Nancy Stuart has been elected as the 2026 Chairperson of the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, which oversees the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. Stuart, who has lived in the desert since 1975, was first appointed to the Authority by the Palm Springs City Council in 2000 and was reappointed in 2023.
Stuart brings more than three decades of experience managing financial institutions in Palm Springs, including Santa Fe Federal Savings, Downey Savings, and U.S. Bank. Her community involvement includes serving on the board of the Downtown Business Improvement District—an early version of Main Street—and participating on the initial board for the Ruth Hardy (Movie Colony East) Neighborhood Organization. She has also worked as a chamber of commerce liaison committee member with city council and participated in committees for the Palm Springs Woman’s Club.
“The Tramway is one of the Coachella Valley’s most iconic attractions,” said Stuart. “For nearly 63 years, it has provided visitors from around the globe with a truly memorable experience. Maintaining safe and efficient operations while being good stewards to the pristine environment within which we operate is our continuing goal. I am very honored to serve as 2026 Chair and help contribute to the Tramway’s ongoing legacy.”
Other officers elected for 2026 include Vice Chair Jonathan Hoy, Secretary Jerry Ogburn, and Treasurer Giovanni Virgen.
In addition to Stuart, current members of the Authority are Jerry Ogburn (appointed by Palm Springs City Council), Jonathan Hoy and Giovanni Virgen (appointed by Riverside County Board of Supervisors), along with Brian Conley, Sandra Magana-Cuellar, and Jeff Ohlfs (appointed by California’s Governor).
The Palm Springs Aerial Tramway began operating in 1963 and features rotating tram cars that travel between Valley Station at an elevation of 2,643 feet to Mountain Station at 8,516 feet in about ten minutes.
The Greater Coachella Valley Chamber supports economic growth across cities such as Cathedral City, Coachella, Indio, La Quinta, Palm Desert, Palm Springs, and Rancho Mirage through advocacy for pro-business policies at local and regional levels (official website). The chamber promotes tourism by hosting events that connect community members (official website) and fosters partnerships among businesses, government entities, and stakeholders (official website).
For more information about tramway operations or visitor details visit www.pstramway.com or call 888-515-TRAM or 760-325-1391.
