Best Virginia Association of Counties Podcasts (2025)

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 19 | Balancing Demand and Supply in the Regional Electric Grid– discussion with PJM Interconnection 45:38

Play Pause

7d ago45:38

45:38

Episode 19 – Balancing Demand and Supply in the Regional Electric Grid – Discussion with PJM Interconnection. Joe Lerch talks with Jason Stanek, Executive Director of State Government Policy with PJM Interconnection the Regional Transmission Organization (RTO) for 13 states and the District Columbia in which Virginia’s electric utilities are member…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 18 | Bonus Housing Episode with MACo 33:30

14d ago33:30

33:30

State and Local Housing Policy – Comparison of Maryland and Virginia with MACo Conduit Street Podcast. Joe Lerch talks with Dominic Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) to discuss housing policy and legislation with our neighbors to the North. Listeners to episode 17 of our Energy Landsca…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 17 | State Energy Policy – Comparison of Maryland and Virginia with MACo Conduit Street Podcast 58:10

20d ago58:10

58:10

Joe Lerch talks with Dominic Butchko, Director of Intergovernmental Relations with the Maryland Association of Counties (MACo) to compare both the differences and similarities between Maryland and Virginia when it comes to energy and its intersection with county land use and local authority. With a focus on state legislative policy and action, we d…

1
Uplifting Our Children Through Education | Episode 1 12:58

1M ago12:58

12:58

By Virginia Association of Counties

1
2025-03 - Chief Scott Booth - City of Roanoke (VA) Police Department 37:44

2M ago37:44

37:44

Send Gary a Message Chief Scott Booth, Roanoke (VA) Police Department discusses his career in policing and the Roanoke Police Department.

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 16 | Nuclear Power, Small Modular Reactors, and Fusion 47:28

2M ago47:28

47:28

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 11 | Nuclear Power, Small Modular Reactors, and Fusion In 2023 nuclear power produced approximately one-third of all power from Virginia sources while representing only 12 percent of all generation capacity in the Commonwealth. Dominion Energy operates Virginia’s four nuclear units in plants located in Louisa an…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 15 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems 31:54

3M ago31:54

31:54

Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 10 | Harvesting Excess Heat from Data Centers for Energy – District Energy Systems District Energy Systems are a proven engineering solution that conveys heat between suppliers and users, between or among buildings. Excess heat generated by the multitude of data centers located Virginia provides an opportunity t…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 14 | Solar by the Numbers – Facts and Figures 47:34

3M ago47:34

47:34

Joe Lerch talks with Aaron Berryhill, Solar Program Manager with Virginia Department of Energy on the latest numbers in Virginia for solar installations. We cover a wide range of sources that inform how much utility-scale, community-scale, and rooftop solar has been installed in the Commonwealth. For information and assistance contact: Aaron Berryh…

1
2025-02 - Chief Tom LaBelle - Prince William County (VA) Fire Rescue 35:31

4M ago35:31

35:31

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I speak with Chief Tom LaBelle about his lengthy fire-rescue career and the many challenges facing volunteer fire departments.

1
2025-01 - Legislative Update - Dana Schrad -Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police 27:00

4M ago27:00

27:00

Send Gary a Message In this episode, we'll catch with Dana Schrad, Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police to discuss what's happening after crossover day in Virginia's General Assembly.

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 13 | Virginia General Assembly Update – Legislation on Data Centers and Utility-Scale Solar 23:19

4M ago23:19

23:19

Joe Lerch and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch provide an update on the status of legislation relating to Data Centers and Utility-Scale Solar. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode JLARC "Data Centers in Virginia" Report HB 1601/SB 1449 – Siting of Data Centers; Site Assessment House Budget Amendment – Extends the sunset da…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 12 | “Data Centers in Virginia” JLARC Report – Interview with Mark Gribbin 59:45

6M ago59:45

59:45

“Data Centers in Virginia” JLARC Report – Interview with Mark Gribbin In this episode we sit down with Mark Gribbin, Chief Legislative Analyst with the Joint Legislative Audit Review Commission (JLARC). He is the project leader for JLARC’s “Data Centers in Virginia” report, which was released December 9th. We go over a summary of the report’s findi…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 11 | Legislative Outlook Update - Proposals to Preempt County Authority on Siting of Solar Facilities 25:23

7M ago25:23

25:23

Joe Lerch and VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch provide an update on solar industry lobbying efforts to preempt local authority on siting of utility-scale facilities and what VACo and its members will be doing to ensure this does not happen. Where to find out more about topics covered in this episode Commission on Electric Utility Regulation Meeti…

1
2024-16 - Chief Michael Kochis, Charlottesville (VA) Police Department 32:08

7M ago32:08

32:08

Send Gary a Message I'm back visiting with Chief Kochis, after our first interview in August 2023. A lot of progress and good things continue to happen in the Charlottesville Police Department, and we'll hear about their latest initiatives.

