Nerd Nite Philly

“A Bag’s Life:  A behind the scene’s view of your luggage’s journey through the airport“ by Renee TuftsAn airport’s operation involves more than just the movement of planes and passengers. There are many behind the scenes activities in this tiny “City within the City” that orchestrate the movement of you and your belongings to your destination as safely, securely and efficiently as possible. This presentation will review the typical (or in some cases…not so typical) voyage your luggage takes through the airport.

Bio: Renee Tufts has more than 13 years of aviation experience and has been the Airport Security Manager for the Philadelphia International Airport for the past eight years.  Renee studied at the University of North Dakota earning a degree in Airport Management and holds a Private Pilot’s license. She started her aviation career at Philadelphia International Airport as an Airport Administrative Trainee in the Security Department in 2000.  Over the next 5 years she rose through the ranks to become the Security Manager of one of the busiest International Airports in the United States.

“SEPTA’s Wayside Energy Storage Project: How The Train That Brought You Here is Changing the Transit Industry” by Erik Johanson and Andrew Gillespie

For nearly 100 years, SEPTA’s Letterly Substation in Kensington has been powering a portion of the Market-Frankford Line. Last summer, SEPTA officially unveiled a new device that turned the facility into a cutting edge home of an emerging power technology. That technology is called “wayside energy storage,” and it has the potential to transform energy-consuming trains into rolling power generators for years to come. Made possible by a $900,000 grant from the Pennsylvania Energy Development Authority (PEDA), SEPTA partnered with Philadelphia-based smart grid firm Viridity Energy to design and implement a storage system to capture, store, and reuse “regenerative energy” created by braking trains. This game-changing innovation has received global recognition for its use of smart grid platforms to improve the cost effectiveness of this energy-saving technology. SEPTA’s second storage device, at Griscom Substation in Northeast Philadelphia, is on the way.

Bios:
Erik Johanson is the Manager of Strategic Business Planning for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). In this position, Mr. Johanson is primarily responsible for managing SEPTA’s Strategic Planning agenda, including its Sustainability Program and public reporting of associated performance metrics. Mr. Johanson is the co-chair of the American Public Transportation Association (APTA) Sustainability Commitment Subcommittee and Sustainability Metrics Working Group. A native and resident of Philadelphia, Mr. Johanson holds a Masters Degree in Governmental Administration from the University of Pennsylvania’s Fels Institute of Government and a Bachelors Degree in Political Science from Tufts University.

Andrew Gillespie is the Chief Engineer of Engineering, Maintenance and Construction for the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). In this position, Mr. Gillespie’s oversees all aspects of the authorities Power, Buildings, Bridges, Track, Signal and Communications infrastructure.  An alumnus of Northeastern University in Boston, Mr. Gillespie has worked in the transportation business for over 23 years.  Prior to assuming his current responsibilities, Mr. Gillespie’s was SEPTA’s Chief Engineering Officer – Power and was responsible for the implementation of several of SEPTA’s sustainability projects, including SEPTA’s Wayside Energy Storage Project.

“How bike share will alter space, time and maybe even your body” by Andrew Stober

In Fall of 2014 Philadelphia will launch the first phase of a world class bike share system. Andrew Stober, Chief of Staff of the Mayor’s Office of Transportation and Utilities (MOTU), will provide a sneak preview of what the City is planning. More importantly, he will explain how bike share is the love child of the Concorde and Richard Simmons.

Bio: Andrew is proud that his work touches the daily life of every Philadelphian – from the least resourced to the most privileged. Since 2008, he and the MOTU team have secured tens of millions of dollars in grants for City transportation projects, reestablished the City’s energy office, and led key bicycle, pedestrian, transit and traffic safety initiatives.  Andrew pretty much remembers every train trip and flight he has ever taken and would love to tell you about them at the end of the program – if you’re ready to close Frankford Hall down with him.

And! Entertainment by Mr. F. Omar Telan

F. Omar Telan has directed at La Mama ETC; performed at the Dodge Poetry Festival, PS122, the Philippine Embassy; published in “A Gathering of the Tribes”, “Apiary Magazine”, 225 Plays from Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind; and modeled in Dress Your Best: The Complete Guide to Finding the Style That’s Right for Your Body.

Be there and be square!