Congratulations to the 2026
Administrator of the Year Award Recipients!!
Please help us celebrate the following individuals!
They will be honored during the Region XIX Spring Awards Celebration to be held May 11, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., at the Riverside Convention Center. Registration information will be available in mid-April
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- Every Student Succeeding – Erik Huerta, Desert Mirage High School, Coachella Valley Unified School District
- Adult Education Administrator – Matthew Centofranchi, Hemet USD
- Business Services Administrator – Darrin Watters, Hemet USD
- Career Technical Education Administrator – Lynnsey Huntsman, Moreno Valley USD
- Central Office Administrator – Kyley Ybarra, Riverside USD – Also an ACSA State Award Winner!!!
- Confidential Employee – Amy Esquibel, Moreno Valley USD
- Continuation/Educational Options Administrator – Carlos Guillen, Corona Norco USD
- Curriculum and Instruction Administrator – Dr. Ebon Brown, Beaumont USD
- Elementary Co-Administrator – Bonnie Chilton, Menifee Union SD
- Elementary Principal – Brenda Santana, Palm Springs USD
- Middle Grades Co-Administrator- Dr. Susan Jessup, Hemet USD
- Middle Grades Principal – Dr. Patrice Harris, Menifee Union SD
- Personnel/Human Resources Administrator – Jennifer Castillo, Beaumont USD
- Secondary Co-Administrator – Frank DeAnda, Riverside USD
- Secondary Principal – Dr. Leann Iacuone, Riverside USD
- Special Education Administrator – Gabriela Toledo, Beaumont USD
- Student Services Administrator – Melinda Conde, Menifee Union SD
- Superintendent – Dr. Jennifer Root, Menifee Union SD – Also an ACSA State Award Winner!!!
- Technology Administrator – Dr. Jennifer Martin, Hemet USD
- Valuing Diversity Award – Dr. Nicole Moshiri, Moreno Valley USD
- Partners in Educational Excellence – Teacher Residency Program (Hemet USD and San Jacinto USD)
- Ferd Kiesel Memorial Distinguished Service Award*
- Brenda Santana, Palm Springs USD
- Dr. Anthony Rice, Moreno Valley USD
- Dr. Christi Barrett, Hemet USD
* Ferd Kiesel is a State ACSA Special Award category. All candidates nominated are recognized at the Region level, and automatically advance to the state selection process.
- Marcus Foster Memorial Award for Administrator Excellence*
- Darrin Watters, Hemet USD
- Dr. Marcus Funchess, Palm Springs USD
- Rafael Garcia, Moreno Valley USD
* Marcus Foster is a State ACSA Special Award category. All candidates nominated are recognized at the Region level, and automatically advance to the state selection process.
All other region award recipients are selected through the Region Selection Committee process of all candidates submitted with one person being named as the category recipient. Region winners are then forwarded to the State for the State Administrator of the Year selection process.