Meet the Leadership
John S Martinson - Co-Founder & President
Originally from Westchester County, New York, John moved to the Valley of the Sun in 1976. He co-founded the China Mist Tea Company in 1982 with a friend in his Scottsdale garage. Over the next 34 years, the two grew the company into a nationally and internationally recognized brand before selling it in 2016. That same year, he earned an Executive Master of Sustainability Leadership from Arizona State University’s School of Sustainability.
Today, John serves as Co-Founder and President of DRIVE Electric Arizona in addition to his leadership role at Valley of the Sun EVA. He is also an advisor to the American Resilience Project, a nonprofit documentary filmmaker producing films on energy transitions, regenerative agriculture, and transportation electrification.
John and his wife, Suzanne Pickett Martinson, parents of two, have been clean energy and EV adopters for decades. They installed rooftop solar panels in 2010, added a home battery backup system in 2022, and have owned eleven electric vehicles over the past 25 years, beginning with a 1999 General Motors EV-1. John currently drives a 2018 Tesla Model 3 Performance and a 2022 Rivian R1T.
Peter Culin - Co-Founder, Board Chair & Vice President
Peter is a career logistics professional who launched his own business in 2010, establishing an agency location for Scan Global Logistics.
His family’s journey toward sustainability began in 2015 with the purchase of a gently used Nissan LEAF. In 2018, they added a second EV, followed by rooftop solar panels, a home battery backup system, and most recently, a rainwater retention system. Each step reflects Peter’s commitment to living — and leading — a more sustainable lifestyle to create a better future for both the planet and the next generation.
Originally from Westchester County, New York, Peter is married to Rachel Culin. The couple are the proud parents of two. Peter currently drives a 2023 Rivian R1S.
Marc Wenning - IT & Web Design
Marc brings over 20 years of experience in the IT field, with deep expertise in SharePoint, O365, and more recently in process documentation, process automation, RPA, and e-signature solutions.
A committed clean energy adopter, Marc installed solar panels on his home in 2009. He purchased his first EV — a Tesla Model 3 Long Range RWD — in 2018 and today drives a 2021 Tesla Model Y Performance.
Bob Levitan – Secretary
Bob spent over 26 years as co-owner and Director of Operations for a five-store chain of award-winning, independently owned paint and decorating stores in the metro Boston area. He and his business partner sold the company in 2016. Prior to that, he worked for 15 years in the retail and wholesale building materials industry. Today, Bob provides consulting services to independent paint and decorating retailers, advising on all aspects of business — from start-up to exit strategy.
Bob has a long record of community involvement, serving over a decade as a board member for a nonprofit house of worship and contributing his expertise to its new building design and construction committee.
His EV journey began in 2019 with an Audi e-tron SUV. Today, his household drives two Lucid Airs GTs (2022 GT and 2024 T) and powers them with rooftop solar panels and home battery storage. A strong advocate for clean transportation, Bob is passionate about educating the public on the benefits of EV ownership, dispelling myths, and promoting environmental stewardship.
Bob and his wife have owned a home in Scottsdale since 2008 and became full-time Arizona residents in 2018.
Rachel Culin – Treasurer
Rachel began her electric vehicle journey in 2015 with a used 2012 Nissan LEAF and now drives a 2023 Chevrolet Bolt EUV, appreciating the freedom from range anxiety. She and her family prioritize living a sustainable lifestyle, incorporating solar panels, a Powerwall backup system, and rainwater retention to reduce their environmental impact.
Rachel holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Arizona State University (2006) and has a strong background in Accounting, Bookkeeping, and Business Administration. She plays a critical administrative and Human Resources role in the small freight business she and her husband own.
Currently serving as the Treasurer of DRIVE Electric Arizona and Valley of the Sun EVA, Rachel is passionate about creating a more equitable and sustainable future. She believes that electric vehicles play a pivotal role in achieving this goal and is committed to advocating for clean transportation solutions. Rachel and her husband, Peter, are raising their two children with a shared commitment to environmental stewardship.
