Quote: "IÂ think there's much more work that we need to do so we can get more African Americans into the Energy Industry. Black workers hold 5-9 percent of the jobs in energy-related sectors and account for 12 percent of the national workforce."
As the central economic hub for the world's fifth-largest economy and home to over 10 million busy people, Los Angeles County requires billions of kilowatts of energy each year to maintain the lifestyle we enjoy. Thankfully for Angelinos, local leaders are dedicated to providing safe, reliable power to the region while driving the vision of a clean energy future. As the Government Relation Manager, My role is to maintain a relationship between SCE and Los Angeles County, The City of Los Angeles, and Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (Metro), allowing SCE to meet the region's energy needs.
Considering that about 35 percent of SCE's total service area is located in high-risk areas, mitigating the deadly wildfires that have ravaged California's dry landscapes in recent years is a significant initiative. Climate change has affected California in so many ways, with drought and dryness creating high-risk fire in urban and rural environments. We're doing at SCE to take substantial steps to reduce the risk of wildfires through our three-pronged approach. Grid hardening, increasing situational awareness by using technology to improve our ability to monitor weather and micro-climates and enhancing our overall operational practices.
Along with wildfire mitigation, I also have been tasked with preparing Los Angeles for a clean energy future by electrifying the transportation sector. The transportation sector is the largest source of carbon emissions and air pollution in California, contributing to about 45 percent of our greenhouse gas emissions-- and that creates a real challenge for us in air pollution.
While these ambitious goals may seem lofty, I believe in the urgency of the climate change crisis and works every day so that we can make a cleaner environment for our home.
I think we are on pace and moving in the right direction pretty aggressively at SCE on greenhouse gas reducing initiatives. We have to deal with climate change, which will be the main challenge for all of us-- to have a cleaner environment to provide for the future.
As an Ohio native originally, I started my career with SCE in 1997 as an account executive in charge of small business outreach to reduce energy costs through programs and rebates. Over the last 26 years, I have developed strong relationships in multiple communities that have grown outside of my core business responsibilities. Ford says his main professional priority is creating opportunities to open doors for people of color and inspiring the young generation to become CEOs in the energy industry.
 What I would like to do towards the end of my career is to invest back more into our community by being a mentor and championing opportunities for other African Americans and people of color to be part of this evolution of change and innovation.
Part of my humbling outlook on life comes from my recent battles with cancer-- which I've defeated, not once, but twice!
In 2015, I encountered colon cancer diagnosed early, and I was blessed to address it. In 2018, I had prostate cancer; today, I can say I'm cancer-free. Faith played a large part in that-- faith in God, and so many of family members and loved ones are praying."
Now I have my sights set on the future and very optimistic about the opportunities the next generation has in providing future energy resources.
These are unique times and opportunities for people who want to get into the energy industry. Career opportunities in engineering, accounting, project management, and skilled craft workers in the construction of our infrastructure in building the grid of the future."
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