| Peter Rittenhouse of Nestle Waters North America - Thursday, July 08, 2010 Supply Chain Director – East. Responsible for four (4) bottled water production and distribution locations in Allentown, PA (two factory locations), Zephyrhills, FL and Lee, FL. The network also includes five outside warehouses throughout the region.
Brands include: Deer Park, Poland Spring, Ice Mountain, Zephyrhills, Nestlé Pure Life, Perrier, & San Pellegrino.
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| Andrea Wittchen - Thursday, July 08, 2010 For thirty years, Andrea Wittchen has successfully pursued two parallel career paths—as an entrepreneur and business executive and as a professional musician. By applying her creative/artistic skills and her rational/analytic skills in a complementary manner, she has brought innovation to all of her endeavors.
Andrea’s commitment to sustainability is demonstrated by her interest in growing things. In addition to the usual things, like flowers, vegetables, and children, Andrea has also grown four companies. Her current firm, iSpring, provides companies with the tools to measure their current sustainability state and the framework to build on that baseline to achieve significant cost reductions. As an entrepreneur, Andrea understands that the bottom line must be both financially and environmentally green. iSpring currently serves as the subject matter experts in sustainability for Lehigh University’s Enterprise Systems Center. In September Andrea will serve as facilitator for the first Lehigh Valley Sustainability Summit.
The other three companies Andrea was instrumental in creating are all still operating successfully. Her responsibilities in each situation included infrastructure design and implementation, strategic planning, financial controls, administrative design and management, human resources, and marketing. She has handled the varying challenges posed by start-up operations and rapid growth companies as well as established organizations.
In recognition of her accomplishments and many contributions to Pennsylvania’s business community, she was honored in 2007 as one of the state’s Best 50 Women in Business.
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| Senior Lecturer, Energy Sustainability and Policy, Pennsylvania State University & Di - Monday, June 28, 2010
Dr. Vera Cole Senior Lecturer, Energy Sustainability and Policy, Pennsylvania State University & Director for Local Power, Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association
Dr. Vera Cole is a Senior Lecturer for the Energy and Sustainability Program at Penn State University in the College of Earth and Mineral Sciences. In 2009 she wrote “Pennsylvania Homeowner’s Guide to Solar Electricity,” published by the Mid-Atlantic Renewable Energy Association, a 501(c) nonprofit educational organization nonprofit organization, dedicated to informing and educating the public on renewable energy production, energy efficiency, and sustainable living (www.themarea.org). A MAREA board member, Vera co-instructs MAREA hands-on solar electric workshops and other solar training at local community colleges, with an emphasis on policy and finance. She holds a BS in Mechanical Engineering (New York Institute of Technology), an MS in Industrial Engineering (Arizona State University) and a PhD in Information Science and Technology (Drexel University). |
| Dr. David Newell Director of Marketing EarthNet Energy - Monday, June 28, 2010
Dr. David Newell Director of Marketing EarthNet Energy
Dr. David Newell serves as Director of Marketing for EarthNet Energy, a manufacturer of solar thermal evacuated tube systems in Chambersburg, PA. Prior to joining EarthNet in March 2009, David served in a variety of leadership roles in both not for profit and for profit organizations. In 2007 he began a consulting business with an emphasis on organizational leadership. He taught undergraduate and graduate business, and worked in the financial services sector. He has been successful as an entrepreneur, a pastor, an educator, and a U.S. Air Force veteran. David has degrees from Anderson, Huntington, and Regent Universities, in Business, Ministry/Education, and Leadership respectively. |
| Kevin Close -Engineering Manager Ames True Temper - Thursday, June 24, 2010
Kevin Close -Engineering Manager Ames True Temper
Kevin Close is the Engineering Manager for Ames True Temper in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania. Over the course of his career, Kevin has designed, built and programmed automated production equipment, installed and validated new automated production lines and performed manufacturing plant relocations. For 9 years of his career, Kevin worked for Thomson, Inc. in the RCA color picture tube division. During the last two years with Thomson, he coordinated capital investment activities for 27 of the worldwide operation locations in excess of $80M€. Upon transition to Ames True Temper, he relocated the main shovel manufacturing operations to a brown field facility in Lewistown, Pennsylvania. Since its completion Kevin has been a production manager and the current Manufacturing Engineering Manager for the largest manufacturing operation for Ames True Temper. Kevin has his Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from Millersville University and will complete his Technology Management MBA in August 2010.Kevin is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers and serves as a board member of the local central Pennsylvania chapter of the Association of Energy Engineers. He has spoken at the Central Pennsylvania Business Journal Energy Symposium on manufacturing energy efficiency improvement case studies in January, 2010. He has managed the installation of T8 High Efficiency lighting upgrades for four Pennsylvania facilities in excess of $1.2M and has responsibility for the continued energy efficiency projects within the Camp Hill facility. He is currently reviewing solar photovoltaic installation options on 1.2M square feet of roof at the Ames True Temper, Carlisle distribution building. |
