24 APR 2024 · Construction projects are complex and no matter the size, there are risks of cost and deadline overruns. IT focused projects are no exception. Harvard Business Review states that at least one in six IT projects turn into a Black Swan with a cost overrun of 200%. A PWC study published on Forbes stated that there was an estimated $50-150 Billion in lost revenue from failed IT projects. On this episode, I turn to Rick Stuart, Vice President, Security Solutions - Technology Center of Excellence with Vision Technologies. Rick shared with me some of the common pitfalls that cause a project to go off the rails and then shares ideas on how to avoid these on your next IT/Low-Voltage project. We even talk on one of my favorite topics, company culture. Rick has over 25-year background in security operations spans surveillance systems, security needs assessments, project management, sales leadership, IT network design, and emergency management. He currently spearheads daily operations for Vision’s growing security integration business. Rick is also a Commercial, Multi-Engine Instrument Pilot, an Airframe and Powerplant mechanic, and Officer in the USAF Auxiliary. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite podcast app and YouTube. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: mailto:podcast@graybar.com To reach Rick Stuart on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rick-stuart-08147b13/ Watch the episode on YouTube: https://youtu.be/_QgyTlkZ4xY?si=ia7-QK2H0tIxiAjx Learn more about Vision Technologies: https://www.visiontechnologies.com/ Vision Technologies and Graybar video: https://youtu.be/KfbF1uxfWyQ?si=gpifvb512tkO5HoT Vision Technologies Culture : https://www.visiontechnologies.com/our-culture Vision Technologies Integrated Technology Delivery : https://www.visiontechnologies.com/itd Vision Technologies work : https://www.visiontechnologies.com/past-performance The Kentmorr Beach Bar and Grill: https://thekentmorr.com/  I would like to thank Virginia Lerian and Allison Akers and the entire team at Vision Technologies for the help and support in creating this episode.

10 APR 2024 · I know the importance of proper Cybersecurity in my personal life and company. I hadn’t spent too much time thinking about how well the companies I work with are doing to protect themselves. As I spoke with my guest this week, Pamela Kubiatowski, Global VP, CTO in Residence at Zscaler, my eyes were open to how collaborative cybersecurity is up and down the supply chain and the concept of Zero Trust. Join us for episode 29 as Pam shares insight into the latest thinking around cybersecurity, focused on the use of cloud applications and SaaS. The principles of Zero Trust can help organizations of any size start thinking about cybersecurity more holistically. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach Pamela on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/pamela-kubiatowski-09305a60/ Learn more about Pamela on Zscaler.com: https://revolutionaries.zscaler.com/cxo/pam-kubiatowski Avy’s Pizza on the Southside of Chicago can be found on Google and Facebook Silver Birch Supper Club: https://silverbirchsupperclub.com/ Zscaler:https://www.zscaler.com/ Zscaler 2024 Predictions: https://www.zscaler.com/blogs/security-research/top-5-cyber-predictions-2024-ciso-perspective Zscaler Podcast Cloudy with a Chance of Trust: https://open.spotify.com/show/45rQO1Qg8NH61mtqftCihc Zscaler’s Global Cybersecurity Dashboard:https://www.zscaler.com/threatlabz/global-enforcement-dashboard?utm_source=google&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=dynamic-search-na&gclid=Cj0KCQjwpdqDBhCSARIsAEUJ0hPjlCR3KYhOySOCRmMobXq7b3rQLh0JYJu3DCTYDEQdJY7ZKtE5gUIaAiZZEALw_wcB Now on YouTube: https://youtu.be/0Z4RtlIQbI0

27 MAR 2024 · Lighting controls can be as simple as the same switch you see in our logo to complex multi-building wide network-driven systems. There are many reasons to switch to more complex controls. But many have concerns or fears about installing them. To help ease those fears I spend some time with Steve Roe, Vice President of Controls at Acuity. You can also find Steve on YouTube in Roe On Controls. These short videos are designed to share ideas and concepts in lighting controls. See the link below. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach Steve on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-roe-3a485221/ Roe With Controls YouTube Playlist - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J1mw7ZnP-yM&list=PLWjV-fUHepcmPoWp80C81zOlAdVGYtjyU BrickStore Pub History page:https://www.brickstorepub.com/about Link to YouTube Version of episode:https://youtu.be/_BIfhJj7QLM

13 MAR 2024 · Electrical Contractor construction technology and software have come a long way since its earliest days. The companies providing the services are doing a better job of learning from the industry and designing solutions that are helping ECs get their jobs done more efficiently. I was fortunate to sit with Nate Tockerman, Structshare’s Director of Partnerships, at the most recent NECA convention. He shared with me what he’s learned moving from working for an electrical contractor to working in construction tech and software. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach Nate on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nate-tockerman-a541b890/ Learn the latest about Structshare: https://structshare.com/ Monterrey Fish House: https://montereyfishhouse.com/ Mission Ranch: https://www.missionranchcarmel.com/restaurant.htm YouTube: https://youtu.be/yazwcOAgZmM

