METR
A publication of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber | March 2022 Brought to you by
THERE’S
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MODEL HOMES NOW OPEN HighgateSevenOaks.com
2081-3008 sq ft.
661-412-4857 Ming Ave. and Highgate Park Blvd. (West of Allen Rd.)
4 CEO MESSAGE
See how the Chamber is working on behalf of you - our members.
5 BEAUTIFUL BAKERSFIELD Learn more about the 2021 Architect & Renovation winner CTEC.
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5
RIBBON CUTTINGS Celebrate important milestones of fellow Chamber members.
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MEMBER NEWS
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NEW CHAMBER MEMBERS
Discover the latest news and happenings with other members.
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Welcome our newest Chamber members.
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Cover Photo
Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) Photo courtesy of: Ordiz-Melby Architects
Contact us
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 jscheiber@bakochamber.com. © Copyright 2022. All rights reserved. Reproduction by any means of the entire contents portion of this publication without written permission is prohibited. METRO | PAGE 3
MESSAGE FROM THE
M
arch marks the beginning of Spring and the beginning of more normal operations for us at the Chamber. To start the month, we’re excited to host our first Annual Awards and Installation Luncheon since January of 2020. We enjoyed celebrating the leadership of our outgoing and incoming Board and Committee Chairs and “officially” kicked off a productive year of working for our members. After a brief pause at the beginning of the year, Committee and Council meetings are back to in-person gatherings as well.
Nick Ortiz
The Chamber is a hive of activity and service for our members. Just some examples:
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Our new class of Leadership Bakersfield are traveling around the community and learning about key industry sectors.
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Our Government Review Council is hosting speakers on a range of important topics for our community and for business.
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Ribbon Cuttings - gatherings to celebrate a business' achievement - are a staple again. Now is a great time to join or reengage at the Chamber.
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BAKPAC, the Chamber political action arm, is analyzing upcoming races for elected office.
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The Chamber is engaging in the City’s redistricting and budget processes. We’re continuing our efforts to forcefully advocate for local businesses and industries.
We’re excited that State mandates are finally fully loosening for businesses and schools, further evidence that normalcy, and some common sense, are returning to our daily lives. We continue to monitor state COVID policy, and we’ll alert you on any proposed future mandates, and commit to sharing our members’ perspectives on whether any future proposals are actually necessary. While our region and economy faces challenges, and at times world events can seem overwhelming, I continue to be optimistic about the year ahead, the resilience and success of our members, and what we can collectively achieve together through our work at the Chamber. – Nick Ortiz President/CEO Greater Bakersfield Chamber
METRO | PAGE 4
Upcoming Signature Events April 23
Kern County Economic Summit (Televised on KGETTV 17)
June 25
Beautiful Bakersfield Awards
July 20
State of the City
Congratulations to the
2021 ARCHITECTURE & RENOVATION AWARD
T
Kern High School District's Career Technical Education Center
he Beautiful Bakersfield Awards is a wonderful way to highlight the incredible people in our community that are putting in the work to make Bakersfield an awesome place to live. I attended the event representing the Kern High School District (KHSD), along with the leadership team from Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc. consisting of Danny Ordiz, Jeannie Bertolacinni and Manuel Maldonado. When the Career Technical Education Center (CTEC) was named as the winner of the Architecture & Renovation category, we were absolutely thrilled! CTEC was built to be the premier Career Technical Education Center in the state of California. Through the design phase of the building, the team visited model schools in other states and throughout California to bring back the best ideas. We collaborated with industry partners to design spaces that look, feel and function just like the spaces that our students will work at in industry. We wanted the youth in our community to have access to the best training facility that we could possibly build. This resulted in a facility that sparks innovation and gets students excited to come to school and learn about careers. Flexible classrooms and state-of-the-art labs can be found throughout the facility. At CTEC, you will find all of the health care programs that are offered through KHSD’s Regional Occupational Programs along with all of the technology programs such as Video Game Design, Computer Technology and Mobile App Development. Programs in Public Service and Education are also located at the facility. Additionally, CTEC has one of the only Logistics & Distribution programs in California and includes a 10,000-square-foot training warehouse. This program will help to fulfill a growing workforce need for our distribution centers by preparing students for these in-demand careers. CTEC also has an innovative partnership with Valley Strong Credit Union in which students in the Business, Banking & Finance program work in the full-service branch that is located in the facility. Windows and glass walls make up a large portion of the facility, which allows visitors and building inhabitants to see the hands-on learning that is going on in all of the classrooms. The motivational quotes located throughout the building are a daily reminder to students about the importance of having good character.
