Gregory David Roberts on Retiring from His Public Life

As the former president and CEO of Municipal Lighting Systems, Inc., in Miami, Florida, William Pino led the company in becoming the top supplier of outdoor lighting products in multiple South Florida municipalities. Outside of his professional life in Miami, William Pino is a fan of author Gregory David Roberts, and one of his favorite books is Roberts’ Shantaram. 

Published in 2003, Shantaram, which in many ways mirrors the author’s real life, centers on an Australian man who escapes prison and travels to Bombay, India, where he becomes embroiled in the city’s underbelly. In 2014, Roberts withdrew from public life, offering an explanation on his website. 

Roberts starts the letter by explaining the extent of his retirement, stating he will no longer give speeches, attend events, or conduct interviews. The author says he does not even have an email account, mobile phone, or social media presence. Instead, he hopes to devote his time to family, loved ones, and new projects. 

Insisting that he is not running away, Roberts instead calls it “creative seclusion.” He hopes his fans will understand his choices upon seeing and hearing what he is currently working on, which includes essays, graphic novels, novels, short stories, movies, and even music. The Mountain Shadow, the sequel to Shantaram, was published in 2015.

PE Institute Advances Professional Knowledge of Engineers Nationwide

An engineering and lighting professional in Miami, Florida, William Pino possesses more than 35 years of experience in the industry. He previously held leadership positions at several power and lighting firms across Miami. William Pino also belongs to the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE), which enables engineers to advance their professional knowledge through the PE Institute. 

The PE Institute provides engineering professionals with the necessary resources and education to remain ahead of industry changes and navigate the growing specializations involved with the engineering discipline. Its catalog of webinars, conferences, and live educational events explore a range of engineering topics and include events hosted by NSPE and its state societies and partners. Live events also provide participants with resources for best practices and effective solutions that help advance their career. Live events are divided into five categories: ethics, technical, young engineer, business development, and career development. 

In addition, the PE Institute offers a series of PDHs courses for that viewers can access at home or from their office. Free for NSPE members, the courses consists of a digital webinar and online quiz, which grants members with an attendance certificate if they earn a 70 percent or higher and obtain the appropriate credits (PHD). PHD credits obtained from the webinars are recognized in most US states.

An Overview of Male and Female Champions at the Miami Open

Miami engineer William Pino possesses more than three decades of experience, including 16 years as president and chief executive officer of Florida Lighting and Traffic, Inc., and more than two decades in the same positions with Municipal Lighting Systems, Inc. William Pino enjoys taking advantage of Miami weather and resources. To stay physically active, he swims and plays tennis.

The Miami Open was established in 1985 and quickly became one of the most prestigious events in tennis for both male and female players. In recent years, the tournament has even been considered the fifth major, ranking it just behind the US Open, Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. A brief review of the tournament’s past champions would certainly confirm that assertion.

Martina Navratilova, winner of 18 grand slam singles titles, won the first women's event in 1985, while the 1986 event crowned Ivan Lendl and Chris Evert as champions. Lendl would win the title again in 1989, before the men’s side became dominated by legendary American players such as Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, and Jim Courier. The women’s titles continued to be won by former and current world No. 1s and major champions as well, with Steffi Graf, Monica Seles, and Gabriela Sabatini all winning at least one title.

The Key Biscayne event has continued to draw the world's top players in recent years. Novak Djokovic won his first title at the 2007 Miami Open and has won five of the last six events. His six wins are an all-time record for male players. Serena Williams, meanwhile, has won five Miami Open titles since 2007 and eight overall.

National Society of Professional Engineers - Preventing Cyberattacks

Miami-area resident William Pino most recently served as president of Main Street Engineering and Municipal Lighting Systems. In addition to his work with these Miami-based firms, William Pino is a member of the National Society of Professional Engineers. 

The National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) is a nontechnical organization dedicated to ethical conduct in the field of engineering, and is open to licensed engineers from all fields. These professionals fight against unethical practices, build goodwill with the public, and advocate for fair treatment and compensation. 

