Off The Gravel Road
Off the Gravel Road
Robb Ellis is a husband, father, grandfather, educator, tradesman, and public servant with a deep-rooted commitment to small-town life and hands-on learning. Born in Los Angeles, California, Robb moved to Vermont in the 1980s, where he began his first career in law enforcement. After retiring from the field, he transitioned into the plumbing and heating industry—eventually becoming a technical trainer at FIA, where he now helps shape the next generation of skilled trades professionals across New England.
Robb’s journey has taken him through Vermont, Maine, Massachusetts, and now New Hampshire—where he and his wife Kristen have lived for many years. Married for over 31 years, they’ve raised three sons and are now proud grandparents to two granddaughters.
In addition to his work at FIA, Robb serves on the Barnstead Select Board and as an ex officio member of the zoning board, where he brings a grounded, practical voice to local governance. He’s also the force behind Storer Ranch and Cow Camp, rural education initiatives rooted in soil health, regenerative agriculture, and trades-based learning. Through programs like the Storer Ranchers 4-H Club and partnerships with local schools, Robb is helping rural youth gain real-world skills and a sense of stewardship for the land.
Having lived in small towns across New England, Robb has come to appreciate their quiet differences and shared spirit. Off the Gravel Road, his podcast, explores what makes these communities tick—sharing conversations from porches, pastures, and town halls that reflect the values, humor, and grit of life beyond the pavement.
Off The Gravel Road
Leading by Example: From Dairy Farm to Trades with Thomas Fung
Thomas Fung’s journey is a story of leadership in action. From long days on his grandparents’ dairy farm in upstate New York to summers on staff at TL Storer, Thomas learned early that true leadership means hard work, responsibility, and service to others. As an Eagle Scout and valedictorian of a technical high school, he carried those lessons into the skilled trades—now thriving as an HVAC technician with AccuTemp. Beyond his career, Thomas continues to lead by example, volunteering weekends at camp and inspiring the next generation to explore Scouting and the trades.
In this episode, we trace Thomas’s path from the farm, to Scouting, to a career in HVAC, and back to camp—highlighting the leadership skills that connect every step of the way.
