BOARD
JUDY BISHOP
Judy Bishop, Executive Director of the EcoCenter for Alternative Fuel Education since 2003, has created a successful educational program that has reached over 10,000 San Diego County students, preparing them for the environmental and energy challenges of the future. The EcoCenter field trip focuses on alternative fuel education as it relates to clean air, clean energy, and energy independence.
Previously Bishop was founder and Executive Director of The Reuse people, dedicated to preserving landfills and natural resources by deconstructing houses and providing the usable building materials to low-income families.
In 1992 Judy was Global Energy Network International’s ambassador to the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro. She continued work at the Reuse People until she went on to work for the United States Postal Service, creating a comprehensive, national recycling program.
Since full time operation of the EcoCenter began in the fall of 2004, San Diego County schoolteachers and students have responded with enthusiasm and compliments; veteran teachers exclaim that this field trip is the best field trip ever.
The EcoCenter for Alternative Fuel Education offers a standards based program to all San Diego County schools. Through the EcoCenter, Judy teaches 4th-8th graders about alternative fuels and alternative fuel vehicles and how they relate to clean air and clean energy. Through technology, chemistry, mathematics, and sociology, school children learn to take actions to clean the air and environment, and are empowered to improve the environmental future of their community.
JAN CORTEZ
Jan Cortez is Vice President of Research and Environmental Health for the American Lung Association of San Diego and Imperial Counties. She is a native San Diegan and graduated from San Diego State University with a Masters of Public Health degree. Ms. Cortez manages and implements education and policy programs for the American Lung Association in the areas of research and environmental health. She currently serves on the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, Clean Air Initiative for the Imperial/Mexicali border region, the National City Asthma Committee and the San Diego Regional Asthma Coalition. She is a recipient of the Congress on Lung Association Staff Award for Excellence in Program Development.
KAREN JACOBS
Karen Jacobs is the Community Outreach Coordinator for the San Diego County Air Pollution Control District. She works to inform the community about air quality issues and promotes activities that limit air pollution. Ms Jacobs is active in the Clean Cities Coalition as a means to reach out to community fleets. She also participates in the California Air Pollution Control Officers Associations – Public Outreach Committee.
GREGORY M. NEWHOUSEMr. Newhouse is presently an Associate Dean in the School of Technical Careers and Workforce Initiatives and is responsible for directing the Advanced Transportation Technology Center at the San Diego Miramar College campus. His work focuses on coordinating activities with both faculty and administration on issues pertaining to automotive, diesel and aviation school programs, partnership development, curriculum development and program planning. As a member of the College Management Team he is directly involved in campus-wide efforts regarding program review, diversity planning, outreach and marketing.
As Director for one of ten California Community College Advanced Transportation Technology Centers, Mr. Newhouse works directly with transportation, government and educational institutions to foster the use of alternative fuels and advanced transportation technologies. This includes technology and/or fuel demonstration programs. For example, using applied research from academic leaders, engineers and industry professionals the ATT program has demonstrated the creation of biodiesel fuel from waste restaurant grease. In addition the program has run a Hydrogen Development and Safety Seminar for leading industry professionals on the cutting edge of this developing transportation technology.
A primary responsibility at Project Director is to work with and assess business and industry training and education needs regarding alternative fuels and new transportation technologies. As Chairman of the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, Mr. Newhouse not only fulfills this responsibility, but also works with members to guide the overall San Diego regional efforts in using alternative fuels and efficient transportation technologies. This role also provides a significant industry partnership and in turn presents a specific opportunity to gather industry input as to key regional training and education needs that can be fulfilled by the Advanced Transportation Technology Center.
Prior to working at San Diego Miramar College, Mr. Newhouse directed the Environmental Protection Office, Energy Facilities Siting Division of the California Energy Commission. He led a varied staff of over 30 environmental scientists, engineers and economists who assessed the environmental implications of energy projects and policies. In addition, he worked directly with the Deputy Director in all matters pertaining to division budgets, personnel and administrative issues. Key to his work was the ability to maintain effective working relations with five Commissioners and the Executive Director, as environmental issues were often major concerns for approving new energy facilities.
ALAN RIDLEY
Alan Ridley works in the Career and University Transfer Center at Cuyamaca College in El Cajon. His background is in education, economic development, and career and college transfer consulting. Formerly the Clean Cities Coordinator for the San Diego Regional Clean Fuels Coalition, he was also Economic Development Representative for the San Ysidro/Otay Mesa Enterprise Zone at what is now the San Diego Workforce Partnership. He is a member of the American Wind Energy Association and an advocate for this rapidly growing, clean, renewable and abundant energy source. He is married, has two children, lives in Chula Vista and is active with Boy Scouts, the Apollo Alliance, Cohousing where families can design more pedestrian, family and environment friendly neighborhoods and other civic and professional organizations.
DEREK TURBIDEDerek D. Turbide currently serves as the San Diego Account Manager for Clean Energy, North America ’s largest provider of natural gas for vehicles. In this capacity, Derek manages the fueling needs of Clean Energy’s local customer base whose vehicles use over six million gallons of clean burning natural gas each year. Additionally, Derek is responsible for all San Diego area marketing and sales program activity.
Prior to joining Clean Energy, Mr. Turbide was the Executive Director of environmental education organization, I Love A Clean San Diego (ILACSD) from 2002 to 2006. Before joining ILACSD, Mr. Turbide managed the San Diego regional marketing and sales program for Green Mountain Energy, the nation’s leading renewable energy marketing company.
Derek received his undergraduate degrees in Marine Affairs and International Development from the University of Rhode Island . He also received his Master of Business Administration degree from National University and is a member of LEAD San Diego ’s Class of 2006. Derek resides in Chula Vista with his wife and children.
