Rethinking Data Center Builds with Rob Conrad

Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe. In this episode I speak with Dan Schaffer, Senior Sales Manager at Phoenix Contact USA, about the physical and cybersecurity pressures facing the U.S. power grid. We discuss aging equipment, rising demand from data centers, two-way energy flow from distributed resources, transformer lead times, and the larger attack surface created as utilities add digital control and monitoring.Dan explains why network segmentation, internal monitoring, closer IT and OT coordination, battery storage, and more modular generation can improve reliability. The choices utilities make now will affect how well the grid handles new demand without trading operational stability for greater connectivity.  Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.To reach Dan Schaffer on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/dan-schaffer/Learn more about Phoenix Contact: https://www.phoenixcontact.com/en-us/industries/power-transmissionTo get some great ice cream in Pennsylvania: https://jiggershop.com/YouTube Version of Episode: https://youtu.be/n0NDwOrp4bA

Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.In this episode I speak with David Skidmore, Account Manager at Valin Corporation, about specialty heat-trace and snow-melt systems.We discuss why these projects can create trouble when roofers, electricians, and technical experts connect too late, including power limitations, circuit-length errors, cable damage, and unplanned electrical costs.David shares how early design support, contractor training, and temperature-and-moisture controls can improve installation results and reduce operating costs. His lessons apply to any contractor taking on a specialized system outside the normal day-to-day scope.  Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.Thank you to our sponsor Panduit: https://www.graybar.com/manufacturers/panduit/c/sup-panduitTo reach David Skidmore on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-skidmore/Learn more about Valin: https://valinonline.com/Tabernash Tavern: https://tabernashtavern.com/YouTube: https://youtu.be/uWFCXcOKP_w

Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.In this episode I speak with Ron Hotchkiss, Senior Principal Engineer (Surge Protection Engineering), and Dan Duggan, CADDY Seismic Business Development Manager, about two often-overlooked risks to data center uptime: electrical surges and seismic movement.We discuss gaps between design and installation, vulnerable control and backup-power systems, changing high-voltage DC architectures, and confusion around seismic classifications and enforcement. Ron and Dan share practical ways to improve protection, including layered surge protective devices, shorter connection leads, earlier seismic coordination, engineered calculations, inspection, and 3D clash detection.If you design, build, own, or maintain data centers, this conversation will help you look beyond individual components and protect the facility as one connected system. Please like and subscribe on your favorite platformThank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.To reach Dan Duggan on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/mrseismic/To reach Ron Hotchkiss on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ron-hotchkiss-48692211/Learn more about nVent: https://www.graybar.com/manufacturers/nvent-group/c/sup-nvent-groupnVent site: https://www.nvent.com/en-us/data-solutionsPrime 88: https://www.prime88steakhouse.com/360 Westport: https://www.360-stl.com/westport/YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/zPb0a_DpUHs

Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.In this episode I speak with Kim Mercier about how lighting affects more than vision, including alertness, sleep, learning, and overall well-being. Kim explains the challenges of applying new health-based lighting research, separating measurable performance from vague health claims, and protecting design intent during substitutions. We also discuss Melanopic EDI, product comparisons, practical support from manufacturers, and why healthier lighting does not always require a higher budget. Please like and subscribe on your favorite platform. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.Thank you to our sponsor:  https://www.graybar.com/manufacturers/current/c/sup-ge-lightingTo reach Kim Mercier on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimberly-mercier-66ba6513/Lighting Design Innovations: http://www.lightingdesigninnovations.com/YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/LZtQXH0MoJQ

In this episode I speak with LaNa Al-Amin and Tom Alexander about how the IEC Foundation is helping grow a well-trained electrical workforce. We discuss misconceptions about apprenticeships, the barriers that can keep students from completing their education, and why strong training and company culture matter. LaNa and Tom explain how scholarships, tools, mentoring, safety and job-readiness programs, early career exposure, and industry partnerships support students and IEC chapters.Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.YouTube version of the episode: https://youtu.be/klwgj3ZlQToTo learn more about the IEC Foundation: https://www.iec-foundation.org/IEC Foundation Overview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3x2cAIfUpVkIEC Foundation Scholarship Programs: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghWXeAmt1kI&t=26sIEC Foundation Equipment & Training Grant Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UDBlvMozNrU&t=12sIEC Foundation Disaster Relief Program: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMlxkLRglSA&t=4sTo reach LaNa Al-Amin or Tom Alexander and to learn about the IECF Board: https://www.iec-foundation.org/foundation-board

