
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization first designated by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) in 1996 as a member of its Vehicle Technologies Office (VTO) Clean Cities Network. PRCC received its most recent re-designation on June 14, 2022 to continue work within the DOE Clean Cities Program.
Our Vision:
The vision of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities is to support Western Pennsylvania’s transition to a cleaner and more just fuel economy while lowering both Greenhouse Gas Emissions (GHGs) and Gasoline Gallon Equivalents (GGEs) throughout the region.
Our Mission:
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities advances the energy, economic and environmental security of the United States by supporting local actions to reduce petroleum use in transportation.
We accomplish this task through:
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Expanding the markets for alternative fuels and energy in both the public and private transportation sectors.
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Building and supporting the infrastructure needed for a strong alternative fuel (AF) and alternative vehicle (AFV) market in Western Pennsylvania.
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Serving the needs of our member organizations through education, business consulting, development of grants, grant writing, and management of Federal and State-funded projects.
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Acting as the designated regional organization for all U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities initiatives, including project funding.
A U.S. DEPARTMENT OF ENERGY DESIGNATED COALITION IN THE CLEAN CITIES AND COMMUNITIES PARTNERSHIP.

A U.S. Department of Energy partnership to advance clean transportation nationwide.
Mission: To advance the nation’s environment, energy security and economic prosperity through collaboration with communities by building partnerships with public and private stakeholders that create equitable deployment of clean transportation solutions for all.
Vision: Decarbonized transportation future for all communities
Our Promise:
Clean Cities and Communities coalitions passionately and tirelessly champion the deployment of clean transportation technologies and support communities with collaboration, expertise, and resources.


PRCC BOARD MEMBERS

WILLIAM SAPON
President
William Sapon is a visionary leader with 13+ years of experience in energy and sustainability. As the Founder and President of minority-owned Tri-Sector Advisors LLC, he drives social and environmental change via cross-sector collaboration. His expertise spans public, private, and non-profit realms, aiding diverse clients like government agencies, corporations, and non-profits in achieving sustainability objectives. William's strength lies in developing strategies that enhance grid resiliency, cut carbon emissions, and foster innovation, showcasing his adept coalition building skills. Previously, William has worked for major energy providers, utilities and startups. William holds a B.S. in Mechanical Engineering from Prairie View A&M University, a Masters of Business Administration from the Katz Graduate School of Business and a Masters of Public Policy & Management from the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs at the University of Pittsburgh. Mr. Sapon serves on multiple non-profit boards, including the University of Pittsburgh’s Business Alumni Association (BAA) and is a vital figure with the University of Pittsburgh’s Center for Sustainable Business (CSB).

DAVID DERNAR, C.P.A.
Treasurer
David Dernar, C.P.A, is the operating manager of Dernar & Associates, LLC, a public accounting firm located in Murrysville, Pa. Licensed in both Pennsylvania and Georgia, Mr. Dernar has been practicing public accounting, with a concentration in auditing, since 1968. He is a member of the Pennsylvania Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ state education committee and is also a past chairperson. Mr. Dernar sits on the executive board of the Regional Development Funding Corporation and the Murrysville Economic Community Development Corporation. He is also the president of EMS Southwest, Inc., an ambulance service located in Waynesburg, Pa., as well as the operating manager of Dependable Ambulance Billing, LLC, located in Murrysville, Pa.

CHUCK WICHROWSKI
Secretary
Chuck Wichrowski is the owner of Baum Boulevard Automotive. His shop is an independent auto repair shop servicing and repairing all types of vehicles with additional emphasis on European, Asian, diesel and alternative fuel cars. His technicians have advanced training in CNG, biofuels, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems. His business has a continuing program of educating his customer base about sustainable practices and alternative energy through the company’s website, newsletters and Facebook page. His company has been involved with electric vehicles since 2012 and assisted CMU with their electric conversion program for Honda Civics.

