Metro February 2023

S'MORES ANYONE?

Nothing beats the taste of warm chocolate, gooey marshmallow, and crispy graham cracker! And there's no better place to enjoy an evening making S'mores with the family than the giant fire pit at the Parkshire Pool & Pavilion in Highgate at Seven Oaks.

Located within gated Highgate Park and Highgate Place, the lush green lawns, pickle ball courts, children's playground, giant fire pit, and BBQ facilities of the Parkshire Pool & Pavilion make it easy to live your best life ever!

INSIDE on the

CEO MESSAGE

Read a goodbye message from our current President/CEO, Nick Ortiz

OUR NEW TEAM MEMBERS

Meet our newest Chamber staff members

2023 ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Read about this year's Annual Board Installation & Awards Luncheon

BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD AWARDS

2022 Winner of Architecture & Design - The ROC Café & Bakery

SHOP LOCAL, SHOP NOW

Learn more about Vogue-Ish - a unique local business

NEW MEMBERS

Welcome our new Chamber members

COVER PHOTO

2023

Immediate

CONTACT US

CUTTINGS

Celebrate the grand openings of local businesses

1725 Eye St. • PO Box 1947 Bakersfield, CA 93303 661.327.4421 bakochamber.com

Metro is the official publication of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. This publication is produced and digitally distributed to the Chamber’s membership at the beginning of each month. Every effort has been made to ensure the information in this publication is correct and accurate as of the publication date. Metro does not warrant the accuracy or claims of its advertisers. The Chamber President/CEO has the sole right to refuse any advertisement. Please send any comments, questions, article suggestions or advertising inquiries to info @bakochamber.com.

© Copyright 2023. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means of the entire contents portion of this publication without written permission is prohibited.

Annual Luncheon. Pictured (left )

Past Chairman Rick Jhaj, (right ) Chairman of the Board Ken Keller. Photos courtesy of April & Co.

Message from the CEO

Farewell for now

Earlier this month, the Chamber shared an important announcement regarding our executive leadership. After nearly eight years at the helm of your Greater Bakersfield Chamber, I’ve accepted a position with CalChamber as Vice President of Local Chamber Relations and President and CEO of the Western Association of Chamber Executives (WACE). My last day at the Greater Bakersfield Chamber will be Feb. 24.

Hillary Haenes, a Chamber veteran and our Vice President of Member Engagement has been appointed Interim President and CEO during the search for our next permanent President and CEO. She and our capable team remain ready for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

As I prepare to leave, there’s a lot to be excited about happening at the Chamber:

• Our Shop Local, Shop Now! campaign continues to promote unique, locally-owned shops and restaurants.

• Leadership Bakersfield is in full swing, with more than two dozen of our community’s emerging leaders learning about the industries and issues that drive our region.

• The Beautiful Bakersfield Awards received the most nominations in the event’s history – more than 200.

And this is just a small sampling of the great work happening here.

As we move into the next chapter of leadership at the Chamber, our northstar remains steady: Serving our members and partnering to build a better, more inclusive and prosperous Bakersfield for all.

Serving as your President and CEO has been one of my highest honors. I look forward to taking the experience you have given me to help serve and scale local chambers across the state.

Sincerely,

Nick Ortiz President & CEO Greater Bakersfield Chamber

Meet Our New Team Members

Savanah Adams Manager of Stakeholder Engagement

Savanah brings to the Chamber 5+ years of experience from the nonprofit sector. Prior to joining our team, she served as the Public Policy Coordinator for the Independent Living Center of Kern County, where she advocated for individuals living with disabilities by informing the community about the barriers and challenges to accessibility.

“While my career is few in numbers, I have learned the importance of compassion and the need for preparation and implementation,” she noted. “I love this city, I left once and came right back.”

Savanah was born and raised in Bakersfield and is thrilled to continue her work in advocacy for the Bakersfield business community.

She believes that establishing roots and nurturing them for future generations is a crucial part of what will help our city to thrive.

With this opportunity to apply her knowledge to the business community, she is even more inspired to contribute to the continued economic growth and success of Bakersfield.

