Staff
We Are Team DRD!
DRD is an outgoing, active, energetic group of professionals, team members and volunteers. From all the volunteers to our valued Board of Directors members, each person contributes his and her special talents and experiences to help enrich the lives of District residents. Over the years, our commitment to integrity, teamwork, accessibility and excellence have resulted in numerous awards. We’ve also been honored to work closely with numerous world-class organizations such as the Disney Institute, Ken Blanchard Companies, American Red Cross and First Tee. This is just the beginning of our ongoing commitment to the communities we serve. Every day presents new opportunities for us to deliver fun as well as essential services, and every year brings new and exciting recreational possibilities. Come join in the fun!
Meet Our Staff
Gabriel D. Martin,
Ph.D.
General Manager
“Desert Recreation District is a place where community and recreation come together to enrich everyday life. It gives me great honor to serve every resident of the Coachella Valley, and I look forward to the laughter, the games, and the moments that make recreation so special. My commitment is to bring our vision, mission, and values to life by delivering quality programs, services, and facilities that encourage an active, healthy lifestyle for all.”
Barb Adair
Assistant General Manager
“Working for Desert Recreation District gives me an opportunity to meet people doing what they enjoy where they live and play, and I feel very fortunate to be a part of this community. We hope to enhance the lives of our guests through the programs and services we offer to all who want to join us in finding fun and community in the Coachella Valley.”
Troy Strange
Assistant General Manager
“Desert Recreation District is more than just a workplace—it’s a vibrant hub where we foster connections, promote wellness, and create joyful experiences in every neighborhood we serve. I’m proud to be part of a mission that helps our communities thrive by making recreation accessible, inclusive, and meaningful for everyone across the Coachella Valley.”
Staff Directory
Administration
Caroline Patton
District Clerk
(760) 541-4179
Alicia Salazar
Deputy District Clerk
(760) 541-4180
Community Services – please see below
Finance
Sonya Galvez
Account Manager
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 101
Margo Sanchez
Accountant I
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 103
TBD
Account Technician
(760) 347-3484
Foundation Liaison / Management Analyst
TBA
Management Analyst
(760) 347-3484
Golf Center at Palm Desert / First Tee - Coachella Valley
For The Golf Center at Palm Desert, please call (760) 779-1877 or visit golfcenterpd.com
For First Tee – Coachella Valley, please call (760) 779-1877 or visit FTCV.org
Human Resources
Nataniel Rodriguez
Human Resources Manager
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 108
Natalie Ramirez
Human Resources Analyst
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 109
Yolanda Rios
Human Resources Technician (Interim)
(760) 347-3484
Information Systems
Jonathan Walsh
Information Systems Manager
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 130
Vicente Limon
Information Systems Administrator
(760) 347-3484
Carlos Aceves
Information Systems Technician II
(760) 347-3484
Marketing
Todd Lacey
Marketing Supervisor
(760) 347-3484 Ext 124
Lisa Lavery
Senior Graphic Designer
(760) 347-3484 Ext 136
Jon Michals
Digital Media Specialist
(760) 347-3484 Ext 127
Madison
Garlington
Administrative Technician
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 118
Planning & Public Works
Ken Seumalo, P.E.
Public Works and Planning Director
(760) 347-3484
Maureen Gessel
Capital Projects Manager
(760) 347-3484
Robert Hoppe
Public Works Superintendent
(760) 972-6981
Tracy Carrasco
Contract Specialist
(760) 347-3484
Public Information / Legislative Affairs
Scott Sear
Public Information Officer/Legislative
Affairs
(760) 347-3484
Community Services
Beatrice Padilla
Community Services Supervisor
Coachella, Indio Hills, Mecca, North Shore, Oasis, and Thermal
Communities
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 283
Courtney Galvan
Community Services Supervisor
City of Indio, and the District Gymnastics Academy
(760) 347-4263 Ext. 151
Cynthia Morquecho
Community Services Supervisor
Cathedral City, Thousand Palms Communities
(760) 347-3484
Maureen Archuleta
Community Services Supervisor
Aquatics and After School Programs, Palm Desert and Portola
Community Centers; Rancho Mirage service area
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 132
Tatiana Hinkle
Community Services Supervisor
Bermuda Dunes, Indian Wells, La
Quinta Communities; Adaptive Programming, and
Outdoor Adventure Programming
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 134
Alejandra
Hernandez
Community Services Coordinator (Coachella)
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 125
Alexis Galarza
Community Services Coordinator (Mecca/North
Shore)
(760) 702-6722
Amy Garcia
After School Recreation Coordinator
1 - ASES/ ELOP Sites
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 131
Cathedral City – River Canyon Kids Club
La Quinta – Colonel Mitchell Paige ELOP
La Quinta – Franklin ASES
La Quinta – Truman ASES
La Quinta – Vista Dunes Kids Club
Palm Desert – Lincoln ASES
Palm Desert – Portola / WCS ELOP
Indio – Indio Middle School ASES
Indio – John Glenn Middle ELOP
Ana Velasquez
Community Services Coordinator I (Indio
Hills/Thousand Palms)
(760) 343-3595
Barbara (Barbie) Heidt
Community Services Coordinator II (Indio)
(760) 347-4263
Brenda Nutcher
Community Services Coordinator II (Palm
Desert/Rancho Mirage)
(760) 568-9697
Erika
Castellanos
Community Services Coordinator I
(Oasis/Thermal)
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 282
Imelda Gutierrez
Gymnastics Program Specialist
(760) 238-9459
Joe Peteque
Community Services Coordinator I (Bermuda
Dunes/Indian Wells/La Quinta)
(760) 568-9697
Kendra Smith
Adaptive Program Specialist
(760) 834-9597
Kyle Pleming
Aquatics
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 137
Maura Parkhurst
After School Recreation Coordinator 1 -
ASES Programs
(760) 347-3484 Ext. 133
Indio – Jackson ASES
Indio – Kennedy ASES
Indio – Madison ASES
Indio – Oliphant ASES
Indio – Van Buren ASES
Indio – Roosevelt ASES
Indio – Dr. Carreon ASES
Indio – Carrillo ASES
Indio – Hoover ASES
Nicholas Torres
Aquatics Coordinator
(760) 285-9708
Sarah Baltazar
Outdoor Adventure Specialist
(760) 347-3484