March 2020 Metro

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Seven Oaks Country Club Membership Incentives Available* * Requires financing through Castle & Cooke Mortgage. Seven Oaks Country Club memberships subject to application approval.

on the

INSIDE

4 CEO MESSAGE

Important information about Covid-19.

6 MIXER RECAP

See some photos from our February Mixer hosted by Deprigo.

8 9

LEADERSHIP BAKERSFIELD Read the highlights on what the 2020 LB Class learned on Government Day.

YOUTH LEADERSHIP

6

Read the highlights on what the 2020 YLB Class learned on Health & Human Services Day and Energy Day.

10 RIBBON CUTTINGS

Celebrate important milestones of fellow Chamber members.

8 Cover Cover photography by April & Co.

Contact us

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

9 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 2020. 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

Today starts the first in what will be semi-weekly communications from us on news, resources and information related to COVID-19. While protective measures are necessary, we will try to find ways to support and promote our members businesses. If you follow us on social media or receive our e-newsletters, you will find resources and a recording of a recent webinar Nick Ortiz (that you can access here), current information from state and local governments and resources for small businesses that we have either posted or sent out on COVID-19 updates.

Our local businesses are at the forefront of our minds and even though we're postponing in-person meetings, please know that we are working hard for you. Over the last week, the Chamber staff has been in active communication with our partner associations, government officials and state and federal agencies. We are advocating for swift resources, timely information and clear direction for the business community. We're also committed to helping our members promote information about their operational changes and how they plan to continue serving clients and customers.

If you have something you want our help in publicizing -please let us know.

METRO | PAGE 4

As the situation with COVID-19 continues to evolve, here is an update on the steps the Chamber is taking for our daily operations. All committee and council meetings, ribbon cuttings and mixers are postponed. Our office is closed to the public, but you can still reach us by email.

The Chamber team will continue to be your advocates -and we'll all work toward building something better as we meet this challenge together.

Stay safe and healthy,

Nick Ortiz President & CEO Greater Bakersfield Chamber

FEBRUARY MIXER

T

hank you Deprigo for hosting our first mixer of the year.

On Feb. 27, attendees enjoyed delicious small bites from Hacienda Guerrero Catering and Chef Lino's Grill, games, music and networking in this modern hub.

Here's a look at some of the moments captured by April & Co. For more photos, visit the Chamber's Facebook page.

Hosted by:

METRO | PAGE 5

Let’s Get Down to Business

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Whether you want to add another truck to your fleet or buy the building you’re renting, our Business Relationship Managers help mentor and guide you to the right loan in our wide selection that includes:

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Grow Your Possibilities Call (661) 833-7530 or visit valleystrong.com to learn how our local Business Banking team can help grow your business.

Federally Insured by NCUA I Equal Opportunity Lender

LEADERSHIP BAKERSFIELD The Leadership Bakersfield Class received an overview into local government processes, current relevant issues impacting the community and spent a day interacting with elected officials and policy makers at all levels of government.

The day started with a spirited lecture by Bakersfield High School social studies teacher Jeremy Adams, who discussed the constitutional foundations of the American political experience, founding fathers, as well as 20th Century political leaders whose contributions shaped today’s political environment.

Resources, the economy, and the future of Kern County’s oil took center stage at the Board of Supervisors chambers with a robust panel featuring industry representatives, social justice advocates and elected officials including Supervisor Zack Scrivner and Mayor Jose Gurrola. The panel touched upon health impacts, jobs, carbon neutrality and the economy in relation to this vital sector of Kern’s economy.

Thank you to a cavalcade of diverse local leaders including Assemblyman Fong, Chairwoman Perez, Councilman Gonzales and community leaders Josh Dhanens, Louis Gill, Jacqui Kitchen, Alan Christensen, Joe Ashley, Amanda Ruiz, Cathy Abernathy, Dr. Esparza and Dr. Mark Martinez. The Government day was an information filled and exciting day.

- Jeff Flores, County of Kern The Chamber would like to thank Leadership Bakersfield Advisory Day Chairs Jeff Flores, County of Kern; and John Nilon, Retired County of Kern.

Day Sponsor

METRO | PAGE 8

YOUTH LEADERSHIP BAKERSFIELD Health & Human Services Day The day started out at the Chamber office with a presentation from CASA of Kern County. Their Executive Directory, Amy Travis, explained the history and facts of the organization and the services offered. The students were then given a tour of The Bakersfield Homeless Center. They learned how its jobs program is helping homeless families get back on their feet, and how its staff cares for residents as well as the surrounding community.

Kern’s growing health care industry was the focus of the session's second half of the day. Adventist Health Bakersfield gave behind-the-scenes access to its AIS Cancer Center and helipad. Students were able to see firsthand the latest equipment that doctors are using to save lives. At lunch, a panel of health care professionals from very diverse fields shared their knowledge and passions.

