Tanya (wife), Marina (12th Grade, Canastota SHS daughter), Anna (grandmother)
How long have you lived in this area and what attracts you to this location?
Three years. I grew up in Oneida County on my grandmother’s dairy farm north of Utica in Remsen. I was a farmer for 18 years. I moved back to Central New York following my retirement to be closer to my two younger sisters and 90-year-old father – all living in northern Oneida County.
Where do you work and what is your position?
I’m retired from the US Army (Pentagon) following a 35-year career. [I was] the director of Army Renewable Energy Applications and study director for specific solar, wind, geothermal, battery and other renewable energy initiatives.
My current position is chief executive officer and founder of Energy Masters, LLC – a renewable energy company manufacturing solar panels in Canastota. Energy Masters also fabricates renewable energy engines for the US military; performs energy audits for a program sponsored by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (under contract); installs solar and wind for commercial and residential applications and does consulting work for the US Department of Energy, the US Military and foreign governments.
I am also the director of music ministries at the United Church of Fayetteville – hired into that position in October 2009. I was formerly the director of music at Fayetteville United Methodist Church for three years and Burtonsville, Md. United Methodist Church for 25 years.
Why did you choose to enter into these particular fields?
Renewable energy: I chose to enter the energy field for the Army quite by accident. As a soldier stationed in Germany, I was taking some free time to take a walk whereupon I observed approximately 76 fossil-fueled generators at a deployed encampment in Graffenwoehr, eastern Germany, when I began to notice that most generators were woefully under utilized. For example, a generator that was built to carry a 60-kilowatt load was only being utilized by the Army to carry a five-kilowatt load. I found this to be true in almost every application. This began my search for a better way – a more optimized way for the US Military to use energy – and fuel – more wisely.
Church music ministries: I grew up in a spirit-filled family where my mom was the practice “police” when it came to learning and practicing the piano. My piano teacher was Mrs. Ruth Britt from Barneveld, NY. (Ruth, although gone to glory, still holds the American Guild of Organist record for continuous organist service at the same church in the United States; 74 years). Eventually, I was given the accompanist job for a small junior choir at my home church in Remsen, where I began to play for the choir and to study organ. My teacher was E. Gwyndaf Roberts from Utica – a true Welsh musician and accompanist for many Gymanfa Ganu hymn sings worldwide. My Dad would sing tenor, my Mom alto; I would sing bass and my Aunt Catherine soprano at these hymn sings held in many venues. Four-part vocal harmony is near and dear to the heart of my Welsh family, as it is to every true Welshman.
What are some of your challenges/highlights in your career?
Renewable energy: The highlight of my career came with being awarded the US Secretary of Energy Award for renewable energy initiative, design, fabrication, testing and documentation in 2003. The biggest challenge in my career came with enduring strong opposition to renewable energy throughout the 1980s and 1990s when gasoline and diesel fuels were cheap, natural gas and oil were cheap.
Church music ministries: Highlight was winning several piano competitions here in central New York, teaching piano, providing young musicians the desire to go beyond reading music to playing music. But probably my lasting contribution in church music ministry is making fitting musical offerings to the Lord each and every Sunday.
How do you handle tense situations (professional or personal)?
Fortunately, I’ve inherited a good sense of humor and am married to a pretty down to earth woman who keeps me pretty much on track and provides tons of moral support as well as being Energy Masters’ Chief Financial Officer (i.e., she gives me a weekly allowance).
What hobbies do you enjoy?
I enjoy studying history both by traveling the world and exploring historical sites of interest. I also enjoy piano tuning and repair, model railroading, singing barbershop harmony, playing jazz piano and working new energy initiatives.
Do you have a personal philosophy you live by?
I try to live the Great Commandment.
Do you have a favorite restaurant or food?
Favorite restaurant is “Tio Peppes” in Baltimore (near the Peabody), “Mama Ayesha’s” in Washington, DC and “Phillipsons” in Washington DC.
Do you have a favorite book? If yes, what is it and why is it your favorite?
Favorite book would have to be the Bible because it has added so much to my life and the life of my family.
If you could have dinner with anyone, living or deceased, who would it be and why?
I’d like to have dinner with Jesus some day to see if he was a tenor or a bass.
What is one thing most people wouldn’t know about you?
My military career acquainted me with much suffering – and taught me to accept people as they are.
