Virginia Clean Cities (VCC)

Virginia Clean Cities is a U.S. Department of Energy designated coalition in the Clean Cities and Communities partnership. Our story began in 1996 as a regional coalition in the Hampton Roads area. In 2001, the non-profit Virginia Clean Cities, Inc. was created to manage and expand the coalition. In 2009, VCC formed a partnership with James Madison University enabling both organizations to leverage resources, current initiatives and future opportunities. VCC serves as a cornerstone program in the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research.

The Clean Cities and Communities partnership is supported by communities and by the U.S. Department of Energy in accordance with the Energy Policy Act of 1992. This legislation’s express intent is to ensure national energy security by reducing dependence on imported petroleum products. The program was chartered to help achieve this objective by promoting alternative fuel use in the transportation sector.

Our Mission

Virginia Clean Cities advances air quality improvement, economic opportunity, and energy security through deployment of alternative fuel vehicles and infrastructure, education programs, and other petroleum reduction activities.

How Does Virginia Clean Cities Work?

Clean Cities and Communities draws stakeholders from local, state and federal agencies; public health and transportation departments; commercial fleets; transit agencies; and other government offices; as well as auto manufacturers, car dealers, fuel and equipment suppliers, public utilities and nonprofit associations.

Clean Cities and Communities is instrumental in cultivating an advanced transportation community in which people learn about a wide range of options and technologies. In addition, Clean Cities and Communities helps create markets for alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs), hybrids, fuel blends, fuel economy and idle reduction. More importantly, Clean Cities provides a forum for members to leverage resources, develop joint projects, collaborate on public policy issues, and promote petroleum displacement and clean air technologies.

Clean Cities partnerships address the challenge of moving the United States away from the infrastructure and practices that contribute to the nation’s dependence on imported petroleum and toward energy independence and security. Clean Cities and Communities brings the national goals outlined in DOE’s Advanced Energy Initiative to the communities that can realize the end results.

Meet the Team

Virginia Clean Cities has offices in Richmond, Charlottesville and at JMU in Harrisonburg, Virginia and is based from James Madison University. In addition to the team that manages the day-to-day operation of the organization, Virginia Clean Cities also draws on a large, diverse and engaged group of stakeholders throughout the Commonwealth and the nation.

Alleyn Harned

Executive Director
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: (540) 568-8896
Mobile: (804) 539-9425
Schedule a meeting: calendly.com/alleyn
aharned@vacleancities.org

Bio

Alleyn (he/him) joined Clean Cities is 2009, the same year Virginia Clean Cities, Inc., formed a partnership with James Madison University. That partnership allows Clean Cities and the university in Harrisonburg, Virginia to work together to leverage resources, support alternative fuel initiatives and pursue opportunities to decrease pollution and reduce dependence on foreign oil.

Prior to being named Executive Director, Alleyn served as VCC’s Business Development Director. He serves as the Virginia representative to the nine-state Southeast Natural Gas Vehicle Corridor Committee, and was the coordinator for Virginia’s initial 2010 electric vehicle readiness effort. Harned was appointed to the State Advisory Board on Air Pollution in 2013.

Alleyn has worked on transportation and energy-related issues in Virginia since 2006. Before joining the VCC staff, Alleyn served as the Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia where he assisted in drafting Virginia’s initial Energy Plan, and participated in the Virginia Commission on Climate Change and Governor’s Energy Policy Advisory Council. Harned is a graduate of Ohio Wesleyan University, and has a master’s degree from James Madison University, where he serves in an A&P faculty role.

With Virginia Clean Cities, Harned leads the coalition’s collaborative effort to assist stakeholders and the Commonwealth in programs to improve air quality, and increase American energy security and economic opportunity through the increased use of alternative fuels and vehicles.

Matthew Wade

Deputy Director
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: (540) 568-4051
Schedule a Meeting: calendly.com/mwadevcc
mwade@vacleancities.org

Bio

Matthew serves as Deputy Director of VCC. He joined VCC in 2013 after six years in local government administration with the goal of comprehensively reducing petroleum use and harmful emissions in Virginia. As Deputy Director, he oversees the management of staff operations and VCC’s grant portfolio for alternative transportation fuels infrastructure, vehicle deployment, education, and outreach. As the senior VCC executive responsible for managing the financial strategies of the university and nonprofit side, Matthew is the Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He earned a Masters of Public Administration from James Madison University in 2007 and a Masters of Business Administration in 2018.

Bruce Vlk

Electric Vehicle Program Manager and Communications Director
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: 434-277-3418
bvlk@vacleancities.org

Bio

Bruce is the Electric Vehicle Program Manager and Communications Director at VCC where he leads several EV projects and engagement initiatives. As VCC’s communications director, he manages media relations, marketing and communications strategy. In coordination with the Executive Director, he also contributes to the coalition’s business development and public policy efforts.

Bruce has two decades of experience in state government and higher education in Virginia. He earned his master’s degree in public administration from James Madison University and B.A. from George Mason University. He currently serves on the Albemarle County Schools’ Advisory Committee for Environmental Sustainability, among other volunteer activities.

