Program Chair: Garro Ellis

Speaker: Richard Chapman

 

 

President Dave Morton greeted everyone in the name of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield.

 

Invocation was prayerfully brought to us by Bob LaRue, our song, Walkin’ On The Fightin’ Side of Me, was kicked-up-a-notch by Garro Ellis accompanied by a recording of Merle Haggard in acknowledgement of Merle’s Birthday, and the Flag Salute was led by Win Eaton.

           

Sergeant at Arms Jeff Gutierrez introduced our Visiting Rotarians and Guests.

 

Michael Chertok had our piano player play the University of South Carolina Fighting Cock’s Fight Song as he announced the successes of the 2017 Men’s and Women’s basketball accomplishments…Final Four and National Champs respectfully.

 

Justin Leland announced to the Club there would be a Food Drive Box for canned foods at the doors for the next two weeks. Please bring your donations to the meeting.

 

Jesse Lopez reminded the Club of the Boy Scouts & BARC Golf Tournament on Monday April 10^th at Seven Oaks at 11:15AM.

 

Sheryl Barbich made sure we did NOT forget the Haggard Boxcar Festival at the Kern County Museum on Sunday April 9^th. This should be an outstanding event. Then Sheryl told us about the Water Tour on April 28^th presented by the Water Association of Kern County. Tickets are $15.00 and include lunch. Bus leaves Mill Creek Park at 9:00AM and returns at 4:00PM.

 

Jimmy Phillips announced that Adventist Health Bakersfield had a natural birth delivery of identical triplets. The Mother and babies are all doing just fine.

 

Bryon Schaefer reported that the BHS Virtual Enterprise Team won the National Contest in New York City. Congratulations!

 

AND LAST…..But So Very Important….Tracy Kiser updated the Club on our Havana Nights Fundraiser on April 20^th .

 

 

 

President Morton asked Jeff Green to stand and be . Jeff attended the 2030 Club Beerfest the weekend before the meeting. He was subsequently quoted about the event in a Bakersfield Californian article but failed to mention Rotary OR Havana Nights in the article. A small fine was leveled.

Garro Ellis introduced Richard Chapman, President & CEO of the Kern Economic Development Corporation. Richard has been in this position since November 2006, and he and his KEDC Team have represented us incredibly well to USA businesses and companies across the Globe. A Pinehurst NC native Richard has held positions around the nation. He was CEO of the Arizona Buckeye Valley Development Inc., and Vice President of the Economic Development Council of Seattle & King County. With a Bachelor’s in finance from Georgetown University and an MBA in International Marketing from American University, Richard has put together an outstanding organization that markets the Kern County Brand and Story far and wide.

 

Richard’s presentation today was extremely interesting as he delivered the State of Kern County through the eyes of commerce. The Kern EDC 2017 Kern County Market Overview can be viewed on the KEDC website: www.kedc.com. The information tells an intriguing story of economy, life, business and the future of Kern County and those of us that are blessed to live here and those that will move here. Thank You Richard for an excellent program.