Birdsey to head alternative energy consortium led by UAlbany NanoCollege

Tom Birdsey, president and CEO of Einhorn Yaffee Prescott ("EYP") Architecture & Engineering of Albany, has been elected as chair of New Energy New York ("NENY"), a statewide consortium of alternative energy companies and organizations led by the Energy and Environmental Technology Applications Center ("E2TAC") at the College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering ("CNSE") of the University at Albany.

Birdsey will guide NENY's mission of promoting energy technology excellence in New York State through a series of initiatives that assist energy-related companies in pursuing common technology challenges, addressing critical policy issues and receiving the benefits of collaborative marketing and promotion. Through its strategic and coordinated approach, NENY has been successful in drawing international attention to New York's growing leadership in clean and renewable energy technologies.

At EYP, Birdsey heads a 300-person, leading global architectural and engineering firm with a 30-year history of designing energy efficient and "green" facilities around the world. EYP has also partnered with CNSE to create the National Institute for Sustainable Energy ("NISE") - a world-class center for zero energy and sustainability research and development at the UAlbany NanoCollege - designed to convert zero energy concepts and innovations into actual business opportunities and revenue-generating initiatives in established markets, including integrated building modeling and energy simulation, energy efficiency, new energy technology, and monitoring and control.

Birdsey said, "It is both a pleasure and a privilege to serve as Chair of New Energy New York, which is playing a vital role in addressing critical challenges and opening up new opportunities in the alternative energy sector for companies throughout New York State. With interest in clean and renewable energy technologies at an all-time high, I look forward to working with the pioneering leaders at the UAlbany NanoCollege to expand and grow the mission and impact of NENY at this critical time in our nation's history."

Dr. Alain E. Kaloyeros, Senior Vice President and Chief Executive Officer of CNSE, said, "As a recognized leader in ‘green' energy through his work on the design and engineering of energy-efficient, high-tech buildings around the world, Tom Birdsey is a superb choice to lead New Energy New York. Tom's expertise in clean and renewable energy technologies, combined with his global leadership and vision, will provide outstanding direction for NENY that will serve to benefit alternative energy companies and organizations throughout New York."

Dr. Pradeep Haldar, Director of CNSE's E2TAC and Executive Director of NENY, said, "Tom Birdsey has already made significant contributions to the New Energy New York consortium through his active involvement with several key initiatives. I look forward to working with him to further enhance NENY's efforts to bring together the growing number of renewable energy organizations across New York State."

NENY has played a leading role in a number of important alternative energy technology initiatives, including development of a Solar Roadmap for New York State; creation and coordination of numerous events, such as the New Energy Symposium and Tech Valley Energy Forums; and, promotion of New York's alternative energy capabilities at trade shows and through the "New York Loves Energy" campaign.