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 10 | Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy (Continued) 43:29

8M ago43:29

43:29

Part 2. After learning about the opportunities for repurposing abandoned mine land for data centers in our 1st part with Will Clear and Will Payne, we visit with Mike Hatfield and Natalie Chapman from Wise County to expand on this conversation and take a tour of the future site of Data Center Ridge. Where to find out more about topics covered in th…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 9 | Reclaiming the Landscape of Southwest Virginia for Energy 58:53

8M ago58:53

58:53

Listen in to Part 1 of a two-part episode recorded in Washington County, where we sit down with business partners Will Clear and Will Payne, who are investing in Southwest Virginia with a particular focus on reclaiming abandoned mine land to repurpose for a reboot of the energy economy of the region. Where to find out more about the topics covered …

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 8 | DEQ Solar Permit-By-Rule Regulations – HB 206 44:39

9M ago44:39

44:39

Draft Revisions to DEQ Solar Permit-By-Rule (PBR) Regulations – HB 206 This episode reviews regulations that amend the requirements for utility-scale solar installations to receive state permits to operate. Specifically, a 2022 law – commonly referred to as HB 206 - requires that applicants must avoid, minimize or otherwise mitigate certain losses …

1
2024-15 - Chief Larry Snyder, Williamsburg (VA) Fire Department 55:21

9M ago55:21

55:21

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I am featuring Williamsburg (VA) Fire Chief Larry Snyder. Chief Snyder has had an exciting career in the fire service and will share that many things his department is doing to better serve the community, as well as introducing their brand new fire station.By Gary Dillon

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 7 | Mecklenburg County (Continued) 34:30

9M ago34:30

34:30

Part 2. Alex takes us on a windshield tour of examples of both land uses, and we discuss how Mecklenburg has responded in terms of planning for how these fit within their community.By Virginia Association of Counties

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 6 | Mecklenburg County 34:27

9M ago34:27

34:27

Part 1. This 2-part episode was recorded on location in Mecklenburg County, which is located on the southern border with North Carolina. In Part 1, we sit down with County Administrator Alex Gottschalk to talk about the unique experience of a rural county that has seen significant growth in both data centers and utility-scale solar.…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 4 | Utility-Scale Solar 21:03

10M ago21:03

21:03

Utility-Scale Solar – Legislative Outlook with Dean Lynch In the first of a 2-part episode, Joe Lerch sits down with VACo Executive Director Dean Lynch to discuss the big picture on state energy policy related to solar and recent attempts to preempt local authority on siting of facilities. Central to this discussion is the passage in 2020 of Virgin…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 5 | Utility-Scale Solar (Continued) 44:20

10M ago44:20

44:20

Utility-Scale Solar – Erosion Control and Stormwater with Mike Rolband In Part 2 of our episode on Utility-Scale Solar, Joe Lerch sits down with Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) Director Mike Rolband to focus on issues related to erosion control and stormwater management. We learn about widespread and significant impacts due to de…

1
2024-14 - Chief Sean Dunn, Williamsburg (VA) Police Department 56:36

10M ago56:36

56:36

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I’m interviewing Chief Sean Dunn from the Williamsburg, Virginia Police Department. We’re discussing his career in law enforcement as well as the excellent service and initiatives provided by Williamsburg PD, and their new building, which is currently under construction. If you have an idea for a show topic, gue…

1
2024-13 - HARTS (Albemarle County) 55:21

10M ago55:21

55:21

Send Gary a Message The Human Services Alternative Response Team (HART) is a joint program of Albemarle County Department of Human Services, Albemarle County Fire Rescue, Albemarle County Police Department, and Partner for Mental Health. Launched in July 2023, HART's purpose is to respond and follow up on emergency calls that are mental health and/…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 3 | Data Centers (Continued) 38:59

11M ago38:59

38:59

Listen in as Joe Lerch interviews Loudoun County Vice Chair and VACo Board Member Juli Briskman. We learn how the industry has transformed their community, what steps they’ve taken in terms of planning for its growth and impacts, and what other counties should consider when the industry comes knocking on the door.…

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia Episode 2 | Data Centers (Continued) 17:44

11M ago17:44

17:44

Part 2. Listen in as Joe Lerch takes a tour of the Equinix facility in Loudoun County. Before hitting the floor to see where all the processing and storage takes place, Chris Kimm with Equinix guides us through the various components of the power to run the data center.By Virginia Association of Counties

1
Energy Landscape of Virginia | Episode 1 | Data Centers 34:40

11M ago34:40

34:40

Part 1. Listen in as Joe Lerch interviews Chris Kimm, Senior Vice President of Global Customer Care and Experience at Equinix, an American multi-national corporation that builds and operates data centers. Learn about the data center business, and how they provide a seamless and instantaneous experience for commerce, industry, education, and social …

