2022 Steering Committee Elections

It's time to elect a new Western Washington Clean Cities (WWCC) Steering Committee!

Calling all Western Washington fleet managers, educators, government agencies, alternative fuel champions, or auto aficionados. If you want to be a driver for change, here’s your chance to make traction towards a more sustainable transportation future.

Steering Committee members serve a two-year term from January 2023 to December 2025 and provide our Coalition with strategic direction towards kickin' gas in Western Washington. The Steering Committee guides key decisions for Western Washington Clean Cities, including strategic direction, project focus areas and event planning. Our nine Steering Committee members are elected bi-annually by Coalition membership.

To qualify, you must be a Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition member for at least one year and live or work in the State of Washington.

Complete this online form by Dec 9th, 2022. Voting takes place by fellow Western Washington Clean Cities Coalition members between Dec 11th-Dec 23rd. Eight seats will be awarded for the 2023-2025 chair appointment. Selection notification will take place Wednesday, Dec 28th. The committee chair role begins Jan 1, 2023.

Thank you. We look forward to learning more about you.

Candidate Biographies (in alphabetical order)

Quinn Apuzzo, Recology

Quinn Apuzzo joined Recology in 2009 and currently serves as the company’s Government and Community Relations Manager. In this capacity, she and her team perform strategic outreach and advocacy to further advance Recology’s zero waste mission in the Puget Sound region. She has extensive experience working with municipal partners, businesses, and community stakeholders to deliver innovative public engagement programs in support of regional sustainability goals.

Quinn is an active member of the Washington State Recycling Association and the City of Seattle’s Solid Waste Advisory Board. She is a graduate of Hobart & William Smith Colleges and holds a degree in Public Policy and Economics. Quinn and her family live in Seattle’s Green Lake neighborhood.

Don Ashmore, Tacoma Public Utilities

I am a Fleet Manager at Tacoma Public Utilities. Prior to taking that position I worked for Ryder Transportation for 24 years, retiring from Ryder. I have been in transportation/fleet for well over 29 years. I have been in a management role for around 25 of those 29 years. With Ryder I learned innovation and what is the driving factors around the transportation industry. With a heavy focus on emissions. We were one of the first to introduce natural gas to Class 8 trucking. Also looking into the safety side with lane drift avoidance and smart drive cruise. While here at Tacoma Public utilities I have taken that knowledge and applied it to this fleet. As a primarily all hydro power generation utility and also clean clear water from the source. I believe it is my responsibility to ensure that our fleet is sustainable and environmentally friendly within the confines of our reliable operations. Examples of this are the use of biodiesel and renewable diesel. Bringing on board hybrid, plug in hybrid and all electric vehicles. We also look at all of our waste streams and try to reduce or remove. One example is we are using reusable oil filters. Thus removing the need to dispose of the old cartridge oil filter. I want to be part of a great team that leads the area in environmentally clean/friendly directions. I have been working with Clean Cities throughout my time here at Tacoma Public Utilities. They have been an awesome resource for information and direction. Please allow me to take part in being a member of the great group.

Michael Breish, Washington State Department of Commerce

Michael Breish is an Energy Policy Specialist within the Energy Division in the Washington State Department of Commerce, where he is responsible for clean transportation policy. Specifically, he focuses on transportation alternative fuels, electrification, and planning with overarching goals of making transportation more affordable, accessible, diverse and cleaner for Washingtonians. With a background in utility planning and regulation, Michael is working closely with the state’s utilities, transportation planning organizations, and related agencies to support widespread electrification of on-road, off-road and marine modalities. In developing comprehensive plans and implementation strategies, Michael aims to help Washington public agencies and businesses maximize the benefits of zero-emission transportation transitions while also ensuring local communities and economies benefit.

Frank Castro, Snohomish Public Utility District

A 39-year fleet professional, Frank Castro started his career with the City of Tacoma, and Tacoma Public Utilities (TPU). He currently serves as Senior Manager, Engineering and Distribution’s Shared Services for Snohomish County Public Utility District (SnoPUD) in Everett, Washington and directs the Real Estate Services and Transportation Services teams for the District.

