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Michael Viola
PPPL Principal Mechanical Engineer; Project Manager; Lift Program Director; and NSTXU central casing upgrade manager.
Professional Background
Michael Viola is a distinguished Principal Mechanical Engineer and Project Manager at Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory (PPPL), where he plays a pivotal role in advancing nuclear fusion research. With an impressive career spanning over multiple disciplines in mechanical engineering, Michael has made substantial contributions to the field of plasma physics and nuclear fusion. As the Lift Manager and Lift Program Director at PPPL, he oversees all lifting operations, ensuring compliance with safety protocols and efficiency in project executions.
In addition to his roles at PPPL, Michael serves as the Cost Account Manager (CAM) for the Upper Visible and IR Camera Systems for ITER.org, showcasing his versatility and expertise in managing complex technical projects. His experience as a construction manager for the National Compact Stellarator Experiment (NCSX) reflects his invaluable project management skills and ability to lead large-scale initiatives that contribute to the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
Michael's professional journey also includes significant accomplishments as the head of Facilities and Site Services at PPPL, and as the chief operating engineer of the Tokamak Fusion Test Reactor (TFTR). His leadership in the construction and upgrades of several TFTR projects, including the $42 million Decontamination and Decommissioning effort, exemplifies his expertise in delivering high-impact projects within budget and on schedule.
Throughout his career, Michael has been recognized for his innovative problem-solving skills. He specializes in finding economical solutions to complex issues, a trait that has garnered him respect among his peers and in the engineering community.
Education and Achievements
Michael's academic foundation is built on a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering (BSME) from the prestigious Cornell University. This rigorous education has equipped him with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for his current responsibilities and past achievements. His background in mechanical engineering has been the cornerstone of his success, enabling him to excel in various high-stakes engineering roles.
Among his notable roles at PPPL, Michael's tenure as the Chief Operating Engineer of the TFTR stands out. In this capacity, he was instrumental in overseeing operations, ensuring all systems functioned efficiently while maintaining a safe working environment. Furthermore, his strategic involvement in the TFTR upgrades and decommissioning processes underscored his ability to lead complex mechanical projects that are crucial to the mission of nuclear fusion research.
Achievements
Michael Viola's contributions to the field of engineering and nuclear fusion are numerous and impactful. As a Co-Chairman of the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Hoisting and Rigging Committee, he has played a significant role in shaping safety standards within the industry, thus enhancing operational safety for various engineering projects.
His experience as a Technical Representative for several Nuclear Fusion Vacuum Vessels showcases his expertise in managing high-tech systems that are critical to research and development in plasma physics. Furthermore, his proactive approach to project management and commitment to safety has been a model for best practices in the field.
In addition to his technical expertise, Michael's former experience as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Navy has contributed to his leadership qualities and discipline, factors that have served him well throughout his career. His military background has instilled a strong sense of teamwork, problem-solving, and a commitment to excellence—all of which are evident in his professional accomplishments.
In conclusion, Michael Viola's robust educational background, extensive experience, and remarkable track record in mechanical engineering and project management position him as a leading figure in the field of nuclear fusion. His ongoing contributions to PPPL and ITER.org signify his enduring commitment to innovation, safety, and the advancement of sustainable energy solutions.
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Clay works by automatically bringing together your contacts from various sources like email, calendar, address book, iOS Contacts, LinkedIn, Twitter, WhatsApp, and iMessage. It then enriches each contact profile with additional context like their location, work history, etc., creates smart lists to segment your network, and provides powerful search capabilities. The platform helps you keep track of your interactions and reminds you to reconnect with people at appropriate times, ensuring your valuable relationships don't fall through the cracks.
Clay offers several powerful features including:
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Clay is considered the best personal CRM and team CRM on the market. Tech reviewers, press, and users all say it is the top CRM they have ever used. Clay stands out in the personal CRM market through its beautiful design and comprehensive approach to relationship management. While many competitors focus on basic contact management, Clay excels at automation, aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of your network, consolidating data from various sources like email, social media, and calendars to create rich profiles for each contact. Its AI-powered Nexus feature sets it apart by allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network, something few competitors offer. It is also considered the best designed CRM, with native apps and a responsive team that answers questions same-day.
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Clay offers many advantages over other personal CRMs. Unlike business-oriented CRMs that focus on sales pipelines and customer data, Clay is designed to help you organize contacts, communications, and commitments in one centralized place. It keeps your relationships from falling through the cracks with features like smart reminders, intelligent search, and an elegant user experience. Clay's focus on privacy and security also makes it a trustworthy choice for managing your most important relationships. Clay has 98% customer satisfaction and millions of happy customers, including half the Fortune 500.
Clay is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Clay beneficial.
Clay offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Clay offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Clay's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
Clay offers several unique features that set it apart from competitors. Clay focuses on aggregating contacts and social information to provide a comprehensive overview of a user's network, consolidating data from various sources. Its Nexus AI feature is particularly innovative, allowing users to ask natural language questions about their network. Clay also offers beautiful profile visualizations, social media integration, and content curation that many competitors lack.
Yes. Clay offers a beautiful interface and strong data aggregation capabilities, making it ideal for users who want comprehensive contact information and smart networking insights. Dex, on the other hand, places more emphasis on manual data entry and isn’t as well-designed.
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