CTEC is truly an amazing place to go to school and come to work. CTEC was also designed to be a community hub for promoting career development in Kern County. One of the exciting ways that we will be doing that is by hosting the annual Kern County STEMposium & Career Expo at CTEC this year on April 1. Hundreds of Kern County employers will be on-site for the day as thousands of fourth through 10th graders come to the campus to learn about the exciting career opportunities available in our community. Additionally, keynote speakers will be speaking throughout the day in Innovations Hall, the 250-seat theater on campus, about how STEM plays a critical part in many careers. This event is intended to connect the dots for students between what they are learning in class and how that translates to a career. The STEMposium & Career Expo is also a great opportunity for employers to be a part of the educational process. The Career Technical Education Center is a remarkable facility that will inspire students to prepare for careers for decades to come. It is a place where partnerships between industry and education are fostered to provide career education opportunities for our youth. This is a premier training facility that we should all be proud to have in our community. I am extremely proud to be the Principal of CTEC and look forward to providing amazing opportunities for our students that will ensure their future career and college success. – Brian Miller, Principal KHSD Regional Occupational Programs
METRO | PAGE 5
Save The Date! Friday, April 1st 9:00 AM - 1:30 PM
PRESENTED BY KERN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT FOUNDATION & THE KERN HIGH SCHOOL DISTRICT
The 2022 Kern County Career Expo & STEMposium will be held jointly at the Career Technical Education Center. 7301 Old River Road Bakersifeld, CA 93311
2022
On Friday, April 1, 2022 the Kern Economic Development Foundation and the Kern High School District with their partners are hosting a joint event. The Kern County Career Expo and the Kern County STEMposium will be held at the Career Technical Education Center. This exploration event will focus on building career and STEM awareness for tomorrow’s workforce. Our goal is to get 150 Employers to participate and promote their different career path and STEM opportunities available within their companies. It is anticipated that 3,000 - 4,000 elementary, middle school and high school students and parents will attend this f ree event. All registered exhibitors / employers will receive space at a 8x8 booth. More information about the event, including an employer registration link and sponsorship opportunities are available at website link or QR code bellow. Companies that require a financial investment will not be permitted. For additional assistance, please contact: Erin Hodson erin_hodson@kernhigh.org 661.396.4430
Richard Chapman richard@kedf.org 661.862.5157
#KCCAREEREXPO | #KCSTEMPOSIUM
METRO | PAGE 6
Exhibitor / Employer Registration Form
cte.kernhigh.org/stemcareerexpo/
RIBBON CUTTINGS
Grand Opening Fresco Meat Market
Grand Reopening Kaiser Permanente Target Clinic
1401 California Ave. frescomeatmarket.com
Target Northwest – 9100 Rosedale Hwy. kptargetclinic.org
Grand Opening Fresco Mexican Grill
Grand Reopening Mom’s House Chicken & Waffles & More
3901 Niles St. frescomexicangrill.com
2681 Calloway Dr., Ste. 300 momshousechickenandwaffles.com
UPCOMING RIBBON CUTTINGS GRAND RE-OPENING Danielle Plotner – State Farm Agency Date: Tuesday, March 15 Time: 4 p.m. Location: 2900 Calloway Dr., Ste. 404
Celebrating the grand opening of this insurance agency. We invite you to attend the open house and celebrate this new business owner!
RSVP HERE For more information or to schedule a ribbon cutting, please contact Hillary Haenes at hhaenes@bakochamber.com. METRO | PAGE 7
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Scan the QR code to learn more about how Valley Strong can help your business.
