Joseph Avila serves as Director of Regional Public Affairs for Southern California Gas Company, the nation’s largest gas distribution utility. SoCalGas employs more than 8,000 women and men working together to sustainably and cost effectively achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions in its business operations and energy delivery by 2045. This strategy includes examining SoCalGas’ buildings, vehicle fleet, and leaning in to collaborate with its 22 million residential, commercial, and industrial customers in more than 500 communities located throughout the southern half of California. During his professional career, Mr. Avila has held various leadership positions in both the private and public sectors primarily in the areas of energy policy, electric power plant development and corporate finance.

Mr. Avila now leads SoCalGas’ Regional Public Affairs group overseeing a team responsible for engaging regional and local governments as well as business, and community-based organizations to encourage and support the intersection of clean energy technologies, sound utility policy, and capital investments to accelerate an equitable energy transition. Prior to joining SoCal Gas, Mr. Avila spent more than 18 years working in the City of Los Angeles as Chief of Staff, Legislative Analyst and most recently as Staff Assistant to LADWP’s General Manager and Chief Engineer. Mr. Avila also spent 10 years in the private sector as a corporate banker and consultant acquiring expertise in renewable and conventional electric power plant finance and development, enterprise-wide benchmarking, and project management. The one exception to working in the energy and utility field was the 2-years Mr. Avila spent as Chief of Staff for a Los Angeles City Councilmember just prior to joining LADWP.

A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Avila holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Southern California and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of California at Los Angeles where he also competed on the only 2 Pac-12 Cross Country Championship teams in school history.