Presenter Bios
Jason McMillian
Jason is a Senior Lab Technician, Northeast Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative (NBC2), New York Hub. He received his A.S. in Biotechnology from Finger Lakes Community College. While at Finger Lakes, Jason was a member of Phi Theta Kappa, the International Honor Society of the Two Year College. During this time he served as president from 2005-2006. He also worked in the laboratory as a student worker where he received the Outstanding Student Worker Award for the Science/Technology Department.
Before joining Northeast Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative in 2007, Jason worked at Finger Lakes Community College as a laboratory technician. Through his experiences as a student at FLCC, entry-level laboratory technician, and now Senior Technician of the New York Hub of NBC2, Jason has extensive experience with skills-based biotechnology and biomanufacturing curricula. With an extensive industry partnership, NBC2 relies on standards-driven programming that will help prepare a 21st century biotechnology and biomanufacturing workforce. He is currently pursuing his B.A. in Biology with a concentration in Biomedical Studies at Keuka College.
Dr. Shaker A. Mousa, PhD
Dr. Mousa is a tenure professor of Pharmacology at Albany College of Pharmacy, Executive VP and chairman of PRI at Albany, NY. He received a Ph.D. in Pharmacology from Ohio State University in Columbus, Ohio, completed postdoctoral research in Cardiovascular Pharmacology at the University of Kentucky in Lexington, Kentucky, and earned his MBA from Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania. He was elected a Fellow of the American College of Cardiology (FACC) and a Fellow of the National Academy of Clinical Biochemistry (FACB). He is a member of several national and international societies.
In addition, he serves on the editorial boards and as a reviewer for a number of scientific and medical journals including Cardiovascular Drug Review, Atherosclerosis, Thrombosis & Vascular Biology, Circulation, Lab Investigation, JCI, JBC, Expert Opinion series, and Current Drugs. He has published over 750 peer reviewed original articles and over 220 US and International Patents. Other professional accomplishments include his contributions to the discovery and development of novel anti-platelet, anti-thrombotic therapies, noninvasive myocardial perfusion and thrombus imaging agents.
Dr. Mousa held a senior, principal research scientist and a research fellow at DuPont Pharmaceuticals Company for over 17 years. He is also a Visiting Scholar at the Johns Hopkins University and holds academic appointments of Adjunct Professor in the Department of Medicine, Sol Sherry Thrombosis Research Center, at Temple University, the Department of Medicine of the State University of New York at Buffalo and Albany, Professor of Bioethics at Albany Medical College, and the Department of Pharmacology of the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia.
Sharon L. Salmon
Sharon graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in 1982 with a BA in Biology. Her extensive experience in biological research includes over 25 years as a technician and lab manager. She is currently the lab manager for Dennis W. Metzger, Ph.D. at Albany Medical College in the Center for Immunology and Microbial Disease.
Her career in laboratory research began in 1983 at the In Vitro Cell Biology Program at Miner Center, Chazy, NY (SUNY Plattsburgh program). Later, she worked from 1984-1986 as a lab technician in the lab of Yong Sung Choi, Ph.D, at the Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center in Rye, NY. While living on the west coast she was a lab technician in the lab of Vernon T. Oi, Ph. D, at Becton Dickinson & Company in San Jose, CA. After returning to the Capitol District in 1991, she has been involved in several research projects at Albany Medical College. They include: Lab Manager for Kelvin J.A. Davies, Ph. D, the Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Lab Manager for Charles V. Lowry, Ph. D, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; and presently as Lab Manager for Dennis W. Metzger, Ph. D.
Sharon is a graduate of Guilderland High School. She resides in Charlton, NY with her husband, 2 sons and 2 daughters, where she is active in her community and children’s schools.
Elizabeth Snyder
Liz is a second year student in the Biotechnology program at Finger Lakes Community College and due to graduate in May. She has been a student aide in the Biology department at FLCC since September 2008 and will continue through this summer.
