The prestigious John Brock Community Service Award will be presented to Mayor Harvey L. Hall on September 9, 2010 at Seven Oaks Country Club. Harvey L. Hall is a life-long Californian, having grown up in Bakersfield and graduating from Bakersfield High School. He attended Bakersfield Community College and San Francisco City College. In 1960 he embarked on a career in emergency medical service, and in 1971 founded Hall Ambulance Service where he still serves as president.

Hall Ambulance is currently the largest and premier emergency and non-emergency medical transportation provider in Kern County. In addition, Hall Ambulance is the largest privately-owned emergency and non-emergency medical transportation provider in the state. The Company is the 30th largest privately-owned ambulance company in the United States and belongs to the American Ambulance Association and the California Ambulance Association.

Harvey Hall turned his attention to running for Mayor of Bakersfield in 1999. Running under the slogan "Unity in the Community," he handily defeated a field of nine other candidates in the March 2000 election. During his swearing-in ceremony on January 2, 2001, Mayor Hall made clear his goal with the statement: "Our city is one of greatness and it will be my goal everyday to make every day better than the day before and to try and make this city the best city in America."

Mayor Hall is Bakersfield's 25th Mayor.~ He was re-elected in 2004 and 2008, and is presently serving his third term. Additionally, he is only the second Mayor in our city's history to serve three terms. Bakersfield's population has dramatically increased over the last twenty years, more than doubling from 161,670 in 1989 to 333,719 in 2009, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. This ever-changing face of the city presents Mayor Hall abundant opportunities to promote commerce while encouraging citizens to rise to meet the challenges of the future with determination, dedication and tenacity. He staunchly believes that Bakersfield's tomorrows are bright!

As Bakersfield's mayor, Harvey Hall has initiated monthly Mayor's Freeway Cleanups, is active with the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee and the annual Great American Cleanup. His entire Mayor's salary is turned over to the Kern Community Foundation for the purpose of funding scholarships for local students attending local colleges or the university. Mayor Hall is particularly fond of participating in events that encourage children and young people to pursue their dreams and goals. His key focus in his role as Mayor is shining a positive light on our community and her citizens.

The sponsoring organization of this event is the Executive Advisory Council of CSUB's School of Business and Public Administration. The Council is comprised of approximately 25 business and community leaders who provide advice and support to the School.

Proceeds from the event help to fund the John Brock Endowment, which funds scholarships for students in CSUB's School of Business and Public Administration. Scholarships will be presented at the dinner to this year's four recipients.

Award recipients in the dinner's 20-year history are Lou and Sheryl Barbich, Gregory Bynum, Jim Burke, Morgan Clayton, Joan Dezember, Ray Dezember, Dr. John Forney, Don Hart, Bernard Herman, Jimmie Icardo, Bob Karpe, George Martin, David Parker, Robert Price, John Pryor, Rev. Glenn Puder, Vincent Rojas, Jr., Mary K. Shell, Jerry Stanners, Joe D.Stevenson, Gene Voiland, Ray Watson and the inspiration for the award, John Brock Sr.

Tickets for the event are $150 per person and can be purchased from CSUB School of Business and Public Administration. Corporate table sponsorships are also available.

For more information and ticket purchases, call 654-2157.