BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Rina G. Bakalar

Ms. Bakalar has extensive government, community and business leadership experience. She has most recently served as District Director and Chief Staff Person for Connecticut on behalf of U.S. Congressman Christopher Shays. Ms. Bakalar worked as the Chief of Policy and Director of Central Grants for the City of Bridgeport. Prior to her intense government career experience she headed Career Resources, Inc. as the Executive Director. She is the former Vice Chairperson of the Bridgeport Economic Development Corporation, a past Director for the United Way of Eastern Fairfield County, Bridge House and the Barnum Festival. Ms. Bakalar has been a solid advocate for varies causes and has spoken nationally on “Results Oriented Management in Non-Profits”, “Welfare Reform and Social Policy’ and “Women in Community”. Ms. Bakalar has her B.S. in Political/Social Science and Education from Southern State University and is pursuing a Masters Degree in Teaching at Sacred Heart University and a Masters Degree in Community Counseling at Fairfield University. In addition to her commitment to the GBCE Board, Ms. Bakalar sits on a number of other Boards and Committees.

Mr. Kraut is president of G. A. Kraut Company Inc., New York City, an investor relations consulting firm believed to be the world’s oldest independent IR counseling firm. He is a founding partner of GovernanceMetrics International, a founder of bigdough.com, and Special Advisor to the Board of General Solutions, Tokyo. Mr. Kraut is also the founder of the Boston based educational foundation, The Professor’s Fund, and a Trustee of Impact Young Lives, a US/South African youth leadership organization. He served as a director of the National Investor Relations Institute. In addition, he is an advisor to Bridgeport’s CAP agency A.B.C.D., a member of the finance committee at Do Something, serves on the board of Backcountry Jazz, and the marketing committee at Read to Grow. Mr. Kraut is a member of the National Investor Relations Institute, the Foreign Policy Association, The National Association of Corporate Directors, and The Duke Ellington Society.

Namon Lewis is the founder of The Sable Group, Inc. and serves as the company’s President and Chief Executive Officer.  He formed The Sable Group after serving for many years as Director of Human Resources for the IBM Corporation. Mr. Lewis earned his spurs in a number of management and executive positions in the areas of marketing, customer service, business operations, manufacturing and technology research. His public sector experience includes consulting for educational and nonprofit organizations. Mr. Lewis earned his B.A. in Sociology and Business from San Jose State University.

Mrs. Lorch is the President and CEO of Alloy Engineering Co., Inc. She is the Director, treasurer and founding member of the Metal Manufacturers’ Education and Training Alliance. Mrs. Lorch is a member of the Governor’s task force on the Regional Vocational-Technical School System and the Trade Technical Advisory Committee for Platt Vo-Tech High School. In addition, she is a member of Housatonic Community College’s Regional Advisory Council and the College's Advisory Panel for evaluating the Associates Degree in Technical Studies (Metal Manufacturing). Her commitments extend to being a committee member for the Connecticut Office of Workforce competitiveness, Department of Economic and Community Development and CETA. .

Mr. Plotkin is a Tulane University and UCONN School of Law graduate. He has maintained a private law practice for over 50 years. Not only does Mr. Plotkin serve as the Vice President for the GBCE board but he is President of The City Lights Art Gallery and is an active body in the effort to preserve and enhance the Freeman Houses. To add to his great experiences he played a major part in developing The Urban Coalition as the Chief of Staff for Mayor Hugh C. Curran.

Mrs. Solis is the Executive Director for the Bridgeport Chamber of Commerce. She is a former banking vice president with degrees in Finance, Business Administration, and Marketing.  Currently serves as Commissioner of Bridgeport Inland Wetlands and Planning & Zoning Commission, Business Liaison to Bridgeport’s Emergency Office and Homeland Security, Treasurer to the GBLN Board of Directors, and Advisor to the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. She has worked as a Policy Team Member for the Finch Mayoral Campaign and a Proposal Writer for ASPIRA of CT / Goodwill Industries. Mrs. Solis is a Class IX graduate of the Bridgeport Regional Business Council’s Leadership Greater Bridgeport program.  In addition to sitting on the GBCE Board, Gail has served on boards for the Housatonic Region Girl Scouts, Neighborhood Housing Services, and Mutual Housing Association of Southwestern CT. Among Mrs. Solis tremendous accomplishments she was recognized as ‘Woman of Distinction’ in 2008.

As the Director of the Energy Market Initiatives for the CT Clean Energy Fund, Mr. Wall develops and manages programs intended to increase consumer awareness of clean energy and its benefits to society. He has also worked on clean energy marketing and grass roots initiatives with nonprofits SmartPower and Clean Water Action. Mr. Wall practiced complex civil litigation for nearly two decades in which he concentrated on environmental and public health issues. He earned a bachelor's degree from Wesleyan University and a Juris Doctor degree from Fordham University School of Law..

ADVISORY COUNCIL

Ed Rodriguez
President, Sandoval Associates LLC, a management and marketing consultancy focusing on the Hispanic community

Dr. Murali Atlunru
President, Diversified Technology Consultantsm environmental engineering specialists, the larges in Connecticut, certified MBE

John Batey
President, ERC - Energy Research Center. Energy engineering specialist.

Lew Booker
Consultant, retired Worldwide Director of Safety & Self Sufficiency, Unilever

Brian Bodt
President & CEO, Greater Bridgeport Council of Churches. Partner in training and life skills coursess.

Community Leaders Gather to Celebrate "Green" Grads

BRIDGEPORT, Conn. –September 29, 2009 — Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc. (GBCE), also known as The Green Team, recently held a graduation ceremony to honor 14 newly trained graduates who have successfully completed Weatherization Technician Training...