Program

AFVi Awards

AFVi is committed to drawing industry attention to those who have done outstanding work to advance the sale and/or use of alternative fuels and advanced technology vehicles.

2009 Award Winners

20/20 Vision Award

Mario Cordero (photo center), immediate Past President of the Port of Long Beach, CA, and
S. David Freeman (photo right), President, of the Port of Los Angeles Board of Harbor Commissioners, accepted the award for their cooperative leadership, strength of purpose, and powerful vision, in shaping landmark policy through their combined San Pedro Bay Ports Clean Air Action Plan (CAAP). The award was presented by Annalloyd Thomason, Executive Director, AFVi (photo left), along with Kimberly Taylor, Director of Education and Business Programs, AFVi (photo center). Under the plan, the fifth largest seaport complex in the world is now working with drayage truck owners to replace old trucks that can cut truck related air pollution by 80% by 2012. The plan, at times highly contentious, is a bellwether for other ports worldwide seeking trade growth that runs parallel with environmental stewardship.


Golden Bullet Award

Joe Jobe (photo right) is the tour de force unifier behind the national effort to bring the biodiesel industry together to advance the use of biodiesel in our nation’s fleets. For twelve years he has blended his searing intelligence, political savvy, personal style, and endless passion to elevate the National Biodiesel Board, and subsequently the industry. Not one to shy from conflict, Mr. Jobe faces head-on would be foes from the Grocery Manufacturers Association to those embracing what he calls “junk science.” With biodiesel production projected to increase to one billion gallons by 2012, Joe Jobe remains the Golden Bullet for the industry.

Green Fleet Award

When the San Pedro Bay Ports crafted a clean air policy, Victor La Rosa (photo right), President of Total Transportation Services, Inc. (TTSI), was the first in line with alternative fuel vehicles (AFVs) to operate in full-time drayage service at the Ports of Long Beach and Los Angeles. TTSI has invested $15 million in LNG trucks and plans to replace half of its 300-truck fleet with AFVs. Mr. La Rosa appreciates the business case, but equally compelling is a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 20% and a 75% NOX reduction compared to the diesel vehicles being replaced. “We all have a responsibility to protect the environment,” said Mr. La Rosa.

Green Giant Award

T. Boone Pickens (photo right) once said, “A fool with a plan can outsmart a genius with no plan.” Less than one year ago, he set out to show what a genius with a plan can do. In July of last year, the octogenarian proved that age is no barrier when it comes to remaking yourself, by launching the “Pickens Plan.” He has mastered political communication using a social networking campaign that has attracted 1.4 million supporters organized around wind, solar and natural gas. AFVi awards Mr. Pickens the Green Giant Award for focusing national attention on natural gas for transportation as a key tenet in lessening U.S. dependence on foreign oil.

Invention and Innovation Award (Heavy-Duty)

Vancouver based Westport Innovations is a leading developer of advanced engines that run on natural gas and other gaseous fuels. Michael Gallagher (photo right) joined the company in 2003, after working for pre-eminent firms like Bechtel Group and Fluor Corporation. As President and COO, Dr. Gallagher’s commitment to the development of alternative energy and environmental cleanup technologies is paying off. His tireless work with customers, industry partners and policy makers has given alternative fuel vehicles using Westport engines a competitive advantage in the truck market. Today, even in a tough market, the innovative engine manufacturer is realizing significant sales, growing demand and general market acceptance globally for natural gas as a clean alternative to petroleum.

Invention and Innovation Award (Light-Duty)

The Toyota Prius entered the U.S. marketplace in 2001 and changed the makeup of the world’s fleet of vehicles. Like all good new ideas, it met internal resistance early on, only to pay off as a top seller in the U.S. market. The Prius is sold in more than 40 countries and regions and, since it was first introduced in the United States, more than 1.2 million Prius have been sold worldwide. With the launch of the 2010 Prius, which gets 50 MPG and is among the cleanest vehicles sold in the United States, Toyota plans to introduce ten new hybrid models globally by 2012. In an evolving new vehicle market, Toyota has set the bar for eco-supremacy. Accepting the award was Ed Larocque (photo right), National Manager of Advanced Technology Vehicles from Toyota Motor Sales USA, Inc.

Oxygen Award

School districts across the country have found an affordable and environmentally friendly school bus option in the Blue Bird VISION. The Vision is the first full-size, dedicated propane-powered school bus to be offered by a major manufacturer in the United States since 2002. Dangerous exhaust from school bus tailpipes can be significantly reduced by using alternative fuels, like propane. Blue Bird has invested in a bus that reduces NOx, CO, particulate matter and VOC emissions by as much as 83%-99%. Rusty Mitchell (photo right) , Product Management Director, accepted the award saying, “This is a solution to go green and a means to reduce fuel costs for school districts.”

Prescient Pioneer Award

Mike Scarpino (photo right) worked for twelve years as a nuclear engineer before accepting a position in 1997 with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities Program. The program facilitates the work of 90 coalitions located in cities throughout the country to assist public and private fleets as they transition to alternative fuels. For twelve years Mike has been on hand to assist the national program and local coalitions as they’ve weathered budget threats, low gasoline prices, and erratic incentives. Through it all, his seasoned eye has been on the power of communities working together to create a new, clean way to fuel America’s vehicle fleets. His leadership, humor, and intelligence have played a crucial part in the strength of the national program.

2008 Award Winners

AFVi Gold Mettle

Marcy Rood Werpy (photo center) accepted the award for her significant service to the alternative fuels industry. The award was presented by Annalloyd Thomason, Executive Director, AFVi (photo left), along with emcee Matt Hovde, Galileo Players (photo right). For thirteen years, Ms. Rood Werpy has demonstrated great character and commitment to the industry through her ability to create, shape, mold and bring about meaningful change. Until recently she served as the Deputy Director of the U.S. Department of Energy Clean Cities program. She was recognized for her vigilance in strengthening the network of coordinators who comprise the Clean Cities program, as well as her vision to build a global alternative fuels community.

