Advisory Board

Steve Malliaris – Chairman of the Advisory Board

 

Steve graduated with a degree in Mathematics from MIT, and is currently a PhD candidate in Finance at Yale University. Steve has faithfully served as an advisor to American Pioneer Ventures since its inception in 2006, and continues to provide invaluable strategic advice to the company on a daily basis.

 

Calvin Newport – Computer Science Advisor

 

Cal Newport earned his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Electrical Engineering at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He was the co-founder of Princeton Web Solutions and is the author of three books.

 

How to Become a Straight-A Student

How to Win at College

How to Be A High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out)

Stress-Free College Admissions (Summer of 2010)

 

Ajit Dash, MD, PhD – Medical Advisor

 

Ajit Dash graduated in medicine from India, following which he specialized in clinical pharmacology. After a stint as a medical advisor for pharmaceutical companies such as Pfizer, Parke-Davis and Nicholas Piramal India Ltd., he enrolled for a doctoral program in molecular toxicology at MIT where he successfully developed a liver bioreactor with widespread applications in the biotech and pharmaceutical industry. Ajit has served on the institutional review board of Fenway Community Health Center, Boston, reviewing and approving clinical trials, and currently works as a post-doctoral associate in the biological engineering department at MIT.

 

Thomas M. Feichtel – Congressional Relations Advisor

 

Tom has worked in a leadership capacity in both government and private sector for the past 6 years. His experience includes leading initiatives in the Defense Community, Homeland Security/Homeland Defense, Intelligence Community and Federal Law Enforcement fields. Throughout the 108th-109th Congresses, Tom worked for the United States House of Representatives as professional staff in charge of appropriations affairs for Chairman John Murtha and the Subcommittee for Defense. Tom has lead the federal programs department as the Manager, Federal Programs for L. Robert Kimball & Associates and currently is the Chief Executive Officer for Kusters Engineering America. Tom also stays involved in the community in which he resides. He currently serves as a member of the board of directors of the ARTWORKS in Johnstown and the American Red Cross. Tom lives with his wife and three children in Johnstown, PA.

 

Brendan Wenzel - Marketing Advisor

 

After graduating from Florida State University in 2007, Brendan spent his time polishing his online marketing skills, which he used to build a SEO web design and online marketing consulting business from the ground up. An entrepreneur at heart, Mr. Wenzel thrives on tough challenges that offer big rewards. In his spare time, he likes to daydream of being on an empty beach with perfect waves.

 

Walter Viveiros - Real Estate Advisor

 

Walter has worked in the bedding and specialty bedding industries for more than 19 years, most recently with VSS Sleep Systems. He developed a partnership with a manufacturer in New York and built a relationship with the Hilton Corporation that led to them adopting the VSS Sleep System in all of the Hilton Garden Inns. Walter's strengths include building and negotiating business alliances and marketing partnerships, implementing visionary ideas in a changing environment, and building strong organizations through his exemplary leadership skills. Walter is a native of the Azores (Portugal), was raised in Calgary, Alberta, and has been a resident in Weeki Wachee, Florida for 10 years.

 

 

Walter B. Fair, Jr., P.E. - Petroleum Advisor

 

Walter earned both a bachelor's and master's degree from the University of Austin with a thesis on "Prediction of Critical Temperatures of Multi-component, Predominantly Hydrocarbon Mixtures." He has over 34 years experience in petroleum engineering and computer applications in the oil and gas industry. Experience includes production and reservoir engineering as applied to reservoir characterization, field studies, project surveillance, property evaluation, and enhanced oil recovery. Walter is a registered Professional Engineer in the State of Texas (#76129) and is also fluent in Spanish.

 

 

Nawed Usmani - Finance Advisor

 

Nawed has offered highly motivated professional expertise for the past 19 years in the financial industry. His last 5 years focused on banking; originating, structuring and placing private equity and venture capital financing deals; commercial real estate finance; project management, and financial analysis of businesses. His versatile experience and qualifications include a track record of leadership with excellent presentation and interpersonal skills. Nawed's credentials include a bachelor's degree in Marine Transportation Management from SUNY Maritime College, an MBA in International Finance from St. John's University, and NASD Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses held from 1990 to 2006.

 

Dan Goldman

Executive Advisor

 

Being a serial entrepreneur since his days in high-school, Mr. Goldman is a veteran of the Internet industry, having started one of the first internet service providers in Israel in 1995. Mr. Goldman has been in the forefront of internet technologies, online commerce, information technologies and more. With online services both domestic and global, Mr. Goldman has been involved in many projects over the years and has amassed significant experience in the field.

 

With projects relating to infrastructures, internet access services, video on demand, live video services, video conferencing, online commerce, micro-payments, online gaming and more, Mr. Goldman has been a pioneer in the industry.

 

Over the past several years, Mr. Goldman has diverted his attention to the global energy arena, in a deliberate shift of focus from the internet industry, realizing the next big window of opportunity for the next 20 years is in energy. As a first move within this industry, Mr. Goldman has invested in a privately held start-up company in the U.S., developing technology for oil and green electricity production.

 

Mr. Goldman brings his experience and relentless energy to American Pioneer Venture clients, helping them achieve their goals.