ISPC Tailboard Talks

Grounding and Bonding: What Does the Expert Say with Jim Vaughn

In episode 22, host Mark Forster and co-host Jerry Havens sit down with Jim Vaughn to discuss Grounding and Bonding in electric utility industry. In the Tailboard Talks segment Mark, Jerry, and Jim discuss what OSHA requires of the employer in grounding and bonding, the difference between grounding and bonding and more. During the guest segment the conversation continues by discussing the history of grounding, the biggest misconceptions while grounding a de-energized line, bracket grounding versus EPZ, and bonding into your work location.
This episode is sponsored by: Gritty Tools, Eliminating Workplace Injuries One Tool at a Time.
Timeline:
[0:00] Introduction
[0:58] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[1:56] Special Guest Introduction: Jim Vaughn
[10:47] Tailboard Topic: Grounding and Bonding
[30:44] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[32:50] Special Guest: Jim Vaughn
[1:02:12] Sponsor Message: Gritty Tools
[1:03:09] Conclusion

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

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

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

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:
[0:00] Introduction
[2:25] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[4:22] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 1
[26:06] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[27:10] Special Guest: Ronald J. Schenk and Mack Turner, Pt. 2
[44:32] Sponsor Message: Institute for Safety in Powerline Construction
[47:46] Conclusion

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:
[0:00] Introduction
[0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames
[7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames
[32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[32:52] Conclusion

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:
[0:00] Introduction
[0:25] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[1:19] Special Guest: Alan Ames
[7:07] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[7:47] Special Guest: Alan Ames
[32:03] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[32:52] Conclusion

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:
[0:00] Introduction
[0:40] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[1:37] Tailboard Talk: Cold Weather Preparedness
[7:01] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[8:10] Special Guest: Don Maynor, Alaska Power Assocation
[34:10] Sponsor Message: T&D PowerSkills
[34:49] Conclusion