“I promise you it won’t be boring!” 

That’s what Zack says about the session he’s presenting at SPARK 2025. [Editor’s note: If you’ve ever met Zack at an IEC event, you are nodding your head in agreement right now.] 

Zack is a career electrician who took his love of electrical, education, and people and grew it into a career with IEC. Now director of business development at IEC Dallas, Zack is aware of how important event participation — or rather event action — is to his continued growth. Through this session, Zack intends to make sure you have the same experience when you choose to invest time, energy, and money in events. 

“I think a lot of people come to SPARK and they may not really know how to get the best out of their experience,” Zack says. “They miss opportunities and may leave discouraged. I want to give them tips on how to maximize the time spent there so that, like me, they see the benefits to their careers.” 

He likens attendance at a new event to something like a cold call and says you have to step outside of your comfort zone, go up and introduce yourself to many different people, ask about their story, and interact boldly. He subscribes to the philosophy he first heard when involved with BNI (Business Network International) — that of Givers Gain®. As described by BNI, this philosophy means you must be willing to give first, before you expect to gain. BMI says giving unconditionally creates a better world for everyone and creates important opportunities and lasting relationships. 

“While I was going through the apprenticeship program, I made a promise to myself that if I ever had an opportunity to come back and make it easier for someone else to get through it, that’s what I would do,” he says. “Through my work with IEC I am fulfilling my promise.” 

Doing so has in turn helped him grow in his career. Making connections has allowed him to become involved in new areas, make more connections, and be exposed to more opportunities. Among the tips he shares is how to prepare for an event, how to be during the event, and how to continue the event experience when you return home. 

“One key strategy for me is, first, to get up early to be ready to put myself out there,” he says. “When people see me, they then see a smile on my face, they see excitement, and people want to be around people who are exciting. I am sure to get to the session early before the full class starts, so I can network. I pay attention in the session and live in that moment. I’m present, and I ask questions. People are always watching you and they may thank you later for asking that question. That’s another opportunity to connect. When we talk, I want my conversation with you to be impactful. When you return home with that pile of business cards, send out emails telling people you enjoyed meeting them and that you enjoyed the conversation. If you give, you’re going to gain.” 

Reader: perhaps you’ve heard some of these tips before. But you’ve never heard them expressed with the full energy of Zack. 

SPARK Speaker Stephanie Wachman and her company, Symetree Strategies LLC are known for delivering effective leadership programs designed to equip leaders with tools they need to enhance their culture, communication, leadership, productivity, and business development. 

“Change management and culture have become really, really important to organizations right now,” Stephanie says. “Culture impacts everything — how employees perform at work, how engaged they are at work, their retention, everything.” 

Culture is often a whispered word and it’s more than just putting your values statement on everything, Stephanie says. It’s making sure that values statement words translate to company behavior.  

“I am going to dive into change management, because change and culture really do go hand in hand,” she says. “When an organization is bringing forth any kind of change, it’s important to be sure they have a good transparent way of communicating that to their team. The biggest breakdown in a company’s culture is when trust breaks down because communication is done poorly. Even the smallest change can disrupt a team if they don’t know about it and understand why it’s happening. There is a methodology around change that I am trained in and that I believe in which provides leaders with tools to be successful.” 

The methodology is the ADKAR Model, which stands for Awareness, Desire, Knowledge, Ability, and Reinforcement. Stephanie breaks down the steps to this methodology, shares a case study or two, and cites the research regarding its effectiveness. Stephanie explains how using the ADKAR Model can help IEC leaders cultivate trust, align culture with values, and drive behavioral shifts that lead to stronger teams, better decision-making, and long-term success. 

“SPARK participants absolutely will walk away with the ability to review their values, understand their relevance, and put them into practice,” she says. “I hope to open leaders’ eyes to be aware of what’s coming, to be prepared for the future, to deliver the right messaging, and to welcome how the next generation is evolving the workplace. We lean heavily now on positive psychology and neuroscience to understand how the brain works. Let’s be supportive and excited about the next generation and the changes that they’re bringing to the table.” 

