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Michael Courouleau – Fire Suppression Q and A

December 24, 2012 By Leave a Comment

Michael Courouleau is an environmental and safety professional with extensive experience in industrial safety.

Q: Dust explosions in grain silos are still a huge danger. What’s the most effective fire suppression method for inside the silo?

Michael Courouleau: A simple sprinkler setup and complete saturation of vessels or silos is still the best firefighting method.

Q: What about dust collector tanks?

Michael Courouleau: They should have systems in place that will isolate hazards, as well as equipment to deploy water or gaseous agents, and explosion venting.

Q: Should there be a different apparatus for motor control centers?

Michael Courouleau: Yes, a Class C electrical fire as you would find in a motor control center should use dry chemical agents for fire control.

Q: Are Halon fire control systems still in use?

Michael Courouleau: No, almost all Halon systems have been replaced by environmentally-friendly fire extinguishing agents.

Q: What has taken its place?

Michael Courouleau: FM 200 has superseded Halon technology, but it carries its own risks; it’s important that MSDS sheets should be on site so that personnel know the hazards of FM 200.

Q: What are the regulations for fire control?

Michael Courouleau: The National Electric Code’s NFPA 70 regulations require that ignition-proof components be used in areas where combustible dusts might be found. Electrical components need to be labeled as Class 2, Division 1 or 2.

Q: What about static electricity?

Michael Courouleau: Yes, natural fiber clothing should be worn so that static electricity won’t be a danger.

Q: Where are dust hazards greatest in this environment?

Michael Courouleau: We see the greatest dust hazards at loading or unloading points, or transfer areas. Plant design and engineering controls can help in minimizing the number of transfer points, and adding liquid mist or sprinklers to help keep dust down.

Q: What is coke dust?

Michael Courouleau: Coke dust can be produced from coal or petroleum processing.

Q: What kinds of safety precautions are used for coke dust?

Michael Courouleau: Devices like slow downs, rub blocks, and pressure systems can help prevent heat or spark sources.

Q: Is coke dust combustible?

Michael Courouleau: The jury is still out on that. Studies have been underway for years to determine the combustibility of coke dust. At present, we’re presuming that it is.

Q: Do plants have a monitoring system for coke dust?

Michael Courouleau: Yes, particulate monitors are used.

Q: How do they work?

Michael Courouleau: They send a signal that triggers a water mist system at belts, motors and other transfer points.

Q: What’s the purpose of the water mist?

Michael Courouleau: Water mist reduces the concentration of airborne dust, eliminating the fuel source.

Q: Are there other options?

Michael Courouleau: Yes, the device can be interlocked with existing equipment to automatically shut down the machinery if the airborne concentration is exceeded, letting the dust settle again. Ventilation is also crucial in these situations.

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Haute Chefs Founder Jeffrey Nimer on Preparing Perfect Prime Rib

December 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Jeffrey Nimer

Jeffrey Nimer

Whether a holiday gathering or sit-down dinner, Jeffrey Nimer says a good piece of meat makes the meal. Here, Haute Chefs’ Executive Chef Jeffrey Nimer details the Dos and the Don’ts of prime rib preparation.

Interviewing Experts: Jeffrey, thank you for taking time out to chat with us today.

Jeffrey Nimer: It’s my pleasure; I’ll always talk about food!

Interviewing Experts: What’s your favorite cut of meat when cooking for a crowd?

Jeffrey Nimer: I love standing rib roasts and really any prime rib in general.

Interviewing Experts: Prime… that’s the grade of the meat, right?

Jeffrey Nimer: It can be, but typically beef graded as Prime is reserved for fine steakhouses and butcher shops. Grocery store prime rib is most likely a Choice cut.

Interviewing Experts: How are these cuts graded? What makes one better than the other?

Jeffrey Nimer: It’s the marbling, which is the little veins of fat that run through the meat. More visible marbling means the meat with cook into a more tender and flavorful dish.

