Donald “Donnie” L. Wharton was born in Lowell, Massachusetts and raised in the San Gabriel Valley community of San Dimas, California. He studied Organizational Management and Healthcare Administration, earning Bachelors and Masters degrees, in addition to a Masters in Business Administration from Ashford University. His hobbies include opportunities for outdoor adventure, travel and reading. Mr. Wharton has served as a member of the Imperial County Sheriff's Reserve Unit for nearly two decades, in addition to participation in the Brawley Rotary Club, Brawley Elks, Pioneers Memorial Healthcare Foundation, El Centro Regional Medical Center Foundation, and several Chambers of Commerce in Imperial Valley.
Mr. Wharton’s 2012 appointment to the Brawley City Council followed a vacancy created by the election of Ryan E. Kelley to the Imperial County Board of Supervisors. Mr. Wharton was drawn to the work of the City Council as a result of his own small business experience, seeing small business success as the cornerstone of the local economy. Mr. Wharton views economic development and job creation as paramount to Brawley’s future. As part of his City Council duties, he currently serves on the Brawley Airport Advisory Commission and Brawley Business Advisory Committee where he advocates for strategic planning, forward thinking, and responsible governance.
Mr. Wharton is currently employed by REACH Air Medical Services as the Director of Business Development. With a passion for flying that began in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, he also serves as the Chief Pilot for the Imperial County Narcotics Task Force. Mr. Wharton and his wife, Suzy, are the parents of two adult sons, Hunter and Donald.