METRO Business Journal_ June 2014

Union Cemetery and Price Disposal to Share Tips for Contracting With Them

The Small Business Networking break-fast opens the door for small business to find out about opportunities to do business with large companies.

Dave Hepburn, Historic Union Cemetery, will talk about what it takes to do business with the cemetery and which services are needed to run the 80 acre, nearly 150 year-old cemetery. Ray Scott, Price Disposal, will tell you all you need to know about how to become a vendor with one of Kern County’s largest private waste management companies.

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June 2014

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to: • Building a Strong Economy• Providing Business Education & Networking Opportunities• Promoting Our Community• Representing the Interests of Business with Government

Building a Strong EconomyCEO’s Message ........................................... 2Youth Leadership Bakersfield ..................... 5Business Expo 2014 .................................. 11

Providing Business Education & Networking OpportunitiesSmall Business Networking Breakfast ........ 1 State of the City 2014 ................................. 3“My Take” on Transportation .................... 4Committee Reports ................................... 13

Promoting Our CommunityChairman’s Circle Focus ............................. 2New Members ............................................. 8Renewing Members .................................... 9Ribbon Cuttings ........................................ 10Member News ........................................... 11

Representing the Interests of Business with GovernmentChamber PAC Endorsements ...................... 1The 2014 Legislative Guide ........................ 3Where We Stand .......................................... 6

Providing leadership for a healthy business community

Chamber PAC Urges Vote for Vidak and Salas

Assemblymember Rudy Salas, Jr.

Senator Andy Vidak

Commending both men for their ability to work across party lines and their records on issues important to business, the Bakersfield Chamber PAC (BCCPAC) has voted to endorse Senator Andy Vidak and Assemblymember Rudy Salas, Jr. in their bids for re-election. The endorsements come following interviews with all candidates for both seats, where Vidak and Salas each outlined their legislative priorities and positions on water, hydraulic fracturing and job creation in the central valley. “Senator Andy Vidak and Assemblymember Rudy Salas have proven track records of standing with business, as evidenced by their voting records,” said Keith Brice, BCCPAC chair and president of Mid-

State Development Corporation. “It is important that we have representatives locally, at the state, and federally who understand and support free enterprise and will work to help unravel the red tape that often makes it difficult to do business in California. Andy and Rudy are doing that.” With California’s open primary, the top two vote-getters in each race will square off in November. Vidak is facing Fresno School Board member Luis Chavez in both the June 3 primary and the general election in November. Salas is expected to face one of two Republican challengers—Pedro Rios or Romeo Agbalog—in the general election.

Join us on Friday, June 13!

Thankfully, Our Reps Get it!A delegation of Chamber and local business leaders have just returned from Sacramento where we met with State legislators about issues important to our local economy—water, hydraulic fracturing and the oil severance tax. Assemblymembers Rudy Salas and Shannon Grove and State Senators Andy Vidak and Jean Fuller get it! We can be

confident that they’re banging their heads against the wall each and every day and taking their lumps from representatives to the north and south, as they go to bat on behalf of the folks in the districts who sent them to Sacramento. We had a good meeting with the new Assembly Speaker Toni Atkins, from the San Diego, and were appreciative of her openness to learn more about hydraulic fracturing and her com-mitment to travel to Kern to learn more about the technology and our oil-based economy. A special thank you to Assemblymember Salas for helping us set up that meeting. Conversely, we ran into the polar opposite. A political buzz saw of sorts that made it per-fectly clear that some are only interested in their own truths—which is pretty scary when their truth is filtered through unrealistic absolutes and a singular focus making it clear that they have no desire to look for common ground. It is easy to see how and why we end up with political gridlock and why operating a business in California isn’t easy. It is easy to see that we have a lot of work to do! As a matter of fact, we even ran into one Sacramento “expert” who was adamant that the Monterey Shale had absolutely nothing to do with Kern County. Can you believe the absurdity? Uphill battles like this are why it’s important that every business adds its voice to the Cham-ber’s advocacy efforts. At the Bakersfield Chamber, they can do it through our Governmental Review Council (GRC) or by making a contribution to the BCCPAC (Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee). We promise to continue to represent the interests of business here at home, in Sacramento and in Washington, DC. Won’t you join us?