Recently she was honored with a nomination for the Barry Goldwater Scholarship and participated in the RIMES program which encourages undergraduate research. Her research includes working with a Harvard University graduate student on a herpetology study in Monserrat, West Indies. They studied a species of Anole endemic to the island. This lead to her own current research project that is looking at population genetics of Red-Tail Hawks in the Rochester area. This study is being done in conjunction with professors at RIT and FLCC. Liz will continue this research next year at RIT while pursuing her Bachelors degree in Biomedical Science.
Joseph Steinert
Joe is a Biology Technical Specialist for Finger Lakes Community College. Previously he was a Senior Lab Technician for Northeast Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative (NBC2).
He joins our panel discussion with a unique perspective having changed careers as an adult. After many years in the construction trade he entered Finger Lakes Community College as a Biology major. While at FLCC he switched majors to take part in a new program offered in Biotechnology. He graduated with an A.S. in Biotechnology and is now pursuing his B.S. in Biology through The Empire State College. Joe encourages adults to explore getting more education since many majors and jobs weren’t even created 10 years ago. The non traditional student is becoming more and more common on the college campus.
Peter M. Takvorian, PH.D.
Peter has been a Research Associate Professor, Department of Biological Sciences at Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, since 1981 to present. He is also a Visiting Assistant Research Professor at the Department of Pathology, Division of Parasitology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, from 1999 to present. His outstanding research in Biology includes many research papers and publications.
Peter taught high school in NYC for over 30 years where he designed, implemented and taught: student science research, bio-medical technology, and medical technology. He designed and built a professional biotechnology facility in his high school and started teaching a biotechnology program in 1999. His medical technology program has been funded by NYSED (Perkins) from 1991 through the present.
He has a Ph.D. in cell biology/parasitology and conducts NIH funded research on intracellular parasites, primarily in AIDS patients and other immunocompromised people. Dr. Takvorian believes every student has the potential to achieve a high quality education if they can be engaged in the learning process. His medical technology program achieves that goal.
John A. Tine, Ph.D.
Dr. Tine earned his Ph.D. from the Albany Medical College in 1989. He studied the molecular evolution of mouse genes in the laboratory of Dr. Lorraine Flaherty. Dr. Tine was then a postdoctoral fellow in the laboratory of Enzo Paoletti at the N.Y.S. Department of Health’s Wadsworth Center and then the Virogenetics Corporation. He was appointed to the position of Scientist at Virogenetics in 1992, and subsequently promoted to Research Scientist, Senior Scientist, and Team Leader/ Senior Scientist positions. His research activities at Virogenetics were devoted to the development, characterization, and clinical evaluation of recombinant poxviruses as vaccine candidates for human malaria and as immunotherapies for melanoma and colorectal cancer.
John was also involved in the research programs of Virogenetics’ parent corporation, Aventis Pasteur (now Sanofi Pasteur). He was the global project leader for the Aventis Pasteur Malaria Vaccine program, the global research representative on the Aventis Pasteur Melanoma and Colorectal Cancer project teams, and the leader of a Vector Engineering Working Group within the Aventis Pasteur Cancer program.
In 2000, Dr. Tine joined the University at Albany’s Center for Functional Genomics as the Director of the Molecular Genetics Core Facility. He was responsible for establishing core laboratories in molecular biology, biochemistry, cell culture, and flow cytometry. Currently, he directs the operations of the Molecular Genetics Laboratory, which focuses its work on DNA sequencing, nucleic acid extraction, gene expression analysis, genotyping, molecular cloning, mutagenesis, and other aspects of molecular biology. John has published 23 papers and six invited review articles. He has been awarded one US and three international patents, and has two international patents pending.