Help us welcome Savanah – feel free to reach out to her at sadams@bakochamber.com

Cynthia Gonzalez Operations Administrator

Cynthia joined us with more than 8 years of operations and administration experience and has a background in the retail industry, where she honed her skills in customer service. She is very passionate about helping and supporting people, which makes her a great fit for this dynamic position at the Chamber.

Previous to this role, Cynthia worked in fleet rentals, where she provided support to upper management and ensured seamless communication between customers, vendors and branches that taught her the importance of attention to detail and the ability to multitask.

She understands the importance of efficient and effective communication and is confident in her ability to support the Chamber and the community.

Cynthia is eager to meet and assist Chamber members and work with the team toward the common goal of “Building A Better Bakersfield.”

Cynthia helps with the daily operations as well as provides programmatic support for Chamber events.

With her strong work ethic, organizational skills and passion for helping others, Cynthia brings valuable contributions to the Chamber.

Help us welcome Cynthia – feel free to reach out to her at cgonzalez@bakochamber.com.

2023 Annual Board Installation & Awards Luncheon

Last month, the Chamber hosted its Annual Board Installation & Awards Luncheon, where they inducted the President/CEO of Bakersfield Memorial Hospital – Dignity Health, Ken Keller as Chairman of the Board. During the luncheon, the Chamber also presented annual awards to the following individuals and organizations:

• Martin Guerrero received the Volunteer of the Year award.

Guerrero is the owner of Hacienda Guerrero Catering, a local veteranfamily-owned business

• Bank of America was recognized as the Chamber Champion

• The City of Bakersfield was recognized as the Community Partner of the Year

• Amanda Frank was recognized as the Councilmember of the Year. Frank is the director of special projects at Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Thank you to this year’s platinum sponsor Dignity Health Bakersfield.

2022 Beautiful Bakersfield Award Recipient –Architecture & Design

The ROC Café & Bakery was designed to be a space that allows the community to participate firsthand in the educational process. The restaurant opened in October of 2021 and serves as the work-based-learning lab for the students in the Culinary Arts Program at the Regional Occupational Center (ROC). Students get to show off their culinary, baking and front of the house skills as they operate the full-service restaurant for breakfast and lunch service that is open to the public. Winning the Beautiful Bakersfield Award in the category of Architecture & Design is representative of the amazing support that this ROC program has received from the community.

Before even entering the restaurant, diners are greeted by a friendly student host. As the customers enter the beautiful space, they will always find more smiles from the beaming students who are eager to show off their skills. A large window on the right side of the café allows guests to view into the baking lab, where the students are outfitted in their chef uniforms, while they are baking the treats that are sold in the restaurant. On the restaurant side of the facility, patrons get to view into the culinary kitchen, where the students prepare the tasty menu items. The biggest take away from a visit to the ROC Café & Bakery is the pride that students take in their program and the joy that they are experiencing in the class.

This is a dining experience like no other in Bakersfield. The food is excellent, and the service is just as good. The ROC Café & Bakery is open to the public from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays throughout the school year. It is recommended to call ahead of time, at (661) 396-4920, to make sure the café is open, as they do have to close occasionally for training and school related events. Patrons can also look up the restaurant on Yelp or the school website at roc.kernhigh.org The high level of training the students get wouldn’t be possible without the support from our community, which we are very grateful for, so thank you, Bakersfield!

Brian Miller Principal of Regional Occupational Programs at Kern High School District

% APY*

A Sustainable &

Time-Saving Way to Support Local

Local boutique, Vogue-ish seeks to slow down fast fashion*

When it comes to finding the perfect clothing, shopping locally might take some extra time. But local styling and apparel boutique, Vogue-ish has got you covered. Best friends and co-owners

Isabelle Herndon and Gabriela Alexander are experts at finding the perfect look for their customers.

Based on a list of a client's personal preferences and style goals, the duo will spend hours curating sustainably sourced and upcycled outfits from second-hand stores across Central and Southern California to meet their customers' needs.

