In 2001, the Virginia Outdoor Lighting Taskforce (VOLT) was founded by Bob Parks to promote the use of safe and efficient outdoor lighting and to assist communities in the process of developing community lighting standards. VOLT has worked with communities in Virginia to draft zoning ordinances and train planning staff, including Loudon, Fairfax and Prince William counties.

In addition, VOLT worked in Richmond to educate lawmakers and support legislation to improve the quality of outdoor lighting in Virginia.

Executive Director Bob Parks served as the executive director of the International Dark-Sky Association (IDA) from 2009 through 2014. He is an authority on ecologically responsible lighting design, currently serves as chair of the IES Outdoor Environmental Lighting Committee and TC-5-27 Artificial Lighting and its Impact on the Natural Environment committee for the Commission Internationale de l’Eclairage, is a Lighting Certified (LC) designer, IES member and former member of the IDA/Illuminating Engineering Society Model Lighting Ordinance (MLO) committee.