CHRIS PIMENTEL

Great cities, great companies, and great organizations all have ideas that people believe in and can easily describe.  El Segundo isn’t great because of an invisible force or a mysterious management cycle; it’s great because of the people, the culture they create, and the effort they put forth.  The schools, the businesses, the local government…they all work and run on the energy and involvement of all of us.  

When my family settled in El Segundo, we knew from our first day at Eagles’ Nest Preschool that this was a town with the values we shared and the character we wanted our children to emulate.  We also knew that participating, volunteering, and serving were our responsibility. And it’s been an absolute joy and pleasure to have the opportunity to get involved.  

I am originally from Wichita, Kansas, a city that shares many of the same values, characteristics, and aspirations as El Segundo (as well as a rich history with aerospace with Boeing, Cessna, and Beechcraft, among others).  I attended the University of Virginia and, upon graduation, served as an infantry officer in the Marine Corps.  After serving as a commander  in Iraq, I began my career helping businesses and individuals safeguard and protect their interests and loved ones around the world.  The private sector brought me to Los Angeles and our now hometown of El Segundo.

For me, a formative moment occurred watching the news with my father. I saw the aftermath of the US Army’s battles in Somalia with atrocities being committed in the streets of Mogadishu.  The scenes were barbaric, with injured women, children, and American troops.  I looked at my father and exclaimed with angry, exasperated, indignation and demanded that, “Somebody needs to do something.”

My father coolly responded,

From that moment, I knew that involvement is a personal responsibility. I turned to the Marine Corps.  I was able to attend the University of Virginia on an NROTC scholarship and served 8 years as an infantry officer in Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Middle East.  I was awarded a Bronze Star with ‘V’ for actions in the Anbar Province during Operation Iraqi Freedom and left the service in 2005 after an early promotion to Major. 

I began my career in the private sector, where one of my first positions was managing a contract with the Department of Homeland Security, where I had to lead and manage both non-union private employees and public sector unionized workers.  I gained invaluable knowledge of bargaining agreements and service contract negotiations.  This public-private partnership grew from a start up to the largest program in the country within six months, and its success ultimately gave me the opportunity to move from New York, to San Diego, to Houston, and ultimately to El Segundo.

For my family, El Segundo was an obvious choice, with incredible schools, the close-knit community.  It was an immediate fit, and we wanted to be involved as quickly as possible. I joined the Board of Eagles Nest Preschool and served as Vice President for 5 years. I have coached AYSO soccer, Little League Baseball and Softball, and serve as Commissioner of AA Baseball on the Little League Board.  I have volunteered for the Run for Education, the Richmond Street School Fall Festival and School Site Council.  And as Mayor, service as the Chairman of the County Sanitation Districts 5 and Beach City, the Chair of the South Bay Council of Government’s Transportation Committee, as we all on the board of the County Personnel Committee, Contract Cities, Independent Cities, Coalition of Government’s, and the League of Cities Revenue and Taxation committee.

I also joined the Los Angeles Board of Camp Kesem, a nonprofit serving children impacted by a parent’s cancer, and with the support of many friends in this generous community, have raised more than $3.5 million to send kids to free weeks of summer camp. I am a board member of “Vets in Tech”, an organization that combats unemployment and under employment for veterans, and am active with the Military Officers Association and the Moose Lodge.

Today, I serve work with software companies with an eye to how technology can responsibly make the world a better place.  

I proudly serve on El Segundo City Council as the Mayor and have worked hard to serve this city over the last 8 years.

I look forward to meeting those of you I have not met and hope to earn your vote on November 3rd, 2026. 

*BizFed PAC is the only business political action committee that is laser-focused on local elections in all 88 cities in LA County, supporting business friendly candidates and job creators. 

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