Coachella Valley Public Cemetery District (CVPCD) has achieved a significant milestone by being honored with two prestigious awards at the annual California Special Districts Association (CSDA) conference, which was held in Indian Wells from September 9 to 12. This recognition underscores the district’s outstanding leadership and successful public outreach campaign.
The General Manager of the Year award, presented to CVPCD’s General Manager Joshua Bonner, recognized his commitment and contributions to the District and the Coachella Valley communities. Over the past year, he demonstrated outstanding leadership and significant contributions in community commitment, legislative advocacy, financial management, and public relations.
This is Bonner’s second professional award in the past five years. The Western Association of Chamber Executives also named him Executive of the Year for his work leading the Greater Coachella Valley Chamber of Commerce.
“The Board of Trustees wishes to congratulate our general manager on this outstanding recognition and thank our employees, partners, and most importantly, our community for making this success possible,” said Board Chair Ernesto Rosales. “Joshua’s commitment to excellent customer service, transparency, sound financial management, and bold innovation embodies our District’s commitment to the constituents we serve. Thank you to CSDA for this recognition and to all the 3,200 special districts across California that help our communities thrive.”
Since joining CVPCD in 2021, Bonner’s exceptional leadership has been a driving force behind the organization’s numerous achievements. His dedication to improving community services and fostering innovation has significantly contributed to CVPCD’s success and reputation, leading to the 2022 Special District Risk Management Authority’s Earl F. Sayre Excellence in Safety Award, the 2022 Special District Leadership Foundation’s (SDLF) Transparency Certificate of Excellence, and the 2023 SDLF District of Distinction Accreditation, among others.
“I’m humbled to receive this recognition and thrilled for our District. These awards have names on them, but really, they are team awards,” said Bonner. “Our Board of Trustees has been tremendous, supplying the tools and strategic direction we need to accomplish our work. Our management team and employees have been exceptional in executing that mission.”
CVPCD also received the Exceptional Public Outreach & Advocacy Award for its outstanding efforts in increasing visibility and improving communication with stakeholders. The District’s “What to Expect” video series has been praised for its effectiveness in preparing families for the interment process and providing valuable information on the day of their service. This initiative exemplifies the District’s dedication to clear, compassionate, and informative communication.
“All our partners have been outstanding, including our legal team at BB&K, our PR team at CV Strategies, and everyone that supports us in accomplishing our goals,” remarked Bonner. “And most importantly, our community; I can’t thank them enough for trusting us to care for something so important to so many. This is their award; I am blessed to be a part of it.”
For more information, visit CVPCD.org.