| Eric Epstein - Thursday, June 24, 2010 Eric Epstein SEF Board of Directors, Chairman TMI-Alert,Coordinator of the EFMR Monitoring group
Mr. Epstein is the Chairman of TMI-Alert ( tmia.com) a safe-energy organization based in Harrisburg and founded in 1977. He has been involved with research into decommissioning, decontamination and nuclear safety at the Peach Bottom, Three Mile Island, and Susquehanna nuclear power plants for 25 years. He has written numerous professional papers, contributed to publications, and provided testimony regarding utility rates, universal service, electric power competition, and radioactive waste isolation. He is also the Coordinator of the EFMR Monitoring group, a nonpartisan community based organization established in 1992. EFMR ( efmr.org) monitors radiation levels at Peach Bottom and Three Mile Island nuclear generating stations, invests in community development, and sponsors remote robotics research. |
| Bob Thomson Ben Franklin Technology Partners - Monday, June 21, 2010
Bob Thomson Ben Franklin Technology Partners
Bob Thomson, for the past 24 years, has been with Ben Franklin Technology Partners of Northeastern Pennsylvania (BFTP/NEP), involved in technology commercialization and new venture development. BFTP/NEP has helped the technology companies in its 21-county region prosper by providing them access to capital, business expertise, and university resources. Ben Franklin’s strategy encompasses three main areas: developing early-stage, technology-oriented companies; helping established manufacturers creatively apply new technology and business practices; and promoting an innovative community-wide infrastructure that fosters a favorable business environment for high-growth firms.Bob’s responsibilities at Ben Franklin include planning and implementation of Ben Franklin’s strategy, targeted assistance to both established and early stage technology firms, investment of funds in support of these firms, and interfacing with local angel networks and venture capital organizations. A relatively new investment initiative is Ben Franklin’s Alternative Energy Development Program where BFTP/NEP invests in early-stage companies looking to develop new, energy-related technologies. The program also provides funding for universities, in turn, to provide energy-related technical assistance to manufacturing companies.Prior to his current position at BFTP/NEP, Bob was Manager of Entrepreneurial Programs which included management of BFTP/NEP’s technology incubator program. The Ben Franklin Business Incubator Center (now called Ben Franklin TechVentures) was the recipient of the 2001 Randall M. Whaley Incubator of the Year award, presented by the National Business Incubation Association (NBIA).Bob served two three-year terms (1991-97) on the NBIA Board of Directors, his last year being Board Chairman. Bob holds an MBA from Lehigh University, an MS from Pennsylvania State University, and a BA from the University of Pennsylvania. |
| Wilfred H. Muskens, Deputy Secretary for International Business Development, Pennsylvania Department - Friday, June 18, 2010
Wilfred H. Muskens, Deputy Secretary for International Business Development, Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development
Wilfred Muskens had served the Commonwealth for more than seven years at the Department of Community and Economic Development before his appointment as Deputy Secretary for the Office of International Business Development in the summer of 2007.In his new capacity at DCED, Wilfred will lead a professional team of international economic development specialists that contribute to the growth and strength of the commonwealth’s economy by providing value-added international trade services to Pennsylvania’s businesses and ports by attracting foreign investment to the state.Wilfred’s previous experience with the commonwealth includes serving as Executive Director of the Center for Direct Investment and Director of Foreign Investment for the Governor’s Action Team. In this capacity, Muskens oversaw more than $500 million in capital investments and the creation and retention of more than 5,000 jobs by foreign-owned companies such as German energy giant Conergy, South Korean-based dental implant manufacturer Osstem, and the Spanish wind energy company Gamesa.A highlight of Muskens career at DCED was implementing Governor Edward G. Rendell’s World Trade PA initiative. This program is a first of its kind for Pennsylvania investment activities.Before coming to DCED, Wilfred was a Project Manager and Public Relations Consultant for several organizations in Europe, where he oversaw new investment projects, proposed possible sites for companies considering expansion, and developed communications strategies.Wilfred spent his youth in the Netherlands, earning Master’s Degrees from Bordeaux University in France and Utrecht University in the Netherlands. His undergraduate degree was also from Utrecht University but included a full year as an exchange student at Hull University in the United Kingdom. Wilfred’s native language is Dutch, but he is fluent in French, English and German. |
| Central Dauphin High School Green Power Club - Thursday, June 17, 2010
Central Dauphin High School Green Power Club
We are students at Central Dauphin High school who are interested in the potential of green energy – wind turbines and solar panels. For the past two years, our club has designed, engineered and constructed a small wind turbine and solar panel hybrid research facility at our school. We are learning a lot about green energy production and its implication in the real world.
