Meet the Team – Jack and Krystal

July 16, 2024

Meet Our Accelerate Interns: Jack and Krystal!
At Drive Clean Colorado (DCC), we’re excited to introduce our two outstanding Accelerate Interns, Jack and Krystal, who are already making great contributions to our mission of advancing the equitable adoption of clean transportation.

About the Accelerate Program
The U.S. Department of Energy’s Clean Cities and Communities Accelerate program is a workforce development initiative designed to unite Clean Cities and Communities coalitions with early-career professionals. This program, managed by Argonne National Laboratory, aims to drive the adoption of clean transportation technologies, improving air quality, energy security, and economic prosperity across the nation.

Internships are available year-round to undergraduate and graduate students, as well as recent graduates from various fields. Through hands-on engagement with local coalition projects, interns gain valuable experience in areas such as alternative fuels, public infrastructure, and community engagement, setting them up for success in their future careers. Applications for the Fall 2024 internship are open until August 4, 2024. Learn more about the Accelerate intern program here.

Meet Jack Martin
Jack, originally from the greater Washington D.C. metro area, studied economics and philosophy at the University of Virginia. He moved to Boulder, CO to pursue a Masters of the Environment at CU Boulder, focusing on renewable and sustainable energy. In his free time, he loves biking, skiing, and discussing music and automobile history. 

How long have you been involved with Drive Clean Colorado?
I have been involved with Drive Clean Colorado for just over a year, starting last summer while pursuing a graduate degree in the Masters of the Environment (MENV) Program at the University of Colorado, Boulder, specializing in renewable and sustainable energy. I am excited to continue the momentum of our work at DCC as I advance in my early career in the clean transportation industry.

Can you share a recent project or initiative you’ve been able to work on that you are excited about?
I recently led the Community Adoption of Microgrids Project and concluded our Mastering Microgrids Webinar Series, which culminated in a report to the National Renewable Energy Laboratory on the feasibility and state strategy for transportation microgrids across Colorado. I am grateful for the opportunity to self-start and lead a project on distributed energy grid edge topics, which I am passionate about and studied directly in graduate school. I am extremely excited to see how Colorado’s Microgrid Roadmap will develop and how we can assist our stakeholders across the state in easing grid stress, rising electricity costs, and resiliency as we meet our transportation electrification goals.

What sparked your interest to work in the clean transportation space
Ever since I was a kid, I have been passionate about the transportation of people. One of my first words was “car,” as I watched Formula 1 and played with Hot Wheels with my friends and family. Throughout my life, I have followed the auto industry, active transportation, shipping and logistics, passenger rail, and aviation. As I grew older and furthered my education in environmental economics, urban planning, and renewable and sustainable energy, I adopted a systems approach toward our current energy and transportation systems and their effects on clean air and equitable mobility for all. I am dedicated to effectively contributing to the clean energy transition and promoting an equitable shift toward multi-modal transportation systems. Since my studies at MENV and moving to the Front Range, my ambitions to advance in the clean transportation space have solidified. As an avid cyclist and runner, I can attest to the differences in active transportation infrastructure and alternative options here in Colorado compared to the suburban mobility I grew up in within the Washington D.C. Metropolitan area. I really enjoy working at DCC and engaging with our stakeholders to help in any way I can. I look forward to advancing clean transportation one step at a time.          

Meet Krystal Gonzalez
Krystal Gonzalez, originally from Houston, TX, joined DCC as a Program Intern. She moved to Colorado drawn by her family’s love of nature and the mountains. Krystal holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business with a Marketing Specialization from the University of Phoenix, where she graduated on the Dean’s List. She is currently pursuing a dual Masters of Marketing and Professional MBA at the University of Colorado Denver. With over 13 years of experience in marketing and business development, Krystal is passionate about sustainable transportation and environmental justice. 

How long have you been involved with Drive Clean Colorado?
I have been involved with Drive Clean Colorado for about a month and a half. 

Can you share a recent project or initiative you’ve been able to work on that you are excited about?
I’m currently excited about our National Drive Electric Week events. This initiative encourages community engagement and promotes the benefits of electric vehicles through interactive and fun activities.

What sparked your interest to work in the clean transportation space?
My interest in clean transportation was sparked by a passion for sustainability and a desire to contribute to environmental conservation efforts. Working in this space allows me to make a tangible impact on reducing emissions and promoting a healthier planet.

Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Fun fact: I love hiking and exploring Colorado’s beautiful landscapes. It’s one of the reasons I’m so passionate about preserving our environment through sustainable practices.  I also love spending time with my 2 kids, and 3 pups!

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