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Meet Our Staff
Chef Eric Palilunas
Watch Eric’s video bio at how2heroes.com
Eric started his career at Johnson and Wales University where he obtained an Associates of Culinary Arts, a Bachelors of Science in Management and finally a Masters of Arts and Teaching. During his time studying for his Masters he worked for the University as an instructor and a Chef in their various restaurants. After graduating he worked in various hotels in Maine, San Diego and Providence. Currently he is also an Adjunct Professor at Newbury College and has taught various culinary classes and some business classes. When he is not working at the Trident, Eric can be found riding his bike all over New England or at long meditation retreats contemplating Buddhist philosophy.
Michael Lemanski,
General Manager
Ever since Michael could be legally employed, he’s spent his time connecting people with books, food, or both. A lifelong lover of the written (and spoken) word, he studied English and German at Stonehill College. Through a lifetime of reading, and in earning his BA, he is convinced that it is story (the weaving, the telling, the listening, the sharing of it) that defines us and makes us human. He’s been at the Trident since the summer of 2004, starting as a Bookseller, spending some time as the Bookstore Manager, and now quite happy to contribute to the success of Trident in his present role as GM.
When he’s not doing his best to keep the Trident running smoothly, you’ll probably find him reading, bicycling, or playing a little music. An amateur musician, he dabbles in several instruments and loves to sing.
Megan Mount, Cafe Director Megan joined the Trident team as a server in February 2006 while attending Emerson College, where she received a Bachelor of Science in Print and Multimedia Journalism in May of 2006. She worked as a reporter at the Patriot Ledger in Quincy for a few months before coming back to the Trident and becoming a bartender. In August of 2008 Megan became a Cafe Manager, and in May of 2009 she became the Cafe Director. She is currently working on the new Dairy Free menu, creating a monthly newsletter, setting up cafe events and working towards the progression of the Trident with the rest of the management team. Born and raised in New Jersey (and proud to be), Megan has lived in the Boston area for 8 years. She is terribly afraid of birds, loves peanut butter and My Best Friend’s Wedding.
Courtney Flynn, Marketing/Events CoordinatorCourtney was the original regular at the Trident, seeing as her parents are the owners and she’s been coming here since birth. She has seen the store evolve from funky hangout on the wrong end of Newbury Street to a Boston staple in a good part of town. Her employment history started at the Trident when she would put price stickers on books and arrange greeting cards as a child. She went on to work in publishing for two years at Shambhala Publications and has now returned to the Trident as part of the management team.
Mark Miller, Cafe Manager
Mark is a native of North Carolina. He attended Appalachian State University and Majored in Communications and Minored in Photography. Since College he has owned his own restaurant, sold it, become a renovation expert and now resides in Cambridge with his wife, dog and cat. You might see him pedaling his way around town or walking his dog, so be sure to say hi. In his spare time he paints, reads,plays guitar and sleeps.
James Cleland, Cafe Manager
James is originally from Pennsylvania Dutch Country. He is not Amish but learning how to properly pass an Amish buggy was part of his driver’s education class. He attended the Art Institute of Philadelphia and holds a BS in 3D animation. Occasionally doing freelance his most recent projects have been educational video games for the Baltimore School District. James moved to Boston about a year ago and has found a home at Trident as a cafe manager.
Max Clark, Assistant Bookstore Manager
Max has been Assistant Bookstore Manager since November 2007. Born in Okinawa, Japan, transplanted to NH (the chip on his shoulder growing by the day), he left the sombre ocean for an idyllic mountain atmosphere that happened to have a college in its valley. Renewed by the grunge of western Massachusetts’ industrial decay and vibrant artistic belt, he absquatulated the scene and landed in Boston. His favorite color is green.
Jen Bernstein, Server/Bartender
Jennifer Bernstein: Lawyer/mediator by day, waitress/bartender by night. Jen is one of Trident’s well educated, well rounded, diverse and talented staff members. After spending a full day in court or mediating a case, Jen mixes up a mean Sangria for customers to sample at the café or a nice frothy cappuccino to pair with one of Trident’s many homemade decadent desserts.
After years of litigating for others, Jen founded her own law and mediation firm dedicated to offering affordable client-driven conflict resolution services to Massachusetts residents. To find out more about The Law Office of Jennifer S. Bernstein, please visit the following:
Firm Website: www.bernsteinyang.com
Twitter: www.twitter.com/bernsteinyang
Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/groups?gid=1969112
Nico Vreeland, Bookseller
Nico is the newest addition to our bookselling team. When he’s not at Trident, he is busy editing the literary e-zine Chamber Four (http://chamberfour.com), of which he is the co-founder.
Rafael David, Bookseller
Was born in Colombia, and grew up in Providence where he studied Film, Gender, and Sexuality. He cares deeply for: discourse; diamonds; and desire. Rafael (or Raf) is new to Boston, and Trident. Young and uncowed, he actively pursues the interests of creative and marginalized communities by volunteering his time to organizing and curating events. Look for him at theaters, museums, and music venues. Or come and chat with him at Trident!
Theodore Freedman, Server
Theodore (Ted to his friends, Tedward to his coworkers) Freedman owns land in Sweden because a distant, long-passed relative had an illegitimate child with a duke. Along with five or six other people, he is a member of the Hegel Study Troupe: a comedy group working on its first sketches and considering other names. Ted has a blog that he’s never posted anything on and he enjoys playing ping-pong with his 11 year-old cousin (against whom he’s never lost). Yesterday, he worked at Trident, read a couple essays on William James, roasted a chicken, drank a bottle of wine, and watched Cheers until he fell asleep—that was a pretty standard day for him.
James Classey, Bookseller
James Classey was found as a fully formed fetus in a drop of moisture on a Mountain Laurel in rural Connecticut sometime in the early 80s, the first recorded instance of what is now commonly referred to as a “Dew Baby”. Years later, this medical miracle can be found at Trident Booksellers, performing his various duties in a virtuosic manner that continues to delight, astonish and please patrons and co-workers alike.
James Hills, Bookseller
Jamie’s interest in independent retail bookselling goes back to his graduate school days in Chicago, where he worked for another fine independent bookstore on the south side. After moving to Boston in 1999, he signed up with Harvard Book Store in Cambridge, where he was a bookseller for about 8 years, before joining the staff at the Trident in February of 2008.