Sonia Sparks Wallman, Ph.D
Sonia Sparks Wallman holds a Ph.D. in Biology from Harvard University. Since 1994 she has been involved in biotechnology education and training, when she started a biotechnology technician training program at the New Hampshire Community Technical College that is modeled after an integrated biotechnology company (A Virtual Workplace™). In 2002, Dr. Wallman was instrumental in obtaining funding, designing and building a 5,000 square foot New Hampshire Biotechnology Education and Training (NH BET) Center for Discovery Research and Biomanufacturing. The NH BET Center also functions as an incubator for small biotechnology companies.
Dr. Wallman is the founder of the New Hampshire Biotechnology Council and a past member of the board of directors of the Council of Biotechnology Centers of the Biotechnology Industry Organization. In 1998, she became Northeast Region Director of Bio-Link, a National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education (NSF ATE) Center for Biotechnology. In 2004, Dr. Wallman received a grant from the Department of Labor to increase capacity in biomanufacturing education and training at NHCTC and to support the Center of Excellence in Biomanufacturing for the National Center for the Biotechnology Workforce.
In 2005, Dr. Wallman received a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program to support the development of a regional biomanufacturing center, the Northeast Biomanufacturing Center and Collaborative (NBC2), to work with industry and all levels of education to create the infrastructure for biomanufacturing education and training and the workforce. Also in 2005, the NHCTC’s Biotechnology program received a Department of Labor grant to develop and expand the biotechnology education and training infrastructure in New Hampshire and to begin a US DOL registered biomanufacturing apprenticeship program targeting biomanufacturing technician jobs. Together these grants allow for the development and expansion of the NHCTC (now Great Bay Community College) Biotechnology program and the biotechnology/biomanufacturing education and training infrastructure for New Hampshire and for the northeast and nation.
Leo Bedard
Chairman, Massachusetts Clean Energy Tech School Task Force
Leo Bedard has spent 30 years in technical education. He is currently the chairman of the Clean Energy Tech School Task Force, a group of 29 Massachusetts technical high schools dedicated to integrating clean energy technologies into science, and technical curriculums. He is also working as a consultant for the Connecticut Technical High School System.
Tech schools in both states use renewable energy systems to actively engage high school students in relevant, rigorous science lessons accompanied by hands-on experiences. Students actually install working systems that instructors use as teaching tools. These solar thermal, photovoltaic, wind energy, and biodiesel processing systems incorporate all of the standards of Massachusetts Science and Technology/Engineering Frameworks, and have been expanded at some schools to include building science and energy efficiency.
Edward Browka
Chief Operating Officer, Ecovative Design LLC
Edward Browka grew up on a local farm where he found his love for technology and nature. After graduating from Rensselaer he joined Becton, Dickinson and Company where he developed and manufactured medical robotics, biosensors and a radically inexpensive infusion pump.
In 2003, Edward won the Wesley J. Howe award for Technological Innovation, which recognizes outstanding achievement in the technical field. Ed then earned his masters degree from Stanford University in engineering and design. Ed has been an early member of several start ups since then, including Orbit Baby where he lived in China managing manufacturing of one of the worlds safest child car seats.
Currently Ed is the head of operations at Ecovative Design, a local biomaterials company that creates an ultra-sustainable replacement for Styrofoam that is created using mushrooms and agricultural byproducts. Ecovative is proud to be scaling up and commercializing a radical, new technology in the Capital District. Ed has taught Engineering Design at Stanford and Rensselaer and is happy to see that more and more students want to make a real, positive impact on their own futures.
Mark J. Buckley, P.E.
Assistant Professor, Clinton County Community College
Mark Buckley earned his B.S. in Civil & Environmental Engineering from Clarkson University in 1979. He continued his education after Clarkson by attending the Air Force Institute of Technology, Dayton, OH (part-time) from 1980-1982 for Pavements Engineering, Environmental/Sanitary Engineering and Contract Management.