Interviewing Experts: I’ve heard that you are an expert in Standing Rib Roasts… Can you tell our readers exactly what that means?

Jeffrey Nimer: A standing roast is just one that has the bones intact and can literally stand up without assistance.

Interviewing Experts: It sounds like a large piece of meat. Isn’t that difficult?

Jeffrey Nimer: Not really if you get ready ahead of time.

Interviewing Experts: By…?

Jeffrey Nimer: First, let the meat come to room temperate before subjecting it to high heat. It will cook unevenly if the center temperature is very different from the outside. Also, make sure to tie the entire roast. If it is allowed to pull away from the bone, it will lose flavor.

Interviewing Experts: What about the fat on the outside of the meat?

Jeffrey Nimer: You want to trim it down to less than one inch thick; this will make the roast much better than if it did not have any fat basting it.

Interviewing Experts: What sort of temperature should it be cooked at?

Jeffrey Nimer: I’ve said it a million times and I’ll repeat it now: Low and Slow. Low and Slow. The oven temp should be no more than 160 degrees – and that’s for a well-done prime.

Interviewing Experts: Any last tips for the novice rib roaster?

Jeffrey Nimer: Don’t cut the roast with a dull knife…and, try serving with Yorkshire Pudding.

Jeffrey Nimer’s passion for food dates back to his childhood, where his grandfather let him wander around the kitchen of the family’s café. Today, Chef Nimer uses his skills and inherent love of food to craft the perfect combination of local and fresh produce and meats with dazzling presentations.

To contact Jeffrey Nimer visit hautechefsofla.com or check out his profile on Social Culinaire, a food-lovers networking site at socialculinaire.com.

 

 

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Peter F. Spittler on Energy Conservation

December 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Peter F. Spittler

Peter F. Spittler

We recently spoke with Peter F. Spittler, of Forum Architects. Peter F. Spittler is a renowned designer and architect with extensive experience in green-building and energy conservation practices.

Q: Peter F. Spittler, are energy conservation practices all high-tech?

Peter F. Spittler: Not necessarily. Common-sense, old-world ideas like skylights that refract and multiply daylight, shade trees to protect buildings during the hottest part of the day, or situating buildings to take advantage of prevailing winds are all common. Somewhere along the way planners, architects and engineers forgot about these simple and practicable design approaches.

Q: What are some other ideas that come into play?

Peter F. Spittler: Sometimes little things like low-water or waterless urinals, landscaping that doesn’t require much water, or even installing reflective white roofing can make a huge difference over time.

Q: What is LEED?

Peter F. Spittler: LEED stands for Leading Energy and Environmental Design.

Q: What does Leading Energy and Environmental Design do?

Peter F. Spittler: LEED is an outside third-party, market-driven system to provide guidelines for energy efficiency. LEED gives their certification for building projects that meet their marks.

Q: Isn’t LEED compliance expensive?

Peter F. Spittler: That’s a sort of misconception. Some LEED-compliant refits can be cost-prohibitive, but buildings can still meet LEED benchmarks without too much cost on the front end. What people need to remember is that an energy-efficient building plan will more than pay for itself when energy savings are realized over time. There was a time when it was expensive to go Green, but the product manufacturers have caught up with the Green movement and today products and system are readily available and reasonably priced.

Q: Does LEED compliance come with incentives?

Peter F. Spittler: Yes, it does. Federal perks are available to encourage LEED compliance and energy efficiency; many state and local governments also offer incentives.

Q: Is LEED design only for new construction?

Peter F. Spittler: Not at all, we’ve been able to refit many older buildings for energy efficiency and LED compliance. Sometimes we find that older buildings incorporated great ideas from 75 years ago or longer, which were later discarded or covered over for appearance’s sake. Even things like a tall ceiling can make a big difference in the cooling and HVAC scheme of a building, but dropped ceilings were the prevailing style from the 1950s on. Also, air conditioning and climate control systems took the place of gravitational and cross ventilation and now the pendulum is swinging back the other way towards operable windows and other simple solutions.