In addition to ongoing research, the club has a second mission – peer education. Our overall goal is to help other high school students understand the different aspects of green energy and, hopefully, motivate them to start up a similar program at their own school. Our presentation will help educate, encourage and empower them to be active in green energy
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| Angela Callie Team Leader and Loan Specialist for USDA Rural Development - Monday, June 14, 2010Angela Callie Team Leader and Loan Specialist for USDA Rural Development
Angela Callie presently serves as a Team Leader and Loan Specialist for USDA Rural Development, working out of the Area Office in Allentown in Pennsylvania. As a Team Leader, she is responsible for the planning, development and implementation of rural development assistance programs offered by USDA Rural Development for eight counties under her service territory.
Angela Callie received an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 1980. She was the first individual to graduate from Penn State’s University World Wide campus in 2003, with a Master’s level Certification in Community and Economic Development. She served as a Facilitator for ten years, and was a member on the Advisory Board for the PA Rural Leadership Program (RULE) from 2000-2006. She also, serves as the African American Emphasis Program Coordinator for USDA Rural Development, and provides resources to the state on issues impacting African Americans. She developed and implemented a Mentoring program for her agency at USDA Rural Development. She also developed and instituted the companion training course for the Mentoring program. She independently provides Team Building Seminars and Board development training for non-profit and educational institutions. She has presented numerous seminars on topics including: strategic planning, color personality profiles, conflict resolution, group dynamics, customer service, effective meeting management, professional imagine building, and how to develop personal mission statements. She has provided these trainings to adult and youth programs for local, regional and statewide audiences.
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| PATRICIA A. FOX Director of Operations Interstate Renewble Energy Council - Friday, June 11, 2010 PATRICIA A. FOX- Director of Operations Interstate Renewble Energy Council
Pat Fox is an accomplished leader with a proven track record in aligning an organization around a strategic vision to achieve results. For over 15 years Pat has been leading national organizations with a focus on quality, training, consistency in service delivery, and program development. Pat’s experience in establishing operational service organizations for industry leading healthcare IT companies includes establishing forums for sharing best practices, developing multiple communication channels to advance program development, managing the operations, and building a community of diverse stakeholders. Throughout her career she has achieved national consistency and a measurable increase in quality results.
Combining her passion for renewable energy and her innovative management style to contribute to the advancement of renewable energy technology deployment; Pat is currently the Director of Operations for the Interstate Renewable Energy Council. In this role she is managing IREC’s workforce development initiatives and leading the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) Accreditation & Certification Programs. Pat is an ISPQ Registered Auditor and serving as a founding member and Chair of the Waltham Energy Action Committee for the City of Waltham, Massachusetts. Representing IREC, Pat also serves as an alternate on the Board of NABCEP. |
| Roy Butler Four Winds Renewable Energy - Thursday, June 10, 2010 Roy Butler of Four Winds Renewable Energy
The instructor for this workshop is Roy Butler of Four Winds Renewable Energy. Roy has more than 14 years of design and installation experience with grid-tied and off-grid PV and wind electric systems. His home and business have been off-grid, powered by wind and solar since 1997.
Roy is a NABCEP certified PV installer, an Eligible Installer for the NYSERDA wind and PV incentive programs, an approved installer for the Pennsylvania Sunshine Program, a board member of the Small Wind Certification Council, chair of the NABCEP small wind installer exam committee and a technical editor for Home Power Magazine. He also teaches PV and wind installer courses at community and technical schools in several states. |
| Robert G. Garraty Ph.D.Deputy Secretary for Workforce DevelopmentPennsylvania Department of Labor & - Wednesday, June 09, 2010 Robert G. Garraty Ph.D. Deputy Secretary for Workforce DevelopmentPennsylvania Department of Labor & Industry
Dr. Garraty’s work experience consists of over 40 years in workforce and economic development including stints at the PA Department of Labor and Industry, a statewide economic development agency, Penn State University, owner of a business, a local Workforce Investment Board and, just recently, the Pennsylvania Workforce Investment Board.
Bob started his career in workforce development in 1969 as an Employment Interview and Employment Counselor in the West and North Philadelphia local PA CareerLinks (known then as State Employment Offices). He also served as the Head of Placement and Employment Counseling Services for the Employment Service, Regional Director for the Department in Erie, Executive Director of the labor-management economic development agency called the PA MILRITE Council and Senior Research Associate at the Penn State Institute of State and Regional Affairs. He also was President and CEO of the consulting firm Garraty Workforce Investment, Executive Director of the local South Central Workforce Investment Board and the statewide Pennsylvania Workforce investment Board.
