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
Full Circle: Kurt Hudson on Legacy, Leadership, and Building the Future of the Trades
In this episode of Off the Gravel Road, Robb sits down with longtime friend and colleague Kurt Hudson, Co-President of L.C. Anderson, a Boston-based mechanical contractor that’s been keeping New England comfortable since 1943.
Together, they trace the company’s remarkable continuity — from its 1995 sale to Kurt’s father, Warren Hudson, to its 2025 partnership with FirstCall Mechanical — and explore what it means to carry a family business forward while adapting to change.
Kurt opens up about the experience of moving from owner to employee, what it takes to preserve culture during growth, and why he believes the real asset in any company isn’t equipment or inventory — it’s people.
The conversation also dives deep into the skilled trades: the need for more youth choosing careers in HVAC, plumbing, electrical, and building automation, the opportunities apprenticeships provide, and how hands-on problem solving can be just as valuable as a four-year degree. Kurt and Robb discuss the shifting workforce, the power of mentorship, and the pride that comes from work that lasts.