Peter F. Spittler is an alumnus of Kent State University’s architecture program. In addition to his membership with the American Institute of Architects, Peter F. Spittler is a member of the National Council of Architectural Registration Boards.

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Rich von Alvensleben – Von Vesting Q & A

December 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Rich Von Alvensleben

Rich Von Alvensleben

Rich Von Alvensleben is the Operations Manager for Von Vesting Inc., a professional real estate redevelopment company operating in Northern California. Under Rich Von Alvensleben’s leadership, Von Vesting has established a great track record for investors and their own company as well. Here, Rich Von Alvensleben answers a few questions about Von Vesting.

Q: How many properties has Von Vesting sold in the past decade?

Rich Von Alvensleben: In the last twelve years, we’ve bought and sold approximately 1700 properties, leveraging our experience to take the chance and guesswork out of the process for investors. We’ve returned investors over 12% cash-on-cash every year, and over 20% cash on cash in 10 of the 12 years.

Q: What’s your investment strategy?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We buy smart—which means a low price with high resell potential and manageable construction needs, taking distressed properties off the REO lists of lenders at wholesale rates, rehabing them with new amenities, and then offering them for sale at sub-market rates.

Q: What’s your typical return?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We shoot for a minimum return of 15% per property—but the key is velocity.  When we do what we’re supposed to, we can use the same money to buy and sell three properties in one year.  So that 15% per property translates into 45% for the year.

Q: That has to be a good strategy for investors…

Rich Von Alvensleben: Absolutely! We split profits 50-50 with investors—it’s fair for both sides.

Q: Can you expand on that a little?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We make sure to do our homework on liens, titles, zip codes and comps when we buy, and are careful to stay away from properties that need serious structural work that would cut into the return. The key is our track record and experience—after approximately 1700 flips, there is not much that we haven’t seen.

Q: Doesn’t it get tricky in a down market, though?

Rich Von Alvensleben: Yes, getting an accurate fix on a sales price can be really tough if you don’t know the ropes.   But at the end of the day, a down market requires more skill—you have to be tighter with your budgets and quicker with your construction work and more accurate on your projected sales price.  We like it, because it weeds out competitors—easy to lose money in a down market if you don’t know what you’re doing.

Q: What are your guidelines?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We want a property to sell quickly after improvements are completed. We get a fix on sale price, then work backwards from there, factoring in disposition, improvements, acquisition & carry costs, etc.   The key is knowing what you’re going to sell a property at quickly.  This is more then just comps—it’s construction and days on market too.

Q: How long do properties typically sit on the market?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We shoot for a 90-day turnaround on each property from date of purchase to close of escrow.  The customers buying our product on MLS generally want 30 day escrows, so that means we have to have properties fixed up and listed in 2-3 weeks max so that we have 2-3 wks to list and get them into escrow.  90 days can fly by pretty quickly.

Q: How is Von Vesting structured?

Rich Von Alvensleben: Von Vesting is a California Limited Liability Company that is contracted by the Limited Partnerships that have the investment dollars.  Von Vesting finds the property, hires the general contractor and the real estate broker—manages the entire process—on behalf of the Limited Partnership that holds the investment dollars.

Q: Who are your principals?

Rich Von Alvensleben: Von Vesting is owned and operated by my wife and I with a lot of help by our Chief Operating Officer (J. Kale Flagg) and our Chief Financial Officer (Mike Harman, CPA). The Limited Partnership, which we call the Fund, is owned pro-rata by all of the investors.

Q: What is your target market?

Rich Von Alvensleben: We operate mainly in the San Francisco South Bay area and greater Sacramento.   We have also done flips in Arizona and Nevada—wherever we can find good product that we can turn quickly in markets we know and understand.

Q: Do you have local experience?

