Program Contacts

Clean Cities contact information is provided here. Clean Cities is funded and managed by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). The organization includes staff from DOE headquarters, national laboratories, technical contractors, and coalition coordinators.

Coalition Contacts

Clean Cities coordinators lead nearly 100 local coalitions in communities across the country.

Headquarters

National leadership oversees the program and support staff.

Clean Cities is funded and managed by DOE headquarters in Washington, D.C. The program's director and co-director oversee the regional managers at the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) and the Golden Field Office and program activities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) and Argonne National Laboratory. Headquarters support members manage Clean Cities projects.

Program Staff

Dennis Smith
National Clean Cities Director
U.S. Department of Energy
202-586-1791
dennis.a.smith@ee.doe.gov

BIO

Dennis Smith is the National Clean Cities Director and serves as the Technology Deployment Manager for the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Vehicle Technologies Office in Washington, D.C. In addition to coordinating the efforts of nearly 100 designated Clean Cities coalitions across the country, his duties include working closely with truck and auto manufacturers, fuel providers, state and regional governments, national laboratories, public safety officials, and other key stakeholders to expand the use of alternative fuels and other petroleum-reduction technologies and practices in the transportation sector. Other DOE duties have included managing a research and development portfolio related to energy efficiency, renewable and alternative fuels, and engine and vehicle development.

Smith is a registered professional engineer and has been working in the energy and environmental industry for over 30 years. In addition, Smith holds an unrestricted license as a heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) professional specializing in energy management and air-quality control technologies.

Prior to joining DOE, Smith served as Director of Energy Services at Atlanta Gas Light Company (AGLC), a large Atlanta-based utility. During his 20 years at AGLC, he specialized in introducing new energy and environmental technologies to private industry and the general marketplace. He headed up a team of engineers and energy consultants that specialized in alternative fuel vehicles, building energy efficiency and conservation, industrial energy applications, co-generation, indoor air quality, and codes and standards for fire safety and construction practices.

From 1992 to 1996, Smith served as president of the American Gas Association's Olympic Clean Air Team, which was responsible for all logistics and operations associated with the fleet of 600 natural gas vehicles used to support the 1996 Atlanta Summer Olympics.

Address

U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW EE-3V
Washington, DC 20585

Linda Bluestein
National Clean Cities Co-Director
U.S. Department of Energy
202-586-6116
linda.bluestein@ee.doe.gov

BIO

Linda Bluestein is the National Clean Cities Co-Director and has served in this position since 2008. She works at the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) headquarters on day-to-day management of the Clean Cities program, leads efforts to strengthen local partnerships and coalitions, and helps plan funding activities. Bluestein spearheads plug-in vehicle efforts for Clean Cities and works extensively to educate communities on alternative transportation technologies through educational events, webinars, and online tools. She also leads cross-collaboration efforts and events to help communities prepare for the local introduction of new transportation technologies. In addition, she assists the director of DOE's Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) with developing analysis and recommendations for the White House and DOE management.

Previously, Bluestein was VTO's regulatory manager for Energy Policy Act (EPAct) fleet requirements. She worked on compliance, enforcement, and writing regulations for the EPAct State and Alternative Fuel Provider Fleet Program. She also worked with national laboratories to evaluate the environmental and energy security benefits of fuels under the Alternative Fuel Transportation Program. In addition, Bluestein worked closely with the VTO program manager and the Office of the Assistant Secretary on suggesting legislative changes to proposed energy bills.

Before government service, Bluestein consulted VTO managers on fuel and vehicle programs. In this capacity, she worked with DOE to establish the first National Alternative Fuels Hotline, the Clean Cities Hotline, and worked with the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the Alternative Fuels Data Center.

Address

U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW EE-3V
Washington, DC 20585

Mark Smith
Vehicle Technologies Deployment Manager
U.S. Department of Energy
202-287-5151
mark.smith@ee.doe.gov

BIO

Mark Smith is the vehicle technologies deployment manager for the Department of Energy's (DOE) national Clean Cities program. His responsibilities include developing outreach strategies for implementing new national partnerships between industry and the Clean Cities program to successfully deploy new vehicle technologies. Smith also works with the regional managers and individual Clean Cities coalitions to implement deployment strategies at the regional and local levels. In addition, he develops and maintains relationships with key stakeholders—including vehicle manufacturers, fuel suppliers, educational institutions, environmental groups, nonprofit associations, government agencies, and other related organizations—to expand the use of alternative fuels and advanced vehicle technologies.

