Palm Springs Appoints McCulloch to Tramway Authority
The Palm Springs City Council named Michael McCulloch to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, which governs the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in People
The Palm Springs City Council appointed Michael McCulloch to the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority, the governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway. McCulloch previously served on the Authority from 2008 to 2015.
Why it matters
The appointment fills one of the two seats the Palm Springs City Council controls on the Authority, which also has members appointed by the Riverside County Board of Supervisors and the California Governor. The Authority oversees the tramway that carries visitors to Mount San Jacinto, making its membership relevant to Palm Springs residents and tourism.
The Authority has seven members, with two each appointed by Palm Springs and Riverside County and three by the California Governor. The source does not specify McCulloch's term length or start date.
The players
Michael McCulloch
A certified public accountant with a long career in the accounting industry and prior service on both the Palm Springs City Council and the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority.
Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority
The governing body of the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway, whose members are appointed by the Palm Springs City Council, the Riverside County Board of Supervisors, and the California Governor.
The details
Michael McCulloch is a certified public accountant who worked in the accounting industry from 1987 to 2021 and previously served on the Palm Springs City Council from 2003 to 2007. The second Palm Springs appointee is Nancy Stuart, while the County appointees are Jonathan Hoy and Giovanni Virgen.
Timeline
2003 to 2007: McCulloch served on the Palm Springs City Council.
2008 to 2015: McCulloch previously served on the Mount San Jacinto Winter Park Authority.
November 4, 2026: Palm Springs City Council appointed McCulloch to the Authority.
Market Landscape
The Authority's membership is split among city, county, and state appointing bodies, a structure that shapes how the Palm Springs Aerial Tramway is governed. McCulloch's return to the Authority extends his earlier service from 2008 to 2015.
Palm Springs residents and tramway riders have a city-appointed voice on the body that sets the tramway's governance. The source does not describe any change to tramway fares, hours, or services.
The takeaway
Local appointments to regional authorities shape how public attractions are run, so residents can follow these seats to understand who governs shared assets. Checking appointing body rosters can reveal which jurisdiction holds influence over a given board.
Further reading
Explore more profiles of local leaders in our People section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KESQ.