Rich Von Alvensleben: Yes, one partner and I grew up in South Bay, so we have a certain amount of home-field advantage.

Q: That has to be a big help!

Rich Von Alvensleben: Immeasurably so. We know how to figure comps with our knowledge of the area, helping to move the properties more quickly on the back end.

Q: That must make it attractive for investors.

Rich Von Alvensleben: It does. Our business relies on velocity, and the fact that we’re so familiar with streets and neighborhoods is a huge advantage for us.

The career path of Rich Von Alvensleben has taken him in diverse directions. Rich Von Alvensleben ’s first passion was marine biology, taking him to a stint as a commercial diver for the United States Antarctic Research Program. Rich Von Alvensleben was also co-owner and founder of Associated Drilling, a California-based construction company; and was co-founder of World Concepts LLC, a nationwide marketing and sales company that generated large profits for many years. Rich Von Alvensleben went on to serve as Construction Manager at Eldorado Holding Company, Inc., a springboard into the arena of real estate investment with Von Vesting. Rich Von Alvensleben lives in the greater Sacramento area; when not at work, Rich Von Alvensleben volunteers with his community and spends quality time with his family.

 

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Dr. James D. Sterling Discusses New York Center for Psychotherapy’s Referrals

December 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Dr. James D. Sterling

Dr. James D. Sterling

Dr. James D. Sterling began private practice soon after obtaining his Doctor of Philosophy in psychology from the University of Chicago. Today, through his New York Center for Psychotherapy, Dr. James D. Sterling is able to leverage the many relationships he has been fortunate to make through the years in order to increase care for his clients.

In addition to being a respected family and marital therapist, Dr. James D. Sterling serves as an Assistant Clinical Professor at Mount Sinai Medical Center. Recently, Dr. James D. Sterling spoke with Interviewing Experts Blog about the other specialists he works with to provide the highest quality care for New York residents who need it.

Interviewing Experts: You’ve been on the faculty at Mt. Sinai for a while. Tell us about your position there.

Dr. James D. Sterling: I’ve been an Assistant Clinical Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at Mount Sinai since 2000 before that I was a clinical instructor in the same department. Prior to that, I was a clinical instructor at Metropolitan Hospital in New York in the Department of Psychiatry.

Interviewing Experts: How has this enhanced your practice?

Dr. James D. Sterling: In part, my work as a clinical instructor helps me educate others, but I find I actually learn from my students as well. And it also helps me to be able to make connections that help my clients. In addition regular weekly meetings with faculty lead by Dr. Hillel Swiller provided the opportunity a stimulating opportunity to exchange ideas with other professionals.

Interviewing Experts: Because of this, you have connections at Mount Sinai. How does this help you serve your clients better?

Dr. James D. Sterling: Mount Sinai has one of the outstanding psychiatry departments in the country, with revolutionary research into emotional and mental disorders and autism. Having access to the excellent specialists at Mount Sinai allows me to refer patients who need extremely specialized care.

Interviewing Experts: We often send clients to physicians in particular medical specialties at New York Cornell Medical Center like Dr. David Blumenthal in Cardiology and Dr. Frank Petito in neurology and Patrick O’Leary in Orthopedics and Edward Muecke in urology to get the specialized care they need.

Interviewing Experts: You also have connections at NYU. Can you tell us a little about how those connections help your practice?

Dr. James D. Sterling: NYU’s Langone Medical Center has a focus on addiction, brain aging, schizophrenia, trauma, and obesity. This emphasis gives the center a specialty that comes in useful when we have a client who needs assistance in this particular area.

Interviewing Experts: The hospital also does extensive neuroscience research…

Dr. James D. Sterling: Yes. NYU has the Center for Neural Science, which delves into the relationship between the brain’s physiological makeup and a variety of psychological issues.

Interviewing Experts: What are some of your other connections in New York?

Dr. James D. Sterling: Columbia University is another valuable referral source for the New York Center for Psychotherapy.

