Eugene “Mitch” Mitchell Email & Phone Number

San Diego, Ca, Us

Oversaw diversity and inclusion efforts and community partnerships for Sempra and its 20,000 employees. Additional responsibilities include leadership positions on the Sempra Foundation and the Sempra Employee Political Action Committee. Developed programs and initiatives that integrate diversity and inclusion into the company’s business strategy, as well as helped communities prosper through investments in minority-owned small businesses, equitable access to education, and workforce readiness.Promoted Sempra’s shared values – doing the right thing, championing people, and shaping the future – to all employees thus encouraging a high-performance culture that results when all are aligned around a commitment to service for Sempra and the world.

Promoted to Vice President of State Government Affairs & External Affairs for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) California regulated utilities. Inspired and led 61 highly engaged professionals and managed a combined operating budget of $10.7M annually. Oversaw State & Local Government, Media, Communications, Marketing, and Charitable functions for SDG&E as well as the State Government function for SoCalGas. Drafted and/or negotiated 5 essential pieces of legislation that were signed into law. Select Achievements: - Biomethane Procurement AB 3163: This bill expands the definition of “biomethane” to include methane that is produced from the non-combustion thermal conversion of eligible biomass feedstock. - Utility Owned Energy Storage Bill AB 2868: Requires investor-owned utilities to file applications with the California Public Utilities Commission for programs to accelerate the widespread deployment of distributed energy storage systems. - Transportation Electrification AB 1082 & AB 1083: A pilot program proposal for the installation of vehicle charging stations at school facilities and other educational institutions (AB 1082), as well as at parks and beaches (AB 1083). - Wildfires & Employee Protection AB 1054: Establishes mechanisms for electric utilities to recover the costs of implementing their wildfire mitigation plans. - Wildfire Protection Package SB 901: Addresses forest management and fire prevention funding, utility debt management and cost recovery. It also protects victims, leaving the legal standard of inverse condemnation in place.

Promoted to Vice President of State Government Affairs and Officer of the Company for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) California regulated utilities. Managed and motivated 7 high performing professionals and managed an operating budget of $1M annually. Drafted and/or negotiated 4 essential pieces of legislation that were signed into law. Select Achievements: - Created, cultivated, and maintained a more cohesive alignment between San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) California regulated utilities. - Developed, implemented, and maintained successful advocacy plan in Sacramento [California]. Established, developed, maintained, and improved relationships with elected and appointed officials at the state level [California]. - Electricity & Natura Gas Rates Reform AB 327: Moved from a 4-tiered to a 2-tiered rate structure. Residential customers will be charge extra if they use more than 400% of the average California resident's monthly electricity consumption. - California Port Act AB 628: Energy management plans for harbor and port districts, which allowed utilities to build energy management plants in California to reduce California’s carbon footprint through use of new energy technologies. - Clean Energy & Pollution Reduction Act SB 350: Established new clean energy, clean air, and greenhouse gas reduction goals and allowed utility participation in the electric transportation charging space. - State Energy Resources Conservation & Development Commission AB 1257: Requires the California Energy Commission (CEC) to prepare a report every four years regarding the benefits and uses of natural gas.

Joined Sempra Energy as the Regional Vice President of External Affairs for San Diego Gas & Electric (SDG&E) and Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) California regulated utilities. Provided strategic direction and leadership to 58 professionals and presided over an annual operating budget of $2.5M. Owned Local Government, Local Charitable and Local Media functions from Bakersfield to the Mexican border and the Arizona state line, which encompassed 13 counties and 253 cities. Select Achievements: - Planned, developed, and implemented an external affairs strategy in support SDG&E and SoCalGas’ public policy and local engagement efforts in the California region. - Engaged with local business organizations, councils, chambers, and other stakeholders to establish and foster relationships and partnerships in support of SDG&E and SoCalGas’s presence in the California region. - Drove community engagement with local stakeholders and civic associations on behalf of SDG&E and SoCalGas. Prepared materials for public policy informational meetings and assisted with public speaking events. - Tracked legislation and local ordinances affecting the SDG&E and SoCalGas and entered newly passed laws into the External & Legislative Affairs’ Compliance Portal to ensure SDG&E and SoCalGas compliance.