Board of Directors

Our Board of Directors

Behind every great organization is a group of leaders who believe in something bigger than themselves.

Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe Board of Directors brings together visionaries in science, education, business, technology, and philanthropy who share a commitment to preserving and advancing Nikola Tesla’s legacy.

Through their leadership, experience, and dedication, they guide the organization’s mission to restore Tesla’s last remaining laboratory and transform Wardenclyffe into a world-class science center that inspires future generations to dream, invent, experiment, and create.

Richard Gearns, PhD – President
Richard Gearns, a New York State Regents and AP Physics Teacher at Sachem High School East in Farmingville, earned his Masters of Science in Physics Education from Buffalo State College. Richard recently received his Doctorate in Science Education from SUNY Stony Brook. His research interest is in …
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socioeconomic inequality and its implications on science education in secondary schools Richard continuously seeks new professional opportunities to enhance the depth and breadth of his knowledge and experience. During school breaks, this has had him working and learning at Stony Brook University, Brookhaven National Laboratory, and CERN. Richard also enjoys sharing and collaborating with teaching colleagues. To this end, he contributes to the physics education field by presenting at local, regional, and international physics and engineering meetings and conferences.
In the classroom, Richard strives to create “aha!” learning moments within his students by facilitating student-centered inquiry learning experiences. He specializes in making demonstrations from inexpensive materials and his classroom has been affectionately called “the junkyard” by his colleagues. Richard was appointed a New York State Master Teacher by Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014.
Richard has been a member of the TSCW board since 2007. He is founder and organizer of the Teslamania teachers’ conference where classroom teachers present, with flair and showmanship, their best physical science demonstrations to other educators in the field. He enjoys spending his time with his wife and young daughter. When time allows, Richard likes beekeeping and tinkering with his Lister engine.

Michael Russo – Vice President
Michael Russo is a lifelong resident of Long Island, growing up and raising his family in Dix Hills. A graduate of NYIT Old Westbury – Architecture, he began his interest in architecture working as an intern for local firms at 14 and throughout college. Today, he a managing partner/director of his own firm, specializing in historic preservation, commercial development, hospitality, …
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affordable housing and technology. Additionally, he is also is the managing partner of a NYC metro/ Northeast commercial general construction firm and partner in a restaurant development company in South Florida. Michael’s projects have spanned 40 states and 7 countries, many sustainably designed. In addition to his 10-year tenure with Tesla Science Center, Michael is also on the board of Make-A- Wish Metro and is on advisory committees of other local LI not-for-profits. Michael has deep roots within Long Island development and has advised many municipal agencies on planning and zoning issues for the strengthening and improvement of communities. Michael is integral to the evaluation, visioning, and redevelopment of the Tesla Science Center campus at Wardencyffe, utilizing his skill set and connections to assist in the delivery of an unparalleled world class, Long Island based, historic destination. He believes that the Center will inspire local and international generations to years to come, while improving education and advancement of technologies based in Tesla’s ethos.

Janice Scherer – Secretary
Janice Scherer is an environmentalist, planner, philosopher, designer and wellness advocate dedicated to the betterment of society. Janice is a first-generation American of Italian and Croatian descent. She was born and raised on Long Island and has a deep passion for preserving and regenerating the local…
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environment and revitalizing water quality using the processes of nature itself as a model for healing. Her education is from SUNY Environmental Science and Forestry and Syracuse University. Janice currently serves as the Planning and Development Administrator for the Town of Southampton, and has been a Town planner there for the past 17 years specializing in Long Range Planning. Through this work she has helped communities visualize and create their desired future. She is a Board member for the Greater Calverton Civic Association and co-chairs the Town of Riverhead’s Downtown Revitalization Committee. Going to High School in Port Jefferson Station and living locally in Baiting Hollow, Janice has been familiar with the Tesla site and followed the sale closely. Tesla is a personal hero to her. After a series of synchronicities, Janice joined the Board of Directors and is aligned to help restore the property and use her talents to help create a world renown museum and site experience befitting to the memory and contributions of Nikola Tesla. She is married for 13 years to her husband John and keeps busy raising their 2 boys and an Australian Shepherd named Bosco.