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Grow Your Possibilities *Rates effective as of November 1, 2021. Open a new Business Membership with a $5 Share and any Business Checking account type with a $100 minimum opening balance. Desktop Remote Deposit requires enrollment in business online banking to activate the service. Compatible check scanner not provided. All rates, terms, and conditions subject to change. Visit valleystrong.com/business-checking-accounts or any branch location to receive our full rate and fee schedule. NCUA insured up to $250,000. Offer expires 3/31/2022.
Federally Insured by NCUA I Equal Opportunity Lender
Are you in compliance? ORDER YOUR 2022 LABOR LAW POSTER TODAY! The Chamber carries the posters in English and Spanish. The posters are $40.00 each plus tax. To place your order please email info@bakochamber.com or call 661-327-4421. Presenting Sponsor
Co-Sponsor
LLP
Save the Date Saturday, April 23 Televised on KGET-TV 17 6:30-8 p.m.
The Kern County Economic Summit is an annual program featuring economists and business leaders who provide valuable information designed to educate and broaden perspectives on international, national, and regional economies. Tune in and watch this premier program and discover ways to sustain and advance economic prosperity in our growing region. Presented By: Kern County Economic Development Corporation California State University, Bakersfield Greater Bakersfield Chamber Become a 2022 Sponsor and join your business community in supporting economic vitality in Kern County! For sponsorship opportunities, please contact Sophia Gligorevic at sophia@kedc.com or 661-862-5156.
Global Family is hosting its Fifth Annual Global Family Invitational Golf Tournament on Monday, March 14 at Seven Oaks Country Club. Check-in is at 10 a.m. and the tournament begins at 11 a.m. Be a part of protecting and restoring at-risk girls in this community and around the world through our Daughter Project effort and enjoy an afternoon filled with community, food, beverages, competition, prizes and more! Secure your team today by RSVPing directly to Lara@myglobalfamily.org. Cost per team starts at $1,000 or $1,250 with hole recognition and proceeds benefit Global Family & the Daughter Project. Despite the challenges of this past year, Kern Community Foundation’s scholarship program continues to thrive. This year, with several hundred scholarship applications in the pipeline, the Foundation is seeking Scholarship Evaluators once again and needs your help more than ever. This year’s evaluation window is March 15–April 5. The Evaluation Process remains unchanged – you simply complete a conflict-of-interest form and review the step-bystep process, and then you will be assigned 8-10 students through an online system. You simply read each student’s personal statement and score it using the rubric provided. You can log in at your leisure from any computer or tablet or phone with internet access. If you’re interested in participating, please provide your contact information here: Kern Community Foundation Evaluation Form. 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-to-grant 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: https://bit.ly/3gPfc0L. For more information on the workshops, visit: https://bit.ly/apcrestart. The League of Dreams is celebrating 15 years of giving every child a chance to play by hosting its Annual Gala Dinner on Saturday, March 26 at The Links at Riverlakes Ranch Golf Course. Cocktails start at 5:30 p.m. with dinner
by Frugatti’s at 6:30 p.m. Tickets are $125 per person and are available at www.ourleagueofdreams.com. For sponsorship opportunities, call Jessica at 661-332-4466. The Bakersfield Condors are extending a VIP offer that ends April 1. For those who purchase a Condors365 membership for the 2022-2023 season, you will receive an exclusive Condors365 gift! If you have any questions, please contact the Ticket Sales Team at 661-324-PUCK or email tickets@bakersfieldcondors.com. The Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce is hosting “Unlock Your Dreams of Home Ownership: First Time Homebuyer 101” webinar at 5:30 p.m. on April 14. This is a step-by-step process to home ownership to get all of your home buying questions answered. To register, visit: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/ tZcofuCgrj8qG9YfxMQoEJzi18DtSwgP1-G1 Concerts for the Causes is back on Saturday, May 7 at the Kern County Raceway Park featuring Easton Corbin, Joe Peters, Joe & Martina and The Rivals. The League of Dreams, M.A.R.E. Therapeutic Riding Center and The Wounded Heroes Fund, all local nonprofit organizations, have partnered together for this annual event. Tickets are on sale now! The concert is 4:30-10:30 p.m. for all ages and tickets can be purchased by visiting www. concertforthecauses.com. Don't miss out on the Ninth Annual CASA Derby Party at the beautiful Gardiner Ranch. CASA of Kern County invites you to attend this exclusive event on May 7 for a fun-filled evening where we’ll celebrate the prestigious Kentucky Derby… Kern County-style! The evening starts at 4:30 p.m. and includes a savory dinner, dancing, exceptional “musthave” live raffle, and silent auction items and a showing of the 2022 Kentucky Derby races. An exclusive Rosé Garden and bourbon tasting will be available to all guests. Seats are limited to this annual event, so be sure to get your tickets early HERE! Taft College is celebrating its Centennial with the Legacy Giving Campaign! To help invest in TC students and future workforce, the college is calling all alumni to donate $100 for 100 years. To make your donation, visit: https://give. taftcollegemultiply.com/pages/home-2196. METRO | PAGE 11
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.
