For Immediate Release: Dec. 5, 2025

SACRAMENTO — The California Energy Commission (CEC) honored six energy leaders at the 2025 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards on Thursday for their leadership and outstanding achievement in advancing the state’s clean energy goals.

The sixth annual event featured special speakers and an award presentation, followed by a reception at the California Natural Resources Agency building in Sacramento.

Short summaries of the awardees are below:

Lifetime Achievement Award

Marty Turock
Executive Director, Cleantech San Diego’s Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN)
San Diego, California

Turock began his career at companies General Electric and Graviton before becoming a cleantech champion for the San Diego region. Over two decades, he has advanced clean energy solutions, including energy efficiency, renewables, battery storage, and transportation electrification.

As executive director of SCEIN, he has supported 75 startups, secured more than $546 million in follow-on investment, created over 800 jobs, and mentored more than 150 Cleantech leaders. He also helped retrofit more than 75,000 streetlights across 14 cities and San Diego County, saving over 30 million kilowatt-hours annually.

Turock has led clean energy transitions in more than 300 municipal and school facilities and brought clean energy solutions to schools, including electric school bus pilots and energy conservation contests. His efforts have reduced 70 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions across 44 school districts.

Youth Game-Changer

Judith Gomez
Coordinator, Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS)
Porterville, California

Gomez began advocating for climate action at age 15 in Porterville, one of California’s most environmentally disadvantaged communities. Through CAPS, she helped reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by 80% for seven local schools and designed high-efficiency lighting strategies for 21 schools in the Porterville Unified School District.

She also helped secure a $5.8 million U.S. Department of Energy grant for energy efficiency upgrades. Gomez is now attending Stanford University, a rare opportunity for youth from her community.

Tribal Champion Award

Jose “Moke” Simon III
Chairman, Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians
Middletown, California

Simon is a collaborative leader and the first Native American to serve as District 1 Supervisor in Lake County. He advocates for tribal sovereignty and clean energy development across California.

Under his leadership, Middletown Rancheria became the first California Native American tribe to receive an Energy Conservation Assistance Act loan, improving energy access and resilience for tribal communities.

Clean Energy Champions

Kameale C. Terry
CEO and Co-Founder, ChargerHelp!
Los Angeles, California

Terry, from South Central Los Angeles, leads ChargerHelp!, a company that uses machine learning and workforce development to improve electric vehicle (EV) charger reliability. The company has expanded to 17 states and built the nation’s largest dataset of EV charger service work orders, creating high-paying jobs in underserved communities.

Jaime R. Lemus
Director, Transportation & Climate Change Division, Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District
Sacramento, California

Lemus oversees zero-emission transportation investments and co-launched the Del Paso Heights Zero Emission Mobility Hub. He also partnered with the Sacramento lowrider community to help students retrofit classic cars into EVs, blending clean tech with Chicano culture and workforce training.

Dr. Cassandra Little
CEO, Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC)
Fresno, California

Dr. Little leads FMBCC’s efforts to make transportation more sustainable and accessible. She helped launch the region’s first Clean Shared Mobility Network, including 40 EVs and 200 e-bikes. She also created Van-Werx, an on-demand EV van service, and Betting Big, a mentorship program for minority-owned clean energy startups.

Watch the awardees’ stories on our YouTube page.

Learn more about the Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards.

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About the California Energy Commission

The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future. Its core responsibilities include developing renewable energy, transforming transportation, increasing energy efficiency, investing in innovation, advancing energy policy, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for energy emergencies.