28 FEB 2024 · I’ve always been impressed how Milwaukee Tool works to improve the construction industry through associations. Their support goes beyond simply paying membership fees. It takes a well-thought-out strategy and plan to benefit both the industry and the business. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach Bill on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/bill-hughes-4368331a/ Find all the latest from Milwaukee: https://www.milwaukeetool.com/Company/Milwaukee-Story Botto’s Line Restaurant: https://bottos.com/restaurant/ YouTube Link:https://youtu.be/PEkPU8ACPco

14 FEB 2024 · For an electrical contractor, choosing the right software can be daunting. Chandler Brooks, Director of Industry Partnerships & Alliances at Procore Technologies, joins me during the NECA tradeshow to share his perspective on what an EC should consider when thinking about which software to implement in their business. What I like about our conversation is how much Chandler thinks about the human side of construction. There’s a lot of burnout and stress on all involved in the business of constructing and maintaining our buildings and infrastructure. This stress and burnout should be top of mind when beginning the journey of sourcing the right software for your business. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email:https://graybar.com To reach Chandler on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chandlerbrooks/ To find all the latest that ProCore is doing: https://www.procore.com/ Get Construction Talking Initiative for Construction Mental Health: https://www.getconstructiontalking.org/ Now on YouTube:https://youtu.be/rRI74JAtpuc

24 JAN 2024 · In this episode, Pete Mastrorocco, Sr. Vice President, Education, Events & Partnerships at the National Electrical Contractors Association (NECA) discusses the valuable insights and lessons learned through industry associations, which can be especially beneficial for small to medium electrical contractors. Pete and I explore the ways NECA supports its members. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach Pete on LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/pete-mastrorocco-758197a/ Find all NECA has to offer:https://www.necanet.org/ Savino’s Hideaway: https://www.savinoshideaway.com/

10 JAN 2024 · This episode is a departure in format. Tauhira Ali, Executive Director of Industry Innovation at NECA, (National Electrical Contractors Association) and I sat down during the 2023 NECA Convention on the show floor to share ideas about conventions, innovation, podcasting, and food. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: mailto:podcast@graybar.com Podcast on Graybar.com: https://www.graybar.com/podcast To reach Tauhira on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tauhira/ The NECA Innovation Overload Podcast: https://www.necanet.org/programs/innovation/innovation-overload-podcast Brasserie: https://brasseriebyniche.com/ YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/wQT0bN_MT54

27 DEC 2023 · Prefab is a topic so thoroughly discussed over the last 10 years that many start to tune it out when mentioned. After talking with Todd Grossweiler, Executive Vice President at Allison Smith Company about their approach to prefab, I wonder if we should start thinking of prefab not just as another process to complete projects, but as a vehicle to improve company culture. - To build a great prefab process you should involve the entire team which increases employee buy-in and engagement. - If done well, it can improve the working conditions of employees, which can improve job satisfaction. - It can help the company run more efficiently which can help the bottom line and help the company win more business which helps the overall health of the enterprise for all involved. Todd Grossweiler has been with the Allison-Smith Company for the past 22 years. Todd graduated from the Georgia Institute of Technology where he received a Bachelors in Electrical Engineering. He continues to seek out ways to innovate through processes, technology, and people. Maintaining good relationships with both his internal team and external customers is the foundation for his success. Todd believes that if you surround yourself with good people, then good things will happen. I sat down with Todd on the NECA convention showroom floor and our conversation energized me. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: mailto:podcast@graybar.com To reach Todd on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/toddgrossweiler/ Find the latest from Allison Smith: https://allisonsmith.com/ Waffle House: https://www.wafflehouse.com/ Muss and Turners: https://www.mussandturners.com/ YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/e0voQI8UDu8

13 DEC 2023 · Without materials, a contractor can’t do their job. Material management goes beyond simply ordering and receiving the material. A well-thought-out material strategy and plan can go a long way in helping a contractor get their projects done efficiently and can also help the bottom line. At the 2023 NECA (National Electrical Contractors Association) Convention I had the privilege to speak with David Peterson, President and COO of ERMCO, to learn how they work with their vendors to create strong material management strategies and relationships. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app. To get a hold of us here at Keepin’ The Lights On, please email: https://graybar.com To reach David on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-peterson-1a189014/ Tony’s Steakhouse in Indianapolis: https://tonysofindianapolis.com/