“We go down to L.A. every week or so, and we hand-select everything for our store,” said Herndon. “We take into account trends locally, future trends, and things we know our demographic would like to see. Then for our new Fit Kits, we shop with specific people in mind: Their goals, their fit preferences, likes and dislikes.”

The recent launch of the Vogue-ish Fit Kits allows the duo to be more intentional with what they carry in their small retail location, housed in a recycled shipping container in Eastchester next to Café Smitten.

“We carry a lot of pieces in our store, but it’s not hand-picked for specific people,” said Alexander. “So it's nice that we have ventured into the kits because we can work with people directly to help them find the looks they’re hoping to find when they visit our store.”

The personal styling services offered at Vogueish are a resource for the environmentally

conscious and fashion-forward in Bakersfield who would like to refine their style and make a statement. For couples, Vogue-ish also now offers Date Night Fit Kits (great to gift someone you love for Valentine’s Day).

“We were styling so many people previously without a process,” said Herndon. “But with the Fit Kit questionnaire we developed, we think we’ve finally locked in a system that works for us and our customers. We’ve even had people evolve in their style and fall in love with items they never would have previously considered.”

While some people like to thrift** and sort through thousands of things, Vogue-ish understands that there are a lot of people who don’t have the time or eye but want a special look.

“We love thrifting, it’s our passion,” said Alexander. “But there are some stigmas around it, and with sustainability being such a big trend right now, we want to help change mindsets on second-hand fashion. We have to slow down fast fashion, it’s crucial for our environment.”

Shopping second-hand is a great way to give a new home to awesome items that would otherwise end up in the trash.

“The truth about fashion is, it’s all recycled,” said Alexander. “And we love seeing it - like right now the '90s and the 2000s styles are trending, which, when sourced sustainably, is great for circular fashion.”

Herndon added that she believes Bakersfield as a whole is much more open to thrift stores than they were three years ago. “I think people are becoming more open to new things, especially here downtown,” she said. “The public’s response to Vogue-ish has been great and I think people are excited about shopping sustainably and thrifting in general.

Herndon previously attended Cal State Pomona and completed their Apparel Merchandising and Management Program. Alexander studied Visual Communications at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM). Both returned home to Bakersfield due to COVID-19.

“The idea for Vogue-ish developed in 2019. We were both college students looking for a way to gain more experience in fashion and find

a project for our portfolios,” said Alexander. “When COVID hit, we wanted to give Bakersfield a unique way to shop. So, we came home and opened this spot in 2020.”

The Vogue-ish duo is growing their business and extending their services to creative projects large and small. Follow them on Instagram (@ vogueish_boutique) to stay up to date on all their news and for more information on their first Fashion Show to be held in Spring 2023.

You can find Chamber member businesses to support by visiting the map and directory on our homepage at www.shoplocalshopnow. com and support small businesses by visiting locally owned stores. Shop Local, Shop Now is sponsored by the Kern Women’s Business Center.

*Fast Fashion [noun]: An approach to the design, creation and marketing of clothing fashions that emphasizes making fashion trends quickly and cheaply available to consumers.

**Thrift(ing) [verb]: When one visits several different thrift shops, secondhand shops and vintage clothing stores in hopes of finding gently used items at discounted prices. Thrifted items have been loved by a previous owner, but are usually in good shape with enough life left to be useful to a new owner.

Welcome New Chamber Members

We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the companies that have joined the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Thank you for investing in our mission to Build a Better Bakersfield.

Beyond The Stars No Limits

661-817-5099

“We are a community outreach and resource support organization, seeking to help individuals in the age range of 14-24.”

Charcuterie by M

661-565-1941

charcuteriebym.com

“We specialize in providing an elevated charcuterie experience.”

Finest Mare

559-410-0660

“We are a premium seafood distribution center. We distribute to restaurants, meat markets and wholesale distributors.”

LINQride Inc

661-840-5467

linqride.com

“We are a full concierge service. We offer executive chauffeur car service and trip planning options.”

Lux Dermatology

9500 Stockdale Hwy., Ste. 101 Bakersfield, CA 93311

661-541-2017

luxdermatologists.com

“We believe in nourishing the health and look of each person’s skin through medical, surgical and cosmetic dermatology.”

