Steve Pougnet (D-CA-45)

Steve Pougnet Democrat Candidate California District 45

Steve Pougnet, Biography from City of Palm Springs

Biography of Mayor Steve Pougnet

Member of the Council Since: 2003
Elected Mayor: 2007
- Current Term: 2007-2011

Biography

External Organizations

Chairman, Coachella Valley Assn. of Governments (CVAG) Energy & Water Conservation Subcommittee
Vice Chairman, CVAG Executive Committee
Vice Chairman, CVAG Energy and Environment Committee
Vice Chairman, Sunline Transit Agency
Board Member, Palm Springs Desert Resort Convention and Visitors Authority
Member, CVAG Transportation Committee Member, Riverside County Transportation Commission
Member, Riverside County Indian Gaming Local Community
Benefit Committee

Boards, Commissions & Community Affiliations

President, Mizell Senior Center
Board Member, Valley Action Group
Board Member, Palm Springs Art Museum Member, Advisory Committee, Palm Springs Unified School District
Member, Citizens Oversight Committee, Palm Springs Unified School District
Member, Desert Pride Center
Member, Desert Women for Equality
Honorary Co-Chairman, Palm Springs International Film Festival Honorary Board Member, Western Coachella Valley Police Activities League
Volunteer, United Way of the Desert
Former Chairman, Palm Springs Citizens Community Development
Block Grant Committee
Former Board Member, Michigan State University Business School Alumni Association
Former Member, Riverside County Community Action Partnership

City Council Subcommittees

Sustainability
College Of The Desert
Convention Center Management Agreement
Finance
Special Events
Tourism/Convention Center
Jackie Lee Houston Plaza
Desert Fashion Plaza
Western Valley Leadership Group

Issues of Interest

Hotel Incentive Program & New Economic Development in Palm Springs
Sustainability – water, energy, waste, recycling Public Safety
Youth and Senior Activities

Awards

Desert Business Association Community Citizen Award, 2006

Education

Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University-1985
Business Experience
Former Vice President, Colorado School of Mines, Golden, CO Former Associate Director, Corporate & Foundation Relations,
Michigan State University
Former Associate Director, National Corporate Leadership Program,
United Way of America
Hobbies
Running, biking, swimming, snowboarding, golfing and spending time with his partner, Christopher, and their children, Beckham and Julia.

Biography from Friends of Steve Pougnet

Steve Pougnet is a shining example of leadership in action. Elected in 2007, he is currently the Mayor of Palm Springs, California. Steve began his career in public service when he was elected to the Palm Springs City Council in 2003. Since then, he has risen to become one of the preeminent leaders of the Greater Palm Springs area and Riverside County, serving in leadership positions on numerous commissions and boards throughout the region.

Mayor Pougnet is the Chairman of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG), Chairman of the Energy & Water Conservation Subcommittee as well as Vice-Chairman of the CVAG Energy and Environment Committee. He is also Vice Chairman of Sunline Transit Agency, the region’s public transportation management organization. Steve is also a Board Member of the Palm Springs Desert Resort Convention and Visitors Authority and a member of the Riverside County Transportation Commission. Mr. Pougnet also serves on the Riverside County Indian Gaming Local Community Benefit Committee.

Beyond his civic positions, Steve is extremely involved in volunteerism in his community. He serves as the President of the Board for the Mizell Senior Center, is a Board Member of the Valley Action Group and the Palm Springs Art Museum. Steve also serves on the Citizens Oversight Committee of the Palm Springs Unified School District.

As is evidenced by his public service, Steve Pougnet is passionate about issues affecting his constituency. He is highly engaged in creating viable plans in the Coachella Valley for sustainability and renewable energy generation. He works tirelessly to find creative solutions to revitalize a struggling local economy and has been responsible for the creation of numerous well-paying jobs in the region. Steve has long been an advocate for seniors and youth. He is very involved in regional transportation issues and gives great attention to education initiatives in local K-12 school districts as well as the Community College system. Steve is a pragmatist, a bridge builder and a leader who gets things done.

On April 30th, 2009, Steve declared his intention to run for Congress as a representative from the 45th Congressional District. “I am committed to fighting for the people of the 45th district, bringing jobs to the district and finding practical solutions that help struggling families and businesses thrive,” he said. “I’m not a partisan politician. I won’t play political games. I’m running for Congress to bring a renewed focus on the needs of everyday citizens, and to replace a partisan politician who is out of touch with her constituents.”

Pougnet has already garnered strong national support from the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC), as well as drawn national press attention to what is viewed as one of the most vulnerable districts for Republicans among the 2010 congressional races.

Prior to moving to Palm Springs, Steve Pougnet was Vice President for Institutional Advancement at Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. As Vice President he had executive responsibility for the School’s Office of Development, including structuring, planning, budgeting and execution of all programs in fundraising, gift administration, stewardship and records maintenance. He was also responsible for the School’s Public Affairs Office, executing all activities in public affairs, such as communication with media, production of special events, and production of informational materials. From 1991 through 1993, Mr. Pougnet served as the Director of Corporate and Foundation Relations and Special Assistant to the Vice President at Colorado School of Mines. Steve is also the former Associate Director for Corporate & Foundation Relations, at Michigan State University and the former Associate Director of National Corporate Leadership Programs at United Way of America. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Business from Michigan State University.

Steve Pougnet lives in Palm Springs with his husband Christopher and their children Beckham and Julia. He enjoys running, biking, swimming, snowboarding and golfing.

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