CHRIS SANDVIG
Chris Sandvig is the Founder & Executive Director of Mobilify Southwestern Pennsylvania. A self-proclaimed infrastructurist, Mr. Sandvig’s 20+ years of experience in collaborative leadership, project management, and advocacy have resulted in initiatives that increased PA transit funding by $500 million/yr.; reformed PA’s Transit Revitalization Investment District (TRID) legislation; catalyzed discussions leading to the formation of Pittsburgh’s Dept. of Mobility and Infrastructure; invested over $10 million in transportation capital improvements for LMI communities; put community redevelopment priorities first in Pittsburgh’s BRT project; created a roadmap for transit-oriented development throughout Allegheny County; reignited efforts to extend rapid transit east of Pittsburgh; elevated transportation as an affordable housing issue; and changed the way we collectively address our mobility access and equity priorities via policy, planning and programming of transportation funding. Prior to Mobilify, Mr. Sandvig was the Director of Policy at the Pittsburgh Community Reinvestment Group, where he also established and managed GoBurgh – a program that advocated for people-first transportation policies & projects, equitable transit-oriented communities, and policies and practices that merge community development and transportation priorities throughout Allegheny County. Mr. Sandvig holds a BS in Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering from Penn State and an MS in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon. He sits on the Rail~Volution National Steering Committee.

CATHERINE TULLEY
Catherine Tulley, GISP is the Manager of Environmental Programs for the Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, the federally-designated metropolitan planning agency for the 10 counties of southwestern Pennsylvania, including the Pittsburgh MSA. She began her early career in the telecom industry and holds an A.S. in Network Administration. After completing her B.S. in Geography, with a concentration in environmental studies, she worked as a GIS Analyst in civil engineering & environmental consulting, prior to joining SPC as a data analyst in 2014. Catherine has specialized in data engineering and environmental modeling, bringing a technology informed, regional perspective to the SPC’s environmental planning program. Catherine is currently pursuing her Masters of Public Administration degree at Ohio University’s Voinovich School of Leadership & Public Service. Additionally, Catherine serves on her borough’s planning commission and on the AASHTO Census Transportation Planning Products (CTPP) program oversight board. Additionally, Catherine serves on the board of the Southwest PA Water Network and the AASHTO Census Transportation Solutions (ACTS) Technical Service Program.

EMILY PHAN-GRUBER
Vice President, Electric Vehicles Committee Lead
Emily Phan-Gruber is the Senior Strategist for Transportation Electrification with Duquesne Light Company. Since joining Duquesne Light in 2019, she has helped to develop and advance Duquesne Light's transportation electrification strategy, developed new products and services for EV customers, including its EV time-of-use rate, and helped to facilitate the installation of EV charging infrastructure in the Pittsburgh region. Prior to joining Duquesne Light, Emily worked for D+R International, an energy consulting firm in the Washington, DC area. At D+R, Emily consulted for a number of clients including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and U.S. Department of Energy, and was instrumental in the formation of the DOE-funded Attachments Energy Rating Council, a national rating and certification organization. Emily earned a B.A. from Ohio Wesleyan University and an MPA and MAIR from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University.

RAYMOND ROBERTS
Legal Counsel
Raymond Roberts is Senior Counsel with Sherrard, German, and Kelley, P.C., where he is a member of the firm’s Corporate, Estates and Trusts, and Real Estate practice areas. His practice focuses in the area of mergers and acquisitions, commercial transactions, joint ventures and corporate and entity counseling for clients ranging from start-ups to multinational corporations. His transactional experience includes representing buyers and sellers in asset and stock purchases, merger and acquisition negotiations, and the drafting of related agreements, as well as negotiation, analysis, and drafting of commercial contracts. In addition, he advises clients with respect to corporate governance issues. He also has extensive experience working with and advising tax-exempt, charitable and community organizations with respect to formation, tax exemption and governance issues. Mr. Roberts also practices in the area of estate planning and administration, assisting clients with estate planning, estate administration and probate. Additionally, he practices in the area of real estate law, assisting clients with the negotiation of commercial leases and the sale and purchase of commercial, agricultural and residential real estate. Licensed to practice in Pennsylvania and Ohio, he earned his BA in History and JD from Duquesne University. Mr. Roberts is an active member of the Allegheny County Bar Association, Greene County Bar Association, and the Pennsylvania Land Title Association.

MIKE LICKERT
Gaseous Fuels Committee Lead
Mike Lickert has 31 years of experience in supply chain with Giant Eagle and earned a Certified Transportation Professional (CTP) Designation in 2006. He is the former Corporate Fleet Manager and project lead for Compressed Natural Gas projects at Giant Eagle. In addition to serving on PRCC’s board, he is also a member of the Greater Pittsburgh Foodbank’s Board of Directors and the National Private Truck Council’s Board of Governors.

