Following 24 years of service and remarkable contributions to the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition (KCFC), Executive Director, Melissa Howell has retired. Emily Carpenter became the new Executive Director effective January 2018.
Carpenter has served the coalition since 2012. Beginning as an intern through the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Workforce Development Program, it was her passion for the mission and vision of the KCFC that inspired her. Through years of dedicated service to KCFC’s goals, she has taken on countless challenges to further fleet environmental sustainability and the advancement of the alternative fuels/advanced transportation technology industry in Kentucky.
“The KCFC began with seven members with a mission in 1993, we have achieved national recognition and continuously served as the most qualified resource for this industry across Kentucky. Emily Carpenter will lead the KCFC through new adventures in technology with a renewed ‘energy’ to carry her,” noted Howell.
Carpenter has been responsible for writing grants, expanding current programs, and developing new projects. She has successfully authored grants and obtained awards on behalf of KCFC members. She was tasked with spearheading project development for KCFC which led to the establishment of the nation’s first comprehensive alternative fuel vehicle technician training program. Carpenter also revitalized KCFC’s Green Fleets program. In 2016, program fleets’ combined efforts led to the reduction of over 11 million gasoline gallon equivalents and a reduction in greenhouse gas emitted by over 48,000 tons.
A Kentucky native, Carpenter is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Patterson School with a master’s degree of Diplomacy and International Commerce with a focus on energy resources.
“It is an honor and a privilege to be the Kentucky Clean Fuels Coalition’s next Executive Director,” said Carpenter.