He has a Doctor of Philosophy in Public Administration from Penn State University and has an undergraduate degree in History and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration. |
| Craig Onori Vice President of Support Services Lehigh Valley Health Network - Wednesday, June 09, 2010
Craig Onori Vice President of Support Services Lehigh Valley Health Network
Craig Onori, Vice President of Support Services for Lehigh Valley Health Network, is responsible for leading the Support Services organization that provides all facilities management (including energy management), clinical equipment maintenance, and regulatory compliance activities to the 3 hospital, 3M gross square feet, 988 bed health network in Allentown and Bethlehem, Pennsylvania. In this role, he has been responsible for implementing a number of sustainability initiatives within Lehigh Valley Health Network, including the installation of a 273 kW photovoltaic system on the roofs of two of the hospitals.
Onori has previously worked at AT&T/Lucent Technologies/Agere Systems for over 25 years where he managed the design and construction of projects totaling over $350M and the operations of numerous facilities.
Onori has previously served on the Board of Directors of the Sustainable Energy Fund and is currently on the Board of Directors of Green Connexions, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Sustainable Energy Fund. He has had an article published on energy and the environment. Onori was the recipient of the 1999 Pennsylvania Governors’ Environmental Excellence Award for reductions in energy use at the Agere Systems facilities in Pennsylvania.
Onori received a BS in civil engineering from Bucknell University and an MBA from Kutztown University. He is a licensed professional engineer and a Certified Energy Manager and a Certified Renewable Energy Professional from the Association of Energy Engineers.
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| John Costlow, CET, CRM, CSDP Director of Technical Services SEF - Wednesday, June 09, 2010 John Costlow, CET, CRM, CSDP Director of Technical Services
Sustainable Energy Fund
John Costlow is the Director of Technical Services for Sustainable Energy Fund (SEF). Prior to joining SEF, Mr. Costlow has been employed as Vice President of Operations for Energy Control Companies, Marketing and Energy Conservation Manager for Florida Public Utilities, Technical Support Manager for Johnson Controls and Nuclear Reactor Operator. Mr. Costlow has a Bachelor of Science in Organizational Management from Palm Beach Atlantic University, is an honor graduate of Naval Nuclear Power School, a Certified Sustainable Development Professional and one of thirty eight Certified Carbon Reduction Managers in North America. Mr. Costlow is a member of the Association of Energy Service Professionals and Alternative & Renewable Energy Development Institute as well as a board member of Central Pennsylvania Association of Energy Engineers.
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| Sean Wynne - Philips Color Kinetics - Wednesday, June 09, 2010Sean Wynne - Philips Color Kinetics
SeanWynne is the Regional Sales Manager for Philips Color Kinetics for Pennsylvania, Deleware, New Jersey and Ohio. He has been employed with Philips Color Kinetics for three years and has been in the lighting industry for over thirteen. Solor Kinetics in the LED fixture manufacturer leader. |
| Bale Viswanadha Reddy is a Professor Engineering and Applied Science, University of On - Thursday, May 27, 2010
Bale Viswanadha Reddy -Professor Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology
Bale Viswanadha Reddy is a Professor in Faculty of Engineering and Applied Science, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, ON, Canada. Dr. Reddy research interests are in the broad range of energy systems, including heat transfer in fluidized bed combustors, coal, biomass, natural gas, waste heat recovery energy systems analysis, hydrogen and solar energy. Dr Reddy has led a number of research projects in this field over the last fourteen years. Dr. Reddy has supervised graduate students and post doctoral fellows. He is also actively involved in the organization of conferences in energy area as an organizing committee member and technical track chair. Dr. Reddy also delivered invited keynote presentations on energy systems and developments in international conferences. Dr Reddy has published over 110 papers in various technical journals and conferences. Dr. Reddy has also contributed book chapters in the energy area. Dr Reddy has also received best professor award for teaching excellence three times. |
| Robert Ehrlich Professor of Physics George Mason University - Wednesday, May 26, 2010
Robert Ehrlich is a Physics professor at George Mason University . Robert holds a B.S. in Physics from Brooklyn College and a Ph. D. from Columbia. Awards include: elected a Fellow in the American Physical Society, Distinguished Faculty Award, George Mason University,Awarded Epstein Prize of the American Association of Physics Teachers, AAPT Annual Award for Undergraduate Teaching, CAS Award for Scholarship.In his spare time, he is hopelessly addicted to the game of Go, and is faculty advisor to the GMU Go Club. His current interest is in promoting renewable energy education in the U.S. He has recently created a web site rev-up.org for this purpose, and he is conductingworkshops for teachers. In recent years he has worked in three main areas. These include a) basic physics research, b) physics education studies, and c) communicating science to the broader public.
