Mission
The challenge for us in the U.S. to dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions to control climate change is enormous. From our research, consulting, and direct project work, we know that it is achievable. It will require a serious, steady commitment to the decisions we make in managing the use of energy in our transportation systems, industrial activities, and our buildings. Energy consumption in buildings constitutes 40 percent of all usage, and thereby 40 percent of all emissions generated by the U.S. economy.
The aim of PEAR (Pollin Energy and Retrofits) has been precisely to create a viable, socially committed, green enterprise, that is capable of playing a significant role in fighting climate change and building a green economy.
Our Team
Robert Pollin | President
In addition to his role as founder and president of PEAR, Robert Pollin is a professor of economics and founding co-director of the Political Economy Research Institute (PERI) at the University of Massachusetts Amherst. He and his co-workers have done extensive research on how to build a green energy economy and to generate good job opportunities throughout the country in the process.
He and his co-workers have consulted for, among other organizations, the U.S. Department of Energy, the International Labour Organization, the Center for American Progress, the Natural Resources Defense Council, the Blue/Green Alliance, the Service Employees International Union, the U.S. Green Building Council, the Alliance for American Manufacturing, and the World Wildlife Federation of Canada. His publications on this issue include Green Recovery, Green Prosperity, Job Opportunities for the Green Economy, and The Economic Benefits of Investing in Clean Energy.
Separately, Bob also served in 2010 as CEO of Washington Sports and Entertainment. This followed the passing in late 2009 of his father Abe Pollin, who had been the longtime owner of the Washington Wizards NBA basketball team and the creator and owner of the Verizon Center arena that revitalized downtown Washington.
Bob holds a bachelor's degree in history from the University of Wisconsin-Madison and a Ph.D. in economics from the New School for Social Research.
Spirit Joseph| Executive Vice President
Spirit focuses on development of commercial solar projects and energy efficiency financing at Pear. He also serves as a senior adviser to Urban Ingenuity, focusing on strategic planning, project financing, and corporate finance. In the past he worked as program manager of the Cooperative Fund of New England, structuring and overseeing lending programs for cooperatively run businesses. Ever since his time serving as a Peace Corps volunteer in Gabon Africa, Spirit has been committed to socially mission-focused organizations. He is passionate about building a green economy focused upon renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.
Spirit holds an M.B.A. from the Isenberg School of Management and a B.S. in biology from Worcester Polytechnic Institute.
Brian Levy | Vice President
Brian has worked on implementing energy efficiency programs at the U.S. Department of Energy, where he oversaw a $110 million portfolio of Recovery Act weatherization grants. Most recently he worked on launching efficiency projects at the new DC Sustainable Energy Utility.
He has extensive experience with international project development and management. Brian holds a B.A. in political science from Carleton College and a master in public policy from Harvard's Kennedy School.