Currently Mark is an Assistant Professor of Wind Energy & Turbine Technology at Clinton County Community College, Plattsburgh, NY and a private consultant. He co-ordinates the Wind Energy & Turbine Technology Program, develops syllabi and course curriculum for wind energy courses. He is also responsible for managing grants that are used to develop and maintain the wind program. He teaches courses associated with CCCC’s wind energy program.
His extensive engineering career has had him involved in projects as varied as designing landfill closures, asbestos abatement projects, designing connections and building miles of underground electrical connections, implementing the ISO 14001 Environmental Management System for a mining company, improving energy efficiency in the mining industry and construction and management of the 65 tower Windpower Project in Altona, NY. He maintains many professional certifications and licenses in the engineering, construction and safety industries.
Mark is an avid Adirondack outdoorsman, former H.S. track coach and member of several community boards and organizations.
Lee Butler
Project Manager, NYSERDA
Lee Butler has worked as a project manager at NYSERDA since 2002. Lee’s current responsibilities focus on workforce development for energy conservation and renewable technologies.
Prior experience includes performance contracting; sale of temperature control and HVAC service agreements, energy management systems, and comprehensive energy conservation projects for a major controls manufacturer; small business energy audits for the NYS Energy Office; and design and sales of home heating/air conditioning systems.
Lee holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Education and English and various technical and sales certificates and awards.
Tania M. Cabrera
Assistant Professor of Nanoscale Materials Technology
Schenectady County Community College
Tania Cabrera was born and raised in Burnt Hills, NY. She is a 2002 graduate of Burnt Hills Ballston Lake High School. Tania earned her undergraduate degree in Chemistry and Physics of Materials with a minor in Mathematics from Simmons College. She received her Masters in Chemistry from Columbia University in New York, NY. While at Columbia University she studied with Professor Nicholas Turro, doing research on functional nanomaterials.
After graduate school she took a position in the chemical development department at Albany Molecular Research Inc. She left AMRI to become a full time assistant professor of Nanoscale Materials Technology at Schenectady County Community College. She has helped develop the program and is part of the successful team bringing it to where it is today.
Robert Decker
Professor, Center for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math
Mohawk Valley Community College
Robert Decker earned his AAS in Electrical Engineering Technology in 1973 from Mohawk Valley Community College, , his BT in Engineering Technology degree in 1975 from the State Univ. College at Buffalo, his BS in Physics in 1980 from Utica College of Syracuse University and his MSEE in 1989 from Syracuse University, Syracuse, NY.
Bob’s professional experience marries careers in education and private business. He is currently a Professor at Mohawk Valley Community College. Previously he was an Associate Professor and before that an instructor at MVCC. His industry experience as a Sr. Electrical Engineer for Thomson Consumer Electronics, as an Electrical Engineer at General Electric Company and as an Engineering Technician with General Electric Company gave Bob real world experience before entering the field of education.
As a professor at MVCC’s Engineering Technologies and the Trades Department, he developed new curriculum for Associates in Applied Science (AAS) and Associates in Occupational Science degree programs in semiconductor manufacturing technology and fiber optics. He performed program reviews for existing programs in community colleges and developed and instructed specialized training programs in technology for corporate and community education.
Among his many achievements are a U.S. Patent, numerous publications and educational partnerships.
Betsy Ferris-Wyman
Vice President, SunDog Solar
Betsy Ferris-Wyman graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Agribusiness from Delaware Valley College. For nearly a decade she worked for one of New Jersey’s leading environmental engineering firms. During that time she gained experience in solid waste and hazardous waste issues under the programs of RCRA, SARA and CERCLA (commonly called “Superfund”).
In 2005, Betsy assisted Jody Rael in launching SunDog Solar, a photovoltaic, solar thermal and bio spray foam installation firm. As the Vice President of SunDog Solar she oversees the sales activities of the firm and frequently speaks to groups on solar energy issues.