METRO Business Journal is the official publication of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce

1725 Eye Street • PO Box 1947 •Bakersfield, CA 93303Phone (661)-327-4421 • Fax (661) 327-8751

www.bakersfieldchamber.org • www.bakersfieldadvocacy.org

The Chamber of Commerce President/CEO has the sole right to refuse any advertisement in any Chamber publication.

Chairman's Circle FocusWells Fargo, through its Commercial Banking group, is the number one financial services provider to middle market busi-nesses in the western U.S., according to a leading independent research firm. Headquartered in San Francisco, Wells Fargo is the largest lender to US agriculture among commercial banks, among the largest lenders to companies in the energy and gaming industries, and is one of the United States’ top-40 largest private employers.

www.wellsfargo.com

Business Supporting Business

2014Chairman’s

Circle

Advance Beverage CompanyAera Energy LLCBarbich Hooper King Dill HoffmanBraun Electric Company, Inc.Bright House NetworksBrown Armstrong AccountantsCalifornia State University, BakersfieldCarney’s Business Technology CenterCastle & Cooke California, Inc.ChevronChukchansi Gold Resort & CasinoCitizens Business BankDaniells, Phillips, Vaughan & BockDignity Health- Mercy & Memorial HospitalsDollar GeneralDowling Aaron IncorporatedEnsign U.S. Drilling, CAGolden Empire Transit DistrictGregory D. Bynum & Associates, Inc.Hall Ambulance ServiceJim Burke Ford LincolnKaiser Permanente Kern CountyKern Community College DistrictKern Community FoundationKern Schools Federal Credit UnionKGET-TV 17Klein, DeNatale, Goldner et alLaw Offices of Young Wooldridge LLPMcKee Electric CompanyMid State Development CorporationMotor City Auto CenterOccidental of Elk Hills, Inc.Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc.Pacific Gas and Electric CompanyRabobank, N.A.San Joaquin Community HospitalSouthern California Gas CompanyState Farm Insurance CompaniesStinsons StriaTachi Palace Hotel & CasinoTaft College FoundationTejon Ranch CompanyTelePacific CommunicationsTel-Tec Security Systems, Inc.The Bakersfield CalifornianValley Republic BankWells Fargo Bank

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Providing Business Education and Networking Opportunities

To advertise, contact: Mira Patel (661) 395-7586 [email protected]

To subscribe, contact: Circulation (661) 392-5777 Bakersfield.com/subscribe

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The 2014 Legislative Guide and Public Policy Platform is Now AvailableThe Legislative Guide & Public Policy Platform is a tool to help educate you, as our members, about the issues important to business and the economy, and to help you take part in the legislative process. This publication incorporates the Cham-ber’s Public Policy Platform, which is the foundation from which the Chamber engages on issues on our members’ behalf, and a Business Advocacy Toolkit for our members to use to let their voices be heard. Stop by the Chamber and pick up your copy today.

State of the City 2014 Set for July 15 The annual State of the City luncheon is one of the Chamber’s leading busi-ness information forums. The July event features Bakersfield Mayor Harvey L. Hall and designated City department heads reporting on the accomplishments of the past year and providing a look ahead to the City’s future plans. State of the City will take place on Tuesday, July 15 at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center. Registration and check in begins at 11:30a.m.; program 12:00-1:30 p.m.

Sponsorship opportunities are available.

Sponsorship levels include: • Presenting $5,000 • Silver $2,500 • Bronze $1,000

Contact Tonya Sterling(661) [email protected]

SPONSORSHIPS AVAILABLE!

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New Transportation Plan Balances Economic Growth with Environmental Realities You can make your business stand

out in the online business directory by enhancing your listing?

