Kashmir "Kash" Gill () is the former mayor of Yuba City, California. Gill served two terms as mayor, from 2009 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2014. Gill also served on the City Council of Yuba City. Gill was the first Sikh to be elected mayor in the United States.Smith, Ken (October 24, 2013). "Sikhs of the Sacramento Valley". Chico News & Review (Chino, California).

Early life At three years old, Gill emigrated with his family from Lakhsina in the Hoshiarpur district of Punjab, India, after his uncle Bains sponsored them.Chitkara, Vanita (September 6, 2010). "Capitol Cats". India Today (India). Gill worked in his family's peach orchards and prune orchards until he was 13 years old. As an adult, Gill became the business manager of his family's farm."". Sikhpioneers.org. January 3, 1999. Retrieved January 30, 2012.Payne, Melanie (July 11, 2000). "Tri Valley Co-op Files Chapter 11: Payments Fall Short to Suppliers, Growers". The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California). p. C1.

Gill graduated from Yuba City High School, Yuba Community College, and California State University, Chico, where he earned a bachelor's degree in agricultural business in 1987. Gill graduated from California Agricultural Leadership Program and the Graduate School of Banking, Boulder, Colorado, in 2006."Kash Gill Joins Mechanics Bank In Roseville ". Mechanicsbank.com. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

Professional career As of 2000, Gill was vice president and regional manager of Butte Community Bank in Yuba City, California.Hansen, Todd R. (January 2, 2000). "Y-S economy looking up Business expected to pick up in 2000". Appeal-Democrat (Marysville-Yuba City, California). In 2001, Gill was on the board of directors of the Yuba City Sikh Temple."Nativity at LDS church". Redding Record Searchlight (Redding, California). December 15, 2001. p. B4.

As of 2006, Gill was working at Banner Bank as senior vice president, where he leads the Northern California Agribusiness Division. Gill is an active member of the Republican Party.

Political career Gill ran for a seat on the five-member Yuba City Council in 2004,Nadeau, Tom (October 29, 2004). "Yuba candidates raise, shell out cash". The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California). p. B3.Nadeau, Tom (October 30, 2004). "Accident doesn't slow council hopeful".The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California). p. B2. but Gill did not win a seat in the election.Nadeau, Tom (November 5, 2004). "Yuba City race still tight for 2". The Sacramento Bee (Sacramento, California). p. B3."City Council". Yuba City, California. Archived from the original on December 24, 2004.

Gill successfully ran for Yuba City Council in 2006."City Council Members". Yuba City Council. Archived from the original on June 21, 2007. Gill ran for reelection to the Yuba City Council in 2008. Because Gill received the second-most votes in the election, he served as Yuba City's vice mayor in 2008,"Meeting Agenda". Yuba City Council. January 20, 2009. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. and Gill was subsequently sworn in as Yuba City's mayor on November 10, 2009."Sikh becomes first mayor of Yuba City in US". Indo-Asian News Service (India). November 14, 2009."City Council Members". Yuba City Council. Archived from the original on January 1, 2010. The position of mayor of Yuba City is held in rotation by the two individuals who received the most votes in city council elections. Gill was the first Punjabi American and first Sikh to be mayor of Yuba City. Gill was also one of the first Indian mayors in America, and the first Sikh to be elected mayor in the United States.Gebb, Ashley (November 8, 2009). "Kash Gill: 'We are one community':Councilman set to become Y.C.'s first Punjabi-American mayor". Appeal-Democrat. Archived from the original on November 14, 2009. Gill served a second term as vice-mayor of Yuba City from 2012 to 2013,"City Council Members". Yuba City Council. Archived from the original on July 1, 2013. and he served a second term as mayor of Yuba City from 2013 to 2014."City Council Members". Yuba City Council. Archived from the original on December 15, 2013.

As mayor, Gill advocated for federal funds to be used for the city's levee upgrades. He also formed the gang task force and economic task force."Gill makes Y.C. history ". Appeal-Democrat (Marysville-Yuba City, California). November 12, 2009. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

In addition to Gill's public service as mayor, vice-mayor, and council member for Yuba City, he has served as chair of the Yuba-Sutter Chamber of Commerce; member of the board of directors of the Fremont-Rideout Hospital Foundation; and member of the board of directors of the Sutter Health Foundation.

Personal life He is the son of Punjabi Sikh parents, and is of the Sikh faith. Kash is married to Neena Gill, and they have three children named Harveen, Rajan, and Preya."Kash, Gill, Member, City Council Yuba City". Nriinternet.com. November 7, 2006. Retrieved January 30, 2012.

See also List of Indian Americans

References