1
2024-12 - Allan Dillon (U.S. Secret Service, Ret.) 1:07:17

11M ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Send Gary a Message I had the pleasure of interviewing my dad again! Please note that this interview took place on Wednesday, July 10, 2024, prior to the attempted assassination of former President Trump, days later. Here are some links of topics mentioned in the show: What's Inside the Secret Service Headquarters?: https://youtu.be/8lI1Z0_UwCE?fea…

1
2024-11 - Celeste Baldino, Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Communications Center 37:21

1y ago37:21

37:21

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I’m speaking with Celeste Baldino, Deputy Operations Manager from the Charlottesville-UVA-Albemarle Communications Center. We’ll walk through Celeste’s 23 year career in emergency communications and learn about current and evolving technology that helps their staff provide stellar service to their growing popula…

1
2024-10 - Dana Schrad - Va. Association of Chiefs of Police 46:47

1y ago46:47

46:47

Send Gary a Message I'm interviewing Dana Schrad, the Executive Director of the Virginia Association of Chiefs of Police. Dana has been in this role for many years. We'll talk about her start in media communications, her work with the Virginia Crime Commission and the good work that she does for Virginia law enforcement.…

1
2024-09 - Cyber Security with VRSA's Karen Inman 49:02

1y ago49:02

49:02

Send Gary a Message Karen Inman from VRSA discusses cyber security, newest trends criminals are using to steal your information, and helpful tips to avoid being a victim of a phishing attack.By Gary Dillon

1
2024-08 - Chief Amanda Behan, Winchester (VA) Police Dept. 52:01

1y ago52:01

52:01

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I am interviewing Chief Amanda Behan, Chief of the City of Winchester Police Department. We'll talk about her early interest in policing, her path to chief, and some of the innovative programs she's initiated in Winchester.By Gary Dillon

1
2024-07 - Ronald Kessler, NY Times Best Selling Author & former Washington Post investigative reporter 1:02:34

1y ago1:02:34

1:02:34

Send Gary a Message Ronald Kessler is the New York Times bestselling author of 21 non-fiction books. Join me as we discuss some of his books, and some of the behind the scenes details of Presidents, their families, and the FBI. Ronald Kessler's Books (from newest to oldest) THE TRUMP WHITE HOUSE - Changing the Rules of the Game THE FIRST FAMILY DET…

1
2024-06 - Friend of the Family - Edgar Robb (FBI, Ret.) - Part 2 1:01:07

1+ y ago1:01:07

1:01:07

Send Gary a Message I’m excited to interview my friend Ed Robb for part 2 of the Friend of the Family series. Ed served the FBI for twenty years and was regarded as one of the best undercover agents in the bureau’s history. In this episode, we’ll learn more about the Coldwater case and some of it’s mafia players – Jimmy Aquafredda, Santo Trafficant…

1
2024-05 - Melissa Robey from "We Back Blue" 28:14

1+ y ago28:14

28:14

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I’m speaking with Melissa Robey, creator of We Back Blue, a national police advocacy organization committed to championing professional, equitable public safety services for all communities.By Gary Dillon

1
2024-04 - Chief Tim Longo 50:01

1+ y ago50:01

50:01

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I speak with Chief Tim Longo about his career and passion for law enforcement.By Gary Dillon

1
2024-03 - Elsie Mae Roane - Unidentified Remains, DNA, and an Exhumation 48:45

1+ y ago48:45

48:45

Send Gary a Message Retired Chief Bobby Mawyer and I continue our discussion about the three suspects developed in Elsie Mae's disappearance, the discovery of skeletal remains in the early 1970's, and an exhumation to extract DNA to test against those remains and other potential items related to Elsie Mae. Do you have a tip or a suggestion to help …

1
2024-02 - Chief Dan Eggleston (Albemarle County Fire-Rescue, Virginia) 45:26

1+ y ago45:26

45:26

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I'm interviewing Albemarle County (VA) Fire Rescue Chief Dan Eggleston. We discuss many topics including his early start in volunteer fire service, his path to chief of a combination career/volunteer system, service as President of the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), and what's next for the fire…

1
2024-01 - Friend of the Family - Edgar Robb (FBI, Ret.) - Part 1 50:19

1+ y ago50:19

50:19

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I’m interviewing retired FBI agent Ed Robb. Ed’s unique career led him to become a pioneer in FBI undercover work and one of the bureau’s best early undercover agents. In his fascinating career, Ed worked his way up the mob ladder to become known among the criminal underworld as a powerful mob figure in Central …

1
2023-12 - Officer Wellness w/Kit Cummings & Adam Blevins (Va. Law Enforcement Assistance Program) 53:41

