CA Natural Resources Agency Salton Sea Management Plan
Joe Shea
Salton Sea Director Joe Shea joined the California Natural Resources Agency as Assistant Secretary for Salton Sea Policy in December 2024. In this role, he leads the State’s Salton Sea Management Program to address air quality and ecological threats at the Salton Sea. Joe previously served in several roles in the Office of Governor Gavin Newsom since 2019, most recently as Deputy Cabinet Secretary, where he developed and advanced key priorities of the Governor’s policy agenda to drive climate action, protect the environment, and promote new approaches to economic and workforce development.
Mario Llanos
Mario Llanos joined the Natural Resources Agency's Salton Sea Management Program team as a Deputy Assistant Secretary on September 27, 2021. Mario provides leadership and interfaces with partners and local leaders to advance projects at the Salton Sea that improve ecosystem health and protect air quality. Originally from Imperial County, Mario is excited to return home to make a positive impact in the community he grew up in. Before his current position, Mario served as a Horticulturist and District Manager for the Department of Parks and Recreation at the City of San Diego. As District Manager, he administered maintenance operations and budget, oversaw a Park Ranger Program, and led project management and coordination in historically and culturally significant parks, like Balboa Park and Presidio Park in San Diego. Mario has worked on significant projects in these parks collaborating with the City’s Capital Improvements team, community leaders, philanthropic stakeholder groups, and various museums and Institutions. Mario earned an A.S. in Ornamental Horticulture from Cuyamaca College in San Diego and a B.S. in Environmental Horticultural Science from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo.
Miguel Hernandez
Miguel Hernández is a Public Affairs Officer at the California Natural Resources Agency and has been part of the Salton Sea Management Program (SSMP) since 2021. Miguel is part of the SSMP leadership team and is prioritizing community involvement in SSMP processes and projects so local input is incorporated throughout the Program. Miguel works diligently on community engagement, overseeing public information, and community outreach. Miguel interfaces and collaborates with multiple partners and supports lead the work with the Community Engagement Committee to help ensure that meaningful public engagement is implemented effectively.
Previously, Miguel was part of a community-based organization that works on environmental justice in the Salton Sea region. Advocating for environmental justice, equity, and inclusion. Miguel was also a co-chair to the Environmental Justice Task Force for Imperial and Coachella Valleys. Miguel is a local to the Imperial County and is humbled to be part of a team that brings their leadership, expertise, and hearts to deliver on the commitments made for Salton Sea.
