Virginia Clean Cities is served by a dedicated and skilled Board of Directors from all areas of the Commonwealth. The board has oversight over the general organizational structure of Virginia Clean Cities and is made up of stakeholders in good standing who have made significant contributions to the Clean Cities effort in Virginia.
Whitney Kopanko, Chair
Director of Marketing & School Bus Sales, Sonny Merryman
Whitney is the Director of Marketing and School Bus Sales for Sonny Merryman, known to many as “Virginia’s Bus Company.” She leads many areas, including grant and funding project management, new business and partnership development, customer education, community engagement, deployment support and performance analysis. Over the last three years, Whitney has worked with more than 50 Virginia school divisions to successfully procure and deploy their first electric school buses. In addition, Whitney has built relationships with many partners within the electric transportation industry, including Dominion Energy, ODEC and more. Whitney holds a BS in Business Administration and an MBA in Marketing.
Natalie Van Dyke, Vice Chair
Sales Director, Renewable Energy & Sustainability Strategies, Electratherm
Natalie is the Sales Director for Renewable Energy and Sustainability Strategies at Electratherm. Prior to this role, she was the transport sales manager for North America for Bitzer US, where she supported program innovation and technology integration of a range of Bitzer products. In this role she was involved in transit in bus and passenger rail, especially vehicle conditioning. Natalie has made community improvement, air quality, domestic energy security cornerstones of her work. Prior to this role, Natalie was Digital Marketing Manager at Sonny Merryman.
Erin O. Puryear, Treasurer
Manager, Member Services & Energy Innovation Planning
For more than 30 years, Erin has worked in the electric utility industry in a number of different capacities including rates, regulatory, retail electricity, energy marketing, trading and member services. As the Manager of Member Services & Energy Innovation Planning at Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC), her responsibilities include member communications, the development and coordination of energy efficiency, demand response programs, strategic electrification initiatives, particularly transportation electrification and load research activities for ODEC’s 11 member-owner distribution cooperatives. She serves on the Generation and Transmission Managers’ DER Subcommittee and NRECA’s DER Membership Advisory Group.
David Robinson, Secretary
Creative Director, Birch Studio; Co-Founder, EarthWork Collective
David Robinson is the Founder and Creative Director of Birch Studio. David has decades of experience providing creative and technical solutions to organizations. David excels in building relationships and problem solving. In recent years he has supported brands in the clean energy and real estate sectors.
David developed the Flux Report, a document that presents data for various clean energy technologies and presents them in a visually-engaging format. The Flux Report was adopted by a dozen Clean Cities Coalitions for distribution.
He earned a BS in Architecture from the University of Maryland and has advanced knowledge of Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Dreamweaver and is proficient in HTML, CSS, PHP and WordPress development.
Chelsea Jenkins
President & Founder, COSOLVE
Chelsea Jenkins is the President and Founder of COSOLVE and the former Deputy Secretary of Commerce and Trade for the Commonwealth of Virginia. Chelsea was previously the VP of Government & Industry Relations for ROUSH CleanTech, the clean technology division of Roush Enterprises. There she led strategic efforts including building partnerships with government and nongovernmental organizations, product development strategy and managing regulatory, legislative and public policy initiatives for advanced clean transportation programs. She joined ROUSH CleanTech’s business development team in 2011, managing commercial, transit and school bus fleet accounts on the east coast. Prior to this role, Jenkins served as the Virginia Clean Cities executive director and program coordinator. A recipient of the 2009 Clean Cities Coordinator of the Year award, she was inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame in 2011. Jenkins helped establish Valley AIRNow, an air quality outreach program and was instrumental in the development of a Virginia biodiesel production facility. Jenkins holds a degree from James Madison University in Integrated Science and Technology.
Robin Jones
Retired Energy Program Manager, Virginia Department of Energy
Robin Jones retired from the Virginia Department of Energy in 2021, after serving as program manager for biofuels, propane, electric planning and electric deployment projects. She served the Commonwealth of Virginia for more than 30 years.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Jones graduated with a bachelor degree in Economics from Southern Methodist University and was subsequently awarded a Master of Urban Planning by the University of Virginia and an MBA from the College of William and Mary.
