John Peña brings more than 30 years of experience in local government, politics, public/private advocacy, and business advisory services. John has been a Business Owner, Consultant, Mayor, City Councilman, City Manager, and sits on numerous public/private/non-profit boards.

John’s consulting activities run the gamut of issues in local, state and federal government including: Cannabis related issues, economic development, education, health, transportation, and housing. He specializes in the operational direction of complex governmental relations programs, including monitoring and reporting, strategic planning, direct and grass-roots advocacy, organization and coalition formation. John maintains working relationships and contacts with government and business leaders throughout the state of California, helping clients navigate through the maze of local politics and intergovernmental relationships.

John is a lifelong Coachella Valley resident. He graduated from Indio High School, attended College of the Desert where he was inducted into the Alumni Hall of Fame and earned a Bachelor of Arts Degree from California State University, Fullerton.

He continued his postgraduate work at Western State University, College of Law where he received his Law degree. He also attended the Sol Price School of Public Policy where he completed the Executive Education Program in Public Policy at the University of Southern California.

John has received many honors throughout his public service including being one of ten United States Mayors selected by the Jewish Federation to travel to Israel for the International Conference of Mayors. He was also the Boy Scouts of America’s selection for Distinguished Citizen of the Year and has received numerous awards and recognition for his leadership at the local and regional level.

The Hispanic Community honored him for his leadership and for promoting Hispanic awareness issues. He was a Distinguished Recipient Honoree of the Annual Hispanic Awards. Recently he was appointed and served as President of the Dr. Carreon Foundation. The Carreon Foundation helps Mexican-American students in the Coachella Valley accomplish their dreams of a higher education through scholarships and leadership opportunities.

For the past 7 years, John has focused on consulting for clients involved in the Cannabis industry. His clients are involved in cultivation, manufacturing, retail and Cannabis related real estate acquisition and development. John has spent much of his time working with local jurisdictions in drafting model ordinances and assisting clients with licensing and the permitting processes.

John served many years on the Coachella Valley Association of Governments (CVAG) where he was selected by the members of the Executive Committee, who are Mayors of the Coachella Valley and County Supervisors, to serve as Chairman. CVAG is responsible for various regional planning and transportation issues as well as intergovernmental concerns throughout the Coachella Valley. John currently serves on the Public Safety, Homelessness, East Valley Coalition and the League of California Cities Public Safety Policy Committee.

John served on various Boards and Commissions including, Chairman of the Palm Springs/Desert Resorts Convention & Visitors Bureau, Commission Member – Riverside County Transportation Commission, Chairman of Sunline Transit Agency and a member of the Executive Board, Court Appointed Special Advocates, La Quinta Chamber of Commerce, Local Agency Formation Commission (LAFCO), Riverside County Commission on Education, La Quinta High School Foundation and the Board of the Children’s Discovery Museum. He was appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, representing 24 cities in the county, to serve on the Workforce Development Board. He is past Chairman of the Board, John F. Kennedy Memorial Hospital and served on the hospital board for 22 years.