1-800 WATER DAMAGE of Bakersfield 6851 McDivitt Dr., Ste. D Bakersfield, CA 93313 661-885-8755 1800waterdamage.com/bakersfield “We provide 24/7 emergency restoration services for homes and businesses damaged by water, fire, mold, sewage and other property loss events.” Azad DMD Inc DBA CaliDental Bakersfield 3318 Niles St. Bakersfield, CA 93306 661-495-5535 calidentalsmiles.com “Backed with 25 years of experience, CaliDental is a fastgrowing private dental group located in Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield and Kern County in California. In our modern offices paperless systems and digital x-rays and impressions, we offer general dentistry and orthodontics services to kids, adults and families. We invite all the community to join our dental office on Niles St. and El Serento Dr."
Fresco Mexican Grill - Niles St. 3901 Niles St. Bakersfield, CA 93306 661-243-9111 frescomexicangrill.com “We aim to provide the community great customer service and quality products.” Human Resource Development by Robin Paggi Bakersfield, CA 661-496-8759 “I create and deliver training workshops for emplyers on topics suchh as harassment prevention, supervisory skills, communication and customer service.” Kaiser Permanente - Target Clinic 9100 Rosedale Hwy. Bakersfield, CA 93312 661-387-6595 kptargetclinic.org
Edward S. Robinson Enterprises, LLC - The Social Servant Bakersfield, CA 559-791-8885 thesocialservant.com
“Kaiser Permanente is staffing the new clinic in Bakersfield with courteous medical professionals, including licensed nurse practitioners and licensed vocational nurses. The clinic also features physicians available via telemedicine consultations giving Target guests and members of the community additional access to Kaiser Permanente’s highquality and affordable health care services.”
“A social advocate agency dedicated to ensuring that people have equal access to social services, employment services and opportunities to succeed.”
MK Logistics Inc. Bakersfield, CA 661-340-6747
Fresco Meat Market 1401 California Ave. Bakersfield, CA 93304 661-443-1401 frescomeatmarket.com
“We are a local transportation business.”
“We aim to provide the community great customer service and quality products.” Fresco Mexican Grill - Columbus St. 2402 Columbus St. Bakersfield, CA 93306 661- 871-3854 frescomexicangrill.com “We aim to provide the community great customer service and quality products.”
METRO | PAGE 12
Pedego Bakersfield 2436 Oak St., Ste. D Bakersfield, CA 93301 661-404-5518 pedegoelectricbikes.com/dealers/bakersfield “We are a locally and independently owned electric bike shop. We offer sales, service and rentals of Pedego Electric Bikes.”
For more information about joining the Chamber or renewing your membership dues, please email info@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.