Upon arrival at the Kern County Public Health Department, students were greeted by Director Matt Constantine and a crowd of reporters. The issue at hand was an e-coli outbreak. Students were then divided into strike teams to interview victims and visit several locations. A student from each strike team then had the task of reporting their team’s findings at a mock press conference. While the outbreak was not real, Constantine and his staff explained the exercise was a reality the department is equipped to handle.

The Chamber would like to thank Youth Leadership Bakersfield Advisory Day Chairs Vin Dang, Empire Eye & Laser Center; and Danay Jones, Adventist Health Bakersfield. A special thank you to our day sponsor Adventist Health Bakersfield.

Energy Day Youth Leadership Bakersfield students got an inside look at the local energy industry, including taking part in a hands-on oil experiment at Aera Energy and learning about the skills required to work high atop utility poles from line-workers at PG&E. At PG&E, the students heard several employees talk about their careers at the company. They also saw demonstrations detailing how employees check for gas leaks with high-tech, hand-held equipment. A recently hired crew of in-house firefighters gave students the opportunity to handle a firehose. Line-workers provided a pole-climbing demo and allowed the students to try out a few skills of their own.

The afternoon at Aera Energy included keynote speaker Aimee Blaine, senior vice president-technical at Aera Energy LLC, who talked about her personal advancement in the oil industry. She was followed by a panel made of PG&E and Aera employees who talked about how they moved from high school and college into their respective careers.

Speakers included geologists and an accountant from Aera, and an environmental field specialist and an electric outreach specialist from PG&E. The day wrapped up with a hands-on experiment that provided a basic knowledge of oil drilling using cupcakes, which is always a big hit with the students.

-Tracy Lopez, Pacific Gas & Electric The Chamber would like to thank Youth Leadership Bakersfield Advisory Day Chairs Tracy Lopez, Pacific Gas & Electric Company and LaMeka Ross, Aera Energy LLC. A special thank you to our day sponsors Aera, Chevron and Pacific Gas & Electric Company.

METRO | PAGE 9

RIBBON CUTTINGS

ANDREA R. HILL, CPA, AAC

The UPS Store

Zivel of Bakersfield

ROC School of Cosmetology Salon

ARA Dialysis - North Bakersfield Dialysis

Hot Pot Spot 1525 18th St. www.thehotpotspot.com

2200 19th St. www.arhillcpa.com

4605 Buena Vista Rd., Ste. 620 www.zivel.com

2661 Oswell St., Ste. B www.americanrenal.com METRO | PAGE 10

4605 Buena Vista Rd., Ste. 600 www.theupsstore.com

501 S. Mt. Vernon Ave. https://roc.kernhigh.org/apps/pages/cosmetology-services

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 ensure a healthy business climate for our community.

8minutenergy Renewables, LLC ― 2013 Advance Communications & Consulting, Inc. ― 2001 Alliance Against Family Violence & Sexual Assault ― 1992 American Cancer Society, Bakersfield Unit ― 1986 Andrea R Hill, CPA ― 2017 Bakersfield City School District ― 1979 Bakersfield Family Medical Center ― 1983 Bakersfield Museum of Art ― 1996 Bakersfield Racquet Club ― 1965 Bank of the Sierra - California Ave. ― 2017 Baymarr Constructors, Inc. ― 1997 Bella at the Marketplace ― 2000 Beneficial State Bank ― 2017 Biomat USA ― 2006 Blackwell Land, LLC ― 1983 BSK & Associates ― 1972 California Water Service ― 1943 Cannon Corporation ― 2004 Carney's Business Technology Center ― 1984 Castle & Cooke California, Inc. ― 1988 Citizens Business Bank- 17th Street Branch ― 1983 Community Connection for Childcare/ KCSOS ― 1988 Core Chiropractic + Wellness ― 2018 Courtyard by Marriott Hotel ― 1997 Cuyama Buckhorn LLC ― 2018 Daniells Phillips Vaughan & Bock

― 1956 Dignity Health Management Services ― 1993 DoubleTree by Hilton ― 1983 Eagle Mountain Casino ― 2004 Educational Services ― 1991 Enterprise Drilling Fluids, Inc. ― 1997 First Assembly of God ― 2002 Greg's Petroleum Service ― 2018 Grimmway Schools ― 2019 Heart of Nature (NV), LLC ― 2011 Henrietta Weill Memorial Child Guidance Clinic ― 1981 Houghton 'Howdy' Miller ― 2018 HP Sears ― 1926 Hyatt Place Bakersfield ― 2019 Kaiser Permanente Kern County ― 1987 Kern County Taxpayers Association ― 1991 Kern Medical ― 2014 KERO-TV 23 ― 1946 Kisco Sales, Inc. ― 1974 KW Plastics of California ― 1994 Lee's Clinical Pharmacy ― 2006 Lisa Noxon Holder, PC ― 2018 Luigi's ― 1997 Macpherson Energy Corporation ― 2017 Merrill Lynch - Pierce, Fenner & Smith Inc. ― 1978 Minuteman Press ― 1991 Pac-Van, Inc. ― 2009 Placer Title Company ― 2008 Project Clean Air, Inc. ― 2017

