Secure Energy Future Center

05/13/2026

Congratulations to our Managing Director, Chelsea Olivieri, for being recognized as one of the Inside Business 75 Power Players of 2026 in entrepreneurship, innovation, and startups.

This recognition reflects not only Chelsea’s leadership and vision, but also the strength of the growing ecosystem of partners, collaborators, innovators, educators, entrepreneurs, and community leaders working together to build a stronger and more innovative future for Hampton Roads and the Commonwealth.

At the Secure Energy Future Center, we are proud to work alongside organizations helping position our region at the intersection of energy, defense, aerospace, logistics, research, and commercialization. Together, we are building something far bigger than a single initiative. We are building an ecosystem designed to create opportunity, solve complex challenges, and accelerate innovation.

This recognition is a reminder that meaningful progress happens through collaboration, persistence, and people willing to keep moving forward even when the path is uncertain. The future is not built by one person alone. It is built by communities bold enough to think bigger, move faster, and work together.

Congratulations again, Chelsea, and thank you to all of our partners helping make this vision possible. The work is just getting started.

https://lnkd.in/ejk27mvZ

VT Corporate Research Center

04/23/2026

This is what momentum looks like.

Yesterday, we celebrated the opening of the Secure Energy Future Center at Tech Center Research Park in Newport News—a major step forward for a regional effort bringing together academia, industry, and government to accelerate energy innovation and commercialization.

“The opening of the Secure Energy Future Center represents the beginning of a new chapter for Virginia’s energy economy,” said Chelsea Jenkins Olivieri, Managing Director of the Secure Energy Future Center. “SEFC is where energy innovation meets market reality — a place where researchers, entrepreneurs, industry leaders and policymakers can come together to solve real-world energy challenges, accelerate deployment of new technologies and create scalable solutions that benefit both our region and the nation.”

We were honored to hear from an incredible group of speakers who helped frame the opportunity ahead and underscore the importance of this work, including Commonwealth of Virginia Secretary of Commerce and Trade Carrie Chenery, Virginia Tech President Tim Sands, Mayor of the City of Newport News Phillip Jones, John Rocovich, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Executive Roundtable Nancy Grden, President and CEO of the Hampton Roads Alliance Douglas L. Smith, Chief Energy Officer Josephus Allmond, and SEFC's Managing Director Chelsea Jenkins Olivieri.

This is what it looks like when a region aligns around innovation, resilience, and long-term competitiveness.

Read more via Virginia Business: https://lnkd.in/ePpJvHqg

Danielle McClintock Chelsea Olivieri VT Corporate Research Center

04/15/2026

✨The secret is finally out ✨

We’re excited to officially open the doors to the home of the Secure Energy Future Center (SEFC) at the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center.

Join us on Wednesday, April 22nd, from 10 AM to 12 PM at Tech Center Research Park in Newport News for a dynamic morning of connection, innovation, and energy leadership.

Be among the first to experience the space, meet the people behind the vision, and see how SEFC is helping shape the future of energy in Hampton Roads and beyond.

We would love to have you there as we celebrate this exciting milestone.

03/27/2026

All about !

Last week's Secure Energy Future Center Energy Education + Training session started in the best way possible: on-site at the Surry Power Station.

A big thank you to Adina LaFrance, Joe Ford, Matt Levelle and Skip for guiding us through the tour and giving us a behind-the-scenes look at the operations, scale, and precision that keep this critical energy source running.

Back at the Virginia Tech Newport News Center, April Wade brought incredible energy to the room, leading an engaging conversation alongside a fantastic group of speakers who shared valuable insights and real-world perspectives.

A sincere thank you to Dr. Alireza Haghighat, Brian Smith with Idaho National Laboratory, Erik Cothron with Nuclear Innovation Alliance, Kara S. Colton with Energy Communities Alliance, Todd Flowers with Dominion Energy, Kevin Simpson with American Electric Power and Jeff Whitt with Virginia Innovative Nuclear (VIN) Hub for sharing your expertise and helping make this session so impressive.

