Energize SoCal 2026: The Inland Empire's Clean Energy Summit

Energize SoCal 2026: The Inland Empire's Clean Energy and Mobility Summit

The people building Southern California's energy future, in one room with you. Now in its third year, Energize SoCal is where the Chino Valley business community connects directly with the utilities, innovators, educators, and policymakers shaping how our region powers itself. You'll leave with practical programs, incentives, and connections you can use, straight from the people who run them.

Wednesday, September 9, 2026, 12:00 PM to 4:00 PM at the CSI Event Center, 9400 Cherry Ave, Bldg A, Fontana. Tickets are $45 per person and include a networking lunch featuring a full taco bar. Register at chinovalleychamber.com.

The Panels and Speakers

• Jasmine Pineda, Project Manager, The Energy Coalition. Born and raised in the Inland Empire, Jasmine leads workforce development programs including the California Climate Action Corps fellowship and regional energy workforce efforts through I-REN. She holds a B.S. in Sustainability Studies from UC Riverside and an M.S. in Environmental Science and Policy from Johns Hopkins University.
• James Morante, Founder and Owner, Engage! Strategies. For more than 25 years James has designed workforce training and apprenticeship programs in the advanced energy sector, including the nationally recognized PowerPathway program and a utility military hiring commitment cited as best in class by Vice President Joe Biden. He formerly directed the Energy, Construction and Utilities Sector for California's 114 community colleges.
• Nicole Silva, Program Supervisor, South Coast Air Quality Management District.
• Moderated by Yolanda Friday, Dean of Business Technology and Hospitality / Manufacturing, Industrial Design and Transportation at Chaffey College.

Grid Resiliency: On and Off the Grid

• Aron Branam, Senior Vice President, Development West, Aypa Power. Aypa develops and operates the large-scale battery energy storage that keeps power flowing when the grid is stressed.
• Armando Infanzon, Director, Market Development, SoCalGas. Armando works at the front lines of how Southern California diversifies its energy delivery, from hydrogen to emerging technologies.

The New Machines: AI, Automation and the Future of Energy

• Raafay Ahmed, Principal Manager, Grid Transformation, Southern California Edison. Raafay leads grid transformation work at SCE, where the grid meets the new demands of AI, electrification, and automation.
• Alfredo Martinez-Morales, UC Riverside, co-chair of a regional Inland Empire energy consortium.
• Moderated by Kelby Sarti, Director of Economic Development, IEGO.

Additional speakers and moderators to be announced.

The afternoon includes the networking lunch, three expert panels, and a dedicated break to meet the speakers one-on-one.

Sponsorship Opportunities

Thank you to our sponsors, IEGO and Aypa Power. Put your organization in front of the Inland Empire's business and energy leadership. Our top two tiers include a speaking opportunity.

• Power Innovator, $8,000: Speaking opportunity, premium branding, media recognition, and 16 tickets.
• Eco-Visionary, $5,000: Speaking opportunity, prominent branding, media recognition, and 8 tickets.
• Green Pioneer, $3,000: Branding, media mentions, and 8 tickets.
• Solar Supporter, $2,000: Branding, media mentions, and 8 tickets.
• Renewable Advocate, $1,000: Branding, media mentions, and 6 tickets.
• Clean Energy Catalyst, $500: Branding and 4 tickets.

To sponsor, contact Zeb Welborn at zwelborn@chinovalleychamber.com or (909) 627-6177.