Judy Murrah – Treasurer
Judy Murrah is President and Chief Operating Officer at Applied DNA Sciences, a leader in Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR)-based DNA manufacturing that enables in vitro diagnostics, pre-clinical nucleic acid-based therapeutic drug candidates, supply chain security, anti-counterfeiting and anti-theft technology. Her team is responsible for IT (internal and commercial software development) and business operations. Previously, at Motorola, Judy led IT program management, …
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quality assurance, and financial and supplier management. At Symbol Technologies (acquired by Motorola), Judy held leadership positions in IT, Product Management, Retail Marketing, Corporate and Marketing Communications, and Global Account Sales. She began her career as an Industrial Engineer at Kaiser Aluminum.
Judy serves on the Middle Country Library Foundation Board, the Tesla Museum Education Advisory Board, and Stony Brook University’s Center for Corporate Education Advisory Board. She was Co-Founder of ConnectToTech, a non-profit organization recognized by Computerworld magazine and the Long Island Imagine Awards for inspiring students to engage in STEM education and careers, the inaugural winner of the LISTnet / Long Island Center for Business & Professional Women Diamond Award recognizing women leaders in technology, an honoree of the Long Island Software and Technology Network, and a two-time recipient of the Top 50 Influential Women of Long Island award. Judy has been named co-author on 15 patents, published numerous articles in trade and business media, and has appeared on local and international television.
Judy earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Industrial Engineering from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Harvard Business School.

Mary Daum, PhD – Board Member
Mary Daum first learned about Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe when TSCW president Jane Alcorn spoke at a local civic association meeting. Active in civic affairs, she initially joined the board of TSCW to work on saving Tesla’s laboratory and making people aware of the eminent, but now nearly forgotten, scientist who had lived and worked in the community…
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Mary served as the Treasurer and co-Vice President (with Mike Russo) of TSCW in the past, during her ten-year tenure on the board. She is currently on the, Governance, and Finance Committees and the Board Handbook ad hoc committee, and previously served on the Audit Committee, Executive Committee and chaired the Mission and Vision ad hoc committee. With the property now secured, Mary hopes to draw on her former roles as a geographer, teacher, civic president and member of Town and County planning boards to help make TSCW a science center that is a source of both local pride and global significance. She is now amazed (and proud of) how this kitchen-table project has grown beyond anything she had imagined.
Mary is proud to be a member of the small but mighty team who worked for more than a decade to save the unique but almost-unknown piece of history that is Wardenclyffe. There is still lots of work to be done, but there is one thing in particular that she hopes to achieve. As a quilter, she would like to make a quilt depicting Tesla’s laboratory and iconic tower, to commemorate in a humble way a man of worldwide importance.

David Madigan – Board Member
David Madigan joined the Board to help in the effort to save the Wardenclyffe site. His interest in Nikola Tesla and Wardenclyffe came from living in the Shoreham community and growing up with tales of the famed inventor from neighbors and friends of his family who had interacted with Tesla during his time there.This interest was further piqued by his grandparents’ connection to Tesla…
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His grandfather’s artwork brought him into contact with many of Tesla’s friends andassociates, including Stanford White, John Jacob Astor, J.P Morgan, Mark Twain, and others. Having grown up not far from the site and having it embedded in his personal landscape in multiple ways, he wants to see it become a place that draws people from far and wide to learn about Tesla’s life and work and his everyday presence in today’s technologies around the world, as well as a place that continues his quest for innovation by hosting aspiring young electrical and energy inventors and entrepreneurs to develop their ideas on Tesla’s land.