Talley Farms

2900 Lopez Dr. Bakersfield, CA 93420

805-489-5401

talleyfarmsfreshharvest.com

“We have been farming for more than 75 years. Join our direct-to-consumer farm box program through our site online and pick up your box in Bakersfield at one of our locations: Orangetheory, Elite Fitness or LVL Fitness.”

Tee’d Up Rentals

661-565-8489

teeduprentals.com

“Tee off whenever, wherever! We offer golf simulator rentals and customized golf experiences for private parties, corporate events and many more.”

Telehealthdocs Medical Corporation

2215 Truxtun Ave., Ste. 100 Bakersfield, CA 93301

661-840-9270

telehealthdocs.com

“We leverage technology to provide quality telehealth care access to Kern County and California residence with a focus on rural underserved areas.”

For more information about joining the Chamber or renewing your membership dues, please email cwillingham@bakochamber.com.

Renewing Members

Thank you to our members who have reinvested in the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Your continued investment helps the Chamber continue its mission to Build a Better Bakersfield.

Aaron Companies - 1991

Anita M. Waits, Accountancy Corporation - 1995

Anthony Vineyards, Inc. - 1994

Around the Clock Care - 2001

Associated Builders & Contractors, Central CA Chapter - 1998

B&B Surplus, Inc. - 1993

Bakersfield ARC - 1997

Bakersfield Country Club - 1991

Bakersfield Ronald McDonald House - 2009

Bank of America - 1920

Belmore’s Building Maintenance Company - 2011

Benji's French Basque Restaurant, Inc. - 1992

BMW of Bakersfield - 2018

Bolthouse Properties, LLC - 2006

Braun Gosling, A Law Corporation - 2010

Buttonwillow Raceway Park - 1996

Carney’s Business Technology Center - 1984

CASA of Kern County - 1996

Clean Harbors Buttonwillow LLC - 1990

Clifford & Brown, P.C. - 1990

Coffee-Brimhall LLC - 2008

Communication Enterprises Inc. - 1990

Continental Labor and Staffing Resources - 1997

Contraband Control Specialists, Inc. - 1991

Darlene Denison State Farm Insurance & Financial Services - 2018

Dewar’s Candy Shop, Inc. - 1994

eMedia - 2011

Fairfield Inn & Suites Bakersfield Central - 2018

First Solutions Insurance Services - 1999

Flood Ministries - 2020

G.H. Slack and Son Company - 1999

Garden Pathways, Inc. - 2000

Genesis Machine and Fabrication, Inc. - 2021

Holiday Inn Express - 2017

J.D. Rush Company, Inc. - 1994

JJ’s Legacy - 2013

Kern Citizens for Energy - 2014

Kern Community College District - 2004

Kern County Fire Department - 2011

Kern Law Enforcement Association - 2013

KHSD - Regional Occupational Center - 2014

KMI Mechanical, Inc. - 1991

LANPRO Systems - 2009

Little Caesars Pizza!Pizza! - 1991

M.D. Atkinson Company, Inc. - 1994

Make-A-Wish America - 2021

McIntosh & Associates Engineering, Inc. - 1990

Mom's House Chicken & Waffles and More - 2021

Mechanics Bank Arena Theater & Convention Center - 1998

Mercy House - 2021

Mickey, Casanova & Sack, CPAs - 1989

Mid State Development Corporation - 1990

Mossman’s Catering - 2016

Nelms Surveying, Inc. - 2010

Open & Shut Enterprises - 2000

Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy - 1990

Parsons - 1991

Payment Systems Worldwide - 1999

Petro Travel Plaza - 2006

Pismo Beach Hotel Partners, LLC - 2011

Price Disposal- 1997

Rick’s Recycling, Inc. - 2002

Seven Oaks Country Club - 1991

Six23 Media - 2017

SJV Agricultural Association LLC - 2011

Skyline Cabinet & Millworks - 1998

Smith’s Bakeries - 1998

Sunbelt Business Brokers of Bakersfield - 2000

