The Greasecar Team

Administration

Justin Carven

Justin is Greasecar's founder and inventor of its product. He began research into vegetable fuels in 1998 as an undergraduate at Hampshire College, producing a working prototype within a year and graduating in the spring of 2000 with a B.A. in mechanical design and a concentration in alternative fuels. After completing a cross-country road trip on vegetable oil in the summer of 2000, Justin continued to refine the technology and turned it into a business later in the year. In addition to running that business which has grown exponentially over the years he continues to conduct research and development and still finds the time to hand-craft musical instruments and work on restoring a '66 Mini Cooper and an '82 Volkswagen Rabbit.

Joe Carven

Joe Carven holds a BS degree from Georgetown University and an MBA from Harvard University. He served four years of active duty in the U.S. Navy aboard a Fleet Destroyer, reaching the rank of full lieutenant. He spent 20 years with the pharmaceutical giant Pfizer Inc., in a number of financial and general management positions in the U.S., Africa, Europe and Asia. His penultimate and ultimate assignments with Pfizer were Chief Financial Officer of the company's U.S. Agricultural Operations and Executive Vice President Africa/Middle East with management responsibility for operations in fourteen countries, with over $100 million in sales. His subsequent career includes the presidency of four development-stage companies prior to formally joining Greasecar in 2005. He served as a Trustee of St. Sebastian's School in Needham, MA, from 1988 to 2005.

Engineering

Conor MacKean

Massachusetts native Conor MacKean graduated from Lehigh with a degree in mechanical engineering, and joined Greasecar soon afterward. Conor has been involved with racing alternative energy vehicles since high school, where he built and raced vehicles for Tour de Sol and Electrathon.

Production

Ricardo Sustache

Ric came to Greasecar and quickly fit in with the rest of the team. With his great "get the job done" attitude, Ric helps keep GC's inventory together, and makes sure there are always tanks on the shelf ready to send out. During the day, Ric can often by found either discussing ways to improve assembly procedures with the production team, or making sure the parts are available for incoming orders.

Bill Bobala

Bill is an individual of many talents. Helping streamline the shipping department, Bill makes sure the boxes are packed before they leave the premises. Bill also helps keep the shop together and clean, and is quick to take on new projects around the shop. If Bill isn't in the packing area, he may be helping improve the property, including building and insulating walls, or shoveling out the doors to the building.

Ralph McHenry

Ralph joined the Greasecar team in October 2005 and requested a lawyer when approached with questions for this bio. One of Greasecar's veterans of the armed services, Ralph served in the Air Force from 1962 to 1966, spending six months in Thule, Greenland, with the 814th Civil Engineer Squadron. Needless to say, he's got some stories. A Pennsylvania native, Ralph's been married since 1965 and a resident of Easthampton, Massachusetts, since 1966. Ralph has two sons and two grandsons. "I like watching football", he says. "Just enjoying life. I'm game for anything."

Sales & Support

Lester Gasiewski

Lester came to Greasecar after moving back from the west coast. Lester is one of the voices of Greasecar, and is quick to pick up the phone as soon as it rings. When Lester isn't talking grease, he can be found rooting for his favorite New England sports teams, or rallying his Passat on the "Tour de Greasecar" course.

Ethan Olmstead

Ethan brings his smile and incredible work ethic to Greasecar and is known for having a strong back, and being ready for any task. A Greasecar crew of Ethan's would be an unstoppable force. Ethan continues to craft both his culinary skills and automotive knowledge when not at the Greasecar shop. He's also working on a Land Rover restoration project you're bound to hear more about.