IID and Salton Sea Autority

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Patrick O’Dowd is the Executive Director and General Manager of the Salton Sea Authority, where he oversees that agency’s vital efforts to protect human health and revitalize the environment and economy of the Sea and region. Originally from New Orleans, Louisiana, O’Dowd earned a bachelor’s degree in Construction from Louisiana State University and has diverse executive-level experience in business and finance, real estate, development, and media.

Director Alex Cardenas represents IID Division 1, which includes much of El Centro, south and west of Brawley, Westmorland and the southwestern edge of the Salton Sea. He was first elected to the board in the June 2018 primary and served as the board’s vice president in 2020. He was reelected to the board in 2022. Director Cardenas is past president and a current member of the Salton Sea Authority, a regional advocacy group for Imperial and Riverside Counties that works to protect human health and revitalize the environment and economy of the Sea.

He also serves as a voting delegate for the American Public Power Association’s Policy Makers Council, a group of 40 elected officials from across the nation who advocate for legislative and regulatory priorities in support of public power. He also serves as a member of the Coachella Valley Association of Governments and has been appointed to the Coachella Valley Conservation Commission. Prior to his IID service, Director Cardenas was elected to the El Centro City Council in 2013, serving as mayor in 2017.

An El Centro native, Director Cardenas is employed as the executive director for the Court Appointed Special Advocates of Imperial County (CASA) since 2008, where he works with trained, community volunteers, advocating for the health and wellness of foster children in Imperial County. In addition, Director Cardenas serves as an adjunct professor for the University of Phoenix and Columbia College, earning a bachelor’s degree in public administration and master’s degree in organizational management. He is also lead faculty area chair for the University of Phoenix School of Business. His current term as IID director expires December 2026.

His community service includes:

• Imperial Valley Wellness Foundation.
• Centinela State Prison Citizen’s Advisory Committee.
• Imperial County Early Education Council.
• Vo Neighborhood Medical Clinic.
• Past president of the El Centro Kiwanis Club.   

Jaysel Mendoza is the Business Development Manager at Gafcon, Inc., where she leads strategic initiatives across Imperial and San Diego Counties. A proud Imperial Valley native, Jaysel brings over 10 years of experience in business development, community advocacy, and public service. Her previous roles include District Representative for State Senator Stephen C. Padilla and Center Director of the Imperial Valley Small Business Development Center. She is actively involved in regional leadership, serving on several boards and chambers, and is dedicated to advancing projects that improve quality of life and economic opportunity in the Imperial Valley.