During his tenure at Tacoma Public Utilities, TPU was one of the first regional public fleets to use biodiesel for its fleet of vehicles. TPU was awarded approximately $640,000 in grant funding for various alternative and clean vehicle projects in 2009 and was recognized as a Top 100 Fleet by Government Fleet magazine. He currently is a contributing member of SnoPUD’s Electric Vehicle focus team preparing for mass adoption of electric vehicles in the District’s service territory. He also participates in the Washington State Department of Commerce’s Technical Advisory Team assessing technology and legislation related to alternative fuels and electric vehicles.

Throughout his fleet career he has served on various committees for the National Association of Fleet Administrators including Chair for the Alternative Fuels and Technology Committee, Puget Sound Chapter Chair, Law Enforcement Committee, Vice Chair of the Certification Board, and the Education Development Committee.

Levi Clark, Port of Seattle

I have 21 years of experience working in the Automotive Industry. I started my career as an automotive technician before eventually working my way up through supervisory roles. My mechanical aptitude helped me then get into a vehicle design role. I spent over 6 years with the City of Seattle designing vehicles that would meet, or exceed, the requirements of Seattle's green fleet policy. During this time I outfitted 200 police vehicles with anti-idle technology, right sized departments into the most efficient vehicle for the tasks they were performing, and designed and deployed one of the nation's first Hybrid Powertrain Ambulance units. Currently, I am the Maritime Fleet Manager at the Port of Seattle, as well as the NAFA - Puget Sound Chapter Chairperson. For my work at the Port, I am currently part of a team who is developing the Port of Seattle's first Sustainable Fleet Plan, a plan that will guide the design and direction of the Port's fleet of vehicles. My ambition is fleet work and I love being a part of the fleet community. The Fleet community is an awesome one and working together will allow us all to succeed in our mission of reducing vehicle fuel and energy consumption.

George Donegan, University of Washington

For the past five years, I have been working at the University of Washington. My current role is Assistant Director, Business Mobility, where my focus is the long term fleet and shuttle strategy supporting the academic mission of the students, faculty and staff. Previously, I held the role of Fleet Manager, supporting the daily operational requirements of 700 vehicle and equipment units.

Previous to the University, I worked at Amazon.com for seven years as a Senior Operations Manager focusing on Amazon Fresh grocery delivery and outbound fulfillment center operations.

Greg Dronkert, Pacific Mobility Group, Inc.

Greg is captivated by the profound transformations occurring in the transportation industry and is particularly interested in the adoption of alternative fuels and sustainable solutions.

Greg is the founder of Pacific Mobility Group and believes people’s lives can be vastly improved through advances in mobility. He sees the areas of vehicle electrification, shared mobility, and public-private partnerships as critical drivers of systemic improvement.

Greg is an engineering graduate of the California Maritime Academy and over the years has served as President & COO of HMS Ferries, Director of the Alaska Marine Highway System, President & CEO of Glacier Bay Cruiseline, and Vice President & General Manager of Alaska Ship and Drydock.

Greg attended the University of Washington’s Marine Transportation and Port Planning program and has an MBA in Shipping and Logistics from Middelsex University.

Greg lives on Bainbridge Island and is an avid outdoorsman. He wants to be on the Western Washington Clean Cities Steering Committee to help make a positive difference.

Archie Ferguson, City of Kirkland

I am the Fleet Manager for the City of Kirkland. I have been in the automotive sector (both light-duty and heavy-duty) for over 20 years. I started my automotive career as a European Dealership Service Writer. I transitioned from Service Writing to the world of heavy-duty equipment as a Fleet Records and Inventory Clerk. One of my primary assignments was setting up the newly acquired fleet software. At one point in my career, I was a HD and Warehouse tech and I managed a small privately-owned HD service shop.

I have worked for the private sector (Coke Cola and Republic Services) and the public sector (the Village of Winnetka and the City of Kirkland). When I was employed at Coke Cola, my responsibility as a Fleet Market Unit Manager included 1,700 pieces of equipment located in four Midwestern states. I frequently consulted with Fleet upper management in the development of operational procedures, and I suggested numerous capital budget recommendations. I proactively monitored and established metrics including employee performance plans on a routine basis to ensure that the Market Unit data remained on track with our strategic objectives.

I monitored procurement contracts for compliance and worked (as required) to execute Public Affairs initiatives; I also volunteered at numerous company sponsored community events. I received an AAS in Automotive Technology and a BA in Applied Behavioral Science. My excellent soft skills have helped to open the lines of communication between fleet and the customers that we service. It would be my honor and privilege to assist the WWCC Steering Committee.

