Austin Counts is a native of Southwest Virginia and the grandson of two former coal miners. As the Southwest Virginia Solar & Electrification Projects Manager at Appalachian Voices, he works to advance the goals and ambitions of the Solar Workgroup of Southwest Virginia and energy affordability efforts throughout the region’s energy communities. Previously, Austin worked with the Virginia Department of Energy as the Rural and Industrial Clean Energy Program Manager. During this time, he played a key role in applying for EPA’s Solar for All and DOE’s Renewables Advancing Community Energy Resilience programs.

Austin is an alumnus of the University of Virginia’s College at Wise and AmeriCorps VISTA. With a sense of pride in the region’s history and resilience, he strives to help inform its residents and leaders of the opportunities of the nation’s changing energy economy.