Commerce, CA
Home MenuMayor Ivan Altamirano
Mayor Ivan Altamirano is a living example of what's possible when resilience meets purpose. A lifelong resident of the Rosewood neighborhood in the City of Commerce, he embodies the spirit of his community, shaped by struggle, uplifted by mentorship, grounded in Christian faith, and driven by an unshakable commitment to creating opportunity for others. Once a troubled youth who ran the streets and contributed to the graffiti and havoc he now works to heal, Mayor Altamirano believes it is his responsibility to leave the city better than he found it.
His journey into public service began on March 13, 2012, when he was selected out of 22 applicants to fill a vacant seat on the Commerce City Council. He was elected to his first full term in 2013 and has since served multiple terms as Mayor, including appointments in 2016, 2020, and again in December 2024. He is currently serving through December 2025.
But Ivan Altamirano's path to leadership was anything but traditional. Raised in Commerce, he faced many of the same harsh realities his neighbors still struggle with today — poverty, gang influences, juvenile detention, and the overwhelming challenges of being a teenage father. A high school dropout with no clear direction, it was the steadfast love of his parents, the discipline instilled by his Karate instructor Mr. Gaspar, and the powerful example of his grandfather — a U.S. Marine who served in World War II at Guadalcanal, and later in Korea and Vietnam — that gave him the strength to rewrite his story. He earned his GED and continued his studies at Rio Hondo College and Los Angeles Trade-Tech, earning an Associate in Science (AS) in Heating, Ventilating, Air Conditioning (HVAC), and Refrigeration.
As a councilmember and Mayor, Altamirano has tirelessly advocated for equity, access, and community uplift. He helped launch the Citadel Express, a shuttle connecting Commerce to Downtown Los Angeles. He also partnered with Los Angeles County to expand the El Sol Charter Bus route, ensuring underserved areas like Bristow Park receive equitable access to vital services and opportunities.
His vision doesn't stop at infrastructure — it reaches into the city's soul. Since 2013, he has led efforts to transform Commerce through the arts, founding the Commerce Arts District and co-creating the Art in Public Places Committee with Councilmember Mireya Garcia. Inspired by Tony Goldman and the revitalization of Wynwood, Miami, Mayor Altamirano has united local, national, and international artists to bring color, culture, and creativity to Commerce. Supporters have raised over $2 million for public art, and the city is now actively negotiating with developers to bring a brewery and culinary district to life, an effort to spark even greater cultural and economic growth.
Beyond City Hall, Mayor Altamirano is a small business owner in the HVAC industry whose company survived the 2008 financial crisis through grit and hard work. He is also a motivational speaker, author, and coach, trained by world-renowned speaker Les Brown as part of the Platinum Speaker Network. Through his voice and story, he inspires others to rise above adversity and take control of their future.
He is currently working on a memoir chronicling his transformation as a community leader. The book will be a message of hope for anyone trapped by their past, showing that redemption is possible and powerful.
Ivan is a proud husband to Susie, whom he married in Cuba in 2015, a devoted father of three, and a loving grandfather of five.
Mayor Ivan Altamirano's story isn't just about beating the odds — it's about redefining them for future generations.