Eugene Genova – Board Member
Gene Genova’s involvement with the Tesla Board came about through the enthusiastic recruitment in 1996 by Board president Jane Alcorn. With a 33 year career teaching earth science, he found that his background and interests naturally gravitated toward Tesla’s work and ideals. His role on the Board of Directors currently includes being on the…
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Chair of the Architecture, Construction, and Engineering (ACE) Committee and the Facilities and Grounds Working Committee. Since the purchase of the Tesla site in Shoreham in May of 2013, Gene has worked closely with hundreds of volunteers to improve and maintain the 16 acre property. He coordinated of large projects on the lab building: the removal and restoration of the wrought iron wellhead crowned the lab chimney for over 100 years, and the removal of a cooler room, which exposed most of the east wall of the original building. Gene is gratified to see the major changes at TSCW since 2013, mostly through the hard work of the volunteers. He is looking forward to new projects that will lead to the opening of the visitor’s center and Tesla lab building. In addition to working on the Tesla board he is president of the Long Island Mineral and Geology Society.

Jane Alcorn – Board Member
Jane Alcorn got started in the project to create the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe after learning about Nikola Tesla from a neighbor while living a block away from the laboratory! With a background including degrees and experience in education, creating a science learning center is one of her priorities, and acknowledging Tesla’s contributions to modern society and science are part of that passion…
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Actively participating in her community’s organizations and improvement activities, Jane has founded a community newspaper, founded and owned a natural food store, served as president and vice president of her local historical society, been a member of her community’s chamber of commerce, civic organization, and various other committees and organizations.
She is proud of the progress being made to bring recognition to Tesla, and to establish the Tesla Science Center at Wardenclyffe, which will be the culmination of a more than 30-year effort to bring education, history, science, innovation, and civic pride together in one place for the enrichment of society.

Margaret Foster, PHD – Board Member
Nikola Tesla’s laboratory was well hidden behind overgrowth in 2000, when Margaret Foster learned that she had driven past the laboratory for years on her way to work. From her background as a physicist, she had known about Tesla’s work, and she found compelling the project to acquire the property and restore the lab as a centerpiece for a science center. She joined the board of the Tesla Science Center in 2000…
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In 2013 she experienced the excitement of the crowd funding which revealed the international community of Tesla fans who supported this project. She works with others to maintain the natural environment of the grounds at Tesla Science Center and to establish a plan for exhibits and events that engage the community. She would like to find even more ways in which volunteers from around the world could share their expertise for this project. When she is not volunteering for TSCW, or working as an editor for the Physical Review, you may find her kayaking or working in her vegetable garden.

Mitchell Maiman – Board Member
Mitch, President of IPS, has more than 45 years of experience in successful product development. As President and co-founder of IPS, Mitch along with his partner, Paul Severino, have built a large, multi-functional product development team serving many tier one clients including. Motorola, Google, Verizon, Tyco, Leviton, Anheuser Busch, L3 Communications, Pepsi, Steinway and several divisions of Danaher Corporation as well as numerous smaller clients…
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Mitch’s present role followed a long, successful career at Symbol Technologies where Mitch served as Vice President of Engineering running engineering for a large, highly profitable business unit as well as an Advanced Development organization. Prior to Symbol Technologies, Mitch spent his career in commercial, industrial, consumer and defense product manufacturing companies including NCR and United Technologies. He has a plethora of US and international patents around his innovative work over his career. Mitch holds a Master of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering from Columbia University in NY as well as an MBA from Fairleigh Dickinson University in Rutherford, NJ. He has a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering Science from Hofstra University. Currently, Mitch is active in helping develop the local economy through roles with Stony Brook University, Launchpad, New York Institute of Technology, the Long Island High Tech Incubator and the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce.

