CHOC Energy expands with a move toward greener technologies and team training opportunities
Creating lasting impact through energy efficiency and conservation, one home at a time
Image courtesy of Anastasiya Lyashenko
Exciting new developments are unfolding at CHOC Energy. We spoke with Fabiola Ortiz, Vice President of CHOC Energy, to learn more about all the latest changes. Read our Q&A with Fabiola:
Q: What's currently happening at CHOC Energy?
A: Currently, the CHOC Energy Division offers free weatherization services to all eligible customers through the PG&E Energy Savings Assistance Program in Alameda, Contra Costa, Napa, Sacramento, Solano and Yolo Counties.
The operation here at CHOC Energy is focused on upskilling our workforce. Our current staff has years of experience weatherizing homes, including: energy education, minor home repairs, door replacements, showerheads, smart thermostats, attic insulation, and more.
This foundation serves us well, to build upon. For this reason, I’ve placed a select group of technicians in training to obtain their EPA Certification. We also have another team currently receiving HVAC training on heat pump technologies. The technicians are very excited about these new training opportunities, and I hope to create new and innovative growth opportunities for them. It’s absolutely created new energy and buzz within our division, which is wonderful.
Our ultimate goal is to create several trained and certified crews to perform new electrification installations as the State of California moves towards greener technologies, as well as create new and varied employment opportunities within our division.
CHOC Energy Training. Image courtesy of Anastasiya Lyashenko
Q: Which new programs will be instituted, and how is the current business optimized for success?
A: Our current program delivers an exceptional opportunity for low-income communities to receive cost saving upgrades. The weatherization services help insulate each home to capture energy savings and help residents save as many dollars as possible on their utility bills. I also love that we’re able to assist low-income, disabled seniors by providing appliances that accommodate their household needs, improve their living spaces with minor home repairs, and warm their homes with attic insulation, door weather stripping, and thermostatic shower valves. We also perform natural gas safety tests on all gas appliances, which is not only an Energy Savings Program benefit, but also health and safety
We’re working in concert with California’s ambitious goal of reaching carbon neutrality by 2045. Many of the programs that we’re rolling out focus on new technologies that support electrification with heat pump water heater technology, solar, and electrical vehicle charging stations. Decarbonizing living spaces for low-income communities is one of the many things we’re working on, our contribution to helping California meet the aforementioned goal.
By upskilling our workforce and obtaining new certifications, we can fully participate in providing electricity to California's low-income communities. We’re already creating partnerships and pursuing opportunities that expand our reach across California.
Fabiola Ortiz, Photograph by Anastasiya Lyashenko
Q: Any new initiatives, activities or growth-related elements forthcoming?
A: With regard to creating more presence for CHOC Energy, a new CHOC Energy website interface combined with new outreach through Google Ads and/or social media is on approach. We’re excited to announce our new Instagram account! Follow us at @chocenergyca to stay updated on our latest opportunities and events.
Q: We’d love to learn more about your experience and the capabilities you bring to CHOC Energy in 2022 and beyond. Could you share more about your background and career?
A: My professional background started in operations and contract management on both the East and West Coast working for Northrop Grumman and Phogenix, a joint venture between Hewlett Packard and Kodak. I was also formerly an operations manager for the energy savings assistance program administered by PG&E, managed by the partnership of The Ortiz Group and Nexant for the San Francisco Bay Area. I was also in charge of the compliance and operational management of over a dozen contractors that executed all weatherization measures and HVAC installations in order to maintain key performance indicators and safety standards for the program. As an entrepreneur, I opened the first Paint and Sip for Pinot’s Palette in California, which gave me an opportunity to explore my passion for art and business. I ran this business for 6 years and selling and exiting in 2018.
While pursuing my full-time career for 12 years, I’ve remained interested in using my spare time to help foster kids. My best friend and I founded a nonprofit to help foster school-age children obtain scholarships to attend preschool, enroll in enrichment programs, and access tutoring across San Diego and Riverside counties.
My professional and life experiences are the building blocks, the foundation, of my managerial approach at CHOC Energy; I already had a working understanding of (CHOC Energy's) program given previous experience as an operational implementer for PG&E's Energy Savings Assistance Program.
Integrating these experiences and knowledge base with CHOC Energy’s operation has been fairly seamless. My management style aims to ensure expectations are clear, providing support so that fellow team members can achieve their full potential. There are lots of hidden talents here at CHOC Energy, which continue to contribute to the success of the entire operation. I’m very excited to lead this team!
Thank you, Fabiola, for your time and commitment to expanding CHOC Energy's footprint across California. We’re proud to have you on our team!
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