Spoke Guest Editor

Aaron Falk has served as the President and CEO of the Kern Community Foundation since 2021.

Aaron grew up in Bakersfield and graduated from Stockdale High School. He has a degree in political science from the UCSB and an MBA from CSUB. He also completed the U.S. Air Force Air Command and Staff College as a civilian. Before joining the Foundation, Aaron worked for over a decade as a Congressional staffer. For 7 years in Washington, D.C. Aaron focused on policy supporting the U.S. military, national security, and veterans. He returned to Bakersfield in 2017 and worked for U.S. Representative Kevin McCarthy through 2021. Aaron lives in Bakersfield with his wife Lauren and daughter Mia.

Good News & Announcements

• Toni Harper welcomed several Waterman Scholarship winners (Victor Lara, Camila Moncada, and Monique Lopez) to celebrate Rotary giving $44k to 17 students in scholarships this year.
• Jim Damian encouraged everyone to RSVP for Joe Hay’s demotion next week.
• On that note, Joe delivered some Haylights from his reign, where he beseeched Rotarians to engage people and be a force for good:
  • He only missed 9 meetings.
  • DT Rotary’s finances are solid.
  • We gave $33k to Waterman and $100k to the community through Waterman.
  • We had 12 offsites this year.
  • Profuse gratitude for DT Rotary leadership and the program team for a great year.

• Kelly Youngstrom brought her daughter and birthday girl Charlotte.
• Kat Clowes brought her daughter Millie, fresh back from NASA Space Camp.
• Ben Taft brought his son Ethan, who is about to matriculate to Purdue University.
• Steve Rodrigue brought his wife Vicki.

Program