ABOUT OUR PRESENTERS…

Ken Schlafer has over 30 years of industry experience, including applied engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain. His strengths in data analytics, industrial engineering, and Lean Six Sigma to drive business results, cost savings, and environmental impact reductions. He has a M.S. in Engineering and Global Operations Management and a B.S. in Chemistry. Ken recently completed a sector based EPA Brewery Sustainability Initiative where he currently led a technical team offering practical P2 tools to craft breweries in New York. Ken is now working on an EPA funded sustainability Initiative for the NYS Winery Sector.

Dr. Eugene Park has 30 years of P2 technical assistance and research experience, including establishing an Environmental Results Program (ERP) for the auto repair and auto salvage sectors in RI and conducting P2 assistance projects for NYS wineries. His expertise includes membrane filtration and cleaning with less toxic chemicals. His degrees include B.A./B.E. in Chemistry/Engineering, M.E. in Engineering, and a PhD in Chemical Engineering. Gene is also part of the research faculty group at the RIT Golisano Institute for Sustainability. Dr. Park has provided direct technical assistance to over 500 companies in New York, Rhode Island, South Korea and Central America in a wide range of sectors including auto, metal finishing, optics, and food. He was instrumental in establishing, then serving as director of the Rhode Island Center for Pollution Prevention, one of the first pollution prevention institutes in the country. Gene is now working with Ken as they co-lead the ERP Sustainability Initiative for the NYS Winery Sector.

Sara Martin, Principal, Critical Path Engineering Solutions, PLLC is a licensed professional engineer with over 20 years of experience in project development, management and design of various municipal and industrial water, wastewater, and utilities projects. Her experience also includes design-build implementation, start-up, operation and troubleshooting of anaerobic and aerobic wastewater treatment systems.

Chris Gerling, a Senior Extension Associate in the department of Food Science at Cornell University, is the manager of the Vinification & Brewing Technology Lab, supporting research projects and applied trials. He also organizes and conducts workshops and seminars that focus on production and analytical techniques for farm-based beverages. Chris is the past chair of the American Society of Enology and Viticulture/Eastern Section; he serves on the ASEV national chapter’s laboratory proficiency committee and is member of the Cider Institute of North America’s executive committee.