On the Fringe

Anne Larson

This podcast looks at union fringe benefits and all the entities and perspectives surrounding them. Brought to you by EPRLive.

  1. 4D AGO

    Ep. 16 - AI, Data Centers, and the Electrical Workforce: Luke Kuhl on What Comes Next for Contractors and Unions

    The electrical workforce is changing – and benefits, training, and leadership are being tested in real time. Luke Kuhl, Executive Chairman of the Twin Cities Chapter of NECA, shares frontline insights on how contractors are navigating AI-driven demand, data center expansion, wage pressure, and the growing need for specialized talent. The conversation also explores why strong leadership (not just new technology) will determine who thrives, and what these shifts mean for small contractors, union members, and the future of fringe benefits in the trades. Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (00:50) Luke Kuhl’s work at NECA (04:46) Rising costs and market consolidation (08:14) Future workforce needs in data centers (13:41) Contractor roles and union politics (17:12) Small contractors struggling to compete (22:59) The future of computing and energy (26:36) Challenges facing unionized electrical contractors (27:43) Uncertainty in a union electrician's career (32:50) Standardization challenges in the electrical code (36:18) The future of fault-managed power (38:08) AI’s ripple effect on innovation (43:24) Innovation among large contractors Links mentioned in the episode: Twin Cities NECA Luke Kuhl’s LinkedIn Planet Money: What AI Data Centers Are Doing to Your Electric Bill https://www.npr.org/2025/12/19/nx-s1-5649814/ai-data-center-electricity-bill Smart Talks w/ IBM: Creating Smarter Business with AI and Quantum https://www.ibm.com/think/podcasts/smart-talks/creating-smarter-business-with-ai-and-quantum?act2 Luke Recommended Best Podcast for Understanding Data Centers: Step Change: Data Centers - The Hidden Backbone of Our Modern World https://www.stepchange.show/data-centers Luke Recommended Best Company-Focused Discussion of AI and Data Centers: Acquired: Google - The AI Company https://www.acquired.fm/episodes/google-the-ai-company Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com   Learn more at www.eprlive.com

    45 min
  2. 11/10/2025

    Ep. 13 - Dr. Joey Shorter and The Workforce Transformation Inside Atlanta’s Schools

    In this episode, we sit down with Joey Shorter, Executive Director of the Atlanta Chapter NECA, to explore how Atlanta is redefining workforce development in the electrical industry.    For 25 years, NECA Atlanta has been inside classrooms – from elementary to high school – showing that electrical work isn’t just a job, but a career. With dedicated outreach across dozens of schools and an apprenticeship program, they’ve built a talent pipeline that combines hands-on training, military recruitment, and peer learning to increase retention and attract younger, more diverse talent.    Joey, an educator at heart, reveals how early exposure and real-world skills are transforming futures and the industry.   Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (04:52) Electrical contractors bridging industry gaps (08:36) Earn while you learn (10:53) Education limitations and online learning (13:59) Generations working in construction (18:11) Career paths beyond college (22:03) Teaching love for learning (29:44) Electrical trade apprenticeship journey (32:06) Promoting electrical trade education (39:48) Successful hiring and succession strategy (42:22) Replacing great people is hard (47:09) Evolving tools, skills and industry (49:57) Tech enhancing field worker safety (52:41) Contractors driving workforce transformation (55:52) End users: employers and colleges   Links mentioned in the episode: Joey Shorter on LinkedIn Atlanta Chapter NECA   Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com   Learn more at www.eprlive.com

    58 min
  3. 10/06/2025

    Ep. 11 - Sherri Davidoff on Phishing, Deepfakes and How Cybercrime Is Evolving

    Once dubbed a “security badass” by the New York Times, Sherri Davidoff is CEO of LMG Security and joins On The Fringe to unpack the fast-changing world of cyber threats, with a focus on how AI-powered deepfakes are fueling a new wave of financial scams.   From real-world cases of AI-generated voice fraud costing victims thousands, to cybercriminals using tools like WormGPT and FraudGPT, they reveal how artificial intelligence is making attacks more harder to spot.   For anyone responsible for protecting sensitive data, financial flows or employee benefits, this episode offers practical insights into the threats of today and the tools that can keep your organization safe.   Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (00:00) AI deepfakes and financial scams – what are they and how are they playing out? (04:01) How hacker tools are evolving on the dark web (06:42) A new era of phishing emails (11:18) Training the next generation of security professionals (15:36) Women in tech: a personal journey (17:47) Balancing careers with elder care (20:14) The role of AI in cybersecurity’s future   Links mentioned in the episode: Sherri Davidoff on LinkedIn LMG Security   Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com   Learn more at www.eprlive.com Chapters (00:00:00) - AI deepfakes and financial scams – what are they and how are they playing out?(00:04:01) - How hacker tools are evolving on the dark web(00:06:24) - A new era of phishing emails(00:11:18) - Training the next generation of security professionals(00:15:36) - Women in tech: a personal journey(00:17:47) - Balancing careers with elder care(00:20:14) - The role of AI in cybersecurity’s future