Just as racers or cyclists use drafting to conserve energy and gain a competitive edge, leaders and teams can use similar strategies to enhance collaboration, efficiency, and overall success. 

“Being a champion — for women and men — in leadership isn’t just about leading from the front. It’s about creating pathways, reducing resistance, and propelling others forward,” says Marilyn Akers Stansbury, IEC Rocky Mountain CEO and SPARK session facilitator. “Like in racing, momentum builds when leaders work together, take turns leading, and ensure no team member is left behind.” 

The session begins with an overview of objectives and goals and a video showing effective drafting in auto racing and how that applies to business leadership. 

“There’s the lead car in NASCAR, and someone pulls up behind and they draft,” Marilyn explains. “They get right up on the bumper so that lead car is really pulling that car behind it, from an aerodynamic perspective, and then other drivers can also get in that lane. It’s the person in the lead really pulling people from behind. The other thing that then happens is that that lead car can move over, and the car behind it can then slingshot around it to take the lead. That’s really what we’re thinking about as mentors in business. We’re encouraging people to follow, come along. By doing that — by being intentional about doing that — we’re making sure that when leaders are ready to step out of the way, there are people ready with the skills and knowledge they need to power forward and take over the lead.” 

Following Marilyn’s overview, which also includes a fun facts timeline of women in leadership milestones paired with a classic car of the era, is a panel discussion on key leadership topics: 

• Breaking the Headwinds: Leading by Example 
• The Drafting Effect: Mentoring, Advocacy, and Sponsorship 
• The Slingshot Effect: Elevating Others to Win 

Panelists include: 

• Marissa Esposito, Esposito’s Electric, Esposito’s Generator Solutions, Denville, NJ 
• Cara Herbstritt, EMSI, Electrical and Mechanical Systems, Inc., Erie, PA 
• Alana Levy, The Home Depot 
• Gentry Roberts, Southern New Mexico IEC 

The final portion of the session is facilitated tabletop conversations where session attendees share their ideas and experiences and make real connections with fellow participants. Tabletop facilitators then report highlights back to the full group. 

“Leadership is not a solo race.” Marilyn concludes. “By breaking barriers, supporting others, and elevating the next generation, we all move forward faster. This session idea originated as an IEC Women in Power presentation during the IEC Business Summit earlier this year, and we wanted to expand it to highlight not only the accomplishments of women leaders but to involve and celebrate both men and women and the skills and talents that everybody brings to the table. Offering this session at SPARK brings it to life on a big stage!” 

“I was the arrogant, cocky, know-it-all, self-sufficient electrician who’d been there, done that, and just needed to get the job done,” says Jason Brozen. “Then back in 2009, I got blown up in an arc flash.” 

Jason lived to tell his story and to continue to work in the electrical field after a long recovery and rehabilitation period. Over his 30-plus years in the industry, he’s touched pretty much every aspect of the electrical industry, but none has been more satisfying than his current role as the lead corporate safety and technical trainer for Tyndale Enterprises, Inc. He uses his experience as a 30-year master electrician, NFPA 70E trainer, and a survivor to share about the accident that should never have happened and could have taken him from his family. 

“The definition of complacency is self-satisfaction, especially when it accompanied by a complete unawareness of actual dangers or deficiencies,” Jason says. “So, you are literally sitting in a hungry lion’s cage. With the lion. And you’re looking out at your partner and saying, it’s cool, I’ve done this a million times, I’ve always done it this way, it’s only going to take me a second, so I don’t need PPE. Or fill in the blanks with whatever task someone does without following safety training process. The complacency part is really a callus on your brain.” 

During his SPARK presentation, Jason is going to tell his story and how making stupid decisions will likely catch up to you at some point. 

“I explain it as a row of dominoes, and every time you make a stupid decision, and they are stupid, not ignorant, because I can tell you 90 percent of the time or better, we know the risks,” he says. “Every time you do that; you flip a domino. When you get to the end of your dominos, that’s your accident or your fatality. That’s how complacency builds — one small decision at a time.” 

