Rich Desmond is a 5th generation Sacramento County resident. The youngest of nine kids, Rich was born and raised and currently lives in Carmichael with his wife, Lisa.
Career: In 1995, Rich joined the California Highway Patrol, spending his first years as a patrol officer in Los Angeles and Sacramento counties before promoting up the ranks. From 2011 to 2014, Rich was the commander of CHP field operations in eastern Sacramento County.
Rich oversaw the CHP’s legislative affairs program from 2014 through 2018. While in this position, he participated in developing and managing the CHP’s budget. He also worked on legislation affecting several areas of public policy, including traffic and public safety, transparency, and law enforcement use of force. Near the end of 2018, he was promoted to CHP Chief and temporarily assigned to the State Assembly as the Chief Sergeant-at-Arms. Rich officially retired from the CHP in 2019 after a 24-year career in public service.
In 2020, Rich was elected to the 3rd District on the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors. As a former CHP officer, attorney, volunteer, and parent, Rich serves on the Board of Supervisors to give back, help, and serve the community. As a Supervisor, Rich has focused on solving homelessness, economic development, investing in infrastructure, and increasing the services available to District 3 county residents.
Rich became Chair of the Sacramento County Board of Supervisors in January 2023. He also serves as the Chair of the Sacramento Transportation Authority, Vice-Chair of the Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission, and Vice-Chair of the California State Association of Counties Administration of Justice Committee. Additionally, Rich serves on the Sacramento Homeless Policy Council, National Association of Counties Housing Task Force, Sacramento Area Council of Governments, and over a dozen other boards, commissions, and organizations.
Education: Rich graduated from Jesuit High School in 1988 and Santa Clara University in 1992 with a Bachelor of Arts in English. While working for the CHP, he went to McGeorge School of Law and graduated with a Juris Doctor (JD) before passing the California Bar Exam in 2000.
Community Involvement: Rich became directly involved in Sacramento County issues in 2005 when he participated in developing the Carmichael Community Action Plan. He also served multiple terms as a Commissioner on the Sacramento County Adult and Aging Commission and Carmichael Planning Advisory Council. He is a member of the Carmichael Kiwanis Club and supports several other local organizations like the Effie Yeaw Nature Center and Impact Sac.
Family Life: Rich and his wife, Lisa, have five children ranging in age from 15 to 24. They are active community members, frequently spending time on the American River Parkway and in local parks. They volunteer at the annual American River Parkway cleanup and local Special Olympics events and enjoy participating in the annual Run to Feed the Hungry. He spent several years coaching his kids in the Arden Park Soccer Club and Eastern Little League.
Boards and Commissions: Supervisors represent Sacramento County on dozens of association boards and commissions that impact every aspect of our daily lives. Rich is proud to represent District 3 and Sacramento County as a Director/Member of the following boards, commissions, committees, and organizations:
Sacramento County Board of Supervisors (Chair)
Sacramento Transportation Authority (Chair)
Sacramento Local Agency Formation Commission (Vice-Chair)
Sacramento Employment and Training Agency
Sacramento Homeless Policy Council
Sacramento Criminal Justice Cabinet
Sacramento Regional Sanitation District
Sacramento Area Sewer District
Sacramento Library Board
Sacramento County/City Homelessness Response “2x4”
Sacramento Air Quality Management District
Sacramento Area Flood Control Agency
Lower American River Conservancy Advisory Board
Sacramento Area Council of Governments (SACOG)
SACOG Policy and Innovation Committee
SACOG Funding Round Work Group
SACOG Race, Equity and Inclusion Committee
California State Association of Counties (CSAC)
CSAC Administration of Justice Steering Committee (Vice-Chair)
National Association of Counties (NACO)
NACO Housing Task Force
NACO Justice and Public Safety Steering Committee
Urban Counties of California
Aerospace Museum of California