ONLINE DIRECTORY ENHANCEMENTSEnhanced Listing $150/year(Basic Plus - Color Background, 25-Word Description)

Featured Listing $350/year(Enhanced Plus - Company Logo/Photo)

Exclusive Category Sponsor $1,000/year(Enhanced Plus – Full Color Category Ad)

Additional Category Sponsorships $600/year

Additional Business Categories$100/yr

Give Lauren a call today to boost your business: 661.327.4421

By Ahron Hakimi | Kern COG Executive Director

ln developing the Kern region’s 26-year master plan for transportation, Kern Council of Govern-ments has received input from more than 8,000 of our residents and their message has been crystal clear: We need to fix, finish and maintain what we have. Kern COG’s 2014 Regional Transportation Plan considers all the different modes of travel at our disposal – from roads and highways to freight and passenger rail, bicycles, walking and aviation – of-fering a proposal for how best to spend the $11.2 billion we expect to receive through federal, state and local funding sources through 2040. State and federal agencies have been vocal in providing guidelines for building a transportation network that both accommodates our increasing population while simultaneously reducing our environmental impacts. Meanwhile, Kern residents have been abundantly clear about what they expect going forward: Maintenance as the top priority. With that input, Kern COG has crafted a plan carefully designed to balance economic interests with environmental realities. The RTP acknowl-edges the close connection that transportation and land use planning share, along with the need to use our resources differently. Among other priorities, that input has translated into a 700 percent increase in spending -- $424 million – on bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure like sidewalks, bike lanes and bike paths. Housing within walking distance to public transportation that circulates every 15 minutes is anticipated to grow more than three-and-a-half times. Approxi-mately $2.2 billion is proposed for public transpor-tation improvements, including the funding that state officials hope to have for high-speed rail. Together, that represents $2.6 billion dollars, compared to approximately $2.8 billion through

the 2040 planning horizon for new capacity and maintenance on roads and freeways. Our modeling shows that this balanced approach to growing our transportation network, if enacted, will provide for: a 32 percent decrease in farmland converted to housing outside of cities’ spheres of influence; at least a 5 percent reduction in health expenditures because of improved air quality and; at least a 10 percent decrease in house- hold water use. At the same time, Kern COG is fully aware of the need to do what it can to assist in our region’s economic recovery and maturity. As a growing logistics hub, home to more than 30 different distribution centers, Kern has an obligation to maintain its roadways to ensure that commerce flows smoothly. Construction in the region is at an all-time high with one-time funding sources either reaching their crescendo, such as the Thomas Roads Improvement Program with the upcoming Centennial Corridor project, or, in the case of Proposition 1B funds, winding down with the widening of Highway 99 in Bakersfield. These important improvements and many others will help guarantee that our network welcomes growing economic oppor-tunities and the new jobs that will accompany them. Most importantly, the ambitious program the Regional Transportation Plan sets forth reminds all of us that we can’t afford to lose transportation amid the shuffle of ever-changing social and policy priorities. There’s simply too much at stake.

Promoting Our Community

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Youth Leadership Bakersfield graduated 32 high school students from 17 different high schools in Bakersfield on Friday, May 2. This year’s graduation featured Lyle Martin, as-sistant police chief of the Bakersfield Police Department, as he discussed the importance of leadership and how students can take what the students have learned from the program and apply it in their future. Over the course of the program, these students have experienced Bakers-field’s wide range of community issues and career opportunities in the areas of agriculture, arts and culture, criminal justice, education, health and human services, leadership, media, energy and government.

Graduates of the 2014 Youth Leadership Bakersfield Program

Aaron Perlman, weathercaster, KBAK & KBFX Eyewitness News and YLB graduates take a “selfie” at the graduation celebration.

Dammy Adeoye Bakersfield ChristianRaylon Allen South Omar Aragon Independence Charenee Brown SouthTatum Collatz Stockdale Joseph Constantine Frontier Stephen John Cruz Liberty Zhanelle Davis Independence Michael EarnestStockdale Christopher EllisIndependence Haley GarrisonGarces Memorial

Manuel GomezMira Monte Heide Gutierrez East Bakersfield Natalie Hernandez East Bakersfield Samuel LangValley Oaks Charter Roman Lara Centennial Sydney Maiden Bakersfield Nicholas Martinez Ridgeview Carmen MezaRidgeview Sarai MezaCentennial Irma NarvaezFoothill Dylan NewellStockdale

Rebecca Oberg West Jacob PesinaWest Genaro Rodriguez Highland Esmeralda Rojas Golden ValleyDavid RomanEast BakersfieldScott RushFrontier Oliver Shevchenko Bakersfield ChristianSpecial SmithHighlandAngela TanteLiberty Sebastian ValderramaGolden Valley

Chamber Salutes Youth Leadership Bakersfield Scholarship Winners

Youth Leadership Bakersfield Presented to Kern County Board of Supervisors and Bakersfield City Council