He reminds audiences that complacency builds with age and experience, citing statistics that show injuries double for people ages 45 to 65 from those ages 18 to 34. He tells them NOT to be like him and to pay attention to the training offered to you so that you return home safely at night.  

“Fighting complacency is my main message to the SPARK audience, he says. “Companies that promote a safe culture, implement proper training, and that get out amongst their people to see safe practices are happening is paramount. I love what I do; not many people get to feel they make a real difference out there.” 

“As a former business owner who grew my company through grit, teamwork, and strategic leadership, I bring firsthand insight into the challenges and opportunities faced by trades professionals,” says Jan Spence, CSP. “Over the past 20-plus years, I’ve had the privilege of speaking to audiences across a wide range of industries — including construction, contracting, and skilled trades — empowering teams to strengthen communication, boost morale, and tackle tough workforce challenges.” 

At SPARK, Jan shares a step-by-step system that participants can use to source, screen, profile, interview, compensate, and retain rockstar employees. 

“Hiring and retaining the right people is critical in today’s labor market,” she says. “This session equips attendees with tools to source and attract great talent, a streamlined hiring process, and tips that they may think are no longer relevant but help them make the right hire with the Recruit the Best™ Hiring System. This helps contractors build stronger crews, reduce turnover, and create a more productive culture.” 

IEC members know that hiring a new employee is a daunting, yet critical task, especially in today’s uncertain business environment. Jan says a bad hire can cost anywhere from $8,000 to more than $200,000 per employee, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg when you factor in errors that happen on the job, lost time spent training, and a potentially damaged brand.  

“While many leaders in the electrical field have processes in place for nearly every facet of their operation, they often rely on intuition and gut when it comes to hiring staff,” Jan states. “With my approach, I can help them find the candidate who not only looks good on paper, but also performs well and has the necessary skills and knowledge.”  

One powerful strategy from Jan: hire for attitude, not just skill. She shares the CAMPS model for hiring which looks at five different aspects of a potential team member — character, attitude, motivation, personality traits, and skill. She’s found that most people hire for skill and past job-related experience, but don’t investigate the other four critical pieces of the puzzle to find someone who wants to work and will stay with the company for personal and professional growth. 

“A team member who’s coachable and positive can be trained — while one with a bad attitude, no matter how skilled, can drag the whole team down,” Jan cautions. “If finding and retaining good people is a challenge for your organization, this is a “don’t miss” session! The right people — and how you handle the wrong ones — can make or break your business. SPARK attendees walk away with a clear approach to hiring and managing teams that are dependable, productive, and drama-free.” 

Jan is an international speaker, author, and consultant and earned her Certified Speaking Professional designation (less than 400 hold this designation worldwide). With contagious charisma and a zest for life which make her an excellent motivator and leader, this TEDx speaker uses her vast knowledge in sales, communications, finances, and employee engagement to help numerous clients. She is a high energy speaker who uses lots of audience participation. She was inducted into the 2021 Virtual Speakers Hall of Fame. 

Jan and her husband, Mitch, launched the second FiltaFry franchise in the U.S. in 2003. As CEO, Jan built such a successful operation that they were awarded the 2005 Franchisee of the Year by the International Franchise Association. Meeting their four-year plan, they sold the business in 2007 at 300% ROI. Since then, Jan has circled the globe as a trainer, consultant, and speaker for franchisees, organizations, and companies. 

“I have practiced what I preach and bring real-world experience, not just theory, to encourage other business leaders to thrive when building their teams,” she offers. “This customized SPARK talk is the right balance of humor, audience participation, actionable tools, and inspiration.” 

Preventing suicides in construction. 

SPARK speaker Frank King is 100% committed to using his abilities to create awareness, talk facts, and share personal battles surrounding this topic so that lives can be saved. 

“I have given 13 TEDx Talks on mental illness, I live with two mental illnesses, and I have come close enough to killing myself that I can tell you what the barrel of my gun tastes like. Spoiler alert…I did not pull the trigger,” Frank says. “More good news is that 8 out of 10 people who are considering suicide are ambivalent, and 9 out of 10 give hints in the last 7 days leading up to a suicide, which means you can make a difference, you can save a life, and you can do it by doing something as simple as having a conversation, if you know how. By the end of my SPARK session, you will know how.” 

