Mark van Gorder, Government and Community Partnerships, Marin and Napa Counties, Pacific Gas & Electric Company

Mark van Gorder joined Pacific Gas and Electric Company in 2013 as Local Government Affairs representative for the North Bay where he works with eighteen jurisdictions in Marin and Napa counties. Working with County, City and Town elected and staff leaders, Mark supports large gas and electric construction, inspections, compliance, clean energy transition, and partners with community based organizations to support PG&E purpose to: Deliver for our hometowns, serve our planet, and lead with love.

Mark has 16 years of experience in Napa wine industry direct to consumer sales and events.  He was appointed to City of Napa Planning Commission in 2003 and elected to serve on Napa City Council from 2005 to 2013.  There, he worked toward fiscal responsibility, public safety, sidewalk and road improvements, increased safety for pedestrians and cyclists, energy conservation, clean energy generation, water conservation, green building practices,  and working with neighborhood residents for their improved quality of life.

As Napa Sanitation District Director from 2006 to 2012, Mark pushed for clean energy operations. Napa Sanitation District opened a Fat, Oil, and Grease (FOG) receiving station. Methane gas created when the FOG is broken down in the treatment process is collected and used to generate electricity. The programs reduced trucking impacts and turned waste product into cleaner energy, reducing annual operating costs.

Mark is a graduate of Santa Rosa Junior College and U.C. Davis where he received a BA in Communications.  He lives in Napa with his wife Tiffany and has two daughters in high school and college.  Mark is an avid hiker and always looking for new trails to share with friends – or a relaxing beach.