Meet Daren

Daren and Carol have lived in La Habra for over 30 years.  They have two children and two grandchildren.  In 2014, Daren retired as a Los Angeles County Sheriff's Deputy after 30 years, and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.  But for 25 years, Daren has been involved with, and committed, to his community.  He began with his neighborhood, serving as a Board Member of the La Habra Crest Association.  His fellow Board Members elected him President, and it is a role for which he was re-appointed for over 20 years.

In 2004, Daren was appointed to the City of La Habra Fiscal Review Committee, charged with reviewing the City budget and making recommendations to City Council in the wake of severe budgetary constraints.  His peers nominated him as Vice-Chair, and Daren presented the final recommendations to City Council.

Daren also became a member of the La Habra Chamber of Commerce and La Habra Host Lion's Club.  In 2006, Daren was appointed to the City of La Habra Planning Commission.  He also began authoring a column ("La Habra Now") for the Orange County Register Star-Progress. Daren was then appointed to the City of La Habra Reward Fund Committee.

Daren later served as a Personnel Commissioner for the La Habra City School District and served as Chairman.  After his term expired on the La Habra Planning Commission, Daren was re-appointed in 2018, and served as Chairman of the Planning Commission in 2020 (completing his third appointment as Chair).

Daren has served for over twelve years as a Board Member of the La Habra Boys and Girls Clubs of La Habra, including two years as President, during which he guided the club to massive improvements in security and training.

On February 10th of 2022, Daren was appointed to the La Habra City Council.  On November 8th, he was elected by a large margin to a two-year term.  He was subsequently appointed as Mayor Pro-Tem of La Habra on December 19th, 2022.

On December 18th, 2023, Daren was appointed Mayor of La Habra.  On November 5th, 2024, Daren was re-elected to La Habra City Council by a very-large margin.  Along with Mayor Pro-Tem Espinoza, Councilmembers Gomez, and Medrano, the current Council is greatly committed to the future of our Caring Community and the people they humbly serve.