    26 min
  4. 09/19/2025

    Ep. 10 - Mary Ann Gebauer and Building Trust Through Benefits

    Mary Ann Gebauer is the NEBF Coordinator at the Illinois Chapter NECA office. She landed in the world of electrical contracting benefits through a chance neighborly connection, and over the past 11 years, has mastered the ins and outs of union agreements, contractor relations and the complex flow of benefit contributions.   In this conversation, she takes us inside the day-to-day reality of supporting hundreds of employers and multiple locals – decoding union acronyms, launching electronic payments and shifting long-held mindsets. Beyond the office, she shares how community and connection have shaped her journey, including her work founding a nonprofit that opens up fishing opportunities for people with disabilities.   Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (00:08) Mary Ann’s career path and introduction to NECA (02:23) General public awareness of NECA (05:09) The full scope of being a NEBF Coordinator (08:30) Union dues basics explained (11:36) Checkbox innovation simplifies workflows (13:44) Running a small office and backup plans (18:51) Encouraging digital reporting adoption (20:32) Banking info delays with companies (23:18) Communicating with delinquent employers (26:29) Building expertise and relationships (31:27) Success at the yacht club event (33:40) Meeting evolving organizational demands (37:54) Streamlining wage information delivery (41:03) Ensuring compliance through negotiation (43:18) Seeking support for problem solving   Links mentioned in the episode: Mary Ann Gebauer on LinkedIn Illinois Chapter NECA Fishing Has No Boundaries   Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com   Learn more at www.eprlive.com Chapters (00:02:23) - General public awareness of NECA(00:05:09) - The full scope of being a NEBF Coordinator(00:08:00) - Mary Ann’s career path and introduction to NECA(00:08:30) - Union dues basics explained(00:13:36) - Checkbox innovation simplifies workflows(00:13:44) - Running a small office and backup plans(00:18:51) - Encouraging digital reporting adoption(00:20:32) - Banking info delays with companies(00:23:18) - Communicating with delinquent employers(00:26:29) - Building expertise and relationships(00:31:27) - Success at the yacht club event(00:33:40) - Meeting evolving organizational demands(00:37:54) - Streamlining wage information delivery(00:41:03) - Ensuring compliance through negotiation(00:43:18) - Seeking support for problem solving

    45 min
  5. 09/08/2025

    Ep. 9 - Inside the IBEW’s 4th District: Growth, Recruitment, and What It Takes to Lead a Local

    In this episode, we’re taking you behind the scenes of the IBEW’s 4th District meeting in Cleveland, OH. In July 2025, we spoke with the people shaping the future of the electrical industry from Baltimore to Cincinnati and beyond.   You’ll hear firsthand from 12 voices – business managers, apprentices, training directors, and union presidents – opening up about the best and toughest parts of their jobs. From the massive growth in the technology sector to the unique challenges of election-based union leadership to the constant need for qualified workers, our guests offer candid insights and hard-earned lessons from the front lines.   Tune in to this episode as we explore:  (01:14) Building communities with local labor (04:31) Elections benefits and challenges (08:51) Industry shift from owners to employees (10:03) Storm impact on the local workforce (14:17) Managing cross-departmental benefits alignment (17:55) Using Microsoft Forms for applications (22:33) Trust your instincts (26:26) Mentoring growth in apprenticeships (30:18) Improving electricians' work conditions (33:36) Mentoring legacy and workforce challenges (36:00) Bringing people together (38:22) Union guidance and participation challenges (41:49) Continuous learning, safety and the collective good of the industry   Links mentioned in the episode: IBEW 4th District IBEW 4th District Preview Episode   Have feedback or guest ideas? Email us at onthefringe@corelliansoft.com   Learn more at www.eprlive.com

    43 min

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
4 Ratings

About

This podcast looks at union fringe benefits and all the entities and perspectives surrounding them. Brought to you by EPRLive.