Marty Turock, executive director of Cleantech San Diego’s Southern California Energy Innovation Network (SCEIN), has been honored with the Lifetime Achievement Award as part of the 2025 Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards. Turock’s work over two decades includes advancing clean energy solutions in areas such as energy efficiency, renewables, battery storage, and transportation electrification.
During his tenure at SCEIN, Turock supported 75 startups and helped secure more than $546 million in follow-on investment. He is credited with creating over 800 jobs and mentoring more than 150 cleantech leaders. His efforts also led to the retrofitting of over 75,000 streetlights across 14 cities and San Diego County, resulting in annual savings of more than 30 million kilowatt-hours. Additionally, Turock contributed to clean energy transitions in more than 300 municipal and school facilities and implemented electric school bus pilots and energy conservation contests for schools. According to the award summary, “His efforts have reduced 70 million pounds of greenhouse gas emissions across 44 school districts.”
Judith Gomez received the Youth Game-Changer Award for her advocacy beginning at age 15 in Porterville. Through her work with Climate Action Pathways for Schools (CAPS), she helped seven local schools reduce energy costs and greenhouse gas emissions by 80%. She also developed high-efficiency lighting strategies for 21 schools within the Porterville Unified School District and played a role in securing a $5.8 million U.S. Department of Energy grant for upgrades. Gomez is now attending Stanford University.
The Tribal Champion Award went to Jose “Moke” Simon III, chairman of Middletown Rancheria of Pomo Indians. Simon became the first Native American to serve as District 1 Supervisor in Lake County and has promoted tribal sovereignty alongside clean energy development throughout California. Under his leadership, Middletown Rancheria was the first California Native American tribe to receive an Energy Conservation Assistance Act loan.
Three individuals were named Clean Energy Champions:
Kameale C. Terry is CEO and co-founder of ChargerHelp! in Los Angeles, which uses machine learning and workforce development to improve electric vehicle charger reliability. The company operates in 17 states and maintains what it describes as the largest dataset on EV charger service work orders nationwide.
Jaime R. Lemus directs the Transportation & Climate Change Division at Sacramento Metropolitan Air Quality Management District where he manages zero-emission transportation investments and launched the Del Paso Heights Zero Emission Mobility Hub. Lemus also worked with Sacramento’s lowrider community to involve students in converting classic cars into electric vehicles.
Dr. Cassandra Little leads Fresno Metro Black Chamber of Commerce (FMBCC) initiatives that support sustainable transportation access. Her projects include launching a Clean Shared Mobility Network featuring electric vehicles and e-bikes, developing an on-demand EV van service called Van-Werx, and creating Betting Big—a mentorship program for minority-owned clean energy startups.
According to its official description, “The California Energy Commission is leading the state to a 100% clean energy future.” The commission’s responsibilities include developing renewable energy sources, transforming transportation systems, increasing energy efficiency measures, investing in innovation projects, advancing statewide policy on energy matters, certifying thermal power plants, and preparing for potential energy emergencies.
Videos highlighting each awardee are available on YouTube along with additional information about the Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards.
