JanCan

Jan C. Harnik
August 11, 2010

I have always believed in public service and my involvement in the community is, and has been, extensive. I currently serve on the Desert Sands Unified School District Finance Committee, the advisory board of the COD Foundation Auxiliary, the advisory board of The Valley Partnership - Odyssey Program, and the Program Committee of the Joslyn Center. I am a board member of the Girlfriend Factor, (an organization dedicated to helping disadvantaged women re-enter the work force or the education system). For many years I have delivered Meals on Wheels to disabled residents and senior citizens, and am a proud member of Palm Desert Noon Rotary Club and the Palm Desert Chamber of Commerce.

I am the President of the Palm Desert High School Foundation, a non-profit corporation supporting academic excellence at PDHS. I have been dedicated to this organization since 2002, helping to spearhead multi-year efforts to raise funds and to distribute those resources to support and improve the academic performance of every student. The Foundation has worked diligently with the staff at PDHS and assisted in earning the title of “California Distinguished School”. It is the highest ranked public school in the Coachella Valley and is recognized among the top 1000 high schools in the United States.

My business background is strong. I owned a golf equipment rental business in Palm Desert   and currently manage a professional office building my husband and I built. I worked six years at Indian Ridge Country Club as Director of Membership. I am very proud of my accomplishments there, working with all departments developing budgets, business plans and creative marketing programs and working to transition the club from the private ownership of the Sunrise Company to a member-owned, equity club. IRCC is one of the finest clubs in the Valley and I had the privilege of working with some of the finest people in our community.

I moved to the Coachella Valley in 1977 and have lived in Palm Desert for the past twelve years. My husband Brian and I have raised four daughters, all of whom attended Palm Desert High School. Our youngest is entering her senior year at PDHS. Our oldest daughter graduated UC Santa Barbara and is now living in San Francisco. Our middle two children attend Cal State Fullerton and UC Riverside. We have worked hard with our daughters to instill a sense of community, respect for our environment, and to conserve our natural resources. We are proud of our family.

   I am 54 years old and maintain a vigorous lifestyle. My hobbies include 5:30 a.m. boot camp, hiking in our desert hillsides, nutrition and gardening. My family values center on hard work, open communication and accountability. Integrity and honesty are the mainstays of my family. Serving the City of Palm Desert as a councilmember would be a tremendous honor, as well as an opportunity to give back to my Community.