Betsy teaches Solar Thermal Installation and Design classes, along with Peter Skinner, PE, at NY community colleges including Ulster, Rockland, Sullivan, Orange, Dutchess and Bronx. She is currently developing the business plan for the Solaqua Solar Thermal Center dedicated to workforce development, public education and demonstration of solar thermal technologies and is co-writing a solar thermal installation handbook.
Jill Gagnon
Wind Training Operations Specialist, GE Energy
Jill Gagnon is a Wind Training Operations Specialist for GE Energy’s Renewables Business. Jill is located at GE’s Energy Learning Center in Niskayuna, NY, which serves as the US headquarters for all of GE’s US Wind technical training programs. In this role, Jill coordinates all aspects of US training equipment and facility projects. Globally, she works with GE’s European Training Center in Salzbergen, Germany to develop and manage global operating rhythms, metrics and business operations for GE Energy Wind Training.
Jill also co-leads the GE Energy Renewables US College Program, working with key community colleges to develop and implement Wind Energy degree and certificate programs for field service technicians in areas seeing significant growth in GE Wind Turbine installation.
Jill has a BA in International Relations and an MA in International Economics from American University. Prior to working at GE Energy, she spent 2.5 years working for the US Energy Association (USEA) in Washington, DC, working closely with the US Department of Energy on various clean energy initiatives.
Michael G. Harrison
Process Engineer / Manufacturing Engineer, GE Healthcare
Michael Harrison has over 25 years experience in the engineering field working with diverse companies. He joined GE Healthcare in 2008 after eight years with Motorola / Freescale where he was a process expert on PVD, metrology and manufacturing best practices and a process expert on oxidation, nitridation and silicidation of Si, Ti, TiN, Co, Ni and W thin films. He also has expert experience with Dark Field laser inspection metrology tools. He previously work at GE Aircraft Engines as a Material Scientist in R&D working on ceramic, metal and polymeric composites for turbine engine applications. Many years later he returned to GE in the Healthcare division where he is currently a Process Engineer.
Mike’s many accomplishments include several Patents and authoring 4 publications with topics on composites, microcontamination and process control.
Mike earned his BS and MS in Ceramic Engineering / Material Science from Clemson University.
Bruce Herman
Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development
New York State Department of Labor
Bruce G. Herman joined the Department of Labor as Deputy Commissioner for Workforce Development in September 2007. He is responsible for overseeing the agency’s Division of Employment and Workforce Solutions. The division works with public, private, non-profit and academic sectors to create jobs, build careers, match workers with employers, and stimulate economic development activity in the state.
Mr. Herman oversees regional DOL offices that work in partnership with county and local workforce agencies to operate One-Stop Centers that offer many programs and services in a single location. The centers and regional offices provide career-related support to individuals, priority services to veterans, assistance to displaced, disabled and dislocated workers, and business and research services to employers. Mr. Herman’s activities also include administering programs under the Workforce Investment Act, developing innovative approaches to workforce development and policies, and overseeing the department’s apprenticeship training program.
In addition to his responsibilities within the department, Mr. Herman is an agency and state representative on numerous multi-state initiatives. He is the Project Manager for the National Governors Association Policy Academy for State Sector Strategies and is part of New York’s senior delegation to the Center for State Innovation. The delegation will develop policies that address issues related to emerging economic conditions and needs, utilizing a regional approach and perspective.
Prior to joining the department, he was Executive Director of the National Employment Law Project, a New York City-based advocacy group. There, he worked extensively on reforms of the unemployment insurance systems, initiated an effort focused on displaced workers, worked on reforms concerning immigrant workers and launched a national program to develop policies to secure economic opportunities for all workers.
Before that, Mr. Herman was Senior Director of the Center for Workforce and Economic Development (CWED), a collaborative initiative of the Consortium for Worker Education, the NYC Central Labor Council and a coalition of employers. The CWED assisted in emergency efforts to find sustainable employment for thousands of New Yorkers dislocated as a result of the 9/11 terrorist attacks.
