Community engagement can be critical for any local business, including Auto Glass Safety Council (AGSC) members. One California business leader took this principle so seriously that he became his town’s mayor pro tempore.
Jimmy Saldana is the president and co-owner of Showcase Auto Glass, an AGSC-registered member based in Highland, California. When a spot on the City Council opened at the beginning of 2025, many locals recommended Saldana to fill it.
Jimmy Saldana, pictured here with his family, was appointed mayor pro tempore of Highland, California.Instead of a formal election, the Council interviewed Saldana and three other resident-nominated candidates.
“The Council chose me unanimously,” Saldana says.
Saldana’s role with the Highland Council became even more significant at the beginning of December.
“Every December, the City Council votes for which one of us should be mayor for the next year,” he says. “I was chosen as mayor pro tempore, which is essentially vice mayor.”
Saldana is honored to serve his community.
“I don’t want to just provide auto glass services in Highland. I want to make an impact,” he says. “I live here. My business is here. I’m raising a family here.”
According to Saldana, Highland has a distinct cultural divide between its east and west sides. One of his biggest goals of the City Council is to help bridge the gap between the two.
“West Highland, where I am, needs a lot of love,” Saldana says. “Some people say, ‘you’re on the ‘ghetto’ side of town.” That irks me. I want to make the whole city a great place to live.”
One way Saldana is doing this is through special community events. On Halloween, for example, Showcase Auto Glass hosted a “Trunk-or-Treat” event.
Showcase Auto Glass hosted a Trunk-or-treat event on Halloween. Around 350 children attended.“There aren’t many street lights on this side of town, so trick-or-treating isn’t as safe,” he says. “Plus, not many of the houses give out candy anyway.”
Showcase set up 18 cars on the shop’s extensive property, each one giving out candy to approximately 350 costumed children.
“We’re here for the long haul, and we have this big property,” he says. “Why not put it to use?”
Saldana says he was inspired by AGSC vice president Peter Brown, who is heavily involved in his community in Pembroke, Massachusetts.
“Community engagement opens doors for auto glass shops,” Brown says. “Many insurance agents and car dealership owners are involved in city politics, so if they see you getting involved with local events, they’re more apt to do business with you.”
Saldana heard Brown speak at Auto Glass Week™ 2025 and took his words to heart.
“I hope I can accomplish just a smidge of what Peter does,” he says.