In a ceremonial meeting held on the evening of December 11, 2024, the City of Santa Paula celebrated the appointment of Pedro Chavez as the City’s 123rd Mayor and Carlos Juarez as Vice Mayor. The meeting also marked the swearing-in of newly elected Councilmember Gabriela Ornelas, the election of Councilmember and former Mayor, Leslie Cornejo, and a heartfelt recognition of outgoing Councilmember and former Mayor Andy Sobel for his six years of dedicated service.
Well-known for his service to the city and his ties to the community, Mayor Chavez, who was appointed Vice Mayor in 2023, expressed his gratitude and vision for the future: “Thank you to the People of Santa Paula for allowing me to serve as a Member of the Santa Paula City Council these past two years and my sincerest gratitude to my Council colleagues for electing me as the 123rd Mayor of this extraordinary City. My leadership, skills, and talents are built upon the foundation of thirty years of experience working in both the public and private sector and my journey as an immigrant in search of the American dream, so I’m deeply honored – as a public servant – to work collectively to revitalize Santa Paula and build its future through shared governance and community engagement.”
Mayor Chavez brings extensive leadership experience, including over 13 years in the mortgage and real estate industry as a Sales Manager and Licensed Mortgage Loan Originator at a national company. Prior to his real estate career, he worked in nonprofit management, focusing on civil rights, social justice, and health services in Los Angeles, Washington D.C., and Ventura County. Chavez’s leadership is complemented by Vice Mayor Carlos Juarez, known for his steadfast advocacy for public safety, local businesses, and community engagement.
The meeting was also a celebration of transitions. Outgoing Mayor Leslie Cornejo was presented with a commemorative plaque honoring her exceptional leadership during her term. Cornejo, who was elected to represent District 5, expressed her gratitude: “It has been a privilege to serve as Mayor and to represent the incredible residents of Santa Paula. I look forward to continuing my work on the Council to ensure our city thrives.”
Additionally, Gabriela Ornelas, transitioning from her impactful service on the Santa Paula Unified School District Board of Education, was sworn in as the new Councilmember for District 1, marking the beginning of her first term on the City Council.
The Council also paid tribute to Andy Sobel, who concluded six years of service as a Councilmember, including his tenure as Vice Mayor and Mayor. Sobel’s contributions to Santa Paula were recognized with heartfelt thanks from his colleagues and the community.
The City Council’s newly formed leadership team brings a wealth of experience and a shared commitment to the community. With Mayor Chavez and Vice Mayor Juarez at the helm, alongside Councilmembers Leslie Cornejo, Jenny Crosswhite and Gabriela Ornelas, Santa Paula is poised to continue its legacy of progress and innovation.
For more information about the Santa Paula City Council and its initiatives, please visit the City’s website at http://www.spcity.org.