Before joining DOE, Smith was an alternative fuel vehicle consultant to American Honda. In this position, he promoted the use of Honda's alternative fuel vehicles to public and private fleet managers and implemented programs to increase deployment of these vehicles. Smith also understands that alternative fuel vehicle deployment hinges upon the development of refueling infrastructure. From his previous positions with FuelMaker and Clean Energy, he has provided alternative refueling solutions ranging from home refueling of a single vehicle to some of the largest commercial, airport, and transit fueling stations in the United States.

Address

U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW EE-3V
Washington, DC 20585

Headquarters Support

Ellen Bourbon
Project Assistance
Allegheny
202-287-5311
ebourbon@alleghenyst.com

BIO

Ellen Bourbon provides programmatic support for Clean Cities. She assists the U.S. Department of Energy headquarters and the Clean Cities regional managers and works with Clean Cities coalitions across the country as they develop and revise their strategies to meet petroleum reduction goals.

Bourbon worked for the New Jersey Office of Clean Energy for 14 years as the Alternative Fuels Project Manager. During much of that time, she also served as New Jersey's Clean Cities coordinator, establishing the program and growing it into a statewide coalition. She worked extensively on projects involving natural gas, propane, biodiesel, and hybrid electric vehicles, and she developed a range of incentive programs to encourage state and local governments to use alternative fuels and advanced vehicles.

Sarah Olexsak
Workplace Charging Challenge Coordinator
U.S. Department of Energy
202-586-2149
sarah.olexsak@ee.doe.gov

BIO

Sarah Olexsak is the Workplace Charging Challenge Coordinator for the U.S. Department of Energy's EV Everywhere Grand Challenge. She works to increase the availability of electric vehicle workplace charging across the country. Before joining the EV Everywhere Grand Challenge, Olexsak conducted analysis on the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's (EERE) technology portfolio in the Office of Strategic Programs and coordinated the Efficiency and Renewables Advisory Committee. She also served as chairman of EERE's Assistant Management Board and managed the technical component of the $25 billion Advanced Technology Vehicle Manufacturing Loan Program.

Before joining the Energy Department, Olexsak promoted the technology commercialization mission of the U.S. Fuel Cell Council. She received an MS in Energy Policy and Climate from Johns Hopkins University and a BS in Biology from Muskingum University.

Address

U.S. Department of Energy
1000 Independence Ave, SW EE-3V
Washington, DC 20585

Margaret Smith
Project Assistance
Energetics
202-656-4373
msmith@energetics.com

BIO

Margaret Smith provides programmatic and technical support for Clean Cities headquarters. Smith supports headquarters staff with various activities, such as organizing Clean Cities trainings and developing resources for Clean Cities coalitions. She has created Clean Cities resources on the costs of alternative fueling infrastructure and facilitated coalitions sharing best practices for increased petroleum displacement.

Prior to supporting Clean Cities, she worked for Sustainable Energy Strategies, Inc. In this role she supported biodiesel and ethanol projects that improve infrastructure, develop feedstocks, educate stakeholders, and promote the use of biodiesel in heating oil. She also has experience with the design, manufacturing, and sales of underground stormwater treatment systems that remove pollution from stormwater runoff. Smith has a bachelor's degree in computer engineering and a concentration in cognitive science from the University of Virginia.

Regional Managers

Managers support coalitions in their regions.

Regional managers offer guidance to coordinators in their regions, monitor regional coalition activities, and foster relationships among coordinators in neighboring states.

United States map showing the states in each Clean Cities region. The Northwest region includes Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. The North Central region includes Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. The Northeast region includes Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Mid-Atlantic region includes the District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. The Southeast region includes Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. The South Central region includes Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. The California region includes California.

Contact Addresses

Use these addresses to contact the regional managers by mail.

Morgantown, WV

U.S. Department of Energy, NETL
P.O. Box 880
3610 Collins Ferry Rd.
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880

Pittsburgh, PA

U.S. Department of Energy, NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940

Brett Aristegui
California Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-4641
brett.aristegui@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for California

BIO

Brett Aristegui is the point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in California. His responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Aristegui facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Aristegui has nine years of experience working for the U.S. Department of Energy. Before joining Clean Cities, he was a project manager for the Buildings and Efficiency Technology Division at the National Energy Technology Laboratory.

