EARLY LIFE
Born to enterprizing second generation eastern European jews, I was raised progressively in the NYC metro area, on the Jersey side. Growing up with access to good schools, progessive culture and politics, I learned to speak out and act upon my convictions. At an early age, I became a champion for ending world humger, engaging people on the streets of NY to take responsibility for their ability to change the world. I converted this nacent desire to change things during my teenage years into a spritiual journey that led to self reflection and empowerment.
Education
The early eighties beganwhat became a decade and half of academic exploration. Begining with studies of food and crop production and ultimately to water and pollution chemistry. Whether it was avoidance of traditional work or goal oriented action, I endured several graduate degrees leading to a successsful career in sponsored research. Product driven with my clients, I manged a multi-million dollar research career over 18 years while at UMass Amherst, providing support for graduate students, faculty and staff.
Work Life
With connections and opportunities occassionally presenting themselves, I left the ivory tower to work on what became a new passion for me, which developed during my last 10 years at UMass, Energy. Leaving the university for the quasi-govermental grid operator, was a bold but calculalted move for a man in his mid forties. The move proved to be the best opportunity for me to continue to make a difference in the world and at a scale i could not achieve while doing sponsored research. Making the move enhanced my career and self esteem, an experience that can be sometimes missing from a work environment where everyone is a star in their own isolated universe. Sparked by new challenges and learning, I made a mark in a number of areas for the company, especailly in the area of energy efficiency and demand side management. I have been activeand in leadership in numerous national organizations including government, trade and standards groups. I am a frequent speaker at national and regional conferences, representing both my own ideas and the products anservices that my company offers.