Anne Shen Smith is the president and chief executive officer of Southern California Gas Company, and over more than two decades of executive leadership at the company has served the community with a deep commitment to social responsibility and environmental stewardship.
In recognition of her career-long advocacy for progressive environmental and energy policies that advance conservation goals and economic growth, CLCV will honor Ms. Shen Smith tonight at our annual Southern California Environmental Leadership Awards.
Before being elected CEO, Smith was the chief operating officer of SoCalGas, a Sempra Energy California regulated utility. SoCalGas is the nation’s largest natural gas distribution utility serving over 20 million consumers through 5.8 million gas meters in more than 500 communities.
Smith served on numerous environmental boards and commissions, including the Public Advisory Committee of the Grand Canyon Visibility Transport Commission, Los Angeles City Environmental Affairs Commission, and the Federal Advisory Committee on Personal Vehicles and Greenhouse Gas Reduction. She is a former board member of the Coalition for Clean Air.
Currently, Smith serves on the Board of Directors for the CLCV’s sister organization, the California League of Conservation Voters Education Fund, and the Board of the Southern California Leadership Council. She also sits on the Executive Advisory Board of the Asian Pacific American Legal Center, the UC Davis Energy Efficiency Center board of advisors and the Board of Governors for the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center.
Smith started her career with SoCalGas in 1977 and held management positions in public affairs, strategic planning, demand forecasting and market research. She previously served as the Senior Vice President of Customer Services and Vice President of Environment and Safety.
Having earned a master’s degree in industrial engineering and operations research, Ms. Shen Smith has a unique approach to solving environmental and other challenges:
“What I most value about becoming an engineer was developing a mental discipline that enabled me to approach and solve problems systematically — defining objectives, gathering facts, testing assumptions, weighing options. It’s a life tool that’s been invaluable in tackling all types of business and organizational problems.”
CLCV is grateful for Anne Shen Smith’s nimble engineer’s mind and her environmentalist heart, and we’re proud to present her with our Environmental Leadership Awards in Los Angeles this evening.
