Elaine Holmes is the Mayor of the City of Indio, the largest city in the Coachella Valley, and was first elected in 2010 with the highest number of votes in an at-large election.  She was re-elected in 2014, 2018 and 2022 and represents District 3 which is comprised of the Northeast and Southeast section of the city. Mayor Holmes served as Indio’s Mayor in 2013, 2017 and 2021.

As a small business owner and entrepreneur, Elaine is a tireless advocate and champion of local business, with a vision to facilitate the growth and development of our successful small business community.

In the 15 years she has been a Councilmember, Elaine’s emphasis is on education, job creation and the expansion of the city’s industrial and large business sectors. Elaine was instrumental in bringing the College of the Desert Campus to Indio.

Significant areas of focus are public safety, homelessness and support of our Quality of Life team, the City’s financial strength and sustainability of our resources.  You can often find Elaine supporting the Indio Senior Center by participating in blanket giveaways and Meals on Wheels lunches. 

Elaine’s current Council committees and outside affiliations are:

• CVAG Transportation Committee
• East Valley Reclamation Authority
• Indio Water Authority
• CVAG Conservation Commission
• Coachella Valley Mountains Conservancy
• JFK Memorial Hospital Governing Board
• Woman’s Club of Indio

Prior Committee Assignments:

• CVAG Homelessness Committee
• Desert Sands Unified Schools district 2x2
• CVUSD 2x2
• College of the Desert 2x2
• Desert Recreation 2x2
• Greater Palm Springs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau
• Jacquie Cochran Regional Airport Authority
• Eastern Riverside County Interoperable Communications Authority
• Riverside County Community Action Partnership committee
• Coachella Valley Animal Campus
• Coachella Valley Economic Partnership

Other Community Involvement:

• Indio Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, Vice Chairperson
• Leadership Coachella Valley Graduate
• Instrumental in development of the Indio Performing Arts Center
• Established Downtown Business Association in 2008
• Association of California Water Agencies Local Government Committee
• Desert Valley Builder’s Association Member
• Small Business Development Center (SBDC) Consultant

For nearly twenty years, Elaine and her husband Doug Holmes have been the owners of two local small businesses in Indio, PJ’s Desert Trophies and McDowell Awards.

Elaine grew up in Glendale, California and attended St. Robert Bellarmine elementary and middle school and graduated from Glendale High School.  Pursuing her passion for Music and Language arts, she attended Pasadena City College and was a member of the Rose Parade Honor Band. Elaine graduated from Cal State Long Beach as an English Major with a minor in Music Therapy.

Prior to moving to the desert,  Elaine spent over 20 years working for Fortune 500 companies, most recently as the International Sales Director for Sprint Corp, with the responsibility of US and Offshore Product Management and Client based Market Development teams for National Accounts.  As Interim Regional Director, she was responsible for all international client accounts in the Southwestern region.  Elaine was appointed to the Regional VP advisory Committee which was chartered with developing National and Enterprise markets, new product rollout and the market strategy for all National markets west of the Rockies.

Prior to Sprint International, Elaine’s career with international Engineering and Construction company Fluor Daniel, included roles in Business Development, Professional Development and Training, Client Relationship management, proposal strategy and contract review.  Her most significant accomplishments included the establishment of the Telecom Business Unit for the Southeast Asia Region, based in Manila, Philippines.  Before moving into Business Development, Elaine was the Development and Training manager, facilitating Leadership training, Executive presentation skills, Negotiation Skills, and Project Management administration.

Council District 3 Map