Luis Olmedo
@ Comite Civico del Valle, Inc
As Executive Director of Comite Civico del Valle, Inc., Luis Olmedo carries on a tradition of service to the community started by his father, Luis Velez, who founded the organization and still serves as a liaison to its board. The organization has maintained its grassroots integrity and core mission to improve the lives of disadvantaged communities, yet its scope and influence continue to expand in environmental justice circles, not by talk but by action. CCV’s focus on public health and environmental and social justice issues has established the organization as a leading light among its peers. Olmedo himself is a seasoned community advocate, collaborator, and organizer who is regularly called upon to advise on local, regional, and state environmental health programs affecting Imperial County. He is also a member of various state and national networks that focus on environmental policy, civic participation, and environmental justice, mostly recently serving on Gov. Newsom’s Blue Ribbon Lithium Valley Commission. Comite Civico del Valle has partnered with academic and research institutions to expand research in the Salton Sea region. CCV currently has partnerships with several nonprofit institutions, health agencies, and governmental entities working on various projects focusing on asthma, air-quality monitoring, Salton Sea education, and advocacy.