Interviewing Experts: And I know that Columbia is known for its innovative research, as well.

Dr. James D. Sterling: Absolutely! Columbia Psychiatry has a large faculty that includes some of the premier neuroscientists of our time.

Interviewing Experts: Columbia has a large psychiatric hospital, doesn’t it?

Dr. James D. Sterling: Yes, and one of the many features at Columbia University is a child psychiatric clinic. This is a newly renovated clinic, with doctors specializing in child psychiatry.

Interviewing Experts: Since New York Center for Psychotherapy specializes in family and marital care, do you find you often refer clients?

Dr. James D. Sterling: Yes often. While we work with our clients to improve communication and intimacy in relationships, sometimes there are issues that impact the individuals in a relationship.

Dr. James D. Sterling practices at the New York Center for Psychotherapy on Park Avenue in New York, where he serves as Director.

 

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Jay P. Clark Discusses the Power of Camelina as a Biofuel

December 22, 2012 By Leave a Comment
Jay P. Clark

Jay P. Clark

Jay P. Clark has headed up operations at Clark’s Crystal Springs Ranch in Idaho for nearly five years, providing hunting opportunities and harvesting crops on the land. In addition to corn, oats, and hay, Jay P. Clark will soon be planting camelina, a flowering plant that is currently being used in the development of alternative fuel sources. The fast-growing plant is ideal for replacing expensive oil in powering jets. Recently, Jay P. Clark spoke with Interviewing Experts about this exciting new source of alternative fuel.

Interviewing Experts: Thank you for speaking with us today, Mr. Clark. Could you first explain how this plant is harvested for use in fuel?

Jay P. Clark: Sure. Camelina contains small seeds that are heavy with omega oils. These oils can be extracted for use in food, with the cloudier, granier-looking oils from camelina being used for fuels.

Interviewing Experts: Are these fuels used to power cars we see on the road every day?

Jay P. Clark: Not yet. The biofuels from camelina oils are primarily being put to use in planes and jets at the current time.

Interviewing Experts: Is this oil being used in American jets and planes right now?

Jay P. Clark: This is something that is still in trial here in the States. The USDA only recently began issuing insurance to farmers interested in growing camelina crop.

Interviewing Experts: So then these camelina-growing operations aren’t only good for the environment…it sounds like they’re also good for the economy.

Jay P. Clark: I absolutely believe that! Jobs will be created out of all of this, not just for harvesting the crop, but also for extracting the oil and transporting it.

Interviewing Experts: Does camelina seed have other uses?

Jay P. Clark: Camelina seed makes great feed for livestock, which could lead to healthier livestock, providing an added benefit to the consumer food market.

Interviewing Experts: I’ve also heard the oil from camelina can be used in the place of vegetable oil.

Jay P. Clark: Yes. It cannot only be used as a vegetable oil substitute, but it can also be used in cosmetics.

Interviewing Experts: When will your ranch begin growing camelina?

Jay P. Clark: In the spring, Clark’s Crystal Springs Ranch plans to begin growing camelina for harvest.

Jay P. Clark’s Crystal Spring Ranch occupies thousands of acres of land in an area of Idaho close to Boise. He holds degrees in social sciences and natural sciences from Northwest Nazarene University.

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Interviewing Experts – Tips For Safer Online Shopping

December 20, 2012 By Leave a Comment

This holiday season there was a 193% percent jump in people shopping with their mobile devices on Black Friday. But as useful as it is to be able to shop anywhere without having to stand in line at a retailer, there are simple precautions that consumers should take to make sure that they’re not divulging personal information to a third party. With that in mind, Interviewing Experts has some tips for consumers who are finishing up their holiday shopping.

Not all sites and web pages are equally secure. Remember to make sure that the checkout page reads “HTTPS” in the browser bar. The “S” at the end differentiates secure sites from non-secure sites. Never enter personal or financial information on a site that simply reads “HTTP.”