As part of its commitment to education, workforce prepara-tion and leadership development, the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce offers three $500 scholarships to graduates of the Youth Leadership Bakersfield program who are seeking to con-tinue their education in a four-year college or university. The Business Partners Scholar-ships are awarded to students whose achievements, both in school and the community, reflect the capabilities and attitudes nec-

essary for success in academic, business and life settings. This year’s recipients are Elizabeth Vazquez and Raquel Vega, both from Bakersfield High School. Each year, the Bakersfield College Foundation awards a $1,000 scholarship to a Youth Leadership Bakersfield graduate planning to attend Bakersfield College. This year’s recipient is Sara McComas from East High School.

Sydney Maiden, of Bakersfield High School and a 2014 YLB graduate, joined Cindy Pollard, Chamber president and CEO; and Rob Duchow, Southern California Gas Company and YLB Graduation Sponsor to present the 2014 YLB Program to the Kern County Board of Supervisors. The group shared the program’s goals to identify potential leaders within the high school youth community, develop their leadership skills and create community spirit. Maiden

shared how much she learned about Bakersfield and how the program made her realize she can be a leader. Michele Newell, Aera Energy LLC and YLB advisory chair; and graduates John Cruz and Angela Tante, Liberty High School; Haley Garrison, Garces Memorial High School; and Samuel Lang, Valley Oaks Charter School and graduation speaker, joined Pollard to present the program to the Bakersfield City Council.

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is constantly working to improve the business climate locally, in our region, throughout the State of California and nationally. A better business climate means a healthy economy and better quality of life for us all. To that end, here’s a list of Bills on which we’ve weighed in, as of May 10. To add your voice to our advocacy efforts, join us at GRC, Friday morn-ings 7:30 – 8:30 a.m., at the Chamber.

Date Committee/Event Time Place

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Chamber Meetings and Events

Chamber Monthly Planner- June 2014

Tune in to Strictly Business every Monday, 10 a.m. at www.bakersfield.com

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June 4 Beautiful Bakersfield Committee 11:45 a.m. Chamber

June 4 Executive Committee 12:00 p.m. Chamber

June 5 LB Advisory Council 7:30 a.m. Chamber

June 7 Nut Festival All Day KC Museum

June 6 Governmental Review Council 7:30 a.m. Chamber

June 9 YLB Advisory Council DARK

June 12 Small Business Networking Bkfst. 7:30 a.m. Chamber

June 13 Chamber Palooza 6:00 p.m. KC Museum

June 13 Governmental Review Council DARK

June 18 Energy Committee 8:00 a.m. Chamber

June 18 Board Meeting 11:45 a.m. Chamber


June 20 Leadership Bakersfield Class Day 7:30 a.m. Offsite

June 20 Leadership Bakersfield Graduation 6:30 p.m. Stockdale CC

June 23 Bus. Ed. & Enhancement Committee 11:45 a.m. Chamber

June 24 Ambassador Meeting 11:45 a.m. Chamber


Fresno First Bank1430 Truxtun Ave., 5th FloorBakersfield, CA 93301 | 661-616-1301www.fresnofirstbank.com“Full service independent bank specializing in commercial banking and small business loans.”

Jos. A. Bank Clothiers9000 Ming Ave., Ste. I-4Bakersfield, CA 93311 | 661-654-8963www.josbank.com“Jos. A. Bank Clothiers provides an extensive selection of beautifully made, classically styled tailored and casual clothing with superior quality and workmanship at excellent prices.”

Lightwave Education333 Palmer Dr., Ste. 220Bakersfield, CA 93309 | 661-381-7644www.lightwaveeducation.org“Our non-profit corporation started in September 2010 dedicated to a mission to create tools for individuals to thrive, prosper and succeed through education, mentoring and community outreach.”

Promoting Our Members

Welcome to Our New Chamber Members Benchmark Communities LLC

5113 Phisto Place Bakersfield, CA 93313 www.benchmarkcommunities.com“At Benchmark Communities we believe it matters who builds your home. We are a pioneering homebuilder with footprints across California and a growing presence in Washington State. Designing and building homes is our passion – exceeded only by our desire to have every one of our homeowners be a raving fan of their Benchmark home.”