Mr. Herman also has served as Program Director and Executive Director of the AFL-CIO’s Working for America Institute in Washington, DC. In addition, he was President of the Garment Industry Development Corporation in NYC, where he helped to augment services to address the needs of new immigrant workers. The Corporation received the Governor’s Award of Achievement in Export for creating a successful Fashion/Exports New York program.
Mr. Herman holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from Dickinson College and a master’s degree in political science from Columbia University.
Alan Krieger
Krieger Solutions, LLC
Alan Krieger is a co-author of the recently published Regional Talent Pipeline study that looked at the skills needed by workers in emerging high tech jobs. This included talking with 150 employers, workforce developers and educators, in part to determine what skills are needed by people hoping to enter the high tech sector as technicians. The project gave Mr. Krieger a strong sense of employer needs and of the current disconnect between the business and workforce communities and how to best bridge that divide.
Mr. Krieger has run his own training and consulting business for 18 years and understands the private sector. As a consultant, Mr. Krieger has provided training for supervisors on leadership skills and how to work effectively with staff. He has also designed and facilitated team building, strategic planning, and coalition building meetings and has extensive skills in developing and guiding action plans, building consensus, and promoting plan implementation.
Prior to starting his consulting business, Alan Krieger served as Executive Director of the NYS Youth Council, a state-wide non-profit youth organization. Mr. Krieger provided training and technical assistance to youths and adults across the state focused on developing and maintaining successful youth/adult partnerships in the public and non-profit sectors. This involved a lot of negotiation, consensus building and facilitation. He also directed a community based youth employment program (Schenectady Boys and Girls Club, Job Junction) and built it to include both intensive summer and year round programs serving youth on probation and other high risk youths. This included developing curricula for job readiness, job search and life skills training programs and providing follow up coaching services.
As an employee of the NYS Division for Youth (now OCFS), Mr. Krieger developed and pilot tested a comprehensive (500 page) job readiness curriculum for youth in residential facilities. He also consulted with the Schenectady Community Action Program to review and redesign a job readiness program for youth in foster care. Mr. Krieger is a member of the NYS Youth Development Team, the Consulting Alliance, and the Hudson-Mohawk Chapter of the American Society of Training and Development (ASTD).
Christine LaPlante P.E., Ph.D,
Department Chairperson
Civil, Mechanical, Industrial and Construction Technology (CMIC)
Hudson Valley Community College, Troy, NY
Christine LaPlante is currently HVCC Department Chairperson and very involved with all tasks surrounding the CMIC Technology Department including; program development, student retention, career and academic advising, supervising and faculty professional development responsibilities, budget development, teaching responsibilities and community outreach.
Prior to her position at HVCC, she had an illustrious professional career within the engineering profession for approximately 18 years that included; Senior Project Manager for Fuss & O’Neill of New York, P.C where she was hired to develop and expand Fuss & O’Neill engineering services to the New York area, Director of Geotechnical/Geo-Environmental Engineer for The Chazen Companies Engineers & Environmental Professionals where she supervised structural and geotechnical engineers, technical quality control for all structural, geotechnical and geo-environmental projects and supervised and designed foundation systems, landfill systems, and service systems and Vice President for Civrotech Engineering P.C., where Christine provided technical quality control on all design tasks, construction management oversight, expert engineering guidance in the areas of geotechnical design and construction techniques, foundation analysis and specialized construction practices, landfill siting and design, and drainage systems design.
Throughout her professional career, Christine stayed connected to the academic world having held faculty positions as an adjunct professor or associate professor at SUNY IT, Union College and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute within the engineering departments before her position at HVCC. Christine has numerous professional publications and collaborations to her credit.
Christine LaPlante attended Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute for her Bachelor of Science, Civil Engineering, Master of Engineering, Geotechnical Engineering and her Doctorate of Civil Engineering. She holds her NYS Professional Engineering License and OSHA 40 hour Hazardous Waste Training Certificate.