Join us on April 1st to learn more about with Commonwealth Fusion Systems and Todd Flowers.

Register here: https://bit.ly/SEFCED2026

VT Corporate Research Center Idaho National Laboratory .innovation.alliance .energy

03/26/2026

In Case You Missed It: Spotlight on Chelsea Olivieri

From launching nonprofits and founding her own company to leading the vision for innovation at at , Chelsea brings energy, experience, and bold thinking to everything she does.

As Managing Director, she’s helping position Hampton Roads as a living laboratory for next-generation energy solutions through the Secure Energy Future Center.

Read more about her journey, her vision, and what’s next for Tech Center >>> https://www.vtcrc.com/spotlight-on-tech-center-managing-director-chelsea-oliveri/

03/26/2026

Hampton Roads is shaping the future of innovation—and Managing Director of Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center Newport News and the Secure Energy Future Center, Chelsea Jenkins Olivieri, is helping tell that story.

At the upcoming State of Innovation Address, Chelsea will join regional leaders to connect the dots on what’s really happening across Hampton Roads—and where it’s headed next.

Chelsea will share how the Secure Energy Future Center is helping move ideas from concept to commercialization while building the talent and systems needed to support what comes next.

Hampton Roads isn’t waiting on the future. It’s building it.

Join the conversation on April 1 and see how it all comes together >>> https://www.innovate757.org/state-of-innovation-address/

03/25/2026

Big vision, real infrastructure, and the right people at the table. It was a privilege to spend time with leaders from across the Virginia Tech ecosystem alongside Texas A&M-RELLIS—getting a firsthand look at how applied research, testbeds, and industry partnerships are accelerating innovation at scale.

From energy systems to semiconductors to national security applications, the conversations reinforced a shared belief: the future belongs to regions that can connect research to real-world deployment—faster, smarter, and together.

Grateful for the collaboration, the candor, and the momentum. This is what building looks like.

Learn more: https://lnkd.in/e7Tdn_Mj

What does it take to move innovation from idea to impact?

Elizabeth McClanahan, President of the VT Corporate Research Center and CEO of the Virginia Tech Foundation Inc and Chelsea Jenkins Olivieri, Managing Director of VTCRC Newport News and the Secure Energy Future Center visited the Texas A&M-RELLIS campus earlier this week to explore a model built for exactly that.

At scale, RELLIS connects applied research, industry, and workforce in one place so ideas move beyond discovery. The alignment is clear with how VTCRC advances innovation, bringing research, partners, and pathways together to drive real-world impact.

Thank you to the Texas A&M–RELLIS team for the opportunity to visit, share insights, and explore areas of alignment.

Learn more about the visit here: https://lnkd.in/e7Tdn_Mj

12/10/2025

Beginning in January, SEFC will begin hosting a brand-new Energy Education + Training Series—and you’re invited!

Join us every 2nd and 4th Wednesday for free, in-person interactive classes that explore today’s most in-demand and discussed energy technologies: Electric Power Systems, Storage, Fusion, Hydrogen, Natural Gas, Nuclear, Solar, Wind and more.

This is a great opportunity for professionals, students, and community members to learn directly from industry experts about the modern energy landscape while also earning a digital badge and certificate.

Registration is now open, reserve your spot today before classes fill up!
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11/26/2025

In true holiday spirit—and after consulting with our partners and the HokieBird 🦃 —we’ve officially moved the RFI deadline to December 12th to

We’re grateful for your innovative ideas and your commitment to strengthening America’s energy future.

🔗 Access the RFI here: https://form.jotform.com/253013447289156

11/11/2025

The Secure Energy Future Center is proud to recognize the men and women who have served our country and continue to make an impact through innovation, leadership, and service.

We thank you for your courage, your commitment, and your lasting contributions to our community.