By Lani Gering

Since we celebrate “Earth Day” this month, I went on the search for a fresh face who has a deep respect for our planet and works on a daily basis with like-minded people who strive to preserve it to interview. After putting a few “feelers” out, a mutual friend told me I might want to talk to Ashlie Dolce. Little did I know that this Ashlie – now 27 years old – is the very same Ashlie that we have known since she was a teenager working at the front door of Old Town’s iconic Landini Brothers Restaurant.

Ashlie started as a Hostess at the front door when she was 18 years old. Over the next 7 years, she moved up the hospitality ladder at LB’s eventually ending up as a Manager and the Events Coordinator. All the while, she was furthering her education at George Mason University where she graduated with a degree in Business Management. It isn’t easy maintaining a full-time job and carrying a full load at school at the same time and still carve out some personal time. In this day and age, there aren’t many people her age that take on this task.

Ashlie told me that keeping the environment healthy and preserving our Blue Planet has been a priority in her life. She has participated in river clean-up programs while encouraging friends and family to join in and she was instrumental in improving the recycling program while at George Mason. She told me, “There was a huge issue with students not knowing Fairfax County “recycling rules”. One of my senior year projects was to provide informational signage for recycling by the bins on campus.” I have to admit that I have to revisit the rules for Alexandria every so often myself. We really need to figure out how to make recycling a little easier.

Along with her education, Ashlie has since put the practical experience she got as the Events Coordinator at Landini’s to good use in her current position as Events Manager at *Citizens for Responsible Energy Solutions (CRES) in D.C. She has been with them for about a year and a half. She told me that being part of a group that has our environmental security as one of their priorities is important to her.

She is busy now preparing for their 2024 National Clean Energy Week events taking place in D.C September.

On a personal note, I think National Clean Energy Week should be every week just like Earth Day should be every day.

I always have to ask a few personal questions during these interviews. Ashlie is a local girl who grew up in the Wellington area of Fairfax County and now resides with her two cool felines – Princess Jasmine and Rajah – just down the GW Parkway in the Bell View area. She is an animal lover and a foodie who likes to work out at the gym for fun – good for her! She and her boyfriend Jack – also a foodie and a personal trainer – seek out new and off the beaten path eateries on a regular basis. They currently have places in D.C. on their radar!

*CRES is a 501(c)(4) non-profit organization founded in 2013 to engage Republican policymakers and the public about responsible, conservative solutions to address our nation’s energy, economic, and environmental security while increasing America’s competitive edge.