A Life of Sharing Knowledge
Jack has been a teacher since 1978, the year he graduated from Warren Wilson College with a teaching certificate.
He doesn’t really think of it as a separate career, though. To him, teaching is just sharing knowledge: showing people how to do something so they can go do it themselves.
That’s the same instinct that runs through every workshop, wind turbine, and salvaged barn board on this site. His students have ranged across every age group, from kids to retired adults.
In the Classroom
Jack has taught at Appalachian State (Technology & Environmental Design, Appropriate Technology), Alamance Community College (Sustainable Development, Alternative Energies), NC A&T (Manufacturing Systems and graduate-level advanced manufacturing), and Thomas Edison State College (Innovation and Renewable Energy).
He’s been a program developer for the Handy Village Institute, and a volunteer for Civil Air Patrol programs based at Maxwell Air Force Base.
At several of the schools where he’s taught, Jack has developed the university curriculum itself, not just his own classes. Many of those courses have kept being taught long after he moved on.
His course list reads like a syllabus for sustainable living: Sustainable Structures, Renewable Energy, Water/Wastewater Technologies, Quality Management, Productivity Measurement, Regenerative Economics, Electric Bike Technology, Green Business, Energy and Power, and Astronomy, at both the graduate and undergraduate level.
Beyond the University
The teaching goes well beyond the university catalog. He was a longtime Red Cross teacher, and over the years also taught courses swimming, lifeguarding, and childcare, the same instinct to pass on a practical skill, just aimed at a different audience.
He’s guided student research on everything from solar rescue boats to overshot waterwheels to alcohol distillation devices, and led hands-on workshops on wind turbines, solar boats, electric vehicle conversion, and tiny house design.
He’s also been guest faculty at SKEMA, a globally accredited international business school.
Research and Recognition
Jack’s teaching and research have taken him well beyond the classroom. He serves as a researcher on sustainable systems for the Lowlander Center in Louisiana, working alongside MIT, Harvard, and the Roosevelt Project, and took part in Harvard’s Defining Community for Climate Resilience and Energy Transition conference in 2024.
He’s also been a presenter at national and international conferences going back to the late 1980s, on subjects ranging from zero-waste strategy to homebrew wind turbines to light electric vehicles.
It’s the same pattern as everywhere else in Jack’s life: once he learns something, he doesn’t just keep it. He finds a way to teach it.
Some Student Achievements
Interactive, Experiential Teaching
Applying Knowledge to Make A Difference
Guest Faculty at SKEMA (SCHOOL OF KNOWLEDGE ECONOMY AND MANAGEMENT), a global school that prepares the business talents of the 21st century – responsible, mobile, multicultural, entrepreneurs with abilities to manage information, data and knowledge. Multi-accredited, the school is recognised worldwide for its research and its programmes of excellence. A pioneer in the development of a proactive international strategy, SKEMA’s positioning is based on the desire to change the traditional business school training model to better respond to new economic, societal and environmental challenges. This unique positioning combines excellence, hybrid teaching and multicultural experience. https://www.skema.edu/skema/about/about-skema
Space Academy for Educators, Expedition 36
The weeklong program includes authentic astronaut training simulators and activities developed to promote learning in a classroom setting. Curriculum includes NASA-inspired lesson plans and is correlated to the National Science Education Standards. https://www.rocketcenter.com/SpaceCamp/Educators
To see more about my adventure, click on the Space Academy title.
Where I've taught, what I've taught, research guidance,
presentations, workshops, publications, and certifications
Instructor/Senior Lecturer
Appalachian State University, Technology & Environmental Design, Appropriate Technology, Boone, N.C.
Alamance Community College, Sustainable Development, Alternative Energies, Graham, N.C.
NC A&T University, Manufacturing Systems, Greensboro, N.C.
Thomas Edison State College, Trenton, N.J.