Superior Smiles Dentistry - 2021

The Marcom Group Incorporated - 1999

Ticor Title Company - 1995

Trinity Consultants, Inc. - 2000

Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel - 1987

Varner Bros. Inc. - 1996

Vital Signs of Bakersfield - 1991

Walters & Associates - 2003

Watson Realty ERA - Mike Saba - 2002

Willis and Williams Design Studios - 2012

WZI Inc - 1990

RIBBON CUTTINGS RIBBON CUTTINGS

PAST RIBBON CUTTING

Grand Opening Autism Spectrum Therapies

3105 Latte Ln. autismtherapies.com

For more information or to schedule a ribbon cutting, please contact Hillary Haenes at hhaenes@bakochamber.com

Member News

What’s happening at the Petroleum Club at Sundale, 6218 Sundale Ave., in the month of February?

• Every Thursday from 5-8 p.m. is Pasta Night. Choose from a selection of pastas, delicious sauces, tender meats, flavorful add-ins and toppings to create your perfect pasta that our talented chefs will prepare for you.

• Join us for a memorable dining experience and a special Valentine’s menu that will be featured on Feb. 10, 11 and 14. Please make reservations at 661-324-6561.

• Bring your business cards and enjoy an evening with other business professionals and network in a beautiful, yet casual environment. Try our new Happy Hour menu with drink specials from 4-6 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 17.

• On Sunday, Feb. 19, we will be serving our delicious Sunday Brunch from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The cost is $25 members and $30 nonmembers.

• The club is open for dining from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Tuesday-Friday and 4-9 p.m. on Saturdays.

Reserve space now for the Kern County Career & STEM Expo hosted by the Kern Economic Development Foundation on Apr. 28 at CTEC, 7301 Old River Rd.

UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTING

Grand Opening San Rucci Winery

Date: Thursday, February 9

Location: 6201 Schirra Ct., Ste 7

Bakersfield’s first urban winery that offers tastings, glasses, bottles and gifts.

Exhibitor registration is now open. Last year’s event was attended by more than 2,500 students and 120 exhibitors. For more information, register HERE.

The League of Dreams is selling tickets to its annual League of Dream Gala being held on Mar. 18 at The Links at Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course. Tickets are $135 or tables of 8 are $1,080. Cocktails start at 6 p.m. with dinner by Chef Lino’s to follow at 7 p.m. Sponsorship opportunities are available by contacting Kevin Gosselin at kevin@ourleagueofdreams.com or calling 661-6169122.

United Way of Kern County will be holding its Ninth Annual “A Chocolate Affair” signature event on Saturday, Feb. 18 at the DoubleTree Hotel, 3100 Camino Del Rio Ct. There will be dinner, auctions, dessert & live entertainment. Don’t miss out! Tickets are available HERE For more information, call 661-885-5755 or email aca@ uwkern.org.

Dignity Health Sports Complex managed by Gameday Sports Academy (3101 Gilmore Ave., Ste. 100) will be holding their Biz Ball tournaments in 2023, don’t miss out! There will be sports, networking, food & live music Biz Ball-Basketball will be held on Feb. 11-12, with the price to register a team at $350. Biz Ball-Volleyball will

RSVP

be the final tournament and will be held on Feb. 25-26, the price to register a team is $350. If you are looking to reserve a vendor table, the price is $100. To RSVP for the tournament or a vendor table, please call 661-535-2233. For more information, click HERE