n this episode I speak with Jon Irvine about two specialty systems that can save plant operators from bigger problems: heat trace and liquid leak detection. John explains why these systems are often needed late in a project, how poor planning or the wrong product can create freeze-ups, nuisance alarms, or missed leaks, and why contractors need technical support before installation starts. We also talk about smarter design, better communication to building management systems, and how data centers are changing the conversation around leak detection.Please like and subscribe on your favorite platform.To reach Jon Irvine on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jon-irvine-02a34424/ Learn more about Valin: https://www.valin.com/ To see products supported/sold by Valin: https://valinonline.com/ Valin’s Heat Trace products page: https://valinonline.com/catalog/process-heatYouTube: https://youtu.be/yfPwirz9zfA

In this episode, Rob Conrad, Director of Pricing and Channel Marketing at Legrand North America, shares insights on the challenges and innovations in data center development, including size, complexity, and sustainability. Discover how industry trends are shaping the future of data infrastructure and what manufacturers and contractors are doing to keep pace.Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.To reach Rob Conrad on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/rob-conrad-9234352/Learn more about Legrand (episode and show sponsor – thank you) and they’re work with Data Centers: https://www.legrand.us/markets/data-center?utm_source=show_notes&utm_medium=show_link&utm_campaign=2026-2027_sponsorship&utm_content=rob_conradSADO in St Louis: https://www.sado-stl.com/YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/z7pR8AAqWQc

Unlock the secret to transforming the construction industry—where communication silos and outdated workflows are holding everyone back. Melissa Dixon, shares her grounded insights on how digital workflows are reshaping project efficiency from the field to the office—and why adapting now matters more than ever. Construction projects often still rely on scribbles, phone calls, and guesswork, which creates delays, rework, and frustration.Melissa explains why digitization has been slow to catch on, and what’s finally helping teams move toward smarter, more connected ways of working. From field-to-office collaboration to AI-assisted invoice matching and site mapping, she breaks down the practical tools that are making a difference. You’ll discover:How systems thinking is changing the way construction teams approach the full project lifecycleWhy digital tools need to fit existing workflows to actually get adoptedHow better content, metadata, and data quality strengthen AI and connected workflowsReal examples of AI helping with search, matching, and documentationWhy construction leaders need both top-down support and field-level buy-in to drive changeMelissa also shares her perspective on BIM, model-based procurement, labor data, pre-construction planning, and the importance of balancing detailed data with simplicity for the people using it every day. If you work in construction, project management, or any role touched by workflow efficiency, this conversation offers a clear, practical look at how digital transformation is unfolding in the real world. It’s not about hype — it’s about making work easier, faster, and more accurate across the entire supply chain.Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.Learn more about Trimble: https://www.trimble.com/en/industries/constructionGino’s On the Point: https://ginosrestaurants.co/gino-at-the-point/YouTube Version: https://youtu.be/6fPk92sTLksThank you to this episode’s sponsor: Panduit

In this episode, guest Chris Sokoll, president of DISC Corp, a leading provider of electrical wholesale industry economic forecasting discusses the critical role of electrical distribution in the US economy.He also covers the importance of data integrity, and future trends like clean energy and infrastructure upgrades.Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.To reach Chris Sokoll on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christiansokoll/ Learn more about DISC Corp: https://disccorp.com El Tiempo Cantina: https://eltiempocantina.com/ Ninfa’s: https://ninfas.com/ Truth BBQ Houston: https://truthbbq.com/

Here’s where I ask a huge favor from you, I’m creating a newsletter as a way for you to share your thoughts on the episodes, share guest ideas and for me to give you insight into future episodes, and of course share great restaurants with you, please subscribe at  https://www.graybar.com/podcast#subscribe.In this episode, Walt Donovan, VP of Strategic Partnerships at DYCOM Industries, explains the concept of the middle mile in data infrastructure, its challenges, and future prospects. Discover how this critical component impacts data flow across the country and what the industry is doing to overcome current obstacles. Thank you for listening and please take a moment to subscribe, rate, and review our show on your favorite app.To reach Walt Donovan on LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/walt-donovan-36a9063/DYCOM Industries: https://dycomind.com/The Sicilian Butcher: https://thesicilianbutcher.com/YouTube: https://youtu.be/z6H8MwCkGig