Howard Porter - Herbert Unger - Jay Lopatin
Howard Porter - Member
Profile - Mr. Porter sets the company criterion for honesty and integrity in marketing the latest technological advancements for energy efficiency. He seeks out methodologies and equipment to garner maximum client savings and satisfaction for all forms of energy conservation strategies.
Experience - For over 30 years, Mr. Porter has dedicated his career to developing strong relationships with his customer base through performance and reliability. He forged into energy conservation by becoming an independent sales representative for one of the earliest forms of energy-saving lighting technologies in 1973 and expanded into the commercial laundry arena while working for a progressive laundry equipment distributor.
Eventually, Mr. Porter was recruited to St. Petersburg, Florida as an expert Field Technician for a company developing a three-phase motor energy control utilizing NASA technology. He then moved to New York office for that growing company.
In time, Mr. Porter met up with a New York-based entrepreneur promoting a pioneer patent on fluorescent electronic ballasts. Mr. Porter’s history of introducing new technology to the marketplace made the transition a natural move and he was hired on as a Field Technician. His experience in the lighting business expanded even more when he formed a business partnership with a lighting manufacturer in Brooklyn, NY, with a focus on industrial and commercial projects.
During that time, Mr. Porter developed a friendship with another conservationist, Herb Unger. Also at that same time, NY-based ConEdison developed an aggressive rebate program for the installation of energy-efficient lighting technologies. Recognizing a business opportunity, Mr. Unger and Mr. Porter began working together.
Over the years, The First Energy Group has transformed and evolved into a highly-regarded firm with a vast array of knowledge and expertise. With over 4,000 installations completed, The First Energy Group is a leading energy management company with offices on the East Coast and Texas.
Mr. Porter credits his business success with having the utmost respect for his business relationships, putting his customers needs first and demanding the highest level of product quality and reliability.
Herbert M. Unger - Member
PROFILE - As a business leader and entrepreneur, Mr. Unger has an intrinsic ability to recognize an opportunity, build a top-notch team of experts and grow a business from the ground up. By consistently anticipating and responding to his clients’ needs, Mr. Unger has achieved the highest level of customer satisfaction for over 55 years.
EXPERIENCE - Mr. Unger proudly served in the United States Army Air Corps for three years and toured Europe giving exhibitions to soldiers as a world-class table tennis player during World War II. Once he returned to the United States, Mr. Unger began his long career as an entrepreneur by forming his own mortgage and finance company in 1947. He reached award-winning sales status by signing over $50 million in financing contracts.
After growing his finance company, Mr. Unger became a residential housing developer in 1957. After seven years, Mr. Unger returned to his sales roots and became a representative for a manufacturer of chemical cleaning specialties. Within one year, he became the National Sales Manager. Within three years, Mr. Unger started his own chemical cleaning specialties business, growing from a one-man operation to a team of 70 sales people along the entire East Coast.
In 1981, Mr. Unger happened upon an advertisement for an energy conservation product. While the product never took flight, Mr. Unger recognized the importance of energy conservation. A true visionary and dedicated entrepreneur, Mr. Unger began his own energy conservation company. During that time, Mr. Unger developed a friendship with one of his clients, Howard Porter. Both ready to take their businesses to the next level, Mr. Unger and Mr. Porter formed a partnership in 1990, known as The First Energy Group. For 16 years, Mr. Unger and Mr. Porter have dedicated themselves to increasing their clients’ profitability by decreasing energy costs. Mr. Unger’s vast experience also includes leadership and Board positions for many business and community organizations.
Over the years, The First Energy Group has grown and transformed into a premiere energy management company dedicated to increasing their clients' profitability by decreasing energy costs. Mr. Unger's vast experience also includes leadership and Board positions for many businesses and community organizations.
Mr. Unger credits his business success to knowing how to identify, assemble and manage a talented team of associates. He believes that an army of one can only go so far, but the determination, knowledge and dedication of many can bring a business to its full potential.
Mr. Unger lives in New Jersey with his wife of 57 years. They have two daughters and four granddaughters.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE - Lighting Systems, Project Financing
PROFESSIONAL AFFILIATIONS -
BOMA
Epic 19
Investment Group
Material Handlers’ Association
Construction Roundtable
Jay Lopatin, Member
PROFILE - Mr. Lopatin is an experienced Executive Officer with a strong technology background, broad skills base and the ability to strategically identify and target key markets for energy services. A strong communicator and leader, Mr. Lopatin uses his “outside the box” thinking to maximize opportunities.
EXPERIENCE - Mr. Lopatin has experience growing several companies from start-up to market leaders. As President of ebHub. Net, Mr. Lopatin was instrumental in developing unique strategic and technical relationships, as well as full profit/loss and operating responsibility for this e-Business Management and Outsourced Services Company.
As President and Founder of Micro Central, Inc., Mr. Lopatin grew a national hardware and software distributor for a start up to a $50+ million company. During his tenure, the company expanded its customer base to over 4,000, which included many of the largest national retail chains. Mr. Lopatin also authored Songs in the Key of Apple.
CERTIFICATIONS / ACCREDITATIONS
Geothermal Ground Loop
EDUCATION
MBA Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1981
BS Electrical Engineering Lehigh University, Bethlehem, PA 1978
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS - Present and Past
American Jewish Congress - NJ Board,
Chairman for the NJ Council of Energy Independence
Co-Chairman (PNG) Professional Networking Group
Jewish Federation of Greater Middlesex County
CompTIA (Computer Industry Association)
National Cristina Association
Aztech New Media
Nexus Transmedia