The City of Bakersfield Council is currently recruiting for an individual to complete an unexpired term on the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee (KBBC) due to the resignation of Jenilee Fermin (Ward 1). The term runs concurrent with the nominating Councilmember and will expire in December 2026. The Councilmember from the respective Ward will nominate a resident of the City of Bakersfield. The applicant for this recruitment will be nominated by the Councilmember of Ward 1 and confirmed by a majority vote of the full Council. The KBBC recommends programs and activities to improve the ecological and aesthetic value of Bakersfield through the proper handling of solid waste, litter control and prevention, beautification, education, and the recruitment of volunteers who will make a positive difference in our community. Applications are available at the City Clerk’s Office at City Hall North (1600 Truxtun Ave.) and on the City’s website. They should be returned to the City Clerk’s Office by 5 p.m., Wednesday, Feb. 24. For further information and assistance regarding these appointments, please contact the City Clerk’s Office at 661-326-3767. Residents interested in serving on the KBBC are encouraged to contact each City Councilmember regarding their interest and qualifications.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County (BGCKC), in partnership with the Taco Bell Foundation, will provide workforce and job readiness training “Career Launch” to Bakersfield teens. Since the inception of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County’s Summer Jobs Program in 2013, nearly 2,000 local teens have received workforce training skills, and 373 teens have received a paid summer job internship. The Summer Jobs Program brings the benefits of job training to youth and businesses in Kern County. Teens will have the opportunity for a paid summer internship as part of the Summer Jobs Program with local, small-to medium-sized companies providing employment opportunities. Bakersfield teens in high school (ages 15 to 18) can register for the 2023 BGCKC Summer Jobs Program with forms due by Tuesday, Feb. 28. Registration forms and required documents can be picked up on weekdays at the Boys & Girls Club - E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center, 801 Niles St., from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. or online HERE. “Career Launch” workforce development classes will run from Mar. 13 through May 25. The participating teens will attend

classes one day per week from 5-6:30 p.m. at the E.L. Jack and Monica Armstrong Youth Center. Teens who complete the “Career Launch” classes can apply and interview for one of the 20 (five-week) paid summer internships. For more information on the BGCKC Summer Jobs Program, please contact Ruth Miranda with the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kern County at 661-325-3730 ext. 238 or summerjobsprogram@bgclubsofkerncounty.org

Attention graduating high school seniors throughout Kern County! Be sure to apply for #KernFutures Scholarship from Kern Community Foundation. The application season goes through Mar. 7. Graduating Kern County high school seniors who have a 2.0 GPA or higher and are planning to attend a two-year college, four-year university, or accredited technical school, are welcome to apply for a scholarship from Kern Community Foundation. Go to kernfoundation.org/scholarships to get started. While on our website, also visit the College Resources and Frequently Asked Questions pages. We want to help you succeed! Questions? Write to us at info@ kernfoundation.org. For the 2023-24 academic year, our scholarships range from $500 to $3,000. Please visit the Scholarships page of our website for more information and to apply.

Tri Counties Bank announced today the creation of the Homeownership Access Program to support homeownership in historically disadvantaged communities in Northern and Central California. Approved applicants will receive a closing cost credit of up to 3 percent of the loan, up to $7,500. The credit can be used to cover closing costs or to pay for discount points to reduce their interest rate. “We are very excited to announce the launch of our Homeownership Access Program,” said Dyke Mundy, Home Mortgage Sales Manager for Tri Counties Bank. “This program, combined with other community and non-profit programs, will make a significant impact in our ability to expand homeownership in traditionally underserved markets.” The Tri Counties Bank Homeownership Access Program can be used for home purchases and refinances. To qualify, the property must be in a designated majority Black and/or Hispanic census tract within the Tri Counties Bank assessment area. The property must be owner occupied, and the borrower’s income must be at or below 150 percent of the area’s median income. Anyone from any race or ethnicity is welcome to apply. To determine if your property is eligible and to apply, call 1-877-822-5626 or visit here. The Tri Counties Bank Homeownership Access Program is a Special Purpose Credit Program, which is a loan program designed to meet the credit needs as specified under the Equal Credit Opportunity

Act (ECOA) and Regulation B. for more information, click HERE.

