Sedalia L. Sanders

Sedalia began her political career in1982 as a member of the Board of Trustees of El Centro Community Hospital, now known as El Centro Regional Medical Center. This position catapulted her into a distinguished career beginning in August of 1984 when the Mayor and Council Members of the city of El Centro appointed her to fill the vacancy of a retiring Council Member. She ran to retain the seat in March of 1985, and in a field of eight, she was elected by an overwhelming margin. She went
on to serve the city from 1984 to 1999 as Council Member, and three (one-year) terms as Mayor.

She emerged as a state and national leader in 1995 when she was elected
President of the League of California Cities, and in 1996 she was elected for a two-year term to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. Sedalia made history by being the first elected official from El Centro to hold the position of State League President, and the first elected official from Imperial County to be elected to the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities. In her capacity as President of the California League of Cities, and as a member of the Board of Directors of the National League of Cities, she championed issues important to cities, and earned a reputation as a strong advocate for cities.

In 1992, Governor Pete Wilson appointed her to his Task Force on Rural Competitiveness. She Chaired the K-12 Education Sub-Committee. Governor Wilson called on her again in 1994 - this time to serve as Vice Chair of his Rural Development Council. She was responsible for advancing policy recommendations for Rural Californians on: Economic Development, Job Creation and Retention, Education - Class Size Reduction, Health Care, Affordable Housing, Public Safety and Transportation.

In 2001, Governor Gray Davis appointed her to the 45th District Agricultural Association Board of Directors.

In 2001, Sedalia was elected to the El Centro Elementary School Board, and served a two-year term.

Sedalia is a native of El Centro, California, and attended public schools here. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration, and her Masters of Business Administration from the University of Phoenix. She and her husband Albert are the proud parents of two sons and the proud grandparents of five grandsons.

Most Prominent Accomplishments:

Education

• Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - University Of Phoenix
• Bachelor Of Science In Business Administration (BSBA) - University Of Phoenix
• College Of Medical Technology, Minneapolis, Minnesota
• Imperial Valley Junior College (IVC)

Leadership

• President, Board Of Trustees El Centro Elementary - School District, 2002-2003
• Vice-Chair, Advisory Committee Salvation Army
• Member, Advisory Committee Centinela State Prison
• Director, 45th District Agricultural Association
• Mayor/Council Member, City Of El Centro – 1984-1999
• President, League Of California Cities – 1995-1996
• Chair, K-12 Education Sub-Committee – 1992-1994
• Chair, K-12 Education Sub-Committee – 1992-1994
• Vice-Chair, Rural Development Council – 1994-1996
• President, El Centro Kiwanis Club - 1993-1994
• Director, National League Of Cities- 1996-1998

Honors

• Outstanding Faithful Service, Sweethome Baptist Church
• Employee Of The Year, County Of Imperial
• Woman Of The Year, Womanhaven
• Fascinating Woman, Imperial Valley Press
• VIP, Babe Ruth Baseball Imperial and San Diego Counties
• Kiwanian Of The Year, El Centro Kiwanis Club