Instructor Bio

Harold Finigan

Harold Finigan has had a lifelong interest in buildings, education, energy and public policy.

As a Staff Assistant to Congressman Robert W. Edgar, 7th PA; He came to realize the global consequences of an energy intensive society’s dependence on imported fuels during the 1979 Oil Crisis.

He left the Congressional office to be the founding Executive Director of Fort Mifflin on the Delaware, a non-profit he created to save this endangered National Historic Landmark. Harold spent over a decade managing the restoration and development of this 150-acre 18th-century site.

After completing the restoration of the fort, Harold returned to a family tradition of rowing. As General Manager and Head Coach of Bachelors Barge Club, he oversaw the stabilization of the historic boathouse while developing over three dozen National Team and Olympic athletes; including 6 World Gold Medalists. In 1999, He founded a rowing program for inner city youth, called Justrow. With the participation of the students/athletes, he converted an 8,000 sq ft commercial property into a gym & classroom space. Through alterations made during renovation, the gyms heating/cooling costs were reduced by advanced construction techniques, solar thermal heating, and other innovative methodologies.

Harold’s interest in energy led to a position as Director of Education for The Energy Coordinating Agency in Philadelphia. Harold was also a member of Philadelphia’s Energy Future Search Planning Group which was appointed by the City Managing Directors Office to develop strategies on how Philadelphia can meet its commitment to reduce GHG emissions in buildings.

His interest in energy & buildings led him to create Energy Investors; an education, consultancy, research & investment group. In the past few years Harold has given over 200 workshops on energy, conservation, and global climate change. He has also taught on the subject at the Wharton Business School & Drexel University. He developed a low-cost solar thermal heater which can offset primary heating loads.

Harold has spent time in the UK, Ireland, The Netherlands, Austria & Germany doing site visits of over 500 low-energy buildings. He has renovated several buildings along these principles.