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| Izzet Bensusan - Executive Director Karbone - Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Izzet Bensusan - Executive Director Karbone
Izzet Bensusan is the founder and the executive director of Karbone. Throughout his career, he has been involved in several entrepreneurial ventures focused on cutting edge markets. As an early adopter and innovator, Mr. Bensusan focuses on making significant and lasting difference on his industries of focus. To realize his vision around sustainability and energy conservation, Karbone is focused on defining the best comprehensive strategies for emission reduction. Mr. Bensusan has brought together the two key disciplines of technology and carbon finance to offer Karbone’s clients many unique options currently unavailable through other providers. He is a regular speaker at emissions market and sustainability conferences and an active advocate of shaping policies for the development of renewable energy and sustainable economies.Prior to Karbone, Mr. Bensusan was a partner at Net2s, a global consulting firm where he built the privacy and IT security division and established it as the firm’s leading practice, servicing top global financial firms. He managed a team of over 100 consultants and engineers while focusing on the North American region. Before joining Net2s, Mr. Bensusan was one of the founding members of Parlo.com, the first online language-learning experience, taking advantage of the emerging Internet technologies.
Mr. Bensusan holds an M.B.A. from Columbia University and a B.A. and M.A. from Brandeis University in international economics and finance. He is also the co-founder of the Entrepreneurs Network of Brandeis University Alumni in New York. Mr. Bensusan serves on the board of NYC Association of Energy Economics. |
| Christopher Flynn - Business Development Specialist Sustainable Energy Fund and Instructor College o - Tuesday, May 25, 2010 Christopher Flynn - Business Development Specialist Sustainable Energy Fund and Instructor College of Engineering Pennsylvania State University
Christopher Flynn is a 2009 graduate of the Executive MBA program at the Smeal College of Business, Penn State University. His thesis project was developing a business plan for an 8 MW solar utility. While completing the 21-month course, he worked as a consultant for community non-profits and a local foundation to build awareness, raise funds, and develop viable programs in the Stroudsburg area. Flynn has over 15 years professional experience in sales, marketing, financial services, brand development and management. He held positions with the American Cancer Society, Olympic Amis Ltd. in Reading and in London, UK. Since 1993 Flynn held management positions in financial services for Hartford Life and Annuity in Scranton, York Federal Savings and Loan, and Asset Funding Group in Reading.
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| Bill O'Connell, LC, LEED® AP - Saturday, May 22, 2010Bill O'Connell LC, LEED AP OSRAM SYLVANIA
Bill O'Connell has worked in the lighting industry for 16 years. He has experience in optical design for the automotive and general lighting industry, as well as 9 years of application engineering experience. During his career he has been awarded one technical and one design papent for lighting products and has achieved both LC and LEED AP certification. Bill will share his knowledge on high prformance lighting.
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| Felipe Zarate Executive Director and Co-Founder of TrustElement - Friday, May 21, 2010 Felipe Zarate Executive Director and Co-Founder of TrustElement
Felipe Zarate is the Executive Director and Co-Founder of TrustElement, a leading energy- and carbon-efficiency consulting firm based in New York City. Felipe leads the firm's activities in formulating and delivering a portfolio of energy efficiency, carbon management, renewable energy, and climate change consulting services. TrustElement advises industrial, commercial and institutional clients of all sizes, supporting their objectives in reducing emissions, improving environmental performance, and driving sustainability. Felipe has over fifteen years of international management and business development experience in the United States, Latin America and Europe. He started his career in 1994 as an environmental and civil engineer, consulting to property developers, municipalities and cities, delivering Environmental Impact Analysis (EIA), water use assessments, and civil infrastructure project design.Prior to founding TrustElement, Felipe moved through progressively senior roles at NET2S Group, today part of British Telecom (BT). His last role at BT / NET2S was Managing Director and Managing Partner for NET2S Incorporated, responsible for the strategic growth, business development, sales and general management of a US$ 14 million operation encompassing 2 business units and 75 professionals across all business functions.In addition to his solutions-oriented senior management roles, Felipe worked as a Financial Associate at Callahan Associates International. Felipe evaluated and developed business plans, created financial models, and conducted due diligence for a broad range of investment, start-up and acquisition opportunities. Selected deals raised US$ 68 million equity in first rounds from investor groups including GE Capital SFG, Blackstone and Investcorp.Felipe ranked first upon graduation from Universidad Eafit's Civil Engineering program in Colombia and obtained an MBA from HEC School of Management in France.
