516-837-3459Today, we send off our summer engineering and operations intern Richard Fremgen as he prepares for a Sea Term in Singapore. He is entering his junior year at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, where he is studying Marine Engineering Systems with a minor in Electrical Engineering.
Richard chose to study at the USMMA because of its rigorous, ABET-accredited engineering program. “I wanted a challenge,” he says, “and to prepare to sit for the Professional Engineer licensing exam.” After completing his coursework, he will serve five years at sea before returning shore-side; his curriculum at USMMA has already taken him to Japan, Mexico, Australia, and Puerto Rico.
Richard isn’t the only one at EmPower who is connected to the USMMA. Gregory Sachs, our Chief Operations Officer, graduated from the academy in 1999. He went on to attend the Navy Nuclear Power School and earn a Master of Science degree in System Engineering and Management at MIT. Greg also taught engineering at USMMA and managed its Alternative Power Program. He is a NABCEP Certified Photovoltaic Installer, and served as elected executive officer, founding member, Secretary, and Chair of the Technical Committee for the Long Island Solar Energy Industries Association (LISEIA).
Our Operations Manager, Tom Bussi, is another distinguished EmPower team member. Tom was a machine shop instructor at USMMA for 16 years and served as the Lead Technician for the Alternative Power Program. Tom spent 6 years on active duty with the US Navy and continued to serve as a Chief Petty Officer with the US Navy Reserves until his retirement in 2012 after 30 years. He has been awarded the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (with silver star) and various service and campaign awards. “Rich was a true professional who epitomizes the standards of the Merchant Marine Academy,” says Tom.
Richard’s internship supported both Greg and Tom in engineering and operations management, and EmPower Solar is happy to have the help of student interns for the past three years. “I want to work for a company like this one day,” he says of his time at EmPower. We hope he’ll find himself in the renewable energy industry, too!
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About the Author
EmPower Solar develops, engineers, installs, and services solar and battery systems for residential and commercial clients. Since 2003, EmPower Solar has empowered thousands of New York homeowners and businesses with 47 megawatts of distributed solar. Its vision is to create a new energy paradigm powered by clean, renewable energy for a more prosperous, healthy, and civil world. The company culture is defined by the EmPowering Way, which results in consistent 5-star customer service reviews. For more information visit empower-solar.com.