LOS ANGELES, March 16, 2018 – Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) today announced its Riverside-area public affairs manager Lea Petersen, has been named a “Woman of Distinction” by California State Assemblyman Jose Medina, 61st (D) district for her many charitable activities in Riverside. Photos of Lea Petersen and Assemblyman Jose Medina are available here.

“I am proud to be honored as a ‘Woman of Distinction’ by Assemblyman Jose Medina,” said Lea Petersen, public affairs manager for SoCalGas. “I have met so many individuals and families living in Riverside and the Inland Empire whose personal challenges inspire me to be involved in the community, and I hope my passion to support those in need will encourage others to get involved in meaningful causes, too.”

“I want to thank Lea Petersen for her community service in Riverside,” said Assemblyman Jose Medina 61st (D) assembly district. “I applaud her for serving as a role model for future generations and for her leadership in empowering women of all ages to achieve their goals.”

Petersen was recognized for her work in helping homeless high school students receive scholarships and make strides towards achieving their higher education goals. Additionally, Petersen organized her company’s volunteers to serve more than 5,000 active military and their family members at the March Air Force Base military appreciation day picnics, perform local environmental cleanup and beautifications projects, and raise money for families who lost their homes to fires. Petersen also volunteers as a mentor for young women studying at the University of California Riverside.

Petersen was honored at an award ceremony celebrating National Women's History Month with elected officials, business and community leaders from throughout western Riverside County on March 10. She was nominated for the award by other community philanthropists and volunteers in the community.

SoCalGas applauds its employees who give back to the communities the company serves. The company itself also contributes to those communities. In 2017 it invested more than $10 million in nearly 1,000 educational, environmental and community organizations across its service territory. Learn more about SoCalGas’ giving here.   

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About SoCalGas

Headquartered in Los Angeles, SoCalGas® is the largest natural gas distribution utility in the United States, providing clean, safe, affordable and reliable natural gas service to 21.7 million customers in Central and Southern California. Its service territory spans 22,000 square miles from Fresno to the Mexican border, reaching more than 550 communities through 5.9 million meters and 101,000 miles of pipeline. More than 90 percent of Southern California single-family home residents use natural gas for home heat and hot water. In addition, natural gas plays a key role in providing electricity to Californians—about 60 percent of electric power generated in the state comes from gas-fired power plants.  

SoCalGas has served communities in California for 150 years and is committed to being a leader in the region’s clean energy future. The company is working to accelerate the use of renewable natural gas, a carbon-neutral or carbon-negative fuel created by capturing and conditioning greenhouse gas emissions from farms, landfills and wastewater treatment plants. SoCalGas is a subsidiary of Sempra Energy (NYSE: SRE), a Fortune 500 energy services holding company based in San Diego. For more information visit socalgas.com/newsroom or connect with SoCalGas on Twitter (@SoCalGas), Instagram (@SoCalGas) and Facebook.