Frank intends to address the following at SPARK: 

• Signs and symptoms of depression 
• Signs and symptoms of thoughts of suicide 
• What to say and do 
• What not to say and do 
• How to find resources to help 

In one of his TEDx Talks, Frank tells how depression and suicide run in his family. He also talks about a typical behavior of someone like him who suffers with major depressive disorder, more commonly referred to as depression, and with chronic suicidality. There is the ‘face’ that he shows the world every day when he gets out of bed and pastes a smile on his face and puts one foot in front of the other as if nothing is wrong. Until it’s time to go back to bed and pull the cover over his head. 

“What chronic suicidality means is for people like me and my tribe, the option of suicide is always on the menu for problems large and small,” he says in that same TEDx Talk from 2018. “I had one of my cars break down, and I had three thoughts: one, get it fixed; two, buy a new one; three, I could just kill myself. I know it sounds absurd to normal people but there may be a couple of people here who are thinking ‘oh dear God, I have thoughts like that all the time I didn’t know there was a name for it.’” 

When he tells that story, inevitably there is at least one person who approaches him after the show and admits they’ve had similar thoughts. Both that person, and Frank, know they are not alone; there are others who think similarly. 

“If you have a mental illness and you are in crisis, there is help available,” Frank says. 

Resources 

• Workplace Suicide Prevention 
• Guts, Grit & The Grind: A Mental Mechanics Manual 
• OSHA: Preventing Suicides in Construction 
• Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 988 
• Frank’s cell phone: 858.405.5653 

With all the information in the marketplace, electrical contractors can be unsure about how to address their company’s technology and tool needs. Don Sarno, senior vice president, Digital Enterprise, Sonepar Americas, says step one should be a simple, and personal, question. If you could replace one frustrating task in your day, what would it be? 

“It’s got to be very personal to you,” Don says. “Don’t let the noise overwhelm you, and don’t be led into a digital solution that is more than you need. Start small, start simply, and find a partner that will help you find a solution to better run your business.” 

Don has been providing software solutions for electrical distributors for more than 30 years, with the last 10 years at Sonepar, an IEC Power Sponsor. He aims to provide the best solutions for contractors to enable and empower them to build the best businesses they can for their customers. Don began his career as an electrical engineer working on satellite technology. Finding the field a bit boring and slow moving, he moved to software. 

“What I found was in software, we can actually make a difference really rapidly for folks,” Don says. “We can engage with them, we can understand their problems, we can build solutions with them. And we’re not talking years and decades; we’re talking weeks and months. It was all about finding something that can provide value with on a regular basis, consistently and rapidly.” 

In his SPARK session, Don focuses on how electrical contractors can get started, how they should think about technology solutions for their businesses, and what they should expect – and demand – from their providers.  

“A lot of software vendors out there encourage customers to go to the website or use their digital tools,” Don says. “They say it’s better, it’s faster, it’s easier. But if I’m an electrical contractor spending my day on the road in my truck going from job to job serving my customers, it may seem easier to pick up the phone and call Jason the inside sales guy to get my order into the system and deliver it to me. That’s actually the easiest possible solution, so why would you put technology in the way of that?” 

But what if it’s 9:00 at night and that same electrical contractor forgot to put the order in for the materials his project manager needs at 6:00 in the morning? You have to be able to deal with it right then and Jason is not there.  

“There are good technology solutions out there, but don’t get overwhelmed and talked into technology and digital solutions you don’t need. There is a middle ground — focus on what you need and build that out. Start with a solution relevant to your business. I’m passionate about this topic and believe we are on this journey with our electrical contractors. We believe Sonepar is building solutions that are for them, with them. Users should constantly challenge, constantly question both the solutions they have, the value they’re bringing to the table, and the things they do on a daily basis that software can help them with.” 

Don looks forward to your questions at SPARK.