Changes at SoCal Gas Company
Executive Changes SoCalGas names new COO and new President
Southern California Gas Company (SoCalGas) recently announced several executive leadership changes as part of an ongoing effort to align Sempra Energy’s management teams with strategic priorities and strengthen its leadership with a balance of deep operational and energy policy experience. The new executive leadership will help steward SoCalGas into California’s clean energy future while continuing to provide safe and reliable gas service to the company’s over 21 million customers across Central and Southern California.
In December 2018, Bret Lane, formerly SoCalGas’ president and chief operating officer, was named chief executive officer. During his 36 years at SoCalGas, Lane has demonstrated exceptional leadership at the utility and in the natural gas industry. His experience will be called upon as SoCalGas continues to work together with policymakers, businesses, regulators and others to integrate the state’s energy system in a way that enables California to achieve its 2045 carbon neutrality goal. Lane’s guidance will be instrumental as SoCalGas continues to champion solutions that offer Californians energy choice and affordability.
On January 12, Jimmie Cho was promoted to chief operating officer for SoCalGas. During his nearly three decades with Sempra Energy’s utilities, Cho has held a variety of leadership roles and most recently served as senior vice president of customer services for SoCalGas and senior vice president of distribution operations for SoCalGas and San Diego Gas & Electric. In his new role as chief operating officer, Cho will continue to focus on the safety and reliability of the natural gas system and on keeping this clean energy source affordable for customers.
Lastly, Maryam Brown, Sempra Energy’s vice president of federal government affairs, will soon take on the role of SoCalGas president. In this role, Brown will promote the use of renewable natural gas and the development of renewable energy storage technologies, amongst other responsibilities. Putting waste streams to work as clean energy sources will be vital to achieving California’s climate goals. Prior to Sempra, Brown served in a number of energy policy leadership positions, in both the private and public sector, including for the U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce, U.S. Senate’s Republican Policy Committee and ConocoPhillips. Her extensive national energy policy experience will be beneficial for SoCalGas customers as California moves towards a new energy future.
Together with the rest of the management team, Lane, Cho and Brown will lead SoCalGas in its continuing pursuit to deliver reliable, affordable natural gas service to its customers. They will continue to work to identify new and existing technologies that will benefit customers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions in a way that is affordable and maintains choice in energy options.
Bret Lane
Jimmy Cho
Maryam Brown
