Advisory Board
Kern County Superintendent of SchoolsDirector of STEAM, Expanded Learning Dept.
More About Kyle AtkinKyle Atkin began his career in education in 2000 as a high school mathematics teacher for Arvin High School in the Kern High School District. In 2013 he moved to the district office as the Math Teacher on Special Assignment where he coordinated the district’s mathematics program. In October 2020 Kyle accepted a position as a Math Coordinator for the Kern County Superintendent of Schools and eventually became the Director of their STEAM and Expanded Learning Department in August 2022.
Aera EnergySenior Vice President Technical
Valley Integrated Provider NetworkPhysician, Innovator, Entrepreneur
More About Javier BustamanteValley Integrated Provider Network/Live Office Systems
Founder/President, Physician, Innovator, Entrepreneur
Kern County Public HealthDirector
More About Brynn CarriganBrynn Carrigan has been the Director of Kern County Public Health since January 2021. Among her diverse responsibilities in managing departmental programs and services, Brynn has been instrumental in the development of innovative community-based programs to help improve the overall health of our residents such as Waste Hunger Not Food, Certified Healthy and Know Your Numbers. She has almost 16 years of experience working for the County of Kern. She graduated from South High School and California State University Bakersfield with a degree in Business Administration.
Kern Economic Development CorporationPresident & CEO
Dignity HealthVice President | Chief Operating Officer
Komoto Family FoundationExecutive Director
GrimmwayVP of Engineering
ChevronAsset Development Supervisor
Sierra Process System Inc President
Cornerstone EngineeringFounder
California Resources CorporationSenior Vice President of Operations
More About Omar HayatOmar Hayat is a Senior Vice President of Operations at California Resources Corporation (CRC), where he is responsible for leading statewide operations. Prior to joining CRC, Omar has held various leadership and individual roles with Occidental Petroleum, Aera Energy and Exxon. Omar holds a BS in Metallurgical Engineering from GIK Institute of Technology, Pakistan, an MS in Petroleum Engineering from Stanford University and an MBA from UCLA. Omar is currently serving as a member of CSUB’s Foundation Board.
Mazzei Injector CorporationFounder, Chairman, CEO
More About Angelo L. MazzeiAngelo L. Mazzei founded Mazzei Injector Corporation in 1978 and serves as Chairman/CEO. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree in 1966 from California State University at Fresno and has been a resident of Bakersfield, California since 1968
Angelo has been granted twenty patents in the area of fluid processing and related equipment with emphasis in injection of gases and liquids into water streams and the removal of gases from water.
He has recently received patents on the injection of air or gases into subsurface irrigation water to significantly increase crop production. Selected by the American Society of Agricultural and Biological Engineers (ASABE) in 2002 for the AE-50 Award as one of the 50 best agricultural related inventions in the United States. In addition, Angelo has presented several scientific papers at conferences worldwide. He was selected as recipient of the Irrigation Association’s 2021 Industry Achievement Award.
Angelo currently serves on several community and professional Boards including, Kern Agricultural Foundation, The International Center for Water Technology (ICWT), Fresno, CA, California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Foundation, and the International Ozone Association. Has served on Board of Directors for Valley Republic Bank of Bakersfield.
Bakersfield City School District School Health Coordinator
Northrop Grumman, Cal State LA Director, Spacecraft Technology (retired)
Kern EnergyVice President Regulatory & Public Affairs
More About Melinda PalmerMelinda Palmer joined Kern Energy (Kern) in 2011 and is one of California’s leading experts on renewable low-carbon fuel production, which is critical to a sustainable climate change solution. As Vice President – Regulatory & Public Affairs, she develops strategy and leads advocacy and engagement with agencies, elected leaders, trusted community partners and organizations. Palmer is a trusted voice that recognizes the importance of building partnerships that drive industry innovation, support job creation, and improve the environment.
Prior to joining Kern, Palmer served in regulatory compliance positions with Shell Oil and Big West of California. She was responsible for the development and implementation of compliance programs at complex industrial facilities, led internal audits on the effectiveness of compliance policies and served as a liaison between management and personnel.
Palmer serves on the California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB) Foundation board, the Government Relations Committee for the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, a member of the AB617 Arvin-Lamont Community Steering Committee and has been a RAMP (Runner Alumni Mentor Program) mentor for CSUB.
Palmer earned a bachelor’s degree in chemistry from California State University, Bakersfield and is proud to be a native of the community. In her free time, she can be found training for her next half-marathon or spending time with her family.
Cal MicrogridsCEO & Founder
Mojave Air & Space Port/Rutan FieldGeneral Manager/CEO
More About Tim ReidTim Reid is the General Manager/CEO of Mojave Air & Space Port at Rutan field. He was born and raised in Cheyenne, WY and has always had a passion for aviation, starting his career as an intern with the Experimental Aircraft Association at age 16. He soon obtained his Private Pilot License and eventually became a Certified Flight Instructor. Tim has held several roles in airport management including as the Director of Operations for Mojave, the Acting Deputy Director of Operations and Maintenance at Portland International Jetport, Airport Manager of both Augusta Municipal Airport and Delta County Airport, and as the Deputy Director of Administration and Finance for Cheyenne Regional Airport.
Tim is an Accredited Member of the American Association of Airport Executives and serves on several committees with the organization. He is also a Board Member of the Commercial Spaceflight Federation, Edwards AFB Starfleet Academy, and on the Advisory Boards for Bakersfield College’s Industrial/Automation program, and CSUB’s NSME Dean's Advisory Board. He possesses a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of Wyoming, and a Masters in Aeronautical Science from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
Kern County Superintendent of Schools OfficeKCSOS Science Coordinator
Kern Health SystemsDirector of Health Education
More About Isabel SilvaIsabel Silva is the Director of Health Education, Cultural and Linguistic Services for Kern Health Systems. In this role, she is responsible for providing oversight of the health education and cultural and linguistic program operations as well as leadership, direction and support to her team. She has initiated several programs at Kern Health Systems to help benefit the community such as the public health and school wellness internship programs, the school wellness grant program and the student behavioral health incentive program. Isabel also serves on various local and state initiatives, such as the First 5 Kern Technical Advisory Committee, the Kern County Black Infant Maternal Health Initiative, the Bakersfield City School District’s Health Advisory Committee, and the California Immunization Coalition’s Education Committee. Isabel received her Bachelor of Science Degree in Community Health and her Master of Public Health Degree from California State University, Long Beach, is a Certified Health Education Specialist under the National Commission for Health Education Credentialing, a Certified Diversity Professional under the National Diversity Council, and a member of the American Public Health Association.