Graham Sheridan

Clean Communities and Economic Development Director
Virginia Clean Cities
Richmond, VA 23220
Office: 804-234-3401
gsheridan@vacleancities.org

Bio

Graham comes to Virginia Clean Cities after two years on the portfolio management team at Electrify America. At EA he worked with large and small companies to deploy public EV charging across the US and Canada. He is passionate about making sustainable technologies available to individuals and communities. He looks forward to expanding VCC’s efforts in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Graham is a graduate of Washington and Lee University and holds a Master’s in Public Affairs from Brown University. He lives in Richmond.

Jorden McLean

Communications and Engagement Coordinator
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: 540-212-4792
jmclean@vacleancities.org

Bio

Jorden (he/him) serves as the Communications and Engagement Coordinator for Virginia Clean Cities. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Geographic Science from James Madison University.

He has an academic background in human geography, sustainability, and environmental justice, and holds professional experience in digital marketing and content creation. In his free time, he enjoys taking photos, exploring nature, and learning about sustainable development.

Gregory Brennan

Program Coordinator
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: ‪(540) 257-6808‬
gbrennan@vacleancities.org

Bio

Gregory Brennan has an academic background in the fields of geology, environmental science, and sustainable resource management. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Geology and Environmental Science from James Madison University and a Master’s in Sustainable Resource Management: Policy & Practice from the University of Limerick. He has professional work experience in Project and Logistics Management.

Gregory is thrilled to join Virginia Clean Cities as a Program Coordinator; driven by his passion for environmental equity and sustainable transportation, Gregory is committed to creating a greener and more equitable future. He believes in the power of collaborative efforts to drive positive change and looks forward to leveraging his expertise to contribute to the transition towards cleaner energy sources and a more sustainable society.

Russell Presnell

Clean Fleet Engagement Manager
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: ‪(540) 874-2470
rpresnell@vacleancities.org

Bio

Russell serves Virginia Clean Cities as the Clean Fleet Engagement Manager.

He has over twenty years experience in the transportation sector and is passionate about applying his practical experience in logistics and fleet management to furthering alternative energy initiatives, infrastructure and best practices.

Russell graduated with a bachelors of science from James Madison University with a focus in telecommunications management.

Cassandre Torres

Community Engagement Liaison
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Office: 540-212-9416
ctorres@vacleancities.org

Bio

Cassandre (she/her) is the Community Engagement Liaison at Virginia Clean Cities. She joined the team as part of the Clean Cities Energy and Environmental Justice Initiative, a Justice40 Pilot Program. She is excited to be collaborating with communities all over Virginia to develop transportation projects that address on the ground needs. Cassandre believes in the value of people-first and place-based change to create more resilient communities. She earned a B.A. from the University of Virginia in Anthropology and Global Environments & Sustainability.

Ryan Varricchio

Intern
Virginia Clean Cities
c/o James Madison University
1401 Technology Drive
MSC 4115
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
rvarricchio@vacleancities.org

Bio

Ryan (he/him) is an Argonne Intern at Virginia Clean Cities and has an interest in the transportation sector. He is excited to learn about the process of implementing alternative fuels into Virginia’s communities. During his time as an intern, he intends to assist with research and analysis for current projects, outreach and event planning, and working with staff to assist in the implementation of clean light and heavy-duty vehicles into surrounding areas. Currently, Ryan is pursuing a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management at James Madison University, with a minor in Public Administration. In his free time, he enjoys going on drives, spending time with family and friends, and is a big fan of Panda Express.

Ella Sher

Intern
Virginia Clean Cities
University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA
esher@vacleancities.org

Bio

Ella (they/them) is joining the team this summer as a part of the 2024 Argonne Internship Program and has a deep interest in the intersection between science and policy. During their internship, Ella hopes to understand the challenges facing the adoption of alternative fuels in Virginia. Currently, Ella attends the University of Virginia, where they are double majoring in Environmental Thought & Practice and History on the Pre-Law track. Outside of work, Ella enjoys running, hiking, and playing the trumpet.

Sable Alonso

Intern
Virginia Clean Cities
James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VA
salonso@vacleancities.org

Bio

Sable (they/them) is one of our 2024 summer interns. They are here as part of the communications team, and are excited to learn more about alternative fuels and reduction strategies. During their internship, Sable aims to gain experience in facilitating communication, developing websites, and promoting clean alternative fuels through social media. In their free time, Sable enjoys video games, watching shows, hiking, fishkeeping, and developing their creative skills.

David Robinson

Marketing Lead
Birch Studio
Charlottesville, VA
Office: (434) 977-9303
david@birchstudio.com

Bio

David founded Birch Studio in Charlottesville in 1996 and serves as Creative Director. In this capacity, he has overseen the branding and marketing of many small and mid-sized businesses in a variety of industries. He has trained and worked with numerous creative and technical staff since hiring Birch Studio’s first employee in 1999. David launched Flux Report, a periodical that presents data from the alternative fuels sector (biodiesel, ethanol, propane, etc.) and presents them in a visually-appealing format. Flux Report has been adopted by several Clean Cities Coalitions and is currently distributed to over 15,000 readers. David lives in Charlottesville with his wife and son, loves camping, mountain biking and hang gliding, and serves on the boards of Virginia Clean Cities, Mill Creek South HOA and Court Square Condo Association. He is an advisor to RideForward at UVA. He earned a B.S. in Architecture from the University of Maryland.

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