Jake Ingrassia

Originally from Long Island, New York, Jake Ingrassia moved west for journalism school at USC and landed in the Coachella Valley on what was supposed to be a two-year TV news contract. “The desert had different plans,” says Ingrassia, who went on to win an Emmy during his third year with KESQ. Nearly a decade after relocating, he’s still here — now serving as  spokesperson for Palm Springs International Airport.

Ingrassia leads messaging for the airport during a pivotal period of growth. A major terminal expansion is underway, and passenger numbers are projected to double in the coming years. “What we do today is shaping the future of the Coachella Valley,” he says. “We work to make sure the community feels heard and that their needs are reflected in the airport they use.”

One highlight of his tenure so far was shepherding the airport master plan to city council approval after presenting it more than 40 times to the public.

He also serves on the board of PS Test, the region’s first free STI clinic. “Information unites all of us,” he says. “By sharing it, we become connected and stronger as a community.”