Elizabeth “Liz” Perez is a Navy Veteran and an enrolled tribal member of the North Fork Rancheria Mono Indians. Ms. Perez is a proud first-generation Mexican American who has a strong family history of military service and farm work in the Central Valley, California area. 

 

Ms. Perez was appointed by Governor Brown and served under Governor Newsom as Deputy Secretary, Tribal Liaison and the Disabled Veteran Business Advocate at the California Department of Veteran Affairs. In addition, she served as a U.S. Delegate to both Israel and Japan as a clean energy leader. She was honored at the White House as a Champion of Change for the Advancement of Clean Energy Technology and Combating Climate Change. 

 

Ms. Perez serves as CEO for GCG, a company she founded in 2010. GCG is a general contracting firm that focuses on energy security and climate resiliency for rural and marginalized communities throughout California. In September 2022, GCG was awarded the National Minority Veteran-Owned Firm of the Year Award by the U.S. Department of Commerce in Washington D.C.  

 

Well-known for tireless advocacy work dedicated to inclusion, diversity, social and economic justice issues within marginalized communities. Ms. Perez has a passion for public service and giving back to the community. Always open to learning, Ms. Perez began her educational journey at Embry Riddle Aeronautical University, where she received a B.S. in Aeronautics. She also completed the Veterans MBA program at Texas A&M University, Mays Business School.  

 

Ms. Perez is a proud mother of a soon-to-be UCSB graduate and future law student. She stays busy with her high school aged son as a football and basketball mom. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time outdoors, running, hiking, and deep-sea fishing. She loves planning family vacations with a historical focus, allowing her the chance to explore the world and create new, memorable experiences with her family.