MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT & CEO The past year has been challenging, but has proven the resilience of our city, county and our local businesses. While the COVID-19 pandemic has inflicted pain and economic damage, I believe it has crystallized one of our foundational principles by forcing us to confront the question of: What is a community without local businesses? Industry isn’t just some ancillary part of a region, but its foundation. So often in California, we’re pitting business against community, employer versus worker – at the Chamber, we’re driven by the belief that when business succeeds, our community thrives. As we emerge from the pandemic, we’ll be doubling down on our efforts to lift up our economy and local businesses. Through webinars giving you vital information, to our advocacy efforts, to our burgeoning efforts in economic development – we’re committed to helping our members and our region succeed. Our team is working every day for you – our business owners and industry leaders – and we know that together, we’ll continue building something better.
Nick Ortiz President & CEO Greater Bakersfield Chamber
MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIRMAN of the BOARD
Derek Jeffery General Manager KGET - TV 17
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As the general manager of a news station, you get a front row seat to your community’s happenings - the highs, the lows, the mundane and the exceptional. As a native of Bakersfield, I know this community’s spirit, but through our work at KGET, I get to see this community’s heart. I’ve never been more proud of Kern County than I’ve been over the last twelve months. We’ve rallied together to support first responders, our small businesses and our nonprofits. This region still faces challenges - the pandemic continues and like much of the country we’re grappling with our differences and division. I am however, an eternal optimist, and that’s why I’m excited to continue as the Chamber’s Chairman of the Board. I’m looking forward to getting our economy reopened, I’m excited by the work the Chamber’s done to advocate for our businesses and serve them during these unprecedented times. The Chamber team (volunteers and staff) are fully committed to serving our members’ needs, to building a better, more inclusive economy, and to recognizing the people that make Bakersfield so special. Our community isn’t defined by challenges, but how we overcome them.