The next thing that shoppers should notice is the lock icon in the address bar. That lock indicates that the site is secured with an SSL (secure sockets layer) connection. It’s easier to see on a laptop than a cell phone, so it’s important to zoom in to the address bar to make sure the lock symbol is there. If it’s not, don’t shop there.

Another simple tip to remember is to use a password on your mobile device in case it’s  stolen. Studies have shown that only about half of mobile device users have a security password. Many smart phones contain personal banking information and credit card numbers. Even if certain apps have passwords, it’s easy enough to reset once a thief has their hands on your device. A password is a simple step to help ensure that your personal information stays personal.

Also, it’s always a good idea to shop online with a credit card instead of a debit card. Most credit cards have purchase protection in case the number is stolen or if there is an issue with the purchase. Although It’s difficult to keep up with everything during the holiday season, Interviewing Experts wants to remind consumers that it’s very important to double check bank and credit card statements to ensure that there hasn’t been any fraudulent activity on those accounts.

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An Eye-opening Interview with J. Kale Flagg

December 7, 2012 By Leave a Comment
J. Kale Flagg

J. Kale Flagg

A native of beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii, J. Kale Flagg dreamed of being a successful businessman since he was a child. J. Kale Flagg’s life and career have taken him all around the globe. From childhood travels thru France, England, Morocco, Cyprus, Israel, Turkey and Greece; to college at Yale University to jobs on Wall Street to working under the bright lights of Las Vegas, J. Kale Flagg has seen and done it all. His outstanding track record in business and his success in his personal and family lives make J. Kale Flagg a true inspiration to anyone seeking to accomplish their own dreams and goals. Recently, Interviewing Experts had the opportunity to spend a few moments talking with J. Kale Flagg about his formula for success.

Interviewing Experts: Why do you think that many people get stuck in their daily lives?

J. Kale Flagg: A lot of people simply do the exact same thing every day, and then they wonder why nothing is changing in their lives. I’ve heard insanity defined as doing the same thing time and time again and expecting new results – I call that a blueprint for failure.

Interviewing Experts: How does that translate into the business world?

J. Kale Flagg: I look at my sales team and employees and I ask them why every person in the world isn’t happy, or why most people aren’t doing their dream jobs. The answer I get is that they want to accomplish those things, but they don’t think they can. There’s an invisible barrier for most people.

Interviewing Experts: How can people break through that barrier?

J. Kale Flagg: Effort. Just go for it! I haven’t met anyone who put forth the tremendous effort it takes to succeed who didn’t end up achieving his or her dream. Sure, success comes easier for some, but at the end of the day, it is getting started followed by consistent pure hard work that separates the mediocre life from the life you dream of.

Interviewing Experts: Why do you think people are afraid to try?

J. Kale Flagg: It’s a fear of failure. It’s a fear of what other people will think or say. Sometimes it’s even a fear of success. For many people, success is an unknown because they’ve never been there before. And fear of the unknown drives people to stay in their comfort zones.

Interviewing Experts: How would you best describe this fear?

J. Kale Flagg: Think of a boat that has been floating in the same spot of water for years. There are better spots all around it, but starting the boat up also starts waves. It makes the ride uncomfortable, and just like in life, that makes many people resistant to moving or making changes.

Interviewing Experts: What is it about “making waves” that scares people?

J. Kale Flagg: Think about it—if you’ve been stuck in a rut for years, your friends and family know you as that person. They may not want you to change. But when you get on a path toward success, you may become a different person, and often times, there is resistance from those who are closest to us.

Interviewing Experts: What sort of parting advice do you wish to leave us with?

J. Kale Flagg: Don’t be afraid of change. Don’t be afraid of hard work. And don’t be afraid to make a few waves. But perhaps most importantly, don’t be afraid of failure—just keep moving, taking action, and striving ahead. In time, your efforts will pay off.

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