2009 30 under 40 winners

Thomas Culp, 39

Owner, Birch Point Consulting LLC, La Crosse, Wis.

Culp started in the industry as a research scientist working on low-E coatings. Today, he uses that experience as an advocate in the areas of energy efficiency and code consulting. “It is important to be proactive in setting the agenda for your business or product, as opposed to being reactive. When I was first working on low-E coatings, we learned about some changes being proposed to the Energy Star program. All of a sudden, we were on the defensive going to the DOE to show them the technical basis for our arguments. I’ve learned you need to be involved at the early stage so you can help set the agenda.”

Culp says technical skills and good communication are equally important for success in the glass industry. “Communication is important no matter what your job is, whether you’re communicating your project to management or educating people about your products in sales. But just having good communication skills is not enough if you don’t have the technical knowledge to back up what you’re saying.”

Five years ago, Culp moved from Philadelphia to Wisconsin to start his consulting business, focusing on energy efficiency initiatives in the industry.

One-word description of the glass industry: Fascinating
One-word description of self: “Based on the most important aspect of my life, I’d say daddy.”
Career history: 2004-present, owner, Birch Point Consulting, La Crosse, Wis.; 2001-2004, manager of research and energy policy, Arkema Inc. (formerly Atofina Chemicals), King of Prussia, Pa.; 1998-2001, research scientist, flat glass coatings, Atofina Chemicals, King of Prussia
Education: 1998, Ph.D., chemical engineering, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wis.; 1993, Bachelor of Science, chemical engineering, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
Diversions: Playing with his 3-year-old twins, camping, gardening
Family: Wife, Kym; three-year-old twins Allison and Porter
Favorite book: “Life of Pi,” Yann Martel
If a movie were made about your life, who would you cast to play you? Ed Norton
Connections: W6025 Rim of the City  Road, La Crosse, WI, 54601, 608/788-8415, culp@birchpointconsulting.com

 
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