Green Empowerment Zone Leadership

The Green Empowerment Zone is led by a coalition of business, labor, government, and education leaders who understand what it takes to scale clean energy. This board provides measurable direction to align tax incentives, grants, loan programs, workforce training, and private capital with the region's highly skilled energy workforce.

This leadership structure ensures that site selectors and executives in the clean energy industry can evaluate opportunities with confidence, backed by a unified strategy and robust governance.

A group photo of economic development contributers touring the Northern Waterfront in Contra Costa County, CA.

A Governing Board with Broad Industry and Policy Reach

The 41-member board represents elected officials, workforce institutions, higher education, organized labor, economic development organizations, and private industry. This breadth of expertise makes the Green Empowerment Zone a reliable partner for companies seeking to expand or locate in Northern California's energy corridor.

Green Empowerment Zone Board Members

  • Supervisor John Gioia, Contra Costa County, Chair
  • Chuck Leonard, Plumbers & Steamfitters Union Local 342, Vice Chair
  • Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson, CA Assembly District 11, Vice Chair
  • Josh Anijar, Contra Costa Labor Council
  • Senator Jesse Arreguín, State Senate District 7
  • Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías, CA Assembly District 15
  • Stephen Baiter, East Bay Economic Development Alliance
  • Councilmember Kari Birdseye, City of Benicia
  • Tamia Brown, Workforce Development Board of Contra Costa County
  • Kellie Butler, Solano County Community College District
  • Senator Christopher Cabaldon, State Senate District 3
  • Representative Mark DeSaulnier, CA Congressional District 10
  • Noemi Gallardo, California Energy Commission
  • Representative John Garamendi, CA Congressional District 08
  • Senator Timothy Grayson, State Senate District 9
  • Darnell Grisby, California Transportation Commission
  • Eric Haynes, Sheet Metal Workers' Union Local 104
  • Vice Mayor Hugh Henderson, City of Oakley
  • Zen Hunter-Ishikawa, NorCal Venture Forum
  • Councilmember Arlene Kobata, City of Pittsburg
  • Stephen Konig, Marathon Petroleum
  • Jason Lindsey, Ironworkers Union Local 378
  • Councilmember Devin Murphy, City of Pinole
  • Vice Mayor Carlyn Obringer, City of Concord
  • Mark Orcutt, East Bay Leadership Council
  • Councilmember Charles Palmares, City of Vallejo
  • Vice Mayor Pa'tanisha Pierson, City of Brentwood
  • Mayor Patricia Ponce, City of San Pablo
  • Chris Rico, Solano Economic Development Corporation
  • Tiffany Roberts, Phillips 66
  • Councilmember Doria Robinson, City of Richmond
  • Cathy Sandeen, Cal State East Bay
  • Tim Sbranti, Contra Costa Building Trades Council
  • Kelly Schelin, Contra Costa Community College District
  • Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker, City of Antioch
  • Tamara Walker, Richmond Workforce Development Board
  • Councilmember Alexander Walker-Griffin, City of Hercules
  • Mayor Carolyn Wysinger, City of El Cerrito
  • Mayor Brianne Zorn, City of Martinez