Jan C. Harnik was elected to the Palm Desert City Council in 2010. Complementing her service on the Council, Jan serves on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) Transportation Committee and on the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission. Additionally, she is the Immediate Past President of the Southern California Association of Governments (SCAG), serving on SCAG’s Regional Council and Executive Administration Committee, the Transportation Committee, the Legislative/Communications and Membership Committee, and the Emerging Technologies Committee. Jan also serves on the Riverside County Transportation Commission (RCTC) and as a member of RCTC's Budget and Implementation Committee and Audit Committee. Knowing the importance of visitors to Palm Desert and the surrounding Coachella Valley, Jan represents the City of Palm Desert on the Executive Committee of the Visit Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitors Bureau.

Chad Mayes is a partner at Capitol Advocacy, where he co-leads the Climate Change and Energy practice area. His expertise in this field is fueled by a fervent commitment to advancing innovative and sustainable solutions, skillfully navigating the complex landscape of modern environmental challenges. Additionally, Chad plays a significant role in the Healthcare Practice and contributes to the Technology, Privacy and Artificial Intelligence, as well as the Business and Employer Representation practice areas. His broad spectrum of advice to clients is rooted in extensive experience at the crossroads of public policy and industry sectors, where he consistently delivers strategic insights and actionable solutions. Mayes began his career as a financial advisor and small business owner. He then served as Mayor and Council Member at the Town of Yucca Valley, and as a board member of the San Bernardino Associated Governments and the League of California Cities. He later served as Chief of Staff to the Chair of the San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors. In 2014, he was elected to the California State Assembly, representing the 42nd District in the Inland Empire. He quickly established himself as a dynamic and effective leader, earning the respect and trust of his peers and was elected Assembly Republican Leader after only 10 months in office. In 2019, he dropped his Republican party affiliation and was successful in running for re-election as an Independent in 2020. Throughout his time in the Assembly, Mayes was known for his ability to identify pragmatic policy solutions that improved the lives of Californians and helped the state maintain its position as a global leader in the 21st century. He traveled extensively throughout the state, engaging with a wide range of stakeholders, groups, and businesses to better understand issues and build support for key policies. He was particularly successful in his district, earning high marks as a consensus builder and getting things done for his constituents.

Lou Monville has more than 25 years’ experience in real estate throughout Inland Southern California. He is a co-founder and President of Raincross Advisors, Inland Southern California’s leading real estate development advisory firm. Raincross Advisors is engaged across the spectrum of real estate development in the region including residential, commercial, and industrial uses. Raincross Advisors has been engaged in the entitlement of more than 11,000 residential lots, numerous commercial uses, and retail centers and more than 15,000 million square feet of industrial space. Serving some of the best brands in their respective markets Raincross Advisors has assisted Centex Homes, Meritage Homes, Pardee Homes, Richland Communities, Kiewit Construction, Pilot Flying J Travel Centers, Farmer Boys Restaurants, Proficiency Capital, Hillwood, IDI Logistics, Crow Holdings, Rockefeller, Dedeaux Properties and Engie amongst others. In addition, Lou serves as the Senior Vice President of the Riverside County Chapter of the Building Industry Association of Southern California. Further, Lou has served the people of California and Riverside County. He was a member of both the California Community College Board of Governors and the California State University Board of Trustees, the largest public institution of higher education in the United States, where he served as Chair of the Board. Recently, he served as Chair of the Riverside County Economic Recovery Task Force, a group formed to advise the Riverside County Board of Supervisors on efforts to stabilize and revitalize the County economy as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lou holds a BA in Communications and Honorary Doctorate in Humane Letters from California State University, San Bernardino.

Robert J. Nava is the Vice President for University Advancement and Executive Director of the Philanthropic Foundation at California State University San Bernardino and the Palm Desert Campus. Prior to joining CSUSB, Nava served as the Vice President of Advancement at San Francisco State University and has held leadership appointments in Institutional Advancement at the University of Texas, El Paso (UTEP) and the University of California, Riverside. Nava is a frequent contributor to The Association of Governing Board’s Trusteeship Magazine.