Gary Simpson (UVM ’76), co-founder and Chief Operating Officer of Windmill Capital, an investment management firm in New York City, has been appointed as a new member of the Rubenstein School Board of Advisors.

“Gary Simpson brings valuable leadership, board experience, and management expertise to the Rubenstein School’s Board of Advisors,” states Dean Nancy Mathews. “His business acumen and his passion for the University, in particular his support to the Environmental Program, will help to steer the School into the top tier of schools of the environment in the nation.”

 A native of New York City, Gary grew up skiing at Vermont’s Sugarbush Resort, and it was a natural transition for him to attend the University Vermont. As a botany major, he was greatly influenced by Ian Worley, former Professor of Botany in UVM’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences.

“Ian broadened my horizon’s as a student and opened my eyes educationally,” states Gary. To provide similar experiences to young students and to honor Ian, who directed the UVM Environmental Program from 1994-2008, Gary created and now supports the Ian A. Worley Awards for Creative and Independent Thinking in Environmental Studies. The awards are given to students and faculty to encourage and support creativity and independent thinking in the pursuit of addressing environmental goals.

Immediately after graduating from UVM, Gary worked in his family’s construction business in New York City and then went on to develop several of his own businesses. He earned his MBA from New York University’s Stern School of Business in 1989.

Now, with more than 25 years of experience as an entrepreneur and executive in a variety of companies and business sectors, Gary has worked in construction, real estate, and venture capital. He has managed more than $1 billion in construction work including restoration of New York City’s Ellis Island and construction of the Brooklyn Navy Yard cogeneration plant, which provides electric power and steam heat to Consolidated Edison of New York.

He is also founder and director of Transit Wireless LLC, which owns the exclusive license to operate cellular and WiFi services in New York City’s underground subway stations of which more than three quarters are presently active. His company plans to finish connecting all of the stations by the end of this year and to extend service into the tunnels in the future.

Gary has served on the board of directors of many organizations, including the Council on the Environment of New York City, the Center Against Domestic Violence, and the Metro New York Chapter of the Young Presidents’ Organization, a global network of young chief executives with a shared mission to become “better leaders through lifelong learning and idea exchange.”

A member of the New York Angels investment organization, Gary looks to fund and mentor great young entrepreneurs and startup companies.

As a Rubenstein School Board member, Gary states, “I enjoy my participation in the School and helping with the mission of engaging and educating young people in the environmental disciplines and about urgent environmental issues, so they can go on to become good citizens and passionate leaders and incorporate environmental values into their lives in ways big and small.”

Gary and his wife Sandi and son Max continue to enjoy skiing at Sugarbush. Gary serves on the board of his son’s ice hockey association and is involved in concussion prevention and management.

“I try to be involved in programs that I find meaningful and impactful, and give back to help influence someone else’s life for the better,” says Gary.

PUBLISHED

07-28-2016