Purveyor House ― 2018 Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers ― 2019 Rival Technology Inc. ― 2018 Rosewood Retirement Community ― 1978 San Joaquin Valley College ― 1984 Six Flags Magic Mountain and Hurricane Harbor ― 2017 Southern California Edison ― 2012 sPower ― 2015 SpringHill Suites by Marriott ― 2014 State Farm - Keith Stonebraker Insurance Agency, Inc. ― 2004 Stockdale Affairs Event Center ― 2013 Sunpower by Quality Home Services ― 2017 Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc. ― 1983 The Palms at San Lauren Assisted Living and Memory Care ― 2019 UBS/Financial Services ― 1987 Valley Bible Fellowship ― 2017 Vickie Martinez ― 2013 Victor's Mexican Grill - Mt. Vernon ― 2019 Weill Child Guidance Foundation ― 2018 Westec ― 2011 Williams Adams & Company, CPAs ― 2018 Wood & Randall ― 2004 Yard House Restaurant ― 2019

NEW MEMBERS We’d like to extend a warm welcome to the companies who have joined the Greater Bakersfield Chamber. Thank you for investing in our mission to provide a healthy business climate in Kern County. If you know of a company interested in joining, please contact Cathy Albyn at calbyn@bakochamber.com.

Zivel of Bakersfield 4605 Buena Vista Rd., Ste. 620 Bakersfield, CA 93311 www.zivel.com “Zivel is a Performance & Recovery company that focuses on giving clients a first class experience while generating obtainable residual income for our owners through the promotion of performance and recovery. Our owners will be trained to utilize multiple different services to create an unmatched experience and ability to regain a healthy mindset and body. Our services are designed and proven to decrease stress, anxiety, as well as body soreness and inflammation.”

San Rucci Winery www.sanrucci.com “We are a family owned winery that wishes to share handcrafted wines reflecting our Italian heritage and love of family, friends and tradition.”

Advantage HR Services 3501 Mall View Rd., Ste. 115-251 Bakersfield, CA 93306 www.advantagehrservices.net “Advantage HR Services, LLC exists to help, inspire and equip employers to be fully empowered in the decisions they make as related to employment matters.”

California Special Districts Association 2214 Lewis Puller Dr. Bakersfield, CA 93301 www.csda.net “CSDA is a 501(c) not-for-profit organization promoting good governance and improved core local services through professional development, advocacy, and other services for all types of independent special districts.”

Print Centers Office Inc. 1403 Allen Rd., Ste. 100 Bakersfield, CA 93314 www.printcenters.com “Print Centers is your one-stop local business print shop. If it is printable, we can print it! In most cases, we can print same day or next day.”

Achilles Prosthetics & Orthotics 8800 Stockdale Hwy., Ste. 100 Bakersfield, CA 93311 www.achillespo.com “Since 1978, Achilles Prosthetics & Orthotics has recognized the value of every person and is guided by our commitment to excellence in quality products and patient care.”

Bakersfield PACE 1800 Height St. Bakersfield, CA 93305 www.bakersfieldPACE.org “An all inclusive one-stop shop, combination of a senior center and health plan. Our goal is to maintain and extend the level of independence for Kern County residents more than 55 years of age.”

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE FOCUS Kern Medical proudly serves as our community’s only academic teaching hospital, trauma center, and safety net facility caring for all regardless of ability to pay.

2020 EXECUTIVE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Chairman of the Board Derek Jeffery KGET-TV 17 Chairwoman Elect of the Board Kristen Beall Watson Kern Community Foundation Vice Chair Public Policy & Political Action Rob Duchow Southern California Gas Company Vice Chair Economic Vitality Andy Anderson Aera Energy LLC Vice Chair Member Engagement Tasha Clayton Tel-Tec Security Systems, Inc. Vice Chair Leadership & Workforce

Development Denise Newton Pacific Gas & Electric Company Treasurer Andy Paulden Brown Armstrong Accountants Member-at-Large Rick Jhaj Countryside Construction/ Countryside Markets General Counsel Mark Bateman Young Wooldridge LLP

MAJOR INVESTORS

CHAIRMAN’S CIRCLE MEMBERS

BYNUM INC.

CHAMBER STAFF Nick Ortiz | President/CEO Jean Scheiber | Vice President/

Chief Operating Officer Cathy Albyn | Membership & Business

Development Manager Patrice Black | Member Relations Coordinator Kaelyn Peterson | Manager, Policy & Public Affairs Hillary Haenes | Vice President,

Member Engagement Sarah Hinzo | Executive Assistant,

Leadership & Operations Frances Klingenberger | Manager,

Strategic Programs EVERYTHING FOR YOUR OFFICE

LLP

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