City of Calipatria

Sylvia R. Chavez

Mayor

Sylvia was raised in Calipatria, attended Calipatria High School and Imperial Valley College where she graduated with double majors in Business Management and Marketing. Upon graduation she accepted a position with the County of San Diego Greater Avenue of Independence Program as a Payment Supervisor. This pioneering program was a success and was modeled and implemented throughout the State of California. 

After five years, she accepted a position in the private industry with State Farm Mutual Automobile Insurance Company. In this new position she was hired to assist with automobile claims for accident victims, which occurred in the Republic of Mexico. 

During this time, she also studied at University of Phoenix-San Diego Campus with her focus and major in Business Administration and a minor in Marketing. After 13 years a unique opportunity arose, and she was able to establish her own business as an International Claim Consultant. Having been an entrepreneur for more than 20 years she appreciates the challenges and implementation of marketing strategies in starting your business from the ground up.

Her objective is to assist in developing this rural community to its greatest potential by utilizing technology, reevaluating zoning to attract new investors, housing and commercial development, growth and employment opportunities and improvements to roads, parks and neighborhoods.

She is an advocate for special education, a member of several community organizations to include League of California Cities, School Site Council, Meals To Heal, Calipatria Chamber of Commerce and Calipatria Lions Club. 

Sylvia has three adult children and two grandchildren in the Calipatria Unified School District.

Michael Luellen

Mayor Pro-Tem

Michael Luellen was raised in Calipatria, having graduated from Calipatria High School in 2022 and is currently a student at Imperial Valley College where he is studying to earn five Associate Degrees for transfer to San Diego State University- Imperial Valley where he will pursue a Bachelor's Degree in Public Administration.  At a few years old Michael and his parents moved to Niland, where he began his journey as a Hornet at Grace Smith Elementary School. He would go on to move and continue his education in Calipatria, where he began involvement with community-based events like the Centennial Celebration, sparking an interest in public service eventually inspiring him to run for office shorlty after high school.  

Luellen currently represents Calipatria on the California League of Cities' Governance, Transparency, and Labor Relations Policy Committee, as well as on the Imperial County Local Agency Formation Commission's Healthcare Expansion Advisory Committee, and an Alternate Commissioner for the Imperial County Transportation Commission, which includes the Local Transportation Authority, Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies, and the Imperial County Resource Management Agencies.

Luellen is extremely optimistic about the future of Calipatria and looks forward to working alongside our community to establish a reinvigorated home for our children and grandchildren to follow!

Javier Amezcua

Council

Javier was raised in Calipatria and is an alumnus of Calipatria High School, Class of 1993. He attended California State University, Fullerton and received a Bachelor’s of Science Degree in Kinesiology. Upon graduation, Javier accepted a position with the Coachella Valley Unified School District, working as a Physical Education Teacher. After teaching for five years, he left the education field for law enforcement and worked, first with the Imperial County Sheriff’s Office in 2006 and then, the California Highway Patrol, where he has been since 2008. Javier was stationed in Santa Fe Springs immediately after academy graduation, but transferred to the CHP El Centro Area office in 2010. Javier is an active member of the City of Calipatria’s Little League, the Latin and American Club and Calipatria High School where he coaches the freshman volleyball team. Javier has been married to his high school sweetheart, also a CHS alum, since 1997. He is the proud father of a son, who graduated from Calipatria High School in 2018 and a daughter, who is CHS class of 2020.

Fred Beltran

Council

Maria Nava-Froelich

Council

Maria Elena Nava-Froelich graduated from Calipatria High School in 1980 and Imperial Valley College in 1986 as a Patient Administration Specialist. She is employed since 1982 with the Calipatria Unified School District, currently the Director-Coordinator of the Calipatria-Niland Family Resource Center.  She and her husband Christian have three adult children Ralph, Priscilla and Andres. Maria became a council member in 2011 and Mayor in 2023, 2019, 2016 and 2014. Her motivation and passion for the city include building a strong and healthy community, economic development, business growth and promotes community involvement.

2019-currently serving Southern California Association of Government Regional Council, 2019-current SCAG Transportation Policy Committee, 2019-current CalVans member, 2012-current member & Chairman 2022, 2017: Imperial County Transportation Commission, Local Transportation Authority, Imperial County Service Authority for Freeway Emergencies and the Imperial County Resource Management Agency. Since 2016-current member & Chairman 2023 & 2018 Local Agency Formation Commission.

2014-current member: Calipatria State Prison-Citizens Advisory Committee, 2011-current & Chairman 2017: Imperial County League of Cities and the Imperial Valley Continuum of Care Committee. Community involvement: Calipatria & Niland Chamber of Commerce, 100th Calipatria Centennial City & Fire Committee, Calipatria Lions Club, American Legion Corregidor Post 597 Women's Auxiliary, CUSD, President 2014-15 of the California School Employees Association Chapter #393, Lifetime Member of Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Imperial Valley Health & Safety First Committee & Comite Civico del Valle, Inc.

Awards: Molina Healthcare “Community Champion” Award 2020, Sure Helpline “Iron Woman” Award 2017, MANA de Imperial Valley “Las Primeras” 2015and 2015 Recognition Awards from Senator Juan Vargas & Assembly Member Eduardo Garcia.