He attended local schools, including Salesian Sisters, E.A. Jimmy attended Santa Clara University and earned his bachelor's degree in Political Science and received his Masters in Executive Leadership at the University of Southern California’s Sol Price School of Public Policy. While in college, he was a White House Intern in Washington D.C. After graduation, he worked on a gubernatorial and senat
e campaign. Eventually, he wanted to explore one of his dreams of working in Hollywood. Over the span of 7 years, he worked for a talent agency, Paramount Pictures, Nickelodeon Films, and Paramount Classics. While in Hollywood, he became a homeowner and really enjoyed the process. So, in 2005 he obtained his real estate license and practiced real estate for several years. After many years living in Los Angeles, Jimmy decided in 2010 to move back home to Watsonville. He opened a pumpkin patch, Jimmy’s Pumpkins. Jimmy was known for working with our local schools and teachers by donating a portion of his proceeds and pumpkins. As a teacher, union member and now lead teacher for the after-school program in the Pajaro Valley Unified School District, Jimmy has always been a huge advocate for his colleagues and students. In 2014, Jimmy was elected to the Watsonville City Council for a 4-year term. He was elected for a second term in 2020 and was Watsonville’s mayor in 2021. He has deep roots in his community and works tirelessly for the people he was elected to represent. In addition to being Watsonville’s Mayor and City Council Member, Jimmy is a part of the following organizations, boards and commissions:
- Santa Cruz Metro, Current Board Member and Past Chair
- Pajaro Valley Prevention and Student Assistance, Board President
- Community Action Board, Board Member
- The Diversity Center, Board Member
- Regional Transportation Commission, Former Commissioner
- Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary Advisory Council, Former Ag
Representative
- Pajaro Valley Shelter Service, Former Board President
- Pajaro Valley Chamber of Commerce
- Santa Cruz County Fairgrounds Foundation
- California League of Cities, Member
- California League of Cities, Transportation Committee Member
- California League of Cities LGBTQ Caucus, Board Member
Jimmy is focused on making his community a better place to live. His priorities are working to end homelessness, fixing the aging infrastructure, addressing the serious housing needs, promoting our local businesses, creating jobs for our community and bridging our differences. He believes by working together communities will flourish.