Corporate Visionary Award

Google.org, the philanthropic arm of the company that has transformed content on the web, was honored for its innovative approach in finding transportation technology solutions to combat global warming. The award, accepted by Adam Smith, Steward for Good Energy, honors the 17,000 people strong company for the RechargeIT initiative, which is part of Google’s Climate Change Program. Under the leadership of Mr. Smith, the initiative’s focus is on the commercialization of plug-in hybrids. RechargeIT incorporates investments, fleet data collection, a plug-in hybrid conversion fleet, and vehicle-to-grid demonstrations on their campus. This is part of a three year, $175 million foundation project to “make the world a better place." Accepting the award on behalf of Mr. Smith was Alec Proudfoot (photo center), Mechanical Engineering Manager from Google, Inc.

Green Fleet Award

Robert Hall (photo center), Director of Vehicle Engineering for United Parcel Service (UPS), received the award for his influence and vision in building and operating the largest private alternative fuel fleet in the transportation industry. Mr. Hall has been with the company for 32 years and for the past 23 years, has led the company’s alternative fuel projects and technology development. UPS has a total of 1,629 trucks that run on compressed natural gas, liquefied natural gas and propane, as well as electric and hybrid electric vehicles. UPS is also working with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on developing a hydraulic hybrid delivery vehicle. Mr. Hall said, “The Company plans to continue to expand its ‘green fleet’ and to focus deployments in areas with air quality challenges.”

Green Ribbon Award

Patricia Mulroy (photo right), General Manager of the Las Vegas Valley Water District (LVVWD), accepted the award, honoring the public utility for powerful communications and marketing strategies that raise awareness about sustainability. The award was presented by Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman (photo left). “Sustainability” is part of the LVVWD’s mission statement and has resulted in a range of accomplishments from the development of The Springs Preserve, a 180-acre cultural and historical attraction to solar power generation at its reservoirs. The District’s vehicle composition is noteworthy, with 79% of the fleet running on alternative fuels. The recent addition of hydrogen powered vehicles and a solar-powered hydrogen fueling station complements the fleet mix of gas/electric hybrids, compressed natural gas and biodiesel fueled vehicles. The LVVWD provides water to more than one million people in Southern Nevada. The District has distinguished itself as a national leader among public utilities.

Industry Innovation Award

The award was given to Sinclair Oil Corporation and was accepted by National Accounts Manager Todd Cawley (photo center). Sinclair has proven, as they like to say, that they are no dinosaur when it comes to alternative fuels. Sinclair, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, formed a partnership with Haycock Petroleum to make B5 biodiesel available through 16 of its fueling stations in the Las Vegas area. The company, which operates in 21 states, is testing biodiesel blends in Las Vegas with an eye toward possible expansion into other markets.

Industry Pioneer Award

Lawrence Burns (photo left), Vice President for Research & Development and Strategic Planning at General Motors (GM), was honored for devoting his life to advancing the use of green vehicle technology. He has worked at GM since 1969 and is credited with a commitment to an automotive future that doesn’t rely on the internal combustion engine. Topgear.com asserted, “…he will probably have more influence on the car you drive in 20 years than anyone else on earth.” Mr. Burns leads all of GM’s efforts involving new technologies and is an outspoken advocate for the hydrogen economy and for GM to be the first company to have one million fuel cell vehicles on the road.

Lifetime Achievement Award

Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman (photo right) presented his city Fleet and Transportation Services Manager, Dan Hyde (photo left), with the AFVi Lifetime Achievement Award. Mr. Hyde is known for his advocacy of strong fleet leadership as a key in cleaning up America’s cities. His bold and passionate style is one reason that late last year the city received the World Leadership Award in London for its innovative approach to clean fleet services. For 15 years Mr. Hyde has built a fleet of 1,200 vehicles, with 90% operating on alternative fuels. In 1993, Las Vegas became the fifth city in the nation to become part of the United States Department of Energy Clean Cities program, which Mr. Hyde has led since it began. He is recognized and admired on a local, national and international level for his commitment to alternative fuels.

Oxygen Award

Matthew Payne (photo center) came up with a great idea in 2002 that freight shippers, carriers and logistics companies would voluntarily sign up to reduce emissions through their freight operations. Today the idea has become a highly successful program, with more than 600 partners representing notable transport powerhouses like Wal-Mart, Swift Transportation and Whole Foods Market. Mr. Payne was recognized for his vision behind the SmartWay Transport Partnership, a program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). As a seventeen-year employee of the EPA, Mr. Payne has pioneered work in alternative fuels, diesel retrofit technology and now, he is working on a SmartWay program redesign to cover multimodal emissions from the entire transportation supply chain. AFVi recognizes his public service which has resulted in significant annual fuel savings and emissions reductions nationwide.

Vision 20/20 Award

Ed Begley, Jr. (photo center) was lauded for his passionate commitment to living lightly on the planet. Mr. Begley is widely known as an American character actor. He’s earned much acclaim for his environmentalism, including promotion of eco-friendly products and living in a solar powered home. Mr. Begley serves as a spokesperson for Phoenix Motorcars and is a proponent of clean transportation alternatives to petroleum. He serves on numerous environmental boards, stars with his wife, Rachelle Carson, in their own reality television series called Living with Ed, and is the author of a new book, Living Like Ed: A Guide to the Eco-Friendly Life. Mr. Begley is honored for the strength of his personal convictions resulting in his uncanny ability to motivate and unify people to act to protect the planet.