DONALD SCHONS
Donald Schons is a Propane AutoGas Specialist at ProGas, Inc. where he manages over 30 Propane AutoGas Fueling Facilities and educates others about propane gas as an alternative fuel. He started his training in the propane industry in the family’s business working during his summer breaks in high school. He learned the basics of the propane industry as a teenager and also watched his older sister help convert vehicles to propane gas in the late 70’s & early 80’s. In 1990, after years in the family propane business, Donald went to work for one of the largest retailers of propane in the USA, AmeriGas, where he started as a Service Technician, building and installing propane pump stations, then was promoted to Operations Manager. He then relocated to the retail welding supply store side of AmeriGas’ business as a Store Manager. He joined ProGas, Inc. in June of 2004 delivering propane gas, installing propane tanks and selling propane gas to new customers; in 2012, he became a design specialist for building propane AutoGas infrastructures.

PRCC STAFF MEMBERS

RICK PRICE
Executive Director
Richard Price is the Executive Director of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities and has been involved with the Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities for over 15 years. He has served as coalition director, president, and has been a member of the Board of Directors for five years. He retired from the U.S. Department of Energy in 2007 after 37 years of service. Mr. Price was the Organizational Property Management Officer for the National Energy Technology Laboratory (NETL) for 20 years, during which time his duties included serving as the Motor Vehicle Manager of a fleet of 82 vehicles. He was instrumental in bringing alternative fueled vehicles and infrastructure to the lab and won an award for small fleets from the DOE in 2005. While at the helm of Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities he created a hugely successful partnership with the Community College of Allegheny County to provide alternative fuel vehicle training, and regularly hosts stakeholder fuels and vehicles trainings, National Drive Electric Week events, and workshops aimed at helping fellow coordinators secure project grants. In 2015, Mr. Price was inducted into the Clean Cities Hall of Fame.

JEFF TWARDY
Webmaster/IT Services
Jeff Twardy manages the PRCC website, email distribution, and social media channels. He is a graduate of Duquesne University and has over 25 years of experience in the Information Technology field.

OLUWAFEMI ILUYEMI
Accelerate Program Intern
Oluwafemi Iluyemi is an undergraduate at the University of Pittsburgh with a double major in Finance and Business Information Systems. She has previous experience in nonprofit consulting and as an intern for Ernst & Young within Business Consulting – Finance. Additionally, she is passionate about sustainability and community service, as she works on a committee that organizes community service events at the University of Pittsburgh. Oluwafemi will support PRCC’s efforts on marketing, social media outreach, community engagement, and project management.

KRISTEN SABOL
Co-Director
Kristen Sabol brings over 20 years of experience in the technology sector as a communications strategist, media consultant, events planner and change agent working for internationally recognized clientele spanning early stage startups, Fortune 500 corporations, non-profits, and academic institutions. Prior to joining PRCC, she worked as a consultant for the Eaton Corporation and the National Science Foundation’s Engineering Research Centers Network advocating for projects in renewable energy and personal robotics. For four years, she served as the Communications Director of the Quality of Life Technology Center at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Pittsburgh. Her work focuses on driving the adoption of highly disruptive innovations through socially relevant brand building, content development and community engagement.

JULIA EVERS
Program Assistant
Julia Evers is a recent graduate of the University of Pittsburgh with a degree in Environmental Studies and a certificate in Sustainability. Through her undergraduate career, she committed herself to sustainable development and studying environmental policy. Due to this commitment, she was selected as a 2024 Student Sustainability Champion. She has previous experience in sustainable outreach and administrative assistance through her previous internship with LUV SCRUB. Julia will be assisting PRCC with outreach, grant research, event planning, and other administrative tasks.
PRCC Mailing Address:
Pittsburgh Region Clean Cities (PRCC)
1436 Royal Park Blvd
South Park, PA 15129
EP-ACT Mailing Address:
Eastern Pennsylvania Alliance for Clean Transportation (EP-ACT)
1900 Market Street, Suite 800
Philadelphia, PA 19103
CCAC-West Hills Campus Address:
Community College of Allegheny County
(CCAC) – West Hills Campus
1000 McKee Road
Oakdale, PA 15071