Ronald Oden

The first African American and openly gay man to be mayor of Palm Springs, he was elected in 2003, he served until 2007. With a long history of community and political involvement, Oden had previously served as a city council member in Palm Springs for nine years. His private sector experience has focused on education, social and humanitarian issues. Since leaving office in 2007, Oden has been a municipal business consultant, helping cities to retain, expand and develop their business community and is in the process of becoming a certified mediator. He has taught at College of the Desert as an adjunct sociology instructor, as well as at Desert Career College and Chapman University. Oden is also an ordained Seventh-Day Adventist minister and has served as pastoral care consultant at the Betty Ford Center. Oden received a bachelor’s degree in history, sociology and theology from Oakwood University in Huntsville, Ala.; a master’s degree in theology from Andrews University in Berrien Springs, Mich.; and a second master’s in ethnic studies from State University of New York, Albany.