Clean Energy Hall of Fame winners for 2024, from left: Gen Rodrigues, Patricia Watts, Julia Zeitlin, Liz Perez, Christine Viterelli-Busby and Dr. Fan Dai. Photo via California Energy Commission

A member of the North Fork Rancheria and the only Native American woman veteran to own a licensed renewable energy development company has been recognized as a Hall of Famer in the Golden State.

Elizabeth “Liz” Perez was one of six 2024 recipients of the Clean Energy Hall of Fame Awards by the California Energy Commission on Friday. The awards are for leadership and achievement in advancing the state’s clean energy goals, according to a news release.

Perez was the recipient of the “Tribal Champion Award.” Perez is CEO and president of GC Green, Native American Energy Services and Veteran Energy Services Co. Of Pima Indian and Latino descent, Perez followed her family’s tradition of military service, becoming a combat Navy veteran.

 

It was during her time in the military she realized the nation’s need for sustainability and energy independence, according to the release. After her transition to civilian life, she went into the clean energy business serving tribes, veterans and other underserved communities.

“Over the past 15 years, Liz has built a thriving enterprise focused on energy security for rural and marginalized communities, including more than 50 tribal nations and 4,500 nontribal customers across California,” according to the release. “Liz has also served her country as a U.S. delegate to Israel and Japan to help advance clean energy and sustainability.”

The other 2024 recipients include:

Gene Rodrigues, assistant secretary of energy with the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Electricity, received a Lifetime Achievement Award.

Julia Zeitlin, 18, founder of the Palo Alto Student Climate Coalition in Palo Alto, received the Youth Game-Changer Award.

Dr. Fan Dai, director, University of California, Berkeley, California-China Climate Institute and Senior Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School; Christine Viterelli-Busby, grants manager, City of Arvin; and Patricia Watts, president and CEO, Faith Com Inc. dba FCI Management (FCI) in Cerritos, each won the Clean Energy Champion Award.