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| Jennifer Hopkins, CPA President Sustainable Energy Fund - Friday, May 21, 2010
Jennifer Hopkins- CPA- President Sustainable Energy Fund
Jennifer Hopkins is President of Sustainable Energy Fund. She has served in a leadership capacity for the Sustainable Energy Fund since 2006. As a Certified Public Account prior to joining SEF she served in lead financial roles with various manufacturing and non-profit organizations. Ms. Hopkins has also served as an adjunct professor of accounting with Pennsylvania State University. She has a BS in from the Pennsylvania State University and a Masters in Business Administration from the University of Scranton.
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| H. Robert “Gus” Gustafson Leadership Fellow Centers for Enterprise Innovation - Monday, May 03, 2010
H. Robert "Gus" Gustafson Leadership Fellow at the Centers for Enterprise Innovation and Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University
H. Robert “Gus” Gustafson is the Leadership Fellow at the Centers for Enterprise Innovation (CEI) and an Adjunct Professor at Lehigh University in Bethlehem, PA after a 35-year manufacturing career. At the undergraduate level, he co-teaches the Leadership Development course and the Industrial & Systems Engineering Senior Project courses. He created and teaches the course Executing the Business Plan as part of the MBA VENTURESeries entrepreneurial concentration. In partnership with the venture capital firm, Originate Ventures, Gustafson led the creation of the interdisciplinary Innovation & Leadership Residency (ILR) program. In the ILR program, students learn innovation and leadership skills through total immersion in the new venture creation process, helping real entrepreneurs seeking investment funding. Gustafson is the Industry Advisor to Lehigh’s 600-student-member chapter of the National Society for Leadership and Success.
Through the CEI, Gustafson and Dr. Emory W. Zimmers, Jr. have proposed creation of a national multi-university Center for Sustainable Manufacturing. Lehigh University leads the effort with university partners Rutgers and Illinois Institute of Technology and over twenty industry partners. Kraft Foods and Nestle Waters, N.A. have named their Lehigh Valley plants as the national pilots for sustainable manufacturing in support of this effort. Gustafson is also program director for the National Science Foundation’s Center for Engineering Logistics and Distribution housed at the CEI. He maintains relationships with a large number of Lehigh Valley manufacturing companies where he places students in a variety of internship projects as a platform for experiential learning and leadership development.
Gustafson holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from Lehigh University and an MS in Dynamics of Organization from the University of Pennsylvania. He is President of his Lehigh University class of 1974, was the recipient of the Lehigh University Alumni Award, and has served on the Lehigh Alumni Association Board of Directors. Following ten years of senior plant management experience with Proctor & Gamble and PepsiCo, Gustafson career also includes several entrepreneurial ventures. He has mentored over a hundred students in various manufacturing and systems companies that he has founded and/or managed.
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| Holly Edinger Director of Land Recycling Lehigh Valley - Economic Development Corporation - Thursday, April 29, 2010
Holly Edinger Director of Land Recycling Lehigh Valley - Economic Development Corporation
Holly Edinger is the director of the land recycling initiative at Lehigh Valley Economic Development Corporation. As the director Holly oversees an inventory of over 100 brownfields in a two county region, administers three EPA grant programs, and four EPA Revolving Loan Funds. She received her Bachelor’s of Science from Philadelphia University. She has been working in marketing and development for over 13 years with a recent focus on community and economic development in the Lehigh Valley. Holly is a Director of the Allentown School District, a former member of the Allentown Public Library Board, and a former board member of the Lehigh Career and Technical Institute. Holly holds a BS from Philadelphia University. She spent eight years in New York City working in marketing and has focused on community and economic development for the last five.
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| Gina Kormanik Assistant Director Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc. - Thursday, April 29, 2010
Gina Kormanik Assistant Director Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc.
Gina Kormanik is Assistant Director of the Lehigh Valley Workforce Investment Board, Inc. (Pennsylvania) where she works to align workforce development with economic development and education in the Lehigh Valley. Her involvement with Industry Partnerships has helped Lehigh Valley employers in targeted industry clusters receive over $4.6 million in training and partnership development funds, resulting in more than 7,000 workers trained.Prior to joining the LVWIB, Gina served as a member of Lehigh County’s Community and Economic Development team, held marketing and strategic planning positions at Lutron Electronics and NationsCredit, and worked in The White House under President Reagan in the Office of Presidential Personnel.