Program Developer, Handy Village Institute, Saxapahaw, NC
Volunteer University Instructor-Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
Courses taught
Sustainable Structures,
Society and Technology,
Quality Management*, Electric Bike Technology*,
Regenerative Economics*,
Sustainable Resource Management*,
Benefits of Biofuels,
Renewable Energy*,
Technological Innovation*,
Productivity- Measurement/Analysis*,
Sustainable Transportation *,
Water/ Waste Water Technologies*,
Energy and Power,
Advance Manufacturing*, Wind & Hydro, Green Business,
*graduate level (ASU, ACC, TESU and NCA&TSU)
Student Research Guidance
Solar Electric Rescue Boat
DIY Electric Bikes
Revision of a Training Manual for CNC Code
Training Components for Micro-Hydro Demonstration
Business Plan for a Renewable Energy Installer
Environmentally-Conscious Manufacturing Survey
North Carolina Environmental Education Survey
Business Plan for Wind Turbines in NC
Remanufacturing Facilities for Wind Generation
Recycled Plastic for Safety Barriers
Handmade Cigars and Humidors
Building Overshot Waterwheels
Demonstration and test Facility for Small Scale Wind
Building an Alcohol Distillation Device
Electric tractor
Electric Bike
Solar Bike
Electric Motorcycle
Electric go cart (solar)
Tiny House and Tipi
Geodesic Dome
Presentations
Publications
2026
51st Annual Natural Hazards Research and Applications Workshop in Broomfield, Colorado, June, 2026.
2024
Defining Community for Climate Resilience & Energy Transition, Harvard University, January, 2024.
2023
Smart Fabrics Summit, Advanced Textiles Association, NCSU
US Air Force Auxiliary- NC Wing Conference, Bringing Sustainability to the USAFA
2022
American Fabric Association, Solar Integration into the Marine Environment
US Air Force Auxiliary-NC Wing Conference, Light Solar Vehicles
IME South, Advanced Battery Training
2021 American Fabric Association- Solar Powered Boats
2019
Solar Powered Light Electric Vehicles, Homemade Wind Turbines
Electric Vehicles and Renewable Energy Display
Association of Technical Management and Applied Engineering National Conference, Charlotte, NC- Planning Committee
2019 Digital Energy, Light Solar Electric Vehicles, Frontiers in Green and Sustainable Energy conference, Toronto, Canada
2019 Wind poster, Light Solar Vehicles, American Solar Energy Society National Conference, Minneapolis, MI
2018 “Homebrew” Wind Turbines for Integration into Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems , ASES National Conference, Boulder CO
2017 Cooperative Housing Initiative, Lowlands Institute, Houma, LA
2017 Electric and Hybrid Marine World Expo, Tampa, Fl
2017 Distributive Energy, Handy Village Institute, Saxapahaw, NC
2016 Emergency Housing, Glen Raven Initiative, Elon University
2015 Wind Turbine Coop, Handy Village Institute, Saxapahaw, NC
2014 ATMAE Conference, STEM Cycle Program, Maker Movement, St. Louis, MO
2014 NC Bike, History of Cycles, LEVA Training, STEM Cycles, UNCG
2014 FABLAB, UNCG
2014 Science Week Keynote Speaker, IBM Research Triangle, NC
2013 Evchallenge Breakfast – STEMCycle Challenge, Research Triangle Park, NC
2012 ATMAE Conference, EPA P3 Competitions, EV Training, Nashville, TN
2011 ATMAE Conference, Community Renewable Energy Workshop, Cleveland, OH
2008 “Focus on the Future, Plugging In To the Sun: Sustainable Transportation”, Boone, North Carolina
2007 American Solar Energy Society, Home Grown Biofuels, Forum Moderator, Cleveland, Ohio
2007 Students United for a Responsible Global Environment, “Clean and Quiet Transportation” Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
2007 Southern Energy and Environment Expo, “Biofuels Panel Discussion”,
Asheville, North Carolina
2003 International Society Industrial Technology, “Sustainable Solar Transportation Education”, Ann Arbor, Michigan
2003 American Solar Energy Society, “Projects in Sustainable Transportation, Solar Energy and Emerging Transportation Systems” Austin, Texas
