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Linda Evans

Occupation: Mayor / Businesswoman Relevant Experience: Elected mayor in 2014 Served on the La Quinta city council since 2009 Worked in the healthcare industry for thirty years, spending the last 23 years in hospital administration Personal Information: California native Works as Chief Strategy Officer of Community Advocacy for the Desert Care Network, which comprises Desert

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Robert F. Sylk

Occupation: Businessman & Philanthropist Relevant Experience: Boardmember for the Jewish National Fund’s Palm Springs area for 12 years Over 40 years of management, gaming, casino marketing and table game experience Former Member of the La Quinta Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Originally from Philadelphia Ran for mayor in 2010, 2012, 2020, and 2022.  He also

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Yvonne Sklar

Occupation: Hospice Corporate Chaplain Relevant Experience: Served as a Housing Commissioner on the Indian Wells City Council Owned and operated an Alternative Healthcare practice for four decades Licensed Hospice Chaplain, with over 20 years of experience working both corporately and as a volunteer in Spiritual Care departments at Eisenhower Health and Desert Regional Medical Center

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Toper Taylor

Occupation: Committeeman / Businessman Relevant Experience: Serves the City of Indian Wells on the Golf Resort Advisory Committee Doctorate in public policy from the University of Southern California Personal Information: Fifth-generation Californian who grew in the San Francisco Bay Area Emmy award-winning educational children’s television producer Serves on the board of councilors for the USC

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Brian M. Penna

Occupation: Corporate Controller Relevant Experience: 21 years as a corporate controller, a licensed realtor and real estate investor Chaired an architectural committee for a 5-year term within a Jack Nicklaus golf course country club Member of the Indian Wells Preservation Foundation Personal Information: Obtained real estate license in 1987 at the age of 19 Initiated

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Greg Sanders

Occupation: Mayor / Councilmember Relevant Experience: Elected to Indian Wells City Council in 2020 Served as Mayor in 2024 Previously a member of the Indian Wells Planning Commission Personal Information: Longtime resident of Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley resident Partner at a national law firm and specializes in land use, planning, zoning and environmental law

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Anyse Smith

Occupation: Educator / Attorney Relevant Experience: Serves on the Board of Governance of the Riverside County Continuum of Care Served as the Housing Manager for the Coachella Valley Rescue Mission Managed the Housing First program at the Coachella Valley Association of Governments Personal Information: Longtime resident of Palm Desert and the Coachella Valley resident Earned

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Stephen Nelson

Occupation: Small business owner Relevant Experience: President of the Genesis homeowners’ association Member of the Desert Learning Academy school site committee Senior Vice President of Global Operations Personal Information: First moved to Palm Desert in 2019 Has previously lived in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Ohio, Northern Virginia, New Orleans Nearly 30 years of experience in

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Gina Nestande

Occupation: Councilmember / Businesswoman Relevant Experience: Has served on the Palm Desert city council since 2016 Served as Palm Desert mayor in 2019 Served on many committees, including California Association of Governments Energy & Environmental Committee Personal Information: Palm Desert resident since 1996 Works as a local Real Estate Broker Earned a BS in Education

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Greg Akkerman

Occupation: Local business owner Relevant Experience: Chair of Parks and Recreation Vice-chair of Civic Engagement Contributed to the development of projects such as the new regional park, the neighborhood north park, and Lupine Plaza Personal Information: Grew up in the Palm Desert area Strongly advocated for Palm Desert to transition from at-large voting districts to

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Joe Pradetto

Occupation: Palm Desert Commissioner / Businessman Relevant Experience: Serves on the Palm Desert Planning Commission Former president of the Coachella Valley Resource Conservation District Director of Governmental Affairs for the City of Yucaipa Personal Information: Born and raised in Riverside County Originally moved to Palm Desert to work on the staff of the late State

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Kathleen Kelly

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Palm Desert councilmember since 2016 Served two terms as the city’s mayor Served for over 30 years as a neutral arbitrator & mediator Personal Information: Connection to Palm Desert goes back to 1977 Ordained minister in the Episcopal Church for 19 years B.A. from Yale and J.D. from UC Berkely Social

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Chris Scott

Occupation: Small business owner Relevant Experience: Palm Desert business owner for nearly a decade Local realtor Personal Information: Born and raised in the Coachella Valley Attended K-12 in Palm Desert Social Media Website Facebook Instagram

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Karina Quintanilla

Occupation: Councilmember / Mayor Relevant Experience: Elected to the Palm Desert City Council in 2020 Served as mayor in 2024 Has served in numerous leadership roles for local, regional, and statewide efforts, including Coachella Valley Association of Governments: Public Safety and Homelessness Committees Personal Information: Coachella Valley resident since 1984 Bachelor’s degree in Spanish from

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Nate Lewis

Occupation: Business Owner Relevant Experience: Chief Operating Officer and Chief Revenue Officer for two local solar companies Served on the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Raised in the Coachella Valley Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Dixie State University Volunteers at local youth sports organizations Social Media Website

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Wayne Avrashow

Occupation: Attorney / Author Relevant Experience: 30+ years experience as an attorney Served on two government commissions for nearly twenty years Top aide/Chief of Staff for Los Angeles City Councilmembers Zev Yaroslavsky and Bob Ronka Personal Information: Amazon bestselling novelist Supports various local charities Social Med Website Facebook

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Gregory Goodman

Occupation: Business Owner Relevant Experience: 40+ years experience in the small business world Has opened flower shops in Ohio, Beverly Hills, and Palm Springs Personal Information: Coachella Valley residents for 12 years Attended Heidelberg College in Ohio Has done florals for 3 Presidents, 4 Inaugural Events, The Academy Awards, Golden Globe awards, and numerous celebrities

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Michael O’Keefe

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Appointed to city council in 2023 25 years of experience in business management Served on Desert Hot Springs Chamber of Commerce Personal Information: Grew up in rural west Texas Full-time Coachella Valley resident since 1998 Known for his lifelong volunteer service Social Media Website Facebook

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Ted Weill

Occupation: Councilmember Relevant Experience: Rancho Mirage councilmember since 2012 Represents the city in numerous committees including Vice-Chairman of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments executive committee Former Chairman of the Rancho Mirage Planning Commission Personal Information: Desert resident for 26 years United States Navy Veteran Graduate of the Wharton School of Finance at the University

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