Coachella Valley’s Retired Leaders Do Not Stray Far for Next Opportunity

PALM SPRINGS — A trend seems to be emerging among retired leaders in the Coachella Valley. No, it’s not pickleball.

From a college superintendent/president to a city manager to a school superintendent, all have run — or are currently running — to serve on local government boards.

Local government is the benefactor of their years of public service, knowledge and expertise.

The trendsetter, if you will, is Joel Kinnamon, former superintendent/president of College of the Desert. He has served in higher education for more than 30 years and retired as Superintendent/President of College of the Desert on March 31, 2021. He was elected to the COD Board of Trustees to represent Area 4 in November 2022 for a four-year term.

By any measure, he has been an asset to the board.

“Initially, I was not interested but shared the mutual concerns that were being expressed to me,” Kinnamon said at the time. “It is very unusual for a college to transition so negatively in such a short period of time.  When I was there the college earned a stellar and nationally recognized reputation.”

He is up for re-election this year. He has not yet publicly announced his intentions, but the tea leaves indicate he will seek a second term.

Ready served 21 years as city manager of Palm Springs, where he played a pivotal role in shaping the city’s growth and enhancing public services. He retired in 2020.

In November 2024, Ready ran for and was elected to a
four-year term serving District 5. Ready brings more than 37 years of local government leadership to the City Council.

“It’s exciting to perhaps have another opportunity to serve Palm Springs,” Ready told Uken Report at the time. “And as you know, the elected/legislative side has always interested me as well.”

Signoret is the newest retiree to join the Valley trend. He retired in June 2025 after more than 35 years in public education. He served as PSUSD’s first Latino superintendent and previously worked as a teacher, principal, and assistant superintendent within the district.

Less than one year after retiring, on May 20, Signoret announced his candidacy for the Palm Springs Unified School District Board of Education representing Trustee Area 4

“I questioned my sanity as well,” Signoret wrote in a message to Uken Report. It was punctuated with a smiley-face emoji. “I had several people in the community approach me and asked me to consider running. After reflecting on it with my wife and family, I believe I can still make a positive impact on our school community — in a different capacity.”

Retirement certainly doesn’t mean wasting away the days in a rocking chair anymore — at least in the Coachella Valley.