Board Director Greg Rodriguez resigns to apply for District & Foundation CEO job
June 11, 2026 - District Staff
Riverside County executive Greg Rodriguez is ending his service on the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation Board to pursue a different role with the agency. His resignation is effective today, June 11.
Rodriguez (pictured), who was elected to the Board as its zone one representative in November 2024, announced that he plans to apply for the CEO job.
“It has truly been a pleasure to serve alongside my fellow Board members and to have the incredible support of the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation staff,” Rodriguez said in an email addressed to Board members and staff. “I can’t thank you all enough for the camaraderie and the vision we have all shared on the amazing things that are going to happen as the District moves forward.”
The CEO job recently opened when the Board decided a different leadership style was needed, and then-CEO Chris Christensen was unanimously voted out on May 26.
After joining the District & Foundation Board, Rodriguez was elected by his fellow Board members to serve as vice president in 2024 and again in 2025.
"Greg has been a valued member of our Board, and we are grateful for his service and dedication to our community," Board President Kimberly Barraza said Wednesday. "We thank him for his contributions to the District and wish him continued success."
Rodriguez is currently employed as deputy director for government affairs and community engagement for Riverside County’s Housing and Workforce Solutions Department, a position he has held since 2022.
With two and a half years remaining in his term, Rodriguez‘s resignation creates a vacancy on the Healthcare District Board. The Board is required to notify Riverside County election officials about the vacancy and then determine a path to fill the vacant Board seat. Options may include an appointment or a special election, but that is yet to be determined.
About the Desert Healthcare District & Foundation
The Desert Healthcare District is a local government agency formed in 1948. Its mission is to improve health access and outcomes for all District residents through strategic funding and partnership-building to advance resilient communities. The District includes more than 400,000 residents and encompasses the entire Coachella Valley. The District and Desert Healthcare Foundation, together, are one of the largest funders in the valley. These funds are used to assist residents — especially the underserved — in accessing vitally needed resources, such as primary and behavioral healthcare.