Gina currently serves on the Executive Committee of the Society for Human Resource Management/Lehigh Valley Chapter. Previously, she served on the Allentown School Board from 2003-2007, was co-chair of the Board’s Education Committee and served as a Member of the Lehigh Career & Technical Institute’s Joint Operating Committee. She also has served on several boards and commissions through the Lehigh Valley, including the Allentown Human Relations Commission, Allentown Rotary Club Foundation, Parent Teacher organizations, Boys and Girls Club of Allentown and the Lehigh County Historical Society. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree with honors from Penn State University. Gina and her family live in the west end of Allentown, PA. She enjoys golf, yoga, gardening and cross-country skiing. |
| Michael T. Palko - Biomass Energy Specialsit - PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry - Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Michael T. Palko - Biomass Energy Specialsit - PA DCNR Bureau of Forestry
Mike Palko is the Biomass Energy Specialist for Pennsylvania’s Bureau of Forestry. His primary responsibility is to promote the sustainable use of biomass, especially forest products, in the generation of small, distributed heat and electricity for use in schools, hospitals, government buildings, and businesses. As the statewide contact for the Pennsylvania Fuels for Schools & Beyond Program, he markets this program’s initiatives across the Commonwealth. He evaluates biomass supply for reassurance that any given project will have an adequate fuel supply at a level that protects the sustainability of the Commonwealth’s natural resources.
A graduate of Penn State University (‘76, ‘83g), Mike has over 25 years experience in forest resource management. His office is in Williamsport, and he travels extensively throughout Pennsylvania promoting the wise use of biomass in the production of alternative energy. He believes the sustainable use of biomass to produce thermal energy increases our nation’s energy independence, creates jobs, retains revenues locally, and provides for wildlife habitat and numerous environmental benefits. |
| Kurt DeGoede - Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics at Elizabethtown College - Wednesday, April 28, 2010
Kurt DeGoede, Associate Professor of Engineering and Physics at Elizabethtown College
Received a B.S. in Engineering Physics from Hope College (’91), a M.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Case Western Reserve University (’93) and a Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University of Michigan (2000). He also worked for several years at the Ford Motor Company in Dearborn, Michigan, as a project manager, implementing End of Line Diagnostic systems within assembly plants. Dr. DeGoede has been at Elizabethtown for 10 years where he teaches courses in Mechanical Engineering and Physics, and he has chaired the department for the last six years. His primary research interest is in the areas of biomechanics and modeling dynamic systems. Current projects include multidisciplinary collaborations measuring and analyzing human movements, with faculty members in Occupational Therapy and Music.
Engineering students and faculty at Elizabethtown College have been active in the development of sustainable energy systems through a number of programs and projects. Dr. DeGoede has been personally interested in sustainable energy projects for several years, participating and supervising many of these student projects, and has more recently taken a professional interest in this area. He leading an effort to collaborate with faculty at The University of The Gambia (UTG) in West Africa through BCA Study Abroad (www.bcaabroad.org) on engineering projects in that country. They have initiated collaborations with Gambian students, faculty members, and community members on projects revolving around health care, energy, and education. Students from the US will be able to study for a semester at UTG and collaborate on one of these projects as part of an engineering design course. One of the first projects will be to develop sustainable power systems for small health clinics in Gambian villages. These villages have very limited resources and the environment at these clinics presents a design challenge – many previous photovoltaic installations at these clinics are no longer operational.
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| Samir K. Ibrahim - Wednesday, April 14, 2010
Samir K. Ibrahim, AIA, RCI
Samir is Director of the Design Services and Project Review teams at Carlisle SynTec Incorporated, and has been with Carlisle for over 28 years. He oversees all design functions from system development, building code compliance and associated testing, to roof system specification development, and installation detail design.
He has authored and presented papers for the International Symposium on Roofing Technology in Montreal, Canada and co-authored a paper on “Advancing Sustainability in Roofing” at the International Roofing Consultant Conference in Miami, FL (2005). He also recently presented a paper on TPO at the International Conference on Roofing & Waterproofing in Chengdu, China.
Samir received his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from the University of Alexandria, Egypt.
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| James Cawley - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Chairman James Cawley
Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission
Chairman Cawley is a 1967 graduate of St. Bonaventure University and a 1970 graduate of Notre Dame Law School. He began his legal career in 1970 as one of the seven original law clerks serving the judges of the newly-created Commonwealth Court of Pennsylvania. He was later appointed Majority Counsel to the Pennsylvania Senate Consumer Affairs Committee where he drafted several major amendments to Pennsylvania’s public utility laws and assisted with codification of those laws. In 1977, he was appointed Chief Counsel to the Senate Majority Floor Leader. Thereafter, he was twice nominated and confirmed as a member of the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission, serving from November 1979 until September 1985. Then he returned to the private practice of law with a concentration on administrative law and appellate practice. His clients included a wide array of public utilities and competitive telephone, electric and natural gas providers.