ADT LLC – 1978 Advance Beverage Company – 1955 AECOM Technical Services Inc. – 1957 AltaOne Federal Credit Union - Ming Branch – 2007 Bakersfield Art Association – 2013 Bakersfield Association of REALTORS – 1955 Bakersfield Cash Register – 1976 Bakersfield City School District – 1979 Bakersfield Country Club – 1991 Barbich Hooper King Dill Hoffman – 1983 Bethany Services-Bakersfield Homeless Center – 1991 Bitwise Industries – 2019 Blackwell Land, LLC – 1983 BSK & Associates – 1972 Buck Owens Production Company, Inc. – 1965 Bynum Inc. – 1985 Carney's Business Technology Center – 1984 CCM Mortgage – 2007 Chicago Title Company – 1962 Christopher D. Jacobs CPA – 1984 Citizens Business Bank- 17th Street Branch – 1983 Clerou Tire Company, Inc. – 1950 Cook's Computer Maintenance & Cornerstone Mortgage – 2020 Darlene Denison State Farm Insurance & Financial Srvcs. – 2018 Dignity Health Community Wellness Center – 2016 DoubleTree by Hilton – 1983 Douglass Truck Bodies – 1958 Dress For Success - Bakersfield – 2013 Eagle Mountain Casino – 2004 Emcore – 1963
Fairfield Inn & Suites Bakersfield Central – 2018 First 5 Kern – 2001 Flood Ministries – 2020 Frank St. Clair Management – 1992 Frugatti's Italian Restaurant – 2004 Golden Empire Youth Tackle Football – 2010 Griffith Company – 1930 Guarantee Shoe Center – 1984 Hagan Denison, LLP – 2012 Hall Ambulance Service, Inc. – 1984 Houchin Community Blood Bank – 1977 Jess Smith & Sons Cotton LLC – 1958 Jim Burke Ford Lincoln – 1951 KABI LLC – 2014 Karpe Real Estate Center – 1920 KBAK-TV / KBFX-TV – 1953 Kern County Fair and Event Center – 1958 Kern Dance Alliance – 2017 KGET-TV 17 – 1978 KHSD - Regional Occupational Center – 2014 Klassen Corporation – 2019 KMI Mechanical, Inc. – 1991 Logic Film Company LLC – 2021 Mazzei Injector Co., LLC – 1996 Mid State Development Corporation – 1990
Quad Knopf, Inc. – 1984 Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling – 2019 San Dimas Medical Group, Inc. – 1990 San Joaquin Valley College – 1984 Southern California Orthopedic Institute – 1999 StructureCast – 1999 Subway – 1986 Sullivan Petroleum Company – 1947 Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc. – 1983 The BLVD! – 2018 The Lynn Company – 1977 The Sequoia Sandwich Company – 2000 The Station - Kern County Fire Fighters – 2017 Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel DBA Uniglobe Tvl Partners – 1987 United Refrigeration & Air Conditioning – 1999 United Way of Kern County – 1993 Urner's Inc. – 1920 Valley Children's Healthcare – 2012 Valley Steel Construction – 1958 Walker-Lewis Rents – 1988 Wallace & Smith Contractors, Inc. – 1963 Walter Mortensen Insurance – 1946 Watson Realty ERA – 1981 Work Force Staffing – 1981
Nighbert Group – 1972 Nothing Bundt Cakes – 2015 P•A•S Associates – 1990 Pair & Marotta Physical Therapy – 1990 Pegboard – 1975 Pismo Beach Hotel Partners, LLC – 2011 Pyrenees French Bakery – 1958
METRO | PAGE 13
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE FOCUS Edward S. Robinson Enterprises, LLC The Social Servant
2022 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
A social advocate agency dedicated to ensuring that people have equal access to social services, employment services and
Chairman of the Board Rick Jhaj Countryside Corporation
MAJOR INVESTORS
Incoming Chairman Ken Keller Dignity Health - Memorial Hospital Immediate Past Chairman Derek Jeffery KGET-TV 17 Vice Chair Public Policy & Political Action Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company Vice Chair Economic Vitality Andy Anderson Aera Energy LLC Vice Chair Leadership & Workforce Development Denise Newton Pacific Gas & Electric Company
CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS
Treasurer Kristen Beall Watson California State University, Bakersfield General Counsel Mark Bateman Young Wooldridge LLP
BYNUM INC.
CHAMBER STAFF Nick Ortiz | President/CEO Hillary Haenes | Vice President, Member Engagement Kaelyn Peterson | Executive Vice President, Public Affairs & Executive Director of BAKPAC Jean Scheiber | Vice President/ Chief Operating Officer
GET SOCIAL
Stay engaged and connected with what's happening at the Chamber by following us on these social media platforms.
@bakochamber METRO | PAGE 14