Southern California Gas Co. (SoCalGas) announced a $1 million contribution to the Gas Assistance Fund, a program that helps income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bills. Customers will be facing bills that could be double or higher compared to last year’s winter bills. The high bills are a result of historically high natural gas prices in the western United States. SoCalGas doesn’t set the price for natural gas, instead, natural gas prices are determined by national and regional markets. SoCalGas buys natural gas in those markets on behalf of residential and small business customers, and the cost of buying that gas is billed to those customers with no markup, meaning SoCalGas does not profit from gas commodity prices going up. According to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA), a number of factors are contributing to higher natural gas commodity prices. A detailed report about these market conditions can be found here. The Gas Assistance Fund is a joint effort between SoCalGas and United Way of Greater Los Angeles, working with non-profit organizations throughout our service territory, to help income-qualified customers pay their natural gas bill with a one-time grant of up to $100 per household. Full guidelines for qualification can be found here. “We know that these higher prices have a real impact on our customers but we want them to know that there is help. We have valuable information on how to conserve energy, programs to assist with managing your energy usage and an unprecedented contribution to our Gas Assistance Fund, which will help our most vulnerable customers pay their bills” said Senior Vice President and Chief Customer Officer Gillian Wright. For more information on tips, programs and ways to save, visit HERE

Access Plus Capital and Kern Women’s Business Center are partnering together to help City of Bakersfield Small Business owners apply for the City of Bakersfield Restart Program. If your business has been impacted by COVID-19 and is in need of additional funds for rent, payroll, inventory, supplies and more, we encourage you to learn more about the unique grant and loan-togrant programs available for Bakersfield residents. You may qualify to receive up to $50,000. For immediate assistance, please call Buffie at 661-489-8834 or the Kern Women’s Business Center at 661-567-0410. Appointments are available by clicking HERE. For more information on the workshops, click HERE

PG&E is providing free recycled dirt and delivery to your area! When dirt is generated from PG&E excavation projects, PG&E can recycle and deliver the dirt to nearby

property owners for free. By working together to recycle this material, which would otherwise be transported to landfills, we can reduce our environmental impact and carbon footprint. We will deliver the recycled soil in 10-cubic-yard increments to homes or businesses. We provide both screened and unscreened soil, the soil is always tested in a laboratory and reviewed by a chemist to ensure the threshold meets safe nonhazardous standards. The screened soil may still contain small rocks, debris, vegetation, and other materials, but it is still suitable to fill dirt. For more information about our recycled dirt program, email recycleddirtprogram@pge. com. To submit a request form click HERE

Get involved in the City’s Climate Action Plan! The City of Bakersfield is putting together a strategic framework for our future driven by your hopes and aspirations. We need to know how you feel about growing local jobs, power generation, biking, local food production, and more. The Climate Action Plan will help decide where we can make the most cost-effective emission reductions while creating jobs and fostering innovation. Your involvement now will help shape the future of our region for decades to come. Click HERE to get started!

2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chairman of the Board

Ken Keller

Bakersfield Memorial Hospital - Dignity Health

Incoming Chairman

Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company

Immediate Past Chairman

Rick Jhaj Countryside Corporation

Kamal Gill – Brimhall Pharmacy/Panama Pharmacy

Dr. Mary Barlow – Kern County Superintendent of Schools

Mark Bateman – Young Wooldridge LLP

Deanna Blaise – Valley Strong Credit Union

Bruce Davis – Bolthouse Properties

Octavio Escobedo – Tejon Indian Tribe

Maybelle Liquigan – Kaiser Permanente

Denise Newton – PG&E

Veronica Placencia – KERO-TV

G Riar – Riar, Inc.

Willie Rivera – Aera Energy

CHAMBER STAFF

Nick Ortiz President/CEO

Hillary Haenes

Vice President, Member Engagement

Concepcion "Cepi" Willingham Member & Business Development Manager

Kami Gonzalez Director, Administration & Operations

Savanah Adams Manager, Stakeholder Engagement

Cynthia Gonzalez

Operations Administrator

Get Social

Stay engaged and connected with what's happening at the Chamber by following us on these social media platforms.

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE FOCUS Bynum, Inc.

Bynum, Inc., established by Gregory D. Bynum in 1981, is a full-service real estate company specializing in real estate development, consultation, architecture, property management and brokerage services in Bakersfield and surrounding areas. With more than 35 years of experience in the local real estate market, the dedicated staff at Bynum, Inc. will provide you with the highest level of professional service and expertise.

MAJOR INVESTORS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS