Garden City Residents are Selected at Outstanding Advocates for Science and Technology

      Three Garden City residents were selected from a field of many to receive the 2013 "Outstanding Advocates for Science and Technology," February 6th at the historic Westbury Manor. The recipients are Robert Alvey, Bob Catell and Sean Martins.

     The benefit event was for the Science Museum of Long Island. Executive Director of the SMLI, John T. Tanacredi, Ph.D.  welcomed guests and keynote remarks were by Honorable Jon Kaiman, Supervisor of the Town of North Hempstead.

     Rob Alvey

     Mr. Alvey has nearly 40 years experience as a geology and earth scientist who has been a consistent advocate for the advancement of science and technology throughout his career.  He is currently the senior geologist for EPA’s Superfund Division and is responsible for hydrogeologic investigations at toxic and hazardous waste sites for the protection of human health and the environment .

      In 2011, Rob completed a detail as Special Assistant to the EPA Regional Administrator, Judith Enck.  Rob is a former co-chair of the EPA's Groundwater Forum, and has received numerous EPA awards for his work, in addition to a letter of commendation from Senator Charles Schumer for his diligence and vision in addressing a significant groundwater plume affecting Nassau’s public water districts.

     In addition, Rob has over 10 years teaching geology and earth sciences at York College and Kingsborough Community College (CUNY) where he is an Adjunct Professor. 

     Rob also is the founder and President emeritus of the Garden City Bird Sanctuary, an innovative and award- winning program for the “dual use” of a 9- acre Nassau County storm water basin in Garden City that has been transformed into a bird sanctuary, arboretum and most importantly an environmental center for educational purposes. For more information, please go to www.GCBirdSanctuary.org.

Robert Catell

     Mr. Catell is the recipient of the "2013 S.T.A.R. Award." (Science and Technology Advocate Recognition) a Lifetime Achievement Salute. He was the former Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of KeySpan Corporation and KeySpan Energy Delivery, the former Brooklyn Union Gas. Following National Grid’s acquisition of KeySpan Corporation, Mr. Catell became Chairman of National Grid, U.S. and Deputy Chairman of National Grid plc.

     He currently serves as Chairman of the Board of the Advanced Energy Research and Technology Center (AERTC) at Stony Brook University, New York State Smart Grid Consortium, Cristo Rey Brooklyn High School (formerly Lourdes Academy), Futures in Education Endowment Fund, KEYERA Energy Management Ltd., and the New York Energy Policy Institute’s Advisory Council (NYEPI).

     Mr. Catell serves on the board of many organizations including the New York State Energy Research & Development Authority (NYSERDA), Brooklyn Community Foundation, City College of New York 21st Century Foundation, Colin Powell Center for Policy Studies, Feinstein Institute for Medical Research, National Grid Foundation, Long Island Association (LIA), National Petroleum Council, and the New York Academy of Sciences (NYAS), the President’s Advisory Council at Adelphi University, the Winthrop Hospital Board of Regents, and the NYU Poly Advisory Committee of the New York City Accelerator for a Clean and Renewable Economy (NYC ACRE).

     Mr. Catell is a member of the Association of Energy Engineers, CUNY Business Leadership Council, National Society of Professional Engineers, NYS Society of Professional Engineers, and the Society of Gas Lighting.

     Mr. Catell received both his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Mechanical Engineering from the City College of New York and is a registered Professional Engineer. He has attended Columbia University’s Executive Development Program, and the Advanced Management Program at the Harvard Business School.

     Sean Martens

     Co- founded in 2001, by Hofstra University graduate, Sean Martens and Peter LaRocca, SMPL Technologies is a Long Island- based technology consulting firm which offers its services primarily to the New York Metro Area. As an all-inclusive solutions provider, SMPL Technologies fits a unique niche in the information systems industry.

     Martens and LaRocca have over 15 years of experience in the information technology field. They have been able to pass this along to the SMPL staff, who realize that before engineering a custom-built solution, the requirements of the client must be fully understood. By personally communicating with the client beforehand, the staff at SMPL is able to deliver a personalized, "state-of-the-art" solution, one that is both functional for today, and scalable for tomorrow.
SMPL provided funding for the event. For more information, please go towww.SMPLTechnologies.com.

     Proceeds supported the Science Museum of Long Island's programs and services for the children and families of the region. Chartered by the New York State Board of Regents in 1963, SMLI is a not-for-profit science activity center located in Plandome on the Leeds Pond Preserve in Nassau County. The Science Museum offers enrichment workshops for children on weekdays and during school vacations. It provides teachers and community leaders with field trips as well as programs that can be brought onsite to field locations.  Activities at the Science Museum are typically pre-registered hands-on science workshops. Information can be found at www.SMLI.org.

     (photos by Suzie Alvey)