion
                  8. 36 min
                8. The Power of Mental Wellness with Mark Taylor, Pt. 2

                  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:

                  1. [0:00] Introduction
                9. [1:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                10. [4:11] Tailboard Talk: The Power of Mental Wellness
                11. [42:09] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                12. [43:26] Special Guest: Mark Taylor, CUSP
                13. [50:59] Conclusion
                14. [52:10] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                  15. 54 min
                15. The Power of Mental Wellness with Mark Taylor

                  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:

                  1. [0:00] Introduction
                16. [1:42] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                17. [3:20] Tailboard Talk: The Power of Mental Wellness
                18. [17:44] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                19. [18:51] Special Guest: Mark Taylor, CUSP
                20. [43:18] Conclusion
                21. [44:24] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills

                  22.  

                  46 min
                22. Training and Accountability with Kody Morris

                  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:

                  1. [0:00] Introduction
                23. [2:09] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                24. [4:08] Tailboard Talk: Fall Protection
                25. [13:21] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                26. [14:42] Special Guest: Kody Morris, Lubbock Power and Light
                27. [52:46] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
                28. [53:28] Conclusion
                  29. 55 min

                About ISPC Tailboard Talks

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                Come join us for the latest episode of Tailboard Talks, where you’ll hear safety discussions from some of the top experts in the electric utility industry!