Name: Tom Michelman
Title: Principal
Company: Boreal Renewable Energy Development
Location: Arlington, MA
Place of birth: Westchester County, NY
Family: Widowed, 2 daughters (23 & 21)
College: Northwestern University B.A., URI: M.S. Resource Economics
First job unrelated to your current field: Computer systems support - Putnam, Hayes & Bartlett - Cambridge, MA
First job in current field: Energy analyst - Xenergy - Burlington, MA
What your firm does now and its plans for the future? Boreal Renewable Energy Development provides solar and wind expertise and customized solutions that provide renewable energy at consistent, long-term savings. From initial evaluation, economic and regulatory analysis and design, through construction support or turn-key installations, Boreal's experts help commercial, industrial, and institutional clients with renewable energy projects.
Hobbies: Playing sports (ultimate frisbee, volleyball, and football), biking, hiking, and dancing. President - Friends of the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail
Favorite novel: Watership Down, by Richard Adams
Favorite film: Not one favorite, but highly recommend "The Bicycle Thief"
Keys to success: Perseverance, flexibility, customer responsiveness, and face-to-face and verbal networking. Willing to enter new areas with little fear, but eyes wide open.
Person you most admire (outside of family): Abraham Lincoln
If you had to choose a different profession, what would it be? Politics