The Electrical Current

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 merit shop contracting world that has a unique perspective. #WeAreIEC

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 lead companies. He believes that 80% of success is the “want to” drive and ambition that a person can bring to the table. He also shares a story of how to survive, should you find yourself shaven from head to toe, without clothes, 9 cents in your hand, and 70-miles from where you’re supposed to be. Hang onto your hats, y’all, this is a great podcast to tune in for. #WeAreIEC

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 association. He is one of the true greats in today’s business world. Take a listen. #WeAreIEC

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 to serve our mission, contractors, and students. Take a listen and enjoy. #WeAreIEC

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, careers, and within their companies. Bruce shares insight and inspiration through this great podcast. Enjoy. #WeAreIEC

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 get all the ice cream you might want, as well as a tremendously rewarding career, by tuning in to this first episode of the second season of IEC’s The Electrical Current podcast. #WeAreIEC

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 IEC great! #WeAreIEC

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 way to connect and enrich our working relationships. Enjoy this enlightening podcast conversation. #WeAreIEC

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, and post-secondary higher education. They look at models for apprenticeship in Switzerland, Australia, and the United Kingdom for lessons learned. This podcast also has a call to action on how business owners and key stakeholders can play a role in educating others in their communities about success through apprenticeship. #WeAreIEC

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 your community to give back. Enjoy this podcast and buckle your seatbelts, as it’s a great conversation here. #WeAreIEC