Meet Gary
Decades of accomplishment in business have equipped Gary Mittleman with the energy, ideas and skills to lead the effort to turn our economy around and make our
country competitive in the world. Gary's expertise in energy issues is especially important right now, as we grapple with the challenge of developing the most
sensible policies for the future.
In the 21st district, he is best known as the founding CEO of Plug Power, a high tech company developing products to provide clean and affordable electricity
for the home. Mr. Mittleman turned Plug Power into the leading residential fuel cell company worldwide. Starting with a team of 22 people, he brought nearly
500 jobs to this district. Starting with one patent application, he spurred the creation of new technology. Within three years there were over a 100. He was
able to attract and work with many other companies and organizations to make this happen including General Electric, Engelhard, Detroit Edison, SoCal Gas,
Hoechst Celanese, New York State Research and Development Authority, The Dept. of Energy and the Dept. of Defense. In March 2000, Forbes Magazine listed Mr.
Mittleman as one of the country's top 500 CEO's.
Today, Gary works with young start-up companies in the area to help get them off the ground. In addition, he serves on the board of IP Logic, a local internet,
voice and communications company* *as chairman and he is a guest lecturer at the Graduate Business School at Syracuse University.
Prior to founding Plug Power Mr. Mittleman, held a number of management positions in both large and small companies including: Detroit Edison, Michigan's
largest utility company; Ameritech, the Midwest telephone company; Booz Allen & Hamilton, a national consulting firm; American Can Company; the Knightsbridge
Group; and Rank Hovis and McDougall.
His Energy experience is broader than just large electric utilities and fuel cells. Early in his career he worked with Gulf Oil, NPDC Solar Energy and the
University of Rochester Laser Fusion Laboratory, all of which have contributed to his perspective on solutions to our nation's energy issues. He has also
served as a member of the Electric Power Research Institute's Research Advisory Committee.
Mr. Mittleman received his BA in mathematics and MS in mechanical and aerospace sciences from the University of Rochester in 1975/1977. He earned his MBA in
finance with honors from the University of Chicago in 1979.
He is 55 years old and has been a registered Democrat since the age of 18. He is married and lives in Loudonville , NY , a suburb of Albany , with his wife
Marilyn, their three children, and two dogs. He is also a former trustee of the Eastern New York State Chapter of The Nature Conservancy, the Albany
Institute of History and Art, and the Center for High Technology among other non-profit organizations.