According to the NSPE, cyberthreats represent one of the most pressing concerns regarding America's infrastructure. Critical systems have been experiencing attacks at an accelerating rate in recent years, with attacks on water systems becoming especially disconcerting. The Department of Homeland Security reports that water-sector cyber incidents increased by 79 percent from 2014 to 2015. 

The NSPE and government entities suggest that collaboration between engineers and information technology professionals may be key to designing systems that can withstand these types of attacks. To keep critical systems safe, engineers must not only create systems that work, but systems that work securely.

Solar-Powered Lamps Impact Developing Countries

Miami-based businessman William Pino was most recently the president and CEO of Main Street Engineering, where he managed daily operations. A designer of municipal outdoor lighting projects in and around Miami, William Pino has more than three decades of experience in the lighting industry. William Pino takes a particular interest in solar energy and its potential benefits for developing countries such as Haiti.

Electricity, something most Americans take for granted, is essential for the safety, well-being, and economy of any nation. When streets are unlit, crime increases. When stores cannot light their interiors, they must close at sundown. When students don’t have access to electric lamps, they cannot study after nightfall. Bigger problems arise when hospitals, industries, and infrastructure are crippled due to lack of power.

Following Haiti’s disastrous earthquake of 2010, even more people were left without power in a nation that already experienced low access to electricity. As of 2013, only 20 percent of the island had power, provided mainly from diesel fuel imported from Venezuela. Many experts believed that alternative energy sources, such as solar power, would help the Haitian population and economy.

In 2015, a Netherlands-based producer of solar-powered lamps called WakaWaka began an initiative that provided small, individual, solar powered fixtures to Haitians who were still without power. The lamps, normally sold for about $30, provide up to 80 hours of continuous light. Through the company’s efforts and the generosity of those that participated in the crowd-funded drive, over 12,000 lamps were donated to the people of Haiti, positively affecting 60,000 lives.

Practice Makes Perfect When Learning a New Language

 



William Pino, an electrical engineer based in Miami, Florida, owned and operated a number of companies including Florida Lighting and Traffic, Municipal Lighting Systems, and Main Street Engineering. As a Miami businessman, William Pino conducted business in numerous countries. As a result, he has learned several languages including English, Spanish, Greek, French, Portuguese and Italian.

When learning a new language, every student needs to invest concentrated time. Whether completing lessons in a book or listening to audio lessons, dedicating daily time to one’s studies is essential. Some experts recommend learning up to 30 new words or phrases each day. As one progresses in skill, it is very helpful to practice the language by doing the following:

- Speaking the language to oneself or to native speakers.

- Watching movies or television shows, reading books, and listening to music in the chosen language.

- Finding a pen pal and communicating in the new language.

As one’s skills improve, it is important not to neglect pronunciation or grammatical details so that meaning is clearly understood. Making mistakes and learning from them is an essential ingredient to mastery of the new language.

Though there are many language programs on the market, ranging dramatically in cost, one must keep in mind that a program should be selected based on the student’s learning style.

Christmas Initiatives at the Miami Rescue Mission

Electrical engineer and entrepreneur William Pino of Miami, Florida, has extensive experience designing lighting systems for outdoor applications. Most recently the president and CEO of the Main Street Engineering, William Pino has dedicated his time and resources to supporting the Miami Rescue Mission.

In operation since 1922, the Miami Rescue Mission is dedicated to serving the homeless in Miami, Hollywood, and Pompano Beach. The organization’s facilities in Miami can accommodate 390 people through its emergency and residential programs. Additional programs in Hollywood and Pompano Beach can accommodate another 366 people.

Each Christmas, the Miami Rescue Mission begins an initiative entitled Hope to the Hungry that funds meals served during the holidays as well as the mission’s programs. By making a donation, supporters are assisting the organization’s efforts to meet the basic needs of people who are homeless as well as investing in long term solutions to homelessness. 

In addition, the mission also hosts a large Christmas luncheon. The 400 families that attended the luncheon received a hot meal, a bag of toys, hygiene products, and a Christmas tree.