He currently serves as Adjunct Professor of Administrative Law at Widener University School of Law and is a frequent faculty member of Pennsylvania Bar Institute courses on appellate advocacy, public utility law and ethics.
On April 25, 2005, Governor Edward G. Rendell nominated him to return to the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. He was confirmed by the Senate of Pennsylvania on June 9, 2005, for a term ending March 31, 2010, and elected Vice Chairman by his colleagues shortly after taking office. On August 19, 2008, Governor Rendell appointed him Chairman. |
| Eugene DePasquale - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Representative Eugene DePasquale
Rep. Eugene DePasquale (D-95, York) is serving his second term in the state House of Representatives. Rep. DePasquale has established himself as a leading reformer by being the first legislator to post his expenses online. Rep. DePasquale also helped lead the fight for a stronger open records law and eliminating private car leases.
In his first term, DePasquale saw his proposal to create a $650 million alternative energy fund pass into law with a large, bipartisan majority. This Act will reduce our dependence on foreign oil, promote cleaner sources of energy and invigorate our manufacturing base.DePasquale helped secure the first significant change in the state education funding formula. The change, the first since 1991, directs more funding to growing areas. He also helped lead the way for more targeted education investments through early education for at-risk youth and learning through new technology to help prepare students for the future.DePasquale also secured the largest funding increase for York’s mass transit agency since its inception. The increase has allowed rabbittransit to continue quality service, hold down fares and move in a more environmentally-friendly direction.
DePasquale serves on the Appropriations, Consumer Affairs, Agriculture and Rural Affairs, Environmental Resources and Energy, Aging, Labor Relations and Urban Affairs committees. He is chairman of the Urban Affairs Committee Third Class Cities subcommittee.A native Pittsburgher and lifelong Pennsylvanian, DePasquale has a bachelor of arts degree from the College of Wooster (OH) where he played football and baseball. He also has a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Pittsburgh and a juris doctorate from Widener University School of Law (evening division).
He also is a graduate of Central Catholic High School and played for the first Quad-A state football champions in state history.Prior to serving in the Legislature, DePasquale served as deputy secretary for Community Revitalization and Local Government Support in the Department of Environmental Protection and served as economic development director for York City. He oversaw the department charged with improving the business climate and growing the job base for the city.DePasquale and his wife Tracey have two children, Benjamin and Sarah. |
| Jan Jarrett - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Jan Jarrett, President & CEO Penn Future
Jan Jarrett is President and CEO of Citizens for Pennsylvania’s Future (PennFuture). As President of PennFuture, Jarrett works with a staff of 25 in offices in Harrisburg, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, West Chester and Scranton. PennFuture works to protect environmental quality and grow the green economy by advocating for progressive policies, enforcing environmental laws, and transforming markets.
Jarrett joined PennFuture when it was founded in 1998. She has earned the respect of leaders in the environmental and conservation community by leading successful campaigns to gain voter approval of the Growing Greener bond, adoption of the state rule requiring power plants to reduce mercury pollution, adoption of the Pennsylvania Clean Vehicle program, enactment of the recent $650 million alternative energy package, passage of the Pennsylvania Climate Change Act and more.
She has more than 20 years of experience working in Pennsylvania on environmental and conservation causes. Before joining PennFuture, she worked at the Chesapeake Bay Foundation as its Grassroots coordinator and led an alliance that ensured environmental interests were represented before proceedings at the Pennsylvania Public Utility Commission. Jarrett also sits on the board of directors for the State Environmental Leadership Program, a national network of state-based environmental advocacy organizations.
Jarrett is a native of Pennsylvania and has a Bachelor of Social Sciences degree from Penn State University. |
| Diane Shellenhammer - Wednesday, March 31, 2010
Diane Shellenhammer, Energy Solutions Manager
Diane has over 22 years experience in the Electrical Distribution market, with a focus on Lighting Design and Energy Conservation. Diane sits on the Board of Association of Energy Engineers for Central PA, and IES member.
As a Business Developer, working across various markets, such as Government, Industry, Healthcare, K12 and Higher Education, she works on several organizations’ energy committees.
Diane is a graduate of Binghamton University (SUNY) with an Associates degree in Business.
Affiliations and Certifications:
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE)
Associate of Energy Engineers (AEE)
Local Chapter Green Building Council
Delaware Valley Green Building Council (USGBC)
Green Building Association - Central PA
Central PA Chapter Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)
Associated Builder and Contractors, Inc (ABC)
Independent Electrical Contractors
Pennsylvania Builders Exchanges
PA Energy Association
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