Her knowledge of alternative fuels, green fleets, electric vehicles and federal programs was unmatched. Her division has expertly advised state agencies, nonprofit organizations, local government fleets and industry partners for many years.
On December 16, 2021, VCC recognized Robin with the Virginia Energy Public Service Award to honor her decades of commitment to advancing clean transportation in the Commonwealth. Robin resides in Richmond and is active in public service on a volunteer basis.
Ben Delp
Director of Research Development & Promotion, James Madison University
Benjamin T. Delp is the Director of Research Development and Promotion at James Madison University. In this capacity, he leverages the resources of the university to identify research and scholarship opportunities for JMU faculty and students, while cultivating strategic alliances with government, university, and private sector partners. Ben plays a key role in the marketing and promotion of JMU research capabilities and projects, along with supporting the Intelligence Analysis degree program through lectures and student mentorship.
He serves on the Commonwealth of Virginia Information Technology Summit Advisory Board, volunteers on the Harrisonburg Walk to End Alzheimer’s Planning Committee, and leads an annual Thanksgiving food drive in support of the Blue Ridge Area Food Bank. He is a graduate of James Madison University where he received his BA in Political Science as an Honors Scholar and his Master’s in Public Administration.
Kate Staples
Director of Asset Management, Dominion Energy
Kate Staples is the Director of Asset Management and the former Electrification Manager at Dominion Energy Virginia. Previously, she developed and implemented renewable and demand side management programs for Dominion Energy’s residential and non-residential customers. Kate received her Bachelor of Science in Business from Virginia Tech and her MBA from Virginia Commonwealth University. She is a Six Sigma Green Belt and received her Certified Energy Manager certification in 2014.
Roarke Katherman
Business Development Manager, Eastern Region for Clean Energy
Roarke Katherman joined Clean Energy, the largest provider of renewable natural gas in 2022 to support the trucking industries need for alternative fuel solutions. He is responsible for the education, development and growth of the natural gas heavy duty trucking industry. Roarke is focused on developing long term fueling agreements, service contacts and new public and private infrastructure to benefit the immediate need for a cost effective and sustainable fueling solution. He has served as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and is a graduate of McDaniel College.
Erick Pinzon, Jr.
Regional Director, Drive Electric Tidewater
Erick Pinzon, Jr. is the Regional Director for Drive Electric Tidewater and in this role, he served as a long-term volunteer for the Virginia Clean Cities coalition beginning in 2014. He is also the co-owner of Electrified Marina, an all-electric boat experience company. Erick was VCC’s 2016 Stakeholder of the Year and was personally responsible for successful negotiations of hundreds of electric vehicle charger infrastructure deployments in Virginia. He has owned more than a dozen electric vehicles and currently runs several businesses. In his prior professional career, Erick worked at Tesla from 2012 to 2021, and previously served as a master technician with Checkered Flag BMW.
Elizabeth Rafferty
Director of Government Affairs, Hunton Andrews Kurth
Elizabeth Rafferty’s practice focuses on government affairs; legislative, budgetary and regulatory strategy; and economic development efforts on behalf of businesses, government, and other clients. Prior to joining Hunton Andrews Kurth, Elizabeth served in various roles, including as director of government relations where she assisted businesses, associations, and individuals before Virginia’s legislative and executive branches of government. Elizabeth is also the former policy and legislative director at the Virginia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), where she was responsible for oversight of the agency’s policy initiatives and legislative functions. Elizabeth helped launch GO Virginia, an economic development program designed to grow and diversify the Commonwealth’s economy. While at DHCD, she worked as an advisor for community development for the Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade.
