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 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

State Legislation and Congressional Representatives

Assemblymember Lori D. Wilson - CA Assembly District 11, Vice Chair

Senator Jesse Arreguín - State Senate District 7
Assemblymember Anamarie Ávila Farías - CA Assembly District 15
Senator Christopher Cabaldon - State Senate District 3
Representative Mark DeSaulnier - CA Congressional District 10
Representative John Garamendi - CA Congressional District 08
Senator Timothy Grayson - State Senate District 9

Local Elected Officials

Contra Costa County Supervisor John Gioia, Chair

Councilmember Kari Birdseye - City of Benicia
Councilmember Arlene Kobata - City of Pittsburg
Mayor Pro Tem Devin Murphy - City of Pinole
Councilmember Carlyn Obringer - City of Concord
Councilmember Charles Palmares - City of Vallejo
Vice Mayor Pa’tanisha Pierson - City of Brentwood
Councilmember Patricia Ponce - City of San Pablo
Mayor Gabe Quinto - City of El Cerrito
Vice Mayor Doria Robinson - City of Richmond
Councilmember Tamisha Torres-Walker - City of Antioch
Vice Mayor Alexander Walker-Griffin - City of Hercules
Councilmember Anissa Williams - City of Oakley
Mayor Brianne Zorn - City of Martinez

Large Employers

Stephen Konig - Marathon Petroleum
Tiffany Roberts - Phillips 66

State Boards

Noemi Gallardo - California Energy Commission
Darnell Grisby - California Transportation Commission

Small Business and Economic Development Organizations

Stephen Baiter - East Bay Economic Development Alliance
Zen Hunter-Ishikawa - NorCal Venture Forum
Mark Orcutt - East Bay Leadership Council
Chris Rico - Solano Economic Development Corporation

Labor Organizations

Chuck Leonard - Plumbers & Steamfitters Union Local 342, Vice Chair

Josh Anijar - Contra Costa Central Labor Council
Eric Haynes - Sheel Metal Workers' Union Local 104
Jason Lindsey - Ironworkers Union Local 378
Tim Sbranti - Contra Costa Building and Construction Trades Council

Workforce Development and Education

Tamia Brown –Contra Costa Workforce Development Board
Kellie Butler - Solano County Community College District
Cathy Sandeen - Cal State University East Bay
Kelly Schelin - Contra Costa Community College District
Tamara Walker - Richmond Workforce Development Board