Employers Depot, Inc.5701 Truxtun Ave. Ste. 220Bakersfield, CA 93309 | 661-325-0200www.employersdepot.com“Established in 1985, Employers Depot, Inc. (EDI) is a woman-owned staffing firm, offering temporary, temporary to regular, direct placement and payroll programs.”

Mauricio’s Grill & Cantina5701 Dennis McCarthy Dr.Lebec, CA 93243 | 661-589-5292www.mauriciosgrill.com“Mauricio’s Grill & Cantina is a full service restaurant with a family atmosphere offering great service and quality food.”

PostNet CA 13513061 Rosedale Hwy., Ste. GBakersfield, CA 93314 | 661-587-7678www.postnet.com/ca135“PostNet CA 135 is your neighborhood business center. We pride ourselves to be friendly, convenient and local. We design your marketing collateral, print your presentations, and handle your packing and shipping.”

SANplicity200 Sonora St., 2nd FloorBakersfield, CA 93305 | 661-616-3333www.SANplicity.com“Bakersfield based technology firm bringing Enterprise technology to mid-sized companies. The best local source for

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March 15 - April 14, 2014

Bring plenty of business cards and come prepared to promote your products and services to a variety of potential clients. Cost is $25 for Chamber members, $50 for nonmembers. Continental breakfast will be provided. To register, call (661) 327-4421 or visit www.bakersfieldchamber.org. Please park in the Eye Street parking structure located on the northwest corner of 18th and Eye streets.

Networking Breakfast (story continued from page 1)

Small Business Networking Breakfast sponsored by:

The Chamber has conference rooms for rent!And room rental rates are dirt cheap. We have rooms that seat 8, 20 or 80.

Call Janet today to reserve your room 661.327.4421


Renewing Members Support ChamberThe following members renewed their commitment to the Chamber and local business community during the period of April 15, 2014 - May 14, 2014

Member Since Member Since Member Since

American Business Machines ................................. 1999American Safety Services, Inc. ................................. 2007Bakersfield Blaze .................................................... 2004Belfor Property Restoration .................................... 2010Bolthouse Farms, Inc. ............................................. 1995Clear Channel Radio ............................................... 2001Community Action Partnership of Kern ................... 1995Dewar’s Candy Shop, Inc. ....................................... 1994EnviroTech Consultants ........................................... 2004Frank Cantelmi Engineering .................................... 2009Galbraith Van & Storage Company .......................... 1972The Garlic Company ............................................... 2002Gazelle Transportation, Inc. .................................... 2013Granite Construction .............................................. 1977

Grapevine MSP, LLC ............................................... 2013Guild House ........................................................... 1993His Rosedale Auto Sales ......................................... 2004Hodel’s Country Dining ........................................... 1986Home Instead Senior Care ...................................... 2008Homewood Suites by Hilton ................................... 2004Jersey Mike’s Subs – Stockdale ............................... 2011Junior League of Bakersfield ................................... 2003Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation .................. 1999Kelly Services .......................................................... 2013Kwik Signs Inc. ........................................................ 2001Lamar Advertising ................................................... 2011Links for Life ........................................................... 2003Matthew Trimble .................................................... 2011

McKittrick Waste Treatment Site ............................. 2006Miramar International Real Estate .......................... 2007Mish Funeral Home ................................................ 2009Paramount Farming Company ................................ 1994Proforma Progressive Marketing ............................ 2004Que Pasa Mexican Café .......................................... 2003Dr. Stephen Ratty, Optometrist ............................... 1994Santa Barbara Business College ............................. 1983Sizzler Restaurant – Real Road ............................... 1997Star Furniture ......................................................... 2010Union Bank – Stockdale Village Branch .................. 1993Uricchio’s Trattoria .................................................. 1995Walmart Stores, Inc. – Fashion Place...................... 1997Wiki’s Wine Dive & Grill .......................................... 2013Worklogic HR .......................................................... 2000

Ribbon Cuttings Promoting Our Community

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Omni Family Health, Grand Opening4131 Ming Avenue 661-459-1900

Ambassadors Bob Meadows, Mission Bank; Jacob Henry and Alan Rollolazo, Diamond Technologies; Steve Bohn, Principle Financial

Group; Samantha Ens, ServiceMaster; Carla Hutcherson, Manpow-er; Amber Boatwright, Mendez Media; and Marcella Ives, American

Cancer Society were on hand for the grand opening.

