EC&M On Air

In this episode, EC&M Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson is joined by Michael Catalano, high school guidance counselor and master electrician from Saugerties, N.Y., who has been instrumental in recruiting young electricians through the programs offered within his school district. He explains the BOCES program and how a unique partnership between high school electrical students and Habitat for Humanity is both helping develop their skillset in a real-world capacity and benefit the local community. As the skilled labor shortage continues to impact the electrical industry and other trades, insights into how to best recruit and educate electricians — starting in high school or even earlier — is paramount.

Philip Keebler, technical advisor with PBE Engineers, joins EC&M On Air to discuss power quality issues. Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson's conversation with him was so detailed that we decided to divide into three parts. This is the third and final part. You can find the other two discussions with Philip in the On Air feed. In this episode, we turn our sights onto the monitoring aspect of power quality.

In this Next-Gen Insights, Ellen Parson is joined by Austin Hays, Apprenticeship Coordinator at Claypool Electric, Inc., to discuss what has helped him succeed in his career and as a 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30 All Star honoree. They discuss what led Austin to a career in the electrical industry, advice for young professionals, work-life balance, and more!

Ellen Parson sits down with Jim Lucy, Editor-in-Chief of EC&M’s sister publications, Electrical Wholesaling and Electrical Marketing. They discuss Lucy's 2026 construction forecast that appeared in the December 2025 issue of EC&M. Lucy breaks down trends, drivers to look out for, and more. Learn more about what to expect for the construction industry in this new year.

In Episode 93 of EC&M On Air, Sophia Pike, electrical engineer III with Syska Hennessey Group, joins Ellen Parson to discuss what has helped her succeed so early in her career as a 2025 EC&M 30 Under 30 All Star honoree. They discuss how Sophia got interested in electrical design and data center work, tips she'd share with other young professionals in the industry, key technology to stay sharp with, and more.

This bonus episode of EC&M On Air, sponsored by Wesco, explores how the rapid growth of AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure is reshaping the data center market and pushing development beyond traditional core locations. Host Ellen Parson is joined by Wesco subject matter expert David Speidelsbach to examine the forces driving unprecedented demand, the strain being placed on established data center hubs, and why emerging and tertiary markets are becoming the next frontier for development. The conversation dives into the benefits and challenges of building data centers in these new regions, including cost advantages, access to land and renewable energy, tax incentives, and the realities of labor, water, and infrastructure constraints. David also shares guidance for electrical contractors navigating these complex projects, highlighting the importance of early collaboration, strong partnerships, and supply chain coordination. Throughout the discussion, listeners gain practical insight into how contractors and suppliers can successfully support large-scale, mission-critical data center builds in an evolving market.

Philip Keebler, senior electrical engineer with PBE Engineers, joins Episode 89 of EC&M On Air to discuss power quality issues. Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson's conversation with him was so detailed that we wanted to divide into three parts. Part 1 covered safety issues related to power quality. In this episode, we're diving into grounding-related topics, including why grounding is fundamental when it comes to achieving/maintaining power quality in electrical systems.

In Episode 88 of EC&M On Air, we're featuring an audio-only version of a popular past article. This time, Editor-in-Chief Ellen Parson is highlighting an article from longtime EC&M freelancer Tom Zind on why there are so many abandoned construction projects — and the impact on electrical contractors. Listen to this audio-only version, or check out the original online exclusive article.