C. Deanna Lewis
Director for Career & Certification Services
Home Builders Institute
Deanna Lewis draws from a varied background that combines education, business and the nonprofit sectors. Currently she is Director for Career & Certification Services with Home Builders Institute (HBI), the workforce development arm of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB).
Prior to joining HBI’s family in 2001, Lewis’ experiences included teaching at the elementary level where she developed a customized curriculum for transitional first grade students; managing the tri-state (Pennsylvania, New Jersey & Delaware) satellite office of the New York Times; conducting test score interpretation as a consultant for the College Board; and functioning as operational liaison in the integrated operations department while at Communities In Schools, a national youth nonprofit organization.
Directing the career and certification services activities for HBI requires Lewis to wear many hats. She was instrumental in launching HBI’s Make It Happen campaign to promote awareness and opportunities in the residential construction industry. She developed and compiled the content for HBI’s careers website www.buildingcareers.org. The website is a good complement to the program materials that she develops to help create industry/education partnerships at the classroom level.
Most recently, Deanna has taken on oversight for HBI’s newly established instructor and student certification program. Instructor industry certification is offered to ensure consistency in instructor teaching/training methodologies and knowledge competency. Student certification is trade specific and offered at the secondary and postsecondary/adult levels.
In addition, Lewis spearheads HBI’s role as Cluster Leader for the Architecture & Construction Career Cluster and as Cluster Leader she serves as the National Association for State Directors of Career Technical Education Consortium (NASDCTEc) Foundation Board Liaison; serves on the Association for Career and Technical Education (ACTE), Industry Advisory Council (IAC) and has had several articles published in ACTE’s Techniques magazine; is on the Board of Directors of the National Alliance for Partnerships in Equity’ (NAPE) Education Foundation and the Association for Skilled and Technical Sciences (ASTS); and also serves as a presenter at state and national conferences.
Christopher Myers, Ph.D.
Project Coordinator
New York State Department of Labor
Career Development and Youth Initiatives Office
Chris Myers has a doctorate in Counseling Psychology; specializing in assessment, and career development theory and practice. As Project Coordinator for the Career Development and Youth Initiatives Office at the New York State Department of Labor, he is responsible for the content development and daily operations of the CareerZone and JobZone websites. He participates in a variety of inter-agency youth development and education reform projects, develops career and workforce development initiatives, and assists in the planning and delivery of various staff development and training programs.
Richard Porter
Department Chair
Building Systems Technology Department
HVCC
Richard Porter is the acting chair of the Building Systems Technology Department at HVCC and a member of the NYSUT-affiliated Department Chairpersons Association of Hudson Valley CC. He is also an Assistant Professor teaching courses in the Photovoltaic Installation Certificate program.
The Photovoltaic Installation Certificate program provides the training students need to enter the growing industry of solar panel installation and maintenance. The New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) worked with Hudson Valley to develop the program as the agency anticipates a high demand for qualified PV installers with hundreds of PV systems expected to be installed in the upcoming years. As acting Department Chairperson, Richard oversees the 19-credit hour program. It consists of required and elective courses in the Electrical Construction and Maintenance A.O.S. degree program. Both the established journeyman electrician looking for advancement and the potential student interested in the renewable energy field can benefit from the Photovoltaic Installation program.
Richard was fortunate to meet President Obama when he visited HVCC last year. He reflected, “Nothing in this country would work without students like ours. As technology changes, industry tells us what their needs are.” His enthusiasm is reflected in his work at HVCC.
Ronald Sicker
Co- Founder and Principal, TCM Group
Ronald Sicker is the author of 2 books Driving Six Sigma, which takes a high level strategic view of the Six Sigma Methodology, and Implementing Six Sigma: A Planning Guide for Executive Teams. Ron is co-founder and principal of the TCM Group. The TCM Group is a worldwide consulting firm specializing in Six Sigma training and deployment, Design for Six Sigma, and Lean philosophy. The TCM Group has consultants throughout North America and Europe, and their client base includes organizations in manufacturing, banking, health care, pharmaceutical and finance.