Robert Heely Construction, New Corporate Office5401 Woodmere Drive 661-617-1400Chamber Ambassadors Casey Knaak, United Way; Leslie Elliott, AR-Cpoint Labs; Marcella Ives, American Cancer Society; David Taylor, Hall Ambulance; Julian Herrera and Gloria Hernandez, Continental Labor & Staffing; Derron Juarez, Aerotek; Ruben Gonzales, AmeriPride Uniforms; and Matthew Hughes, Holiday Inn Express attended the celebration.

Whitestone Painters, New Location4100 Easton Drive, Suite #17 888-567-2234

Ambassadors Marcella Ives, American Cancer Society; Matt Hughes, Holiday Inn Express; Alan Rollolazo, Diamond Technologies; Marilyn

Henderson, SendOut Cards; and Casey Knaak, United Way represented the Chamber at the ribbon cutting.

California State University, Bakersfield is proud to announce that it has been selected as one of the 100 universities (#39) listed in TIME Magazine’s top col-leges and universities based on a new criteria proposed by the White House that emphasizes accessibility, affordability, and completion. To view the full ranking by TIME, visit http://time.com/71782/make-your-own-college-ranking/. For more information on CSU Facts including financial aid, visit http://www.calstate.edu/PA/2014Facts/.

Kern County Animal Shelter Foun-dation invites you to Applause for Paws, Saturday, June 14, doors open at 6 p.m., Masonic Temple, 1920 18th St. Tickets are $30 for one, $50 for two, $250 for a table of eight. For tickets by mail, contact Friends Foundation, PO Box 11494, Bakersfield, CA 93389, please include the number of tickets you are ordering. You can also get tickets via PayPal ([email protected]) and be sure to include your mailing address and the number of tickets you are purchasing.

Optimal Hospice Care invites you to attend a New Volunteer Orientation on Wednesday, June 18, 1:00 to 4:00 p.m., 17th and Chester Ave. (downtown) in the Chase Building. Caring individuals from the Kern County area communities are encouraged to call (661) 716-4000 or email [email protected] to reserve a seat.

Lightwave Education Freedom School Program provides summer enrich-ment through research based and multicultural curriculum during a 6-week summer program, June 23 to August 1, 2014. This program is geared towards ages 6-14. Registration is open and for more information call (661) 381-7644 or visit www.lightwaveeducation.org .

Bakersfield Art Association announces classes are available in Drawing, Watercolor, Oil, Acrylic, Pen and Ink & Color Theory for beginners and advanced, adults and children at the Art Center, 1817 Eye St. For information and to sign up call (661) 869-2320


Member News From and About Your Fellow Chamber Members

Like us, join us, follow us...

Get qualified leads and make quality connections while marketing your business to thousands of consumers. This is the largest annual business-to-business showcase in the area. As a sponsor you will be premiered amongst 145 booths and 2,000 attendees. This sponsorship includes an extra large booth space, prime booth location, recognition in event materials and much more! This opportunity is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Booth space is limited and sold out last year. For more information contact Jean Scheiber at [email protected] or call (661) 327-4421.

The Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce is now accepting sponsors for:

October 23, 2014

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Ambassador Committee Bob Meadows, Mission Bank – ChairSusanne Campbell, Rideshare coordinator at Kern Council of Governments, presented at the May meeting and shared information on the website for rideshare coordination, commutekern.org. Camp-bell was able to walk the group through many of the features of the site. Kelly Clanton, Charpentier Wealth Strategies, presented the 5 minute com-mercial. The Ambassador Committee meets on the fourth Tuesday of the month. We are looking for enthusiastic people who would like to represent the Chamber and their own business in the com-munity to join the committee. If this is you, please contact Heather.Staff contact: Heather Pennella

Beautiful Bakersfield Committee Casey Knaak, United Way of Kern County - ChairThirty six members of the community judged award nominations and invitations to the gala event were mailed. The committee planned the final details for the Beautiful Bakersfield Awards Reception and Banquet. Award recipients were announced at the awards banquet on Saturday, May 31 and the event was streamed live on www.bakersfield.com.Staff contact: Jean Scheiber

