Meet the Leadership

Officers

John S Martinson - Co-Founder & President

I co-founded the China Mist Tea Company in my garage in 1982 and co-nurtured it into a national and international food service iced tea business, selling it in the Fall of 2016. In January of that year, I earned an Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership (EMSL) from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.

I got hooked on EVs in the year 2000, being one of the 700 GM EV1 “owners,” an EV I drove for 3 years until they clawed it back. Ten years later, I bought a Tesla Model S and never again owned an ICE.

On Earth Day, 2022, Peter Culin and I co-founded Valley of the Sun Electric Vehicle Association and in January 2024, we co-founded DRIVE Electric Arizona. 

I am the founder and admin for EV Road Trippers Facebook Group, a community of over 9,200 enthusiastic EV owners.

My wife, Suzanne, and I reside in Scottsdale’s Desert Foothills area. We have full rooftop solar, two Tesla Powerwall backup batteries, and two installed wall-mounted level 2 EV chargers. I drive a 2022 Rivian R1T Quad Motor and a 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance.

Peter Culin - Co-Founder, Vice President & Chairman

I’ve been in logistics for years and took the leap in 2010 to start my own business—an agency location for Scan Global Logistics.

Our electric adventure started in 2015 with a used Nissan LEAF, and we’ve never looked back! Another EV joined the family in 2018, and we went all-in on sustainability—adding solar panels, a battery backup, and even a rainwater retention system. Why? Because a greener future means a better world for our kids (and, let’s be honest, driving electric is just more fun!).

Today, we’re fully charged with a Rivian R1S, a Chevy Bolt EUV, and yes, our original LEAF is still kicking!

Don Covert - Secretary

I am the Executive Director of the Valley of the Sun Clean Cities Coalition (VSCCC) here in Phoenix. VSCCC is a free-standing non-profit 501(c)(3) and one of 75 Clean Cities Coalitions across the nation designated by the US Department of Energy to advocate for clean domestic fuels. We are dedicated to improving the air quality in our region by advancing the use of alternative fuels in the transportation sector.

I have 30 years of experience as an energy engineer at Southwest Gas Corporation during which time I also served as a board member of VSCCC. After retiring from Southwest Gas in 2020, I became the director of VSCCC. I am passionate about educating and promoting clean transportation technologies through my work in the coalition. When I’m not working, I enjoy exploring Arizona on my dirt bike and spending time with my family and 5 grandchildren.

John Deming

I grew up in a small Northeastern town and learned the importance of using my education and experiences to serve others. My family moved to Florida in the 1972. In 1981, I enrolled at Florida State University, majoring in Hospitality Management and Marketing. My (40) year sales career included selling products and services to Restaurants and the Newspaper Industry throughout the U.S. and Canada. In 1990, I moved to Phoenix and changed my career focus to sell electrical energy conservation products.

In 2023, a valued friend asked me to become his Dealership’s EV Champion. My three roles include, training the sales team on how to properly present Ford’s Electric vehicles. In addition, I am the store’s Ambassador to (5) local Chamber of Commerce entities that we have proudly supported for (14) years. My third role is to ensure that our EV customers feel comfortable and confident enough to make their own EV or ICE purchase decision. And if they did choose an EV, that they feel immediately supported and educated about their purchase. Currently, I drive a Rapid Red, 2021 Ford Mustang Mach-e (GT).

I am honored to be a board member of a such a learned, volunteer group, and look forward to doing my part to help the public learn more about the entire EV space.