Cathie J. Vick
Chief Development and Government Affairs Officer, The Port of Virginia
Cathie J. Vick is the chief development and government affairs officer (CDGAO) for the Virginia Port Authority (VPA) where she oversees The Port of Virginia’s government relations, community outreach, economic development, engineering, environmental services, and maritime incident response. Before accepting her role at the port, Cathie served as deputy director for energy policy in the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy, where she helped to implement energy policy initiatives in the Commonwealth. She also worked as director of government relations for Virginia Natural Gas, where her responsibilities included advocacy to state, local, and federal officials, guiding the company’s civic and charitable sponsorships and donations, and managing its conservation programs. She has a law degree from Georgia State University College of Law, a master’s degree in business administration from the College of William and Mary, and a bachelor’s degree in political science and communications from James Madison University. Cathie is also a 2005 Fellow of the Sorenson Institute of Political Leadership, a 2009 graduate of LEAD Hampton Roads, a 2015 graduate of LEAD Virginia.
Morgan Whayland
Director of Government Affairs, Virginia Natural Gas
Morgan Whayland has served the Board since 2019 and is the Director of Government Affairs at Virginia Natural Gas (VNG). Morgan is transitioning from the apprentice role on the Board to the leadership seat for VNG. In her professional role, Morgan works on state energy policy and engages with local governments throughout VNG’s service territory. Morgan also has prior experience working within a Virginia local government and managing government relations, environmental and resilience programs. Morgan received her Master’s in Public Policy from the University of Virginia Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and a Bachelor’s in Economics and Foreign Affairs also from the University of Virginia.
David Gelman
Business Development Manager, VEIC
Based in VEIC’s Mid-Atlantic Office, Dave Gelman is a mechanical engineer, attorney and project manager with over 30 years of experience in clean energy and transportation. Dave is a regular volunteer and advisor to VCC and a member of its policy committee. He has conducted technical, regulatory, legislative and policy analyses of advanced vehicle technologies for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Environmental Protection Agency and the Congressional Research Service, as well as for a number of state-level programs. Dave has conducted strategic planning for major alternative fuel vehicle programs including Clean Cities, participating in the original national program plan. He has also lead strategic planning activities for DOE, as well as prepared a regional strategic plan for Mid-Atlantic coalitions including Virginia. Dave has a long history of involvement with VCC, having worked with four of the coalition’s executive directors.
John Phillips
President, Phillips Energy
John Phillips is Co-owner and President of Phillips Energy, Inc. and JCB Transport, Inc. John oversees all fuel delivery operations and new products and services. He has over 25 years experience in the fuels industry. His expertise includes extensive work with conventional as well as alternative fuels delivery and refueling infrastructure. He has assisted multiple municipalities and private fleets through the transition process from conventional to alternative fuels. His vision for the future allowed Phillips Energy to be one of the first companies in Virginia to offer three different alternative fuels in one retail location. John was educated at Virginia Wesleyan College and is a Class A Contractor in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Bill Griffiths
Fleet Manager
Bill Griffiths has more than 30 years of corporate, federal and local government experience. Bill is a recognized industry leader with an exceptional record of operational excellence and green fleet initiatives; recently as Senior Vice President, Fleet & Maintenance, for Beacon Mobility, which operates more than 12,000 vehicles in 22 states. He served in executive management roles for a variety of public and private entities including the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority, the Smithsonian Institution and the U.S. Forest Service. He has been honored as the 2015 National Public Fleet Manager of the Year, the 2016 Greater Washington Fleet Manager of the Year and the 2023 National School Transportation Association School Bus Innovator of the Year.
Charles “Chuck” Cramer
Director of Fleet Services, City of Lynchburg, VA
Chuck Cramer has many years of experience specializing in fleet, equipment and facilities management across multiple locations. Skilled at developing and executing solutions to optimize operations. Exceptional interpersonal, time management, and leadership skills, with strong prioritization instincts. Since 2016, he has served as the City of Lynchburg’s Director of Fleet Services. He was previously Fleet Manager of federal vehicles at 12 facilities with the US Air Force from 1991 to 2016. Chuck is a NAFA Certified Automotive Fleet Manager.