Powerline Podcast

What responsibility do we have to the next generation entering the trade?In this special episode, Ryan shares a live recording from the Perspectives Panel at the 2026 Infrastructure Safety Symposium (ISS), where he moderated a discussion on one of the industry’s most important challenges: generational knowledge transfer.Featuring two father-son duos from the utility industry, the panel brings together leaders, journeymen, and apprentices to explore how experience, leadership, and safety knowledge can be passed down as skilled workers retire and younger crews step into larger roles earlier in their careers.Carey Kostyk, President of Valard Construction, joins his son Pat Kostyk, Journeyman Lineman at Valard Construction, alongside Jeff Ziemba, Manager of Contractor Safety at Pepco Holdings Inc., and his son Jeffrey Ziemba, 4th Year Apprentice Lineman at Delmarva Power.Together, they discuss the realities of entering the trade, the importance of mentorship, why communication and trust matter, and how organizations can help bridge the experience gap while building a safer future for the next generation of lineworkers.Whether you’re an apprentice, journeyman, supervisor, contractor, or industry leader, this conversation offers valuable perspectives on developing future leaders and ensuring critical lessons aren’t lost as the trade evolves.Topics covered:Generational knowledge transferBridging the experience gapMentorship and workforce developmentLeadership at every levelSafety culture and communicationCreating environments where people can speak upThe changing role of apprentices and journeymenRetaining and transferring institutional knowledgeDeveloping the next generation of lineworkersBuilding a safer future for the trade✌️SUPPORT THE PODCAST HERE ✌️ 📱FOLLOW THE PODCAST ON SOCIAL MEDIA📱Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@powerlinepodcast⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Powerline Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@Powerline-Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠X: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@PowerlinePodcst⁠⁠⁠⁠⚡️GUESTS: CAREY KOSTYK, JEFF ZIEMBA & VALARD CONSTRUCTION⚡️CAREY KOSTYKLinkedIn: Carey KostykJEFF ZIEMBALinkedIn: Jeff ZiembaVALARD CONSTRUCTIONInstagram: @valardconstructionLinkedIn: Valard Construction🎙️HOST: RYAN LUCAS🎙️Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠ TikTok: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@ryanwlucas⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠Ryan Lucas⁠⁠⁠⁠💥INQUIRIES OR GUEST SUGGESTION💥Email: ⁠⁠⁠powerlinepodcast@quantaservices.com⁠

In this episode of Powerline Podcast, I sit down with Brian "Biscuit" Alston, Artie Garcia, and Todd Wilson from Arizona Public Service for a raw conversation about what really changes when the work stops being just about you and starts being about everyone else.We talk about the moment responsibility shifts, how trust is earned from crews who used to be your peers, and why brotherhood still matters in a trade that demands both accountability and care for the people beside you. This isn’t about titles it’s about ownership, respect, and carrying the trade forward the right way.The conversation covers mentorship, culture, hard decisions, mistakes, and the unseen weight that comes with being responsible for people, production, and safety. Whether you’re still on the tools or stepping into more responsibility, this episode speaks directly to that transition every tradesperson eventually faces.🎧 Topics include:• The responsibility shift from tools to people• Earning respect without titles• Brotherhood, culture, and accountability• Mentoring the next generation• Hard lessons learned on the job• Carrying the trade forward with pride

Karl Studer’s story is one of grit, vision, and staying rooted in where you came from.In this episode of Powerline Podcast, Ryan sits down with Karl Studer, Executive Vice President Electric for Quanta Services, to unpack his journey from growing up on a ranch in Idaho to becoming a lineman, building and scaling his own power line companies, and ultimately stepping into executive leadership at one of the largest infrastructure companies in the world.Karl shares the lessons he learned early on in the field, what it really takes to start and grow a line company, and how his time on the tools shaped the leader he is today. We dive into leadership, safety, culture, fatherhood, and why staying connected to the craft matters even at the highest levels of the organization.This conversation is about more than titles and success. It’s about work ethic, responsibility, building people, and leaving the trade better than you found it.If you’re a lineman, an apprentice, a foreman, or someone who believes in the long-term value of the trades, this episode will resonate.

Austin Carr is a lineman from Florida and goes by the name America's Favorite Lineman on social media. I caught up with Austin for a quick tailgate sit down interview at the International Lineman's Rodeo. He shared his journey into the trade, advice for young apprentices and linemen, and how social media has changed his life in a positive way. We even talked about money and how the most money he ever made in a single day didn't come directly from line work.

Adam Boggio lives two lives most people could never imagine: one on the lines and one in the sky.In this episode of Powerline Podcast, we dive deep into Adam’s journey as a lineman, how he stepped into the world of professional skydiving, the near misses, the mindset, the fear, and the moments that changed him.Adam opens up about mastering risk, trusting your crew, building courage, and the power of choosing a life that pushes you every single day. If you’re a lineman, an adrenaline junkie, or someone searching for purpose this episode will hit home.