2003 National Association for Industrial Technology, “International Collaboration over the Internet”, Nashville, Tennessee
2002 Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Forum Moderator “Energizing Schools-Energy Curriculum” Albany, New York
2001 Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Event Planner “ Energizing Schools- Energy Projects”, King of Prussia, Pennsylvania
1999 Carolina Recycling Coalition, “Manufacturing Toward Sustainability” Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
1998 Red Clay Environmental Conference Panel “Getting to Zero: Innovative Solid Waste Strategies” Red Clay School of Law, University of Georgia
1998 National Recycling Coalition, “Zero Waste and Integrated Resource Recovery Facilities”, Orlando, Florida
1996 Environmental Training Project for Central and Eastern Europe, “Municipal Waste Minimization Strategies”, Consultant Report- Slovakia, USAID
1995 17th Annual Canadian Waste Management Conference, “Towards a Sustainable Environment” Quebec City, Quebec
1994 National Environmental Training Center, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Compost Training,
“The Future of Composting in Discard Disposal” Morgantown, West Virginia
1990 Recycling in My Backyard Conference, “Let’s Talk Markets and Procurement Policies” Wheeling, West Virginia
1989 International Conference on Technology and the Environment, “WE RECYCLE- an Integrated Facility Idea”, Nashville, TN
2018 “Homebrew” Wind Turbines for Integration into Small-Scale Renewable Energy Systems , ASES National Conference Proceedings
2016 STEM Cycle Workbook
2015-Present Electric Bike Maintenance Manual, Gerhardt Engineering
2014 LEVA training Material
2009 Alcohol, New Society Publishers, Review
2009 Windpower, New Society Publishers, Review
2008 Biodiesel Smarter Magazine article, Compost Fire╙, Issue #4
2008 Greening of Biodiesel, Amy Townsend, Schiffer Press, Review and Interviewee
2008 Grid Beam, New Society Publishers, Technical Review and Contributor
2008 Small is Possible, New Society Publishers, Review
2007 Alcohol is a Gas, New Society Publishers, Technical Review
2006 Green Business (Five part model for Creating an Environmentally Responsible Company), Amy Townsend, Schiffer Press,
2006 Plug-in Hybrids, New Society Publishers, Treatment Approval & Technical Review
2004 Paul Hawkins Interview, Heartstone Journal, Warren Wilson College
2003 Practical Experiences with Sustainable Transportation, Proceedings, International Society for Industrial Ecology (Peer Reviewed)
2002 Introduction to Manufacturing Laboratory Workbook, NCA&T Press
999 Environmental Quality Management: Survey of Manufacturers, NCA&T
1998 Environmental Technology Consortium Newsletter, Editor
1998 North Carolina Environmental Education Survey, NCA&T Press
1996 Municipal Waste Minimization Strategies, Environmental Training Project for Central and Eastern Europe, Consultant, Report-Slovakia, USAID
1996 Observation and Solutions Presentation Manual, Translated for Slovakian and Polish government officials
1996 Waste Management, Vol 1&2, Agriculture and Environmental Technology, Teacher Press
1995 Environmental Institute Proposal, Auburn University
1995 Grant Policy Guidelines for West Virginia Solid Waste Management Board
1995 A Sampling Protocol for Composting, Recycling, and Re-use of Municipal Solid Waste, Journal of Air & Waste Management Association, School of Public Health, Harvard University
1994 West Virginia Solid Waste Management Plan, submitted to the EPA
1994 Integrated Resource Recovery Facility Report: Cost Comparisons of Two Sizes of Facilities, Urban Ore, Berkley, California
1994 Five year Strategic Vision, South Carolina Environmental Training Center Requirements, Needs and Desires, Class Policies and Budget, Student Assessment Instrument, Pre-Test and Post-Test
1993 West Virginia Blueprint, WV Extension Service (peer reviewed)
1992 Observation and Solutions to Garbage Dilemma, Teachers Press WVU
1992 Monongalia County Solid Waste Management Plan, Submitted to WVSWMB