Business Education & Enhancement Committee Kelly Macy, San Joaquin Valley College – ChairMichael Russo, Kern High School District Regional Occupational Center (ROC), presented on the services offered at the center. ROC offers career technical education to high school juniors. The Business Education & Enhancement Commit-tee meets on the fourth Monday of the month and plans and facilitates the Chamber’s Small Business Networking Breakfasts, seminar series and Labor and Employment Law forums. If you are interested in helping drive the business education programs at the Chamber, contact Heather.Staff contact: Heather Pennella

Committee Reports Chamber Palooza Committee

Holly Arnold, Occidental Petroleum – ChairThe committee is in the home stretch of planning Chamber Palooza, and tickets are on sale now! Chamber Palooza will be held on Friday, June 13 from 6:00-10:00 p.m., at the Kern County Museum. Chamber Palooza will have lots of fun elements this year, and will be THE networking event of the year. Please make plans to attend and support the Chamber.Staff contact: Heather Pennella

Energy CommitteeLes Clark, Independent Oil Producers Agency—Chair The Energy Committee is open to Chamber mem-bers that work in the energy field, or to members that have jobs related to energy. The next Energy Committee meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 18 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 a.m. If you are interested in attending, please call Heather.Staff contact: Heather Pennella

Governmental Review CouncilLeslie Golich, Kaiser Permanente—Chair Beatris Espericueta Sander, the new execu-tive director for the Kern County Farm Bureau conveyed the message that the Farm Bureau wants to give farmers a voice who often go unheard and would like to engage farmers more in political discussions. She noted, Kern County is the second highest Ag producing county in the U.S. with 5.2 million acres and 2.3 million are used for Ag. According to the Employment Development De-partment, for every 38 acres of agriculture, one job is created. Acknowledging the drought issues, the Farm Bureau would like to raise awareness of the importance of conserving water. Sanders reported that 95% of Kern County Farmers have switched from flood irrigating to drip-irrigation, increasing their water efficiency. The estimated figure for fallowed acreage due to the drought is roughly 800,000 acres state-wide with an estimated crop loss of $3.5 billion state-wide. Staff contact: Cindy Pollard

Leadership Bakersfield Advisory CouncilKathy Miller, Aera Energy LLC – ChairThe May Leadership Bakersfield Class Day fo-cused its attention on agriculture in Kern County. The class spent the day behind the scenes at Western Sky Dairy, Grimmway Farms, Murray Family Farms and Sunridge Nurseries. Serving as Advisory Council Chairs were Nikki Cross, O’Dell Cross, A Professional Corporation and Bob Meadows, Mission Bank. Special thanks to local farmer Steve Murray, Murray Family Farms for sharing a history of central valley ag-riculture. This session was made possible by the generous support of Grimmway Farms, Murray Family Farms, Paramount Farming Company and Mission Bank. Staff Contact: Tonya Sterling

Youth Leadership Bakersfield Advisory CouncilMichele Newell, Aera Energy LLC- Chair The final session for the 2014 YLB class fo-cused on agriculture and water in Kern County, providing students with an opportunity to tour Bolthouse Farms, Inc., a local ranch and dairy to learn about the issues and challenges within the industry. Thanks to Advisory Council Chairs Colin Giboney, Bolthouse Farms Inc.; Denise Newton, Pacific Gas and Electric Company; and Debra Plank, Kern County Superintendent of Schools. Thanks are also extended to day spon-sors ASP Farm Services and Bolthouse Farms Inc. and program underwriters Aera Energy LLC and San Joaquin Community Hospital for helping to ensure the continuing success of this program.Staff contact: Jean Scheiber

Building a Strong Economy

Rotary Awards Waterman Grant to Bakersfield Vision 2020, Inc.

About the Waterman Foundation: The purpose of the Waterman Foundation is to provide scholarships to local students as well as fund capital projects proposed by local non-profit organizations. The Waterman Foundation was established by the Bakersfield Downtown Rotary Club in 1984. Thirteen members of this Club comprise the Board of Trustees and govern the activities of the foundation.