1+ y ago53:41

53:41

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I'm speaking with Kit Cummings and Adam Blevins about police officer wellness, and the life-changing programs provided by the Virginia Law Enforcement Assistance Program (VALEAP). Both guests will share their personal stories of job-related trauma and the importance of our police officers starting to treat thems…

1
2023-11 - "Norton, I'm Shot" - Chief James Lane Norton (VA) PD 1:01:44

1+ y ago1:01:44

1:01:44

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I have the pleasure of interviewing Chief James Lane, his interest in law enforcement from a young age, rising to the top of his department as chief, and his tragic shooting that nearly took his life.By Gary Dillon

1
2023-10 - Chief Chris Rinker - New Market (VA) Police Department 38:47

1+ y ago38:47

38:47

Send Gary a Message Chief Chris Rinker started his career with the New Market (VA) Police Department rising to the rank of Chief in 2015. Chief Rinker talks about small town policing, his service dog "Benelli", the importance of crisis intervention, and many other interesting topics.By Gary Dillon

1
2023-09 - Women in Law Enforcement 1:19:06

1+ y ago1:19:06

1:19:06

Send Gary a Message In this episode, we meet Rebecca and Amanda, two female law enforcement officers from the Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Rebecca recently retired after 33 years on the job and Amanda has been an officer for 3 years. We'll talk about what has changed for women in law enforcement over the past 30+ years, and the challenges women s…

1
2023-08 - Capt. (Ret) Jack Ryan - Providence, RI Police Department 35:33

1+ y ago35:33

35:33

Send Gary a Message In this episode, I interview Jack Ryan - a retired Captain from the Providence, RI Police Department. In the 90's, Jack received his Juris Doctorate, Cum Laude, from Suffolk University Law School. Jack is a former adjunct faculty member at Salve Regina University and lectures frequently throughout the United States. He is the Co…

1
2023-07 - Chief John Clair (Marion PD, VA) 47:47

1+ y ago47:47

47:47

Send Gary a Message John Clair is the police chief for the Town of Marion, VA. Prior to his service in Marion, he served as police chief for the Town of Quantico, VA. John shares his perspective on working as a small town police chief, with advice for others who seek police chief roles. In the Line of Fire with Gary Dillon is sponsored by VRSA, Vir…

1
2023-06 - Part 3: A Strange Twist - The Disappearance of Elsie Mae Roane, with West Point (VA) Police Chief Bobby Mawyer (Ret.) 48:12

2y ago48:12

48:12

Send Gary a Message Part3: A Strange Twist On May 20, 1957, Elsie Mae Roane disappeared from West Point, Virginia. In her teens, she was last seen in the downtown area and never heard from again. Take a journey with retired police chief Bobby Mawyer as he begins a cold case investigation into Elsie's disappearance. Tips? Email: inthelineoffirepodca…

1
Coming Soon on In the Line of Fire with Gary Dillon 1:04

2y ago1:04

1:04

Send Gary a Message The 3rd episode of The Disappearance of Elise Mae Roane airs Friday, September 22. In previous episodes, we learned about Elsie Mae, her family, and some potential suspects that Bobby Mawyer identified through his investigation, along with a possible link to the Colonial Parkway murders. In episode 3, we will dig further in the …

1
2023-05 - Part 2: Developing Suspects - The Disappearance of Elsie Mae Roane, with West Point (VA) Police Chief Bobby Mawyer (Ret.) 47:22

2y ago47:22

47:22

Send Gary a Message Part 2: Developing Suspects On May 20, 1957, Elsie Mae Roane disappeared from West Point, Virginia. In her teens, she was last seen in the downtown area and never heard from again. Take a journey with retired police chief Bobby Mawyer as he begins a cold case investigation into Elsie's disappearance. Tips? Email: inthelineoffire…

1
2023-04 - Chief Michael Kochis, Charlottesville (VA) Police Department 31:54

2y ago31:54

31:54

Send Gary a Message In this episode, we’ll meet Michael Kochis, Chief of the Charlottesville (VA) Police Department. Hailing from the great state of New Jersey, Chief Kochis began his career with the City of Roanoke (VA) Police Department, and then later moving on to the Alexandria (VA) Police Department He graduation from the FBI National Academy …

1
2023-03 - The Disappearance of Elsie Mae Roane, with West Point (VA) Police Chief Bobby Mawyer (Ret.) 53:35

2y ago53:35

53:35

Send Gary a Message On May 20, 1957, Elsie Mae Roane disappeared from West Point, Virginia. In her teens, she was last seen in the downtown area and never heard from again. Take a journey with retired police chief Bobby Mawyer as he begins a cold case investigation into Elsie's disappearance. Tips? Email: [email protected]…

Virginia Association Of Counties Podcasts