Address

NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Trev Hall
Southeast Regional Manager
NETL
304-285-5290
trevelyn.hall@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee

BIO

Trev Hall is the point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee. His responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Hall facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Hall started with the U.S. Department of Energy as a project manager in the Weatherization Assistance Program in 2009. He has a Bachelor of Science in industrial engineering and a master's degree in business administration from West Virginia University. Hall brings experience working as a process-improvement engineer, co-founding start-ups, and leading small-growth companies. Hall has served as an adjunct professor at West Virginia University teaching entrepreneurship/business planning and has a passion for training, technology, marketing, and outreach.

Address

NETL
3610 Collins Ferry Road
P.O. Box 880
Morgantown, WV 26507-0880

Neil Kirschner
South Central Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-5793
neil.kirschner@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas

BIO

Neil Kirschner is the point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in Arizona, Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas. His responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Kirschner facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Kirschner has been supporting Clean Cities since August 2006. Prior to working with Clean Cities, he worked at the National Energy Technology Laboratory performing a wide variety of duties as a DOE employee in support of the Department of Homeland Security's Office of the Assistant Secretary for Infrastructure Protection and DOE's Office of Electricity Delivery and Energy Reliability.

Address

NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236-0940

David Kirschner
North Central Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-7336
david.kirschner@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin

BIO

David C. Kirschner is the primary point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wisconsin. Kirschner started with Clean Cities in September 2011. His responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Kirschner facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Kirschner's past experience includes working in the industrial market as an applications engineer and working in the industrial heating, pumping, and compressed air markets. He started with the Energy Department as a project manager in the Weatherization Assistance Program in 2009. He has a B.S. in mechanical engineering from the University of Pittsburgh.

Address

NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Daniel Nardozzi
Northwest Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-7423
daniel.nardozzi@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Alaska, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming

BIO

Dan Nardozzi has worked as a project manager in the Office of Energy Project Management's Building and Efficiency Technology Division at the U.S. Department of Energy's National Energy Technology Laboratory since 2009. He brings a strong technical background with a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering and M.S. in Engineering Management, as well as being a licensed Professional Engineer and certified Project Management Professional. Nardozzi formerly managed projects at NETL with a focus on developing cost-effective and advanced technologies supporting net-zero energy performance goals for commercial buildings. He has also acted as project lead for Training Curriculum Development for Commercial Building Specialists.

Address

NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Erin Russell-Story
Northeast Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-7334
erin.russell-story@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont

BIO

Erin Russell-Story is the point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Rhode Island, and Vermont. Her responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Russell-Story facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Russell-Story joined Clean Cities in 2009. She has worked in the fields of alternative fuels, energy efficiency, and renewable energy for over a dozen years, including as a Clean Cities coordinator. Russell-Story initiated the Northeast Ohio coalition and then served as the coordinator for Vermont Clean Cities. In that role she also served as executive director of EVermont, a nonprofit organization dedicated to the testing, research, and demonstration of alternative fuel vehicles, particularly electric drive technology. She has extensive experience as an independent contractor and consultant, having supported programs for the U.S. Department of Energy, Renewable Energy Vermont, the Vermont Biofuels Association and the Greater New Haven Hydrogen Transit Bus Development Project. In addition to her knowledge of Clean Cities and advanced technology vehicles, Russell-Story has experience in fundraising, marketing, and media relations.

Address

NETL
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
P.O. Box 10940
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

Darren Stevenson
Mid-Atlantic Regional Manager
NETL
412-386-4746
darren.stevenson@netl.doe.gov
Primary point of contact for Delaware, District of Columbia, Kentucky, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and West Virginia

BIO

Darren L. Stevenson is the primary point of contact for Clean Cities' coalitions in District of Columbia, Delaware, Maryland, Kentucky, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands, Virginia, and West Virginia. His responsibilities include facilitating the efforts of the Clean Cities coalitions to increase the use of alternative fuels and vehicles through the development of public-private partnerships. Along with traditional project management duties, Stevenson facilitates technology deployment strategies, evaluates proper alternative fuel technologies, determines resource availability, provides technical assistance, contributes areas of expertise, and supports transportation market transformation activities.