Craig Foster, King County

Craig Foster is a customer service driven fleet operations manager with proven leadership and resource management skills. Craig is currently the Fleet Operations Chief for King County Metro Transit’s Commuter Van program, with a fleet of over 2,000 vehicles providing a variety of transit services. Before coming to work for King County in June of 2016, Craig served in the United States Army for over 23 years, working in every facet, and level of fleet management, within the Army’s fleet maintenance program, which encompassed a wide variety of senior maintenance, supply chain, and operations management functions. Craig is also a member of the National Association of Fleet Administrators’ (NAFA) Puget Sound Chapter.

Jim Jensen, Washington State University Energy Program

Since joining the WSU Energy Program in 2011 as their Senior Bioenergy and Alternative Fuels Specialist, working with and supporting Clean Cities has proved integral to Jim’s work with biodiesel, biomethane, electric vehicles, and green fleets. Jim has worked on a number of notable projects with Clean Cities and others, including:

The Clean Cities assessment of biomethane for transportation
The Clean Cities electric vehicle guidebook
The Washington State electric drive website
The Washington Plug-In Electric Vehicle task force final report
Rulemaking about alternative fuel use by local governments with the Washington State Department of Commerce
Early development of the electric vehicle infrastructure program with the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT)
Renewable natural gas (RNG) roadmap and project development and promotion with the Department of Commerce

Jim is currently managing establishment of the WSU Green Transportation Program. This program provides education and technical assistance to public fleets including cities, counties, transit agencies, school districts, colleges and universities, utilities and PUDs, tribes, ports, and other state political subdivisions. The program is coordinating closely with other state agencies (e.g., WSDOT, Commerce, DES, Ecology, and Health).

Philip Saunders, City of Seattle

Philip Saunders serves as the Green Fleet Program Manager for the City of Seattle that was recently awarded #4 Green Fleet-100 Best Fleets 2019. In this role, he provides subject matter expertise in green technology, procurements, policy, and capital projects. Philip authored the 2019 City of Seattle Green Fleet Action Plan and continues to work with all City departments in reducing fleet emissions in support of Seattle's climate goals. For his leadership in electric vehicles and technology, he received Governor Jay Inslee's Award for Leadership in Management. Philip is nationally recognized for his work with Washington State's first Electric Vehicle Supply Equipment (EVSE) contract and Electric Vehicle (EV) contract, both of which tout the widest range of available EVs with cost saving measures built into the contracts. As a vital part of the City's diversity team, Philip continually champions small businesses led by minorities, women and disadvantaged business enterprises through key outreach and unique contracting techniques. He also currently serves as an appointed mentorship committee member for the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing.

Christina Suarez, Blue Star Gas & Alliance Autogas

Christina Suarez serves as Autogas Fleet Specialist for Blue Star Gas and Alliance Autogas in the Pacific NW region. As a lifelong Washingtonian, she has a passion for helping local fleets reduce their environmental impact by transitioning to clean alternative fuel. Christina helps fleet operators utilize the viable, fiscally practical solutions and cutting edge technology Blue Star Gas offers, including the recent addition of renewable propane Autogas. Because she recognizes that Autogas is not a “one size fits all” solution, her mission is to help operators identify which fuels work best in the various fleet applications. Her diverse customer base has provided insight on the challenges fleets face when implementing alternative fuels, and what policy makers and alternative fuel providers should consider to help overcome the obstacles. Christina serves on the board of NAFA Fleet Management Association’s Puget Sound Chapter and is a member of the National Propane Gas Association’s Women in Propane Council.

Mike Usen, DKS Associates

Mike’s passion is the pursuit of environmental sustainability and has dedicated his 25+ year career to this cause at large public agencies like the City of Seattle and King County Metro Transit as well as market-leading consulting firms including DKS Associates, AECOM and EDAW. For most of the last decade, he has focused his attention to transportation because mobile sources account for the lion’s share of our region’s greenhouse gas emissions and criteria air pollutants. Mike currently leads DKS’ company-wide electric vehicle charging infrastructure planning and design practice, assisting transportation agencies and fleet operators plan the conversion of their operations to electric power. He previously developed and led Metro’s Sustainability Program and wrote the agency’s Sustainability Plan and the transportation chapter of the County’s first Strategic Climate Action Plan. Mike is eager to join the steering committee to offer a private sector perspective and share his electromobility expertise.