John J. Benoit
Supervisor John J. Benoit was appointed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Nov. 4, 2009 to the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, replacing the late Roy Wilson in representing the County’s 4th District, which stretches from Palm Springs to Blythe. Supervisor Benoit was subsequently elected to a full, four-year term on June 8, 2010.
“As an experienced elected official and former public safety officer, John J. Benoit has a proven history of dedicated public service and is absolutely the best person to fill this important position,” Governor Schwarzenegger said. “I have no doubt that John will continue to promote the interests of the people in Riverside County to the best of his ability in this new role.”
John enjoyed a distinguished career in public service prior to being appointed to this important position. A past member of the Desert Sands School Board, John served in the State Legislature, representing the 64th District in the California State Assembly from 2002-08 and the 37th District in the California State Senate in 2008-09.
John's ability to reach effectively across the aisle allowed him to have 40 pieces of legislation signed into law during his legislative tenure. He was awarded Legislator of the Year honors by the California School Boards Association, the School Transportation Coalition, the California Rifle and Pistol Association, the California Narcotics Officers' Association, and the Chief Probation Officers of California.
A veteran of 31 years in law enforcement, John started his career as a cadet with the Corona Police Department in 1971. He joined the California Highway Patrol in 1973, working in L.A., Sacramento and Bakersfield before being assigned as the Indio Area Commander in 1988. He also attended the FBI National Academy and served as a Volunteer Fire Captain with the Sunset-Whitney Fire Department.
A member and Past President of both the United Way of the Desert and Indio Rotary, John's hobbies include recreational reading and taking to the skies as a commercial, instrument rated pilot.
John earned a bachelor's of science degree in public safety at Cal State Los Angeles, and a master's degree in public administration at Cal State San Bernardino. Having participated in language immersion programs in Mexico and Costa Rica, his bilingual skills are invaluable to his work in the County of Riverside’s Fourth District.
John and his wife, Sheryl, married in 1978. They are committed parishioners of Saint Francis of Assisi Catholic Church. They have a daughter, Sarah, and son, Benjamin, and a beautiful granddaughter, Abrielle Benoit.
Download – High-Resolution Portrait Photo of Supervisor Benoit