Prior to joining the Clean Cities team in January 2012, Stevenson served as a project officer for several U.S. Department of Energy market transformation and deployment programs, including the State Energy Program, Weatherization Assistance Program for Low-Income Persons, Clean Cities, and Building Energy Codes Program, beginning in 1987. Stevenson has a B.S. in Liberal Studies from West Chester University.

Address

NETL
P.O. Box 10940
626 Cochrans Mill Rd.
Pittsburgh, PA 15236

National Laboratories

Staff from national laboratories provides technical assistance and support to the Clean Cities program at all organizational levels.

DOE's national laboratories provide technical support and assistance, develop educational materials, and provide online tools and information resources.

The National Renewable Energy Laboratory developed and manages the Alternative Fuels Data Center. NREL also manages the Technical Response Service and offers direct technical assistance.

Argonne National Laboratory manages the Clean Cities internship program, provides technical expertise, and develops and operates many emissions and modeling tools.

Wendy Dafoe
Clean Cities Task Leader
NREL
303-275-4470
wendy.dafoe@nrel.gov

BIO

Wendy Dafoe serves as the Clean Cities task leader at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Dafoe works closely with the NREL team and the Department of Energy program staff to identify information needs and execute projects that advance the Clean Cities mission. In 2009, she received a Lifetime Achievement Award for 15 years of outstanding service to the Clean Cities program.

Address

NREL
15013 Denver West Parkway, MS RSF403
Golden, CO 80401

Judi Deitchel
Project Assistance
NREL
303-275-4461
judi.deitchel@nrel.gov

BIO

Judi Deitchel provides database and project support for the Clean Cities program at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Deitchel monitors Clean Cities' publications, manages exhibit schedules and logistics, and helps keep the Clean Cities and the Alternative Fuels Data Center websites updated. Prior to working at NREL, Deitchel provided technical and quality assurance project support for the U.S. Geological Survey on the Department of Energy's Yucca Mountain project.

Address

NREL
15013 Denver West Parkway, MS RSF403
Golden, CO 80401

Sandra Loi
Project Leader
NREL
303-275-4345
sandra.loi@nrel.gov

BIO

Sandra Loi is a project leader for Clean Cities at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL). Loi focuses on Clean Cities' coordination and outreach activities, such as supporting coordinators, preparing new program initiatives, and organizing webinars and trainings for coordinators and stakeholders. She works to develop and strengthen partnerships with community organizations, industry partners, and other stakeholders. Loi is also the project lead for the Technical Response Service, MotorWeek, and the mentoring program. She also supports NREL's efforts for the National Clean Fleets Partnership, which establishes strategic alliances with large private fleets to help them explore and adopt alternative fuels and fuel economy measures to cut petroleum use.

Before coming to NREL, Loi worked for the Propane Education & Research Council in Washington as a project manager, focusing on product commercialization and marketing for on- and off-road vehicles, forklifts, and agricultural engines. Loi also conducted education and outreach for propane technology.

Address

NREL
15013 Denver West Parkway, MS RSF403
Golden, CO 80401

Marcy Rood
Environmental Transportation Analyst
Argonne National Laboratory
217-362-9844
mroodwerpy@anl.gov

BIO

Marcy Rood Werpy is a principal environmental transportation analyst at Argonne National Laboratory (ANL). She provides support to the U.S. Department of Energy's (DOE) Clean Cities program and related international activities. Rood Werpy leads a team of ANL technical experts in the areas of electric drive, natural gas, and propane vehicles, renewable natural gas, idle-reduction technologies, and emissions and greenhouse gas modeling. She provides research, analysis, training, and communication products to the Clean Cities network, and she oversees the Clean Cities University Workforce Development Program.

Rood Werpy began working for the Clean Cities program in 1995. During her 13-year tenure at DOE headquarters, she served the majority of her time as deputy director of Clean Cities. She managed grant programs, training, Advancing the Alternative Fuel Vehicle Choice events, and the Alternative Fuels Data Center, and assisted in the planning of national Clean Cities conferences and regional meetings. Rood Werpy also led the Clean Cities International Program, which had activities in multiple countries, and served as the liaison to the European Commission on clean urban transport programs, which resulted in peer exchanges between Clean Cities and European leaders in alternative fuels.

Contacts PDF