SPEAKERS

Mayor Steve Pougnet has been a resident of Palm Springs since 2001, and has served as an elected official since 2003, when he was first elected to City Council. Steve was elected to Mayor of Palm Springs in 2007, where he currently is serving his second term.

Any leader with many years of experience will have a long laundry list of accomplishments. Most notable for Steve include creating and launching Palm Springs’ Hotel Incentive Program, which resulted in over 1,000 jobs, $150 million in economic investment, and 1,600 new hotel rooms. Because of this program, the large conventions like the AOPA and National Guard were able to return to the City. Also notable in his term is the initiation and adoption by City Council of the City’s Sustainability Master Plan which includes a report card to ensure that it is an actionable blueprint for making Palm Springs greener and more energy-efficient.

Obtaining a balanced budget in a tough economy is another significant achievement for Steve and his colleagues, as is the successful effort to stop a large jail from being built at the entrance to the City, and four straight years of crime decreases.

Steve has served on numerous boards and commissions both within his role as Mayor and as a citizen who stays involved with his community. His leadership style is one of collaboration, open and frank dialogue, with a goal of maintaining and building upon what’s already a world-class destination and a great place to live and do business.

Steve’s greatest pride is his family, including twins Julia and Beckham and husband Christopher—his partner of nearly 20 years. Also part of their family are two yellow labs, Sydney and Sophie, along with a full schedule of soccer games, kindergarten, swimming, skiing, biking, hiking, and running.

< BACK