Peter Klein – Board Member
Peter Klein is the chief investment officer & founder of ALINE Wealth. He is a published author of a technical work which speaks volumes of a career immersed in analytics and the science of investing. To this deep financial wisdom, he adds considerable acumen in philanthropy, helping clients navigate family trusts, institutions and non-profits.“There is nothing I love more than helping clients propel their business,” he says.
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“Except maybe helping them use the fruits of that success to benefit others. “He earned a bachelor’s degree in economics from Stony Brook University and a master’s degree in fiance from CUNYBaruch College. He is a CFA, CRPS and CAP. He recently received the CSRIC as part of a commitment to helping clients navigate ESG and SRI investing. Peter is the author of 2 well-regarded books, Getting Started in Security Analysis and a Passion for Giving: Tools and Inspiration for Creating a Charitable Foundation (with Angelica Berrie He was named to Forbes’ 2020 & 2021 list of the Best-In-State Wealth Advisors in NY. He is the recipient of the Community Impact Award by LIBN 2021 Corporate Citizenship Awards. His practice was named on Wealth Management’s 1st annual Thrive Awards list of fastest-growing financial advisors in 2019. Peter has been honored by the Diabetes Research Foundation as the recipient of the Gillan Family Humanitarian Award by the Child Abuse Prevention Service, Man of the Year by Life’s WORC, Philanthropist of the Year by the Long Island Alzheimer Foundation, recipient of the Larry Kushnick Memorial Award for Community Service and named Best Philanthropist on LI in 2017 by BFCU. He was recognized by Dan’sPapers on the 2021 PowerList of the East End. Prior to joining Hightower and co-founding ALINE, Peter was with UBS (Paine Webber) since 1994, where he was recognized in the UBS Global Circle of Excellence in 2008.Peter and his wife have been married for more than 25 years and they have three children.

Thomas D. Bianculli – Board Member
Tom Bianculli serves as the Chief Technology Officer (CTO) of Zebra Technologies. In this role, Bianculli is responsible for the exploration of emerging opportunities, coordinating with product teams on advanced technology development, product and solutions strategy and inorganic investment. Bianculli started his career with Symbol Technologies, Inc. as part of the data capture solutions business. …
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In the following years, Bianculli held positions of increased responsibility including architectural and director of engineering roles. As larger investments were made in the emerging imaging data capture product category, Bianculli provided technical leadership for the business and co-led the development of the company’s first imager-based handheld data capture product while on assignment in Japan.

Bianculli went on to form the Emerging Business Office at Motorola to explore new opportunities adjacent to the core businesses. At the time of the Zebra Technologies’ acquisition of Motorola Solutions’ Enterprise Business in 2014, Bianculli transitioned the Enterprise segment of Motorola’s CTO team to Zebra and was subsequently appointed as CTO of the new combined organization in 2016. The CTO team has driven the key tenets of Zebra’s Enterprise Asset Intelligence vision which led to the formation of a new software business that today contributes over $200M of annual revenue.

Bianculli has been granted over 20 U.S. patents and is a Motorola Distinguished Innovator and Science Advisory Board Associate. He was recently named one of the Top 100 Leaders in Technology 2021 by Technology Magazine.

Bianculli holds Bachelor of Science and Master of Science degrees in Electrical Engineering from Polytechnic University, NYU. He also serves on the Board of Directors for the School of Engineering for the New York Institute of Technology.

Matt Domo – Board Member
As CEO of FifthVantage, Matt helps his clients digitally transform by adopting emerging technologies unique to their businesses to empower their teams, delight their customers, and create sustainable growth. Matt is a world-class futurist and thought leader in business and technology. His passion is to blend “what could be” with technology while pragmatically helping focus on what delivers results for your business.
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Matt is one of the founders of Amazon Web Services and a pioneer in the AI and cloud computing industries. He has created nine cutting-edge cloud products and seven e-commerce website solutions, generating Billions in revenue for Amazon, Microsoft, and more.

Matt was recognized by Passion Vista Magazine as one of the Global Icons of 2023, by USA Today as one of the “Top 9 Most Exciting Entrepreneurs of 2021,” and as one of the “Top 50 Technology Leaders in the World” by Intercon, the Internet Technology Conference. Matt writes for Newsweek and Fast Company magazines about what’s new and essential in Artificial Intelligence, Digital Technology Strategy, Digital Transformation, and Entrepreneurial Leadership.

