About Us

Linc | The Lighting Cultivator^TM is a not-for-profit corporation working with Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center and the private sector in a project named the "Lighting Technology Greenhouse" or LTG, focused on fostering commercialization of new lighting products and services that advance sustainability.

Created through funding by the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA), Linc serves as a "virtual incubator" for new businesses and a cultivator for existing businesses. Linc is located at the Saratoga Technology + Energy Park (STEP).

Linc Staff

Eugene K. Schuler
Executive Director

Eugene K. Schuler, Jr. has been a consultant on high technology, technology transfer, economic development and business incubation matters.

From 2004 to 2006 he was the Chief Administrative Officer of the Ordway Research Institute, a not-for-profit, freestanding corporation with specific medical research themes and a mission to translate basic science observations into therapeutic applications. He was also Secretary of the Board of Directors.

Prior to this, from 1995 to 2004, he was the Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Technology Development at the State University of New York at Albany. He developed: the Center for Environmental Sciences and Technology Management; the East Campus, a new 58-acre campus for the University; a high technology business incubation program, and a technology transfer program.

From 1992-1995, he was Associate Vice President for Research and Director of Technology Transfer at the State University of New York at Stony Brook and a member of the Executive Committee of the Board of Directors of the Long Island High Technology Incubator. He was also a member of the University Regional Economic Development Task Force. Prior to that he was Director of Technology Transfer for the Research Foundation of SUNY which serves the SUNY system.

He has written articles and presented workshops on technology transfer issues, academic-industry relations, university economic development models and other topics related to the university research enterprise. Mr. Schuler earned a B.A. from the University of Notre Dame and an M.P.A. from the University at Albany. He is in the unique position of bridging the formerly separate worlds of university research, technology transfer, incubator development and research parks.

Professional Involvement

Former Chair of BioConnex; Founding Board Member of the Arsenal (Watervliet) Business and Technology Partnership; Former Chair of the Board Rensselaer Regional Chamber of Commerce; Former Member of Advisory Board of Albany Law School Science and Technology Law Center; Member of Smart Start Venture Forum Advisory Board; Member of AUTM; Village of Kinderhook Planning Board; Adjunct Professor at Albany Law School.

Michael J. Lobsinger
Director of Business Development

Michael has over 16 years of experience professional experience. His background and specialties include: Project Management in Technology Development & Commercialization, Strategic Planning, Technology Forecasting, Business Plan Development, Entrepreneurship, Product Development, and Market Commercialization.

He has held positions including Founder & President of InflatablePFD.com, Founder and President of Product Development for Float Tech, Inc., Technology Development Associate at Shell Global Research Center's Game Change program, and Senior Structural Engineer at the Boeing Company. Michael also manages real-estate property, mentors students, and provides business consulting to start-ups.

Michael holds a Master in Business Administration from the Lally School with a focus on entrepreneurship and commercialization of advanced technologies, graduating at the top of his class. He is the recipient of the RPI "Founders Award of Excellence" and the "Delmar W. Karger Award in Management". He was also the GMSA class president for his graduating glass. His undergrad degree is in Mechanical Engineering & Applied Mechanics degree from North Dakota State University.

Board of Directors

Jeff Rothenberg
Chairman
Heslin, Rothenberg, Farley, and Messiti

Russell Leslie
Secretary
Lighting Research Center

Gunner Walmet
Treasurer

Robert Callender
Board Seat
NYSERDA