John Raymond serves as the Director of Community & Economic Development for the City of Palm Springs. He has a Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Management from Carnegie Mellon University. Originally from Holyoke, Massachusetts, John lives with his wife Laura and two sons in Palm Springs. Kate Buckley recently sat …

Mark Jones is Chief Creative Officer of Palm Springs-based Brighthaus Marketing. Mark and his business partner, Brian Vatcher, specialize in helping businesses both large and small with critical assessment, strategy development and execution. They specialize in Integrated Community Marketing—a practice of helping the right customers find and fall in love …

Kim Laidlaw is the Executive Director of Guide Dogs of the Desert. For the blind, a guide dog means increased freedom, companionship and safety.  Since 1972, Guide Dogs of the Desert has worked to connect people in need with the tools they require for success.  Clients who are legally blind, come …

For this PalmSprings.com Spotlight, Kate Buckley has invited Lizz Riggs, fellow Palm Springs travel writer, editor and blogger, to share her thoughts on how to best create a memorable Memorial Day Weekend in Palm Springs! Many think of Memorial Day as the beginning of summer, and celebrate this three day …

  Donna King is the Director at Hanson House, a “home away from home” for the families and loved ones of critically ill or injured patients in Palm Springs area hospitals. She also works in the Trauma Emergency Center of Desert Regional Medical Center as a Patient Family Liaison.  Donna retired …

Owner of Zin American Bistro and Zini Cafe Mediterrano, Mindy Reed has made her mark in Palm Springs as a successful entrepreneur and active community member. In May of 2005, Mindy opened Zin American Bistro with Chef Nicolas Klontz. With Chef Klontz’s creative talent in the kitchen and Mindy in the …

Alberto Franz, III, was appointed to the position of Police Chief of the Palm Springs Police Department in June 2011. He has over 27 years of law enforcement experience, the last 26 years with the Palm Springs Police Department. He obtained his Associates Degree in Administration of Justice from College …

Larry Abel started producing events when, as a teenager, he organized his high school prom. After receiving his business degree from the University of Oklahoma, he began his career in marketing, sales and finance, where he rose to be Senior Vice President of Brand Marketing for the Ethel M. Chocolates …

Eric Morcus has spent nearly twenty years in corporate sales and marketing and in recent years “came home” to the family business to help run the Kaiser group of fine dining restaurants. He’s received the Palm Springs Desert Resorts Convention and Visitors Authority “Partners in Progress” and “Restaurateur of the …

Kim Waltrip is ViceChair of Kim and Jim Productions. After a successful modeling career in New York and Europe, Kim moved to Palm Springs after the death of her friend Sonny Bono in 1998, to help his widow run for Congress. After Mary Bono’s win, Kim worked as the District …