Board of Directors and Key Staff

Staff

Blayne Barras, Executive Director

Blayne is the Executive Director of the Virginia Renewable Energy Alliance (VA-REA), where she leads the organization’s efforts to advance renewable energy across the Commonwealth. A proud alumna of James Madison University, she earned a degree in Hospitality Management and General Business and is currently pursuing her MBA at Longwood University. Her journey with VA-REA began as an intern, where she played a role in organizing the inaugural Virginia Clean Energy Summit (VACES) in 2019. This experience sparked her passion for clean energy and set the stage for her leadership within the industry.

Now, as Executive Director, Blayne oversees all aspects of VA-REA’s operations and serves as the lead organizer of VACES. She plays a pivotal role in advancing the organization's mission throughout the DMV region, fostering collaboration among VA-REA’s diverse membership of businesses, government agencies, nonprofits, and academic institutions.

Based in Richmond, Virginia, Blayne enjoys life with her husband and their two rescue pitties.

Connect with Blayne on LinkedIn

Board Officers

Chair of the board
Cliona Mary Robb
Director at Thompson McMullan
Vice Chair of the Board
Carrie Hearne
Executive Director at the Virginia Commission on Electric Utility Regulation
Treasurer of the board
Kevin Comer
Director of Technical Services at Stark Tech
Secretary of the board
Kirk Johnson
Founder and President of Second Break Strategies, LLC
Immediate Past Chair
Tyson Utt
Co-Founder & Manager at Commonwealth Energy Partners