The Rotary Club of Bakersfield has awarded Bakersfield Vision 2020, Inc., the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Com-merce’s new 501c3, a Waterman Foundation Grant in the amount of $5,732. The grant will be used to purchase video equipment to help expand the Chamber’s business education programs and is one of ten grants totaling more than $40,000 the Downtown Rotary Club awarded to local nonprofits. “We are in desperate need of video equip-ment to expand the training and education programming we provide our members,” said Lauren Smoot, manager of market-ing and communications for the Chamber. “We’ve used our old camera on a weekly basis and we were limited in what we could accomplish. This new equipment will al-low us to produce high quality videos and images and we look forward to using the equipment in new and exciting ways.”

The Waterman Grants will fund capital projects that address community needs across several areas including programs and services for youth and seniors; education, transportation; childhood obesity; jobs and training; health and human services for the uninsured or underinsured; availability of health and related services; homelessness and mental health services. “We are pleased to provide funding to help address some of our community’s most pressing needs and toughest challenges,” said Steve Sanders, president of the Club. “The impact that we can have on the com-munity begins with our members, who have committed to service above self, and this is one important way that we can provide service to improve the lives of others in our community.”

About the Rotary: The 1.2 million-member organization started with the vision of one man—Paul P. Harris. The Chicago attorney formed one of the world’s first service organizations, the Rotary Club of Chicago, on February 23, 1905 as a place where professionals with diverse back-grounds could exchange ideas and form meaningful, lifelong friend-ships. Rotary’s name came from the group’s early practice of rotating meetings among the offices of each member. Since 1905, under the motto of “Service Above Self,” Rotary has taken on some of the world’s toughest challenges and helped a wide range of international and service organizations.

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Presented By

Featuring Johan Grahamfeatured on

A&E’s hit show

LIVE AUCTION catered by Hodel’s

Be there for networking, prizes, auctions,drinks, dancing and fun!!!!

$45 Advanced Tickets $55 At the Door

Friday, June 13, 20146:00 to 10:00 p.m.Kern County Museum3801 Chester Avenue

Bronze Sponsors:Daniells Phillips Vaughan & BockGEM CareBraun Electric

Entertainment Sponsors: Silver Sponsor:PG&E

ImbibeLimousine SceneKern Federal Credit UnionPepsi Beverage Company

Dignity HealthMcKee ElectricBFMC/HPNDollar GeneralPCL

Chairman of the Board Danny Ordiz Ordiz-Melby Architects, Inc.Chairman of the Board Elect Danielle Wade Bright House NetworksVice Chair Administration Shaun Kelly Tolman and Wiker Insurance Services, LLCVice Chair Networking Division Karen King Golden Empire Transit DistrictVice Chair Business Advocacy Derek Abbott Tejon Ranch CompanyVice Chair Member Education Christine Frazier Kern County Superintendent of SchoolsVice Chair Community Outreach John F. Stovall Law Offices of John F. Stovall Treasurer Andy Paulden Brown Armstrong AccountantsImmediate Past Chair Garrett Ming KABI LLCDirector-at-Large Steve Murray Murray Family Farms

Board MembersPaul Anderson Moneywise Wealth ManagementBrooke Antonioni Trans West Security Service, Inc.Susan M. Benham Dignity Health Memorial Hospital Greg Chamberlain Bakersfield CollegeDavid Dobbs Imbibe Wine & Spirits MerchantKaren Goh Garden Pathways, Inc.Scott Guseman Paramount Farming CompanyRonald Johns RA Johnsfam dba McDonald’sDuane Keathley Cushman & Wakefield/PacificKathy Miller Aera Energy LLCDarlene Mohlke Castle & Cooke California, Inc.Bill Murray DoubleTree by HiltonCarla Musser ChevronPritesh Patel Valley Republic BankTom Saba Creative Concepts/Saba AgencyRick Stevens Stevens Transportation, Inc.DeAnn Straub Kern Federal Credit Union

Chamber StaffPresident/CEO Cynthia D. PollardDirector of Operations Tonya SterlingProject Manager Heather PennellaOperations Assistant Jean ScheiberInformation Specialist Janet UrseryGovernment Affairs Manager OpenCommunications Manager Lauren Smoot Director of Membership Joy Davis

2014 Board of Directors

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Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce1725 Eye Street • PO Box 1947Bakersfield, CA 93303661-327-4421 • FAX: 661-327-8751http://www.bakersfieldchamber.org

METRO 16

Documents

METRO Business Journal_ June 2014