Prior to work in the science center world, Mr. Griesmer managed the operations of RCA International in Alexandria, Egypt, which was under contract to the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) to outfit and introduce competency based curriculum in over 50 vocational training centers.  He was the Managing Director of a $50 million construction company with over 550 employees in Abu Dhabi, U.A.E. prior to his entrance into the informal education museum field.  His early professional experience as an international project finance banker in New York City and a secondary teacher in Long Island, New York rounded out his early years of professional development.

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Mr. Griesmer was the recipient of a Rotary International Research Grant awarded in order to conduct economic research at the National University of Cordoba, Argentina where he published a book of economic essays, entitled, “Economic Nationalism: A Strategy for Development and Other Economic Essays”, (originally written by him in Spanish, published by Instituto De Economía Y Finanzas, Universidad Nacional de Córdoba and Comercia y Justicia).  

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Mr. Griesmer holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from The State University of New York at Oswego in Economics and Spanish. He studied at the University of Puerto Rico, University of Madrid, Spain, the University Ibero-Americana, Mexico, District Federal and the National University of Cordoba, Argentina. Mr. Griesmer holds a Master of Arts degree in Economics from the State University of New York at Stony Brook. He has also taken graduate courses in economics at the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affair, Syracuse University and graduate course work in education at Dowling College, New York.  

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Besides speaking before local organizations, Mr. Griesmer has appeared on local and national TV and radio where he has promoted both the institutions he was leading as well as acting as an advocate of STEM education. Over his more than 35 year career, he has participated in panel discussions at national conferences.  

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His most recent publications include the Association of Science and Technology Centers “Dimension” magazine, “The Future of Science Centers”, is co-authored with John H. Falk, Ph.D., is entitled “Future Trajectories for STEM Education at Virginia Air & Space Center”, “Dimensions” January-February 2019 pages, 31-36 and “Trail Blazing STEM Education”, ROOM Space Journal, Griesmer, Summer 2020(24), pages, 97-100, both of which are accessible on this and the Center web sites under “articles”. Videos of local and national TV programing featuring Mr. Griesmer’s accomplishments are included on this and the Center’s web site.    www.vasc.org