Eric Ornelas

Experience

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  JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa

  Jan 1992 - Apr 1995

  Lounge Manager

  Supervised a team of bartenders, servers, and security staff at Costa's - the resort's high-energy nightclub. Assisted with promotional activities and administrative duties.

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  Morris Communications

  Oct 1998 - Jan 2011

  Radio Host, Specialty Program Producer

  Produced a variety of specialty radio programs for KKUU (U-92.7 FM), including the "Six O’clock Six Mix," "Sunday Night Groove Mix," "Old-School Menu Mix," and "The Pure Energy Mix Show." On-air personality at KYOR-FM (Star 106.9) from 2002-2003. Maintained broadcast schedules, provided on-air announcements, engaged listeners with contests and promotions, and represented the station at concerts, special events, and live remote broadcasts.In addition to hosting the mix shows, I worked as a weekend on-air DJ at KKUU. In 2003, I became the permanent on-air host at KKUU's sister station, KYOR (Star-106.9) - a "Hot AC" station - until it flipped formats in early 2004. I was responsible for maintaining music and commercial broadcast schedules, making on-air announcements, engaging listeners with contests and promotions, and representing the station during live appearances at concerts, special events, and remote broadcasts.My dance music mix shows performed extremely well (Arbitron #1 for my timeslot) and brought EDM/house/dance music to the Coachella Valley for over a decade on a hip-hop radio station. Show less

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  Billboard

  Jan 2008 - Jul 2014

  Billboard Chart Reporter

  The Billboard Dance Club Songs chart, published weekly in "Billboard" magazine in the United States, was a survey of the most popular nightclub songs reported by a national sample of disc jockeys. The "Billboard" reporter panel was comprised of about 150 working DJs.

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  Saputo-Beale Enterprises

  Aug 2010 - Nov 2011

  Music Columnist

  Wrote a biweekly music column for Palm Springs Pulp magazine and feature articles for its sister publication, The Bottom Line. The column, also published in Grab Magazine, Chicago, and the San Diego Gay and Lesbian News, focused on the dance/club music scene. I interviewed many international artists and DJs for the column, including Enrique Iglesias, Inaya Day, Dave Aude, Linda Clifford, Robert Clivilles (from C+C Music Factory), Delious Kennedy (from All-4-One), Tony Moran, Kristine W, Pepper MaShay, Georgie Porgie, Jeanie Tracey, Debby Holiday, among others. Show less

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  The Annenberg Foundation Trust at Sunnylands

  Jan 2012 - now

  Communications Specialist & Public Affairs Coordinator

  Historic Sunnylands is a 200-acre estate that served as a winter home for Ambassadors Walter and Leonore Annenberg. For more than 40 years, they entertained high-profile guests here, including seven U.S. presidents, British royalty, and famous twentieth-century entertainers, such as Frank Sinatra, Bob Hope, and Dinah Shore.Today, Sunnylands is a global retreat center, convening leaders at the highest levels in government, science, education, philanthropy, and the arts to tackle national and international challenges and to promote world peace. In addition, public tours of the 1966 estate are provided through the contemporary Sunnylands Center & Gardens.As a communications specialist/public affairs coordinator, I assist the director of community and media relations with the development and implementation of internal and external communications strategies that support the nonprofit mission of the Sunnylands Trust, focusing on mass media, community, government, and employee relations. My responsibilities include: 1. Marketing activities, event coordination, community outreach, and special projects. 2. Cultivate and maintain positive relationships with members of the press, chambers of commerce, state and U.S. representatives, and local officials. Conduct media and marketing tours of the historic estate.3. Produce compelling multimedia content for internal and external presentations, publications, Sunnylands.org website, and various social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. Show less

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  Safe Schools Desert Cities

  May 2018 - Oct 2020

  Board Member
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  Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce

  Jan 2019 - now

  Board Member

  Established since 1955, the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce has organized to enhance and promote the economic and civic vitality of its community. The Mission of the Rancho Mirage Chamber of Commerce is to: promote business and cultivate opportunities for its members through networking events, educational programs and community projects. the Chamber seeks to foster a welcoming and business environment and enhance the dynamic quality of life in Rancho Mirage and the greater Coachella Valley.

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  KGAY PSP

  Feb 2019 - now

  On-Air Host/Producer

  Host and producer of the "KGAY Retro Lunch & Brunch Mix", a one-hour specialty program featuring popular dance music from the 70s, 80s, 90s, and 2000s presented in a beat-mixed format. The show airs at noon each Tuesday and Thursday and repeats each Sunday on KGAY 106.5 FM, Palm Springs, California, and worldwide at KGAYPalmSprings.com.

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  Safe Schools Desert Cities

  Dec 2020 - now

  President Of The Board Of Directors

  Safe Schools Desert Cities empowers LGBTQ+ youth in the Coachella Valley and surrounding communities through education, guidance, advocacy, resources, recreational activities, and opportunities for self-expression. Working directly with school-sanctioned Gay-Straight Alliance clubs in local middle and high schools, Safe Schools Desert Cities hosts students from over fifty schools at annual events such as the Rainbow Youth Summit, Summer Leadership Camp, Pride Prom, and the Youth Zone at the Palm Springs Pride Festival & Parade. Safe Schools Desert Cities is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization led entirely by volunteers. For more information, please visit www.safeschoolsdc.org. Show less