Previous to starting the TCM Group, Ron served as a Vice President of Client Development in the Six Sigma industry, responsible for setting company direction and strategy for building client relationships. He also worked building creative alliances with the Six Sigma consultant base and matching them with appropriate clients. Ron’s experience includes sales, sales training and marketing management at various Fortune 500 companies.
Ron has provided Six Sigma Executive training, Champion training, Green Belt Training and Six Sigma Leadership Overviews, to numerous executives and managers, helping them to understand the Six Sigma methodology and accompanying benefits. He is an accomplished speaker and presenter and also serves as an adjunct Professor at St. John Fisher College and Syracuse University. He earned a BS in Marketing from Ohio State University, and an MBA from John Carroll University.
Tim Sorrentino
Construction Manager, Principal,
Well Spring Homes
Tim Sorrentino began pounding nails before he could write and got his first circular saw for Christmas when he was 13. During his summer breaks in high school and college, he did real construction work and learned many different trades including: framing, siding, masonry, and plumbing. Tim attended HVCC’s Civil Technology program and the transitioned into their engineering program with hopes of transferring to Union College or RPI to major in Civil Engineering.
Tim was inextricably distracted while on vacation in California in 1983 and left college to pursue other loftier goals (money and fun in the sun) in California’s Silicon Valley working for the most prominent, up and coming telecommunications manufacturer in the world. His 23-year whirlwind stint in the world of high-tech provided him with varied array of experiences and afforded him the opportunity to return to his engineering roots. He spent 12 years of his tenure as a telecommunications engineer and the last 3 years as a professional project manager. He decided to marry his desire to build, with his engineering background, project management experience, and corporate discipline and start a residential building company.
Many worthy lessons were learned working for and with large Fortune 500 corporations for 23 years and the most prominent lesson was the value of continuous learning. So the first thing he did as a new builder was to read the New York State Residential Building Code cover to cover and then purchased architectural design software and taught himself how to design homes. Mr. Sorrentino has also earned his Certified Graduate Builder and Certified Green Professional credentials from the National Association of Home Builders education endorsement program as well as being credentialed Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute. Credentials in PMP (Project Management Professional), CGB (Certified Graduate Builder), CGP (Certified Green Professional) and is on the CRBRA, Board of Directors.
Mr. Sorrentino continues with formal and informal education in many areas with an emphasis on Green Building and Building Sciences. He enjoys learning anything and everything about home building. He asks the question, “It doesn’t get more exciting than that, does it?
Jim Stall
Anderson Window Sales Representative,
Brockway-Smith Co.
Jim Stall received his Associate Degree in Applied Science from SUNY Morrisville in 1977. He immediately started his own new construction and remodeling business until he joined Custom Millwork Fabricator as a foreman. His career includes experience as a representative and manager in architectural product sales. In 1984 he joined Brockway-Smith Co., Andover, MA, as an Andersen Window sales representative. During his many years with them, he has held several positions and now works with developers, general contractors, home builders, and architects to grow the Andersen business on both large commercial and residential projects.
Throughout his career Jim has been involved in professional organizations and continued his education. These accomplishments include: chairing Andersen Architectural round table conference in 1987, member Eastern General Contractors since 1996, graduated Building Performance Contractors Association’s Building Science Workshop 2008, member since 1996 in CRBRA, chaired CRBRA Green Resource Group 2008, 2009, 2010, member Brockway-Smith Co. ISO14001 Green Certification team 2009, CRBRA Associate Member of the year 2008, NAHB Certified Green Professional 1/2010, and became a NAHB Certified Green Certified Builder in 2010.
Jim is currently the Chairman for the Capitol Region Builders Association Green Building Committee.