Dr. Gregory Olsen – Board Member
Dr. Gregory Olsen is a pioneering research scientist, entrepreneur, and the third private citizen to travel to the International Space Station (ISS). Currently, he serves as president of GHO Ventures, an angel investment firm in Princeton, NJ, managing investments across technology, a South African winery, and a Montana ranch. Dr. Olsen holds degrees in Physics and Electrical Engineering from Fairleigh Dickinson University and a Ph.D. in Materials Science…
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from the University of Virginia. Over his career, he founded EPITAXX and Sensors Unlimited, leaders in fiber-optic and near-infrared technologies. His work led to multiple successful exits, including the sale of Sensors Unlimited to Finisar for $600 million. With 12 patents and over 100 published papers, he has advanced the field of optoelectronics and an active advocate for STEM, especially among underrepresented groups. Dr. Olsen is a Fellow of IEEE LEOS and the inaugural recipient of the IEEE Aron Kressel Award.

Matthew Inman – Board Member
Matthew Inman, also known as “The Oatmeal,” is an American cartoonist, author, and game creator renowned for his humorous, often insightful webcomics. Inman’s work, showcased on his site The Oatmeal, covers topics ranging from grammar and science to quirky takes on daily life. His unique style combines wit, satire, and sometimes dark humor, earning him a large online following.
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He is also the creator of the wildly popular card game Exploding Kittens, which became one of Kickstarter’s most successful campaigns, and is now featured on Netflix. Inman’s creative storytelling and distinct voice have made him a beloved figure in web-based comics and humor.

Inman was instrumental in the success of the TSCW 2012 crowdfunding campaign that helped preserve Nikola Tesla’s historic laboratory site. His work embodies the innovation and dedication central to Tesla’s legacy.

Russ Rubman – Board Member
Russ Rubman is an engineer, entrepreneur, designer, and philanthropist with more than 30 years of experience in the defense and aerospace sector. He is the founder of Alloys International, a manufacturing company specializing in advanced components and materials made from superalloys and titanium, serving global markets with operations in the U.S. and overseas.

In addition to his work in aerospace manufacturing, Russ is the owner of Gittler Instruments LLC, where he applies minimalist design principles to create innovative guitars and basses constructed from skeletal titanium structures. His work as a designer and artist reflects a philosophy centered on stripping away excess to reveal a product’s essential purpose—allowing form, function, and human interaction to work in harmony.

A lifelong innovator and collector of rare and historical artifacts, Russ brings a multidisciplinary perspective that bridges engineering, art, and technology. He is also a supporter of philanthropic and educational initiatives.

Russ values balance above all, with family at the center of his life. He and his wife Claire, married for over three decades, share three children and remain his greatest source of inspiration.

Romain Murenzi – Board Member

A distinguished physicist and academic, Romain Murenzi brings decades of expertise in science diplomacy, policy-making, and education. Holding a Ph.D. in Physics from the Catholic University of Louvain, Murenzi currently serves as a Professor of Physics at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where his research focuses on wavelets, signal processing, and quantum physics.
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His extensive leadership experience includes serving as Executive Director of The World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) and Director of Science Policy at UNESCO. As Rwanda’s former Minister of Education, Science, and Technology, Murenzi led transformative educational and innovation initiatives, advancing science for societal benefit. His numerous accolades include an honorary doctorate from the University of Johannesburg, recognizing his contributions to global science education.

Jeff Lackey – Board Member
Jeff Lackey is a strategic human resources and talent executive with more than 25 years of global experience leading workforce transformation, talent acquisition, and organizational growth for Fortune 500 and high-growth companies. He has held senior leadership roles at organizations including CVS Health and Rolls-Royce, where he led large-scale recruiting operations across North America and more than 70 countries worldwide.
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Jeff is the founder of JKL Advisors, a consulting firm specializing in talent strategy, HR transformation, and retention, advising organizations across technology, healthcare, and retail sectors. Known for aligning people strategies with business objectives, he has driven innovation in recruiting technology, supported major mergers and acquisitions, and built high-performing global teams.

An active board member and advisor to leading workforce and technology organizations, Jeff brings deep expertise in leadership, operations, and organizational design. He is passionate about building sustainable talent pipelines and supporting educational and innovation-driven missions that inspire the next generation.

Board of Directors

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