Training and Workshop Leader
2023 Modular Solar 5kW
2022 Solar Vehicle Workshop- Sun Trip
2022-present TEVA Battery Training
2022-present Solar Power Trailer
2021 IUU 5 models
2017- Tiny House Design, Integrated Utility Unit, Handy Village Institute
2016-present Home Built Wind Turbine, Handy Village Institute
2013- present STEM Cycle Workshops
2012 Light Electric Vehicle Association Phase 1,2,3,4 beta training
2011 Electric Vehicle First Responder Training NAFTC
2011 Electric Vehicle Conversion Workshop TEVA
2011 Electric Vehicle Basics Review
2010-2017 North East Alternative Technology (NEAT Rally) NCCAR
2009 Electric Vehicle Maintenance workshop
2009/2016 Solar Boat Workshop
2009 Solar Bike Workshop
2009 Build your own wind generator workshop (MREA)
2009 Build your own Gasifier workshop (MREA)
2009 Electric Auto Conversion (4 day workshop)
2008 Field Editing for Video Production (3 day workshop)
Certifications
- Bosch Electric Bicycle technician training
- Home Built Wind Turbine week, Handy Village Institute, Saxapahaw, NC
- Home Built Wind Turbine week, Mid West Renewable Energy Association MREA, Stevens Point, WI.
- PV 351L Tools and Techniques for Operation and Maintenance Lab Week, Solar Energy International (SEI), Center for Renewable Energy Training Advanced Solar Electric Academy
July 2014 – Present
- PV 301L Solar Electric Lab Week (Battery-Based)
Solar Energy International (SEI), Center for Renewable Energy Training Advanced Solar Electric Academy
July 2014 – Present
- PV 203 PREP Battery-Based PV System Fundamentals
Solar Energy International (SEI)
June 2014 – Present
PV201L: Solar Electric Lab Week (Grid Direct).Solar Energy International, Center for Renewable Energy Training
July 2013 – Present
Renewable Energy Technologies Diploma. North Carolina State University
June 2013 – Present
- Renewable Generation with PV. Solar Instructor Series
June 2010 – Present
- Advance Design and Installation of Photovoltaics.
Solar Instructor Training Network, SunShot, DOE
June 2013 – Present
- Solar Business Basics
Solar Instructor Training Network, SunShot, DOE
October 2013 – Present
- Practical Aspects of Renewable Energy Project Development. Solar Instructor Training Network, SunShot, DOE
November 2013 – Present
Hands on PV Workshop. SunPower Corporation, NC Solar Center, NCSU
May 2013 – Present
- Certificate of Attendance. Singularity University
July 2012 – Present
- Electric Bike Technician Certification Course Levels 1,2,3,4,5
International Light Electric Vehicle Association
October 2013 – Present
- Instructor- LEVA levels 1,2,3,4,5
International Light Electric Vehicle Association, License LEVA JHM-3
October 2013 – Present
- NAFTC Professional Development-Nissan LEAF & Electric Drive Vehicle Infrastructure Training. National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, WVU
July 2013 – Present
- Electric Drive Vehicle Technician Train-the-Trainer(Link)
National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, WVU
May 2013 – Present
NAFTC Professional Development-Chevy Volt & Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Training. National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium, WVU
July 2011 – Present
First Responder Safety Training for Electric Vehicles. National Alternative Fuels Training Consortium
August 2012 – Present
- Certified Senior Technology Manager. Association of Technology Management & Applied Engineering
January 2009 – Present
- Certified Senior Industrial Technologist. National Association for Industrial Technology
January 2003 – December 2013
- Biofuels Education and Training
Career Education in Renewable Energy Technologies (CERET) & NREL
June 2013 – Present
- Sustainable Energy and Environmental Training (SEET)
National Renewable Energy Laboratory
July 2010 – Present
- Instructor, Instructor Trainer, Instructor Trainer Educator, Cadre member
American Red Cross- First Aid/ CPR/ Water Safety/ Disaster Preparedness
May 1975 – May 2003