Regional leader supports local communities, expands energy solutions

To Jessica Armold, the term "rewarding" not only describes her current job with the Sustainable Ohio Public Energy Council (SOPEC), but also her time in the Master of Sustainability, Security and Resilience (MSSR) Program in Ohio University's Voinovich School of Leadership and Public Service.

"The Voinovich School gave me so much; I don't think I could quite quantify exactly how much I received from them," Armold said. "I learned a lot of skills about sustainability, resilience, decision making, planning, stakeholder outreach and leadership, but they also gave me some things that were not on any syllabi ... like confidence and just a whole shift in mindset to look at the bigger picture." 

Armold graduated from the MSSR Program in 2025, working with and learning from Dr. Geoffrey Dabelko, professor in the Environmental Studies program. 

Some of Armold's memorable experiences with Dabelko included his environmental leadership class, where she decided to leave her job of 18 years and explore new opportunities. 

"Dr. Dabelko was the driver, but didn't know it," Armold said. "I was working at the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). I've always been passionate about sustainability, environmentalism, biology and any green concept you can come up with ... but the thing about Ohio EPA and compliance was that I was always bringing problems to communities."

Armold said her time with the EPA was valuable, however, she wanted an opportunity to not just identify environmental issues but also establish solutions in Southeast Ohio. 

Voinovich School program leads to new step in career

Dabelko's encouragement led Armold to become the Southeast Ohio regional director for SOPEC in 2024, where she covers 26 counties in Southeast Ohio, all of which hope to achieve sustainable energy goals. 

SOPEC employees work to "reduce the energy burden" for Ohio communities by "delivering clean, affordable energy" and "advancing sustainable solutions." 

Armold said implementing clean energy and sustainability goals can be a challenge in Appalachian Ohio, but she finds fulfillment in working with individuals to instill change in these communities. 

"I think Appalachian Ohio in particular, has experienced a lot of resilience fatigue," Armold said. "(People say Appalachia) is enduring and powerful, and they don't give up and they never quit. And while that may sound like a compliment ... there's just so much fatigue in having to be so strong. I think one of the biggest things we can do is ... networking on an individual level, but networking for communities and organizations." 

Advice for OHIO students

Apart from her job with SOPEC, Armold stays connected with Dabelko and his current environmental sustainability students, including serving as a guest speaker for an environmental leadership class. 

"It's been really enriching to learn from students while I'm learning about my own job," Armold said. "I feel like this program gave me so much, I’m just delighted to give back to them in any way I can." 

Armold continues to serve Southeast Ohio as SOPEC regional director, supporting communities in need and expanding environmental energy solutions. Armold encourages all Voinovich students to communicate with professors and utilize their resources. 

"Get to know the faculty and staff at Voinovich as people and as friends," Armold said. "They have so much experience and a wealth of information and contacts ... be as fearless as you can."