'85 BT Electrical Engineering Technology

Serious Materials, a green building materials company focusing on energy efficiency retrofits, raised $150 million through venture investments during the down economy – an anomaly in the current economic state. The building industry has tanked for almost two years yet, green building has become its "bright" spot and Surace's company is a giant in the making.

When asked how his company has been so successful in raising money, Surace points out the obvious market-driven demand that is changing the game for building product manufacturers. Serious Materials started as a company manufacturing products to soundproof vehicles. But the business evolved, "by listening to customers," says Surace. "We followed the marketplace, and here we are."

Surace is on a mission to drive energy efficiency in the built environment, bring green jobs and manufacturing back to the US, and bring innovation to industries that had long lost it. As CEO of Serious Materials, Surace leads the company in its mission to reduce energy usage of the world's largest contributor, our buildings.

Before joining Serious Materials in 2002, Surace held executive and technical positions with Perfect Commerce, General Magic, Air Communications, National Semiconductor, and Seiko-Epson. He received his degree in electrical engineering technology from Rochester Institute of Technology where he currently serves on the Board of Trustees, and has been awarded 9 patents.