Ralph Smith has worked as in the construction field in a number of capacities including Executive VP, Operations Manager, General Superintendent, and Superintendent. He understands each element of construction and construction management and offers strong skills in negotiating with owners, subcontractors and architects on project problems and win-win solutions. Ralph has been responsible for design build projects such as large land developments; high rise buildings, resorts lodging, retail and garages, hospital remodel, upgrade and remodels, government recreation and lodging. Ralph brought his expert knowledge of construction operations, managing and negotiation skills to two major Top ENR Fortune 400 construction companies.

REA250 is pleased to announce the addition of Gerard J. Canavan to its team of technology and business consultants. Canavan has thirty-plus years experience in the telecommunications, satellite communications, information technology and Internet services industries. He has operated on the forefront of technology innovation, holding senior executive positions with major corporations such as Sprint, IBM, Bearing Point, and Globalstar. His experience includes significant domestic and international participation in business development and strategy, product management, marketing, sales, engineering, operations, and customer support.

Canavan has also worked with smaller Internet and wireless start-ups, and has led the successful market introduction of numerous advanced services, including development and management of complex trials that provided fundamental precursors to commercial services. In recent years he has been focused on the forefront of convergence; wireless Internet and security services, voice over IP (VOIP), IPTV media services, and in-home Smart Grid oriented systems delivered over Fiber-To-The-Home networks. Of particular note involving Smart Grid concepts was the vertical integration of Home Automation systems with an emphasis on energy management, control, and metrics accessible via a Web based portal.

Canavan currently consults in the Smart Grid arena, where several parallels exist to the evolution of the Internet, and has recently authored a white paper outlining these parallels and the importance of early trials. A recent area of focus is the development of trials involving commercial micro grids and the integration of renewable energy and storage technologies, along with demand response applications involving the integration of residential/commercial smart meters and home/building automation systems.

Canavan received a Bachelor of Science in Mathematics form Fairleigh Dickinson University. He currently serves on an advisory board for the University of Kansas, Information Technology and Telecommunications Center.

On May 25, 2010, members of REA250 were invited to speak to the Interim Finance Committee on ARRA funding. Susan and Don Clark, Bob Shriver and Jill Derby presented information about REA250 and its current projects.

Legislative Briefing.

Founders
 Susan
 and
 Don
 Clark
 with
 their
 team
 of
 highly
 ambitious
 and
 qualified
 business
 professionals 
identified 
the 
need 
for
 an
 action oriented
 strategic
 organization
 designed
 to
 accelerate
 the 
use
 of 
renewable 
energy
 resources 
in 
Nevada.
 The
 Renewable
 Energy
 Accelerator
 at
 250
Bell
(REA250)
 was
 created
 in 
2008
 to
 meet
 this
 demand. 

Since 
it’s 
founding, 
REA250
 has 
facilitated
 alignment between parties to develop new approaches and solutions throughout the state for renewable energy development and deployment.

REA250 Strategic Plan

REA250 and its technical partner, SQI, Inc., the world-leading open source integrator of technologies and applications, view the client interface as the critical event that determines the fate of a firm and its products and services. The eResource Center is a strategic weapon for small and medium-sized technology firms to effectively manage and maximize their client interface.

Each customized, dedicated eResource Center consists of three industry-specific data, assistance, and training features: 1) the Knowledge Center, 2) the Knowledge Management System, and 3) the eLearning Classroom.

The Knowledge Center is the depository for existing published materials, such as manuals and schematics. In addition, technicians, instructors, and manufacturers can constantly share new knowledge, which is vetted and then made available with access via computer or hand-held 3G devices with a powerful search feature.

The Knowledge Management System collects, documents and provides a resolution vehicle for issues and problems that arise from real-world activities in the field.

The eLearning Classroom draws from the Knowledge Library and Knowledge Management components to consistently provide the most up-to-date, cost effective, online training possible.

This technology is currently being implemented under a Department of Labor grant to develop a diesel mechanic retraining program for clean diesel retrofits. Currently 5 interns are developing the initial Knowledge Center component. Below is a link to the full description of the eResource Center.

eResource Center for Renewable Energy in Nevada.