Boards and Advisory Groups

2024-2025 President's Community Ambassadors

  • Mr. Derek Abbott, Senior Vice President, Tejon Ranch Company
  • Rev. Dr. Oscar J. Anthony, Pastor, St. Peter Restoration, Community Christian Ministries
  • Mr. Ken Beurmann, Chief Executive Officer, TERRIO Physical Therapy-Fitness, Inc.
  • Mr. Bryan Burrow, CEO and President, Intrepid Business Resources, LLC
  • Mr. Jim Darling, Jim Darling Public Relations
  • Ms. Emily Duran, Chief Network Administration Officer, Kern Health Systems
  • Mr. Octavio Escobedo, Chairman, Tejon Indian Tribe
  • Ms. Tomeka Moenay & Mr. Eugene Frye, Business Owner, Frye Plumbing Inc.
  • Mr. Michael George, Executive Vice President in Marketing, Safe 1 Credit Union
  • Dr. Jessica Grimes (Chair), Dean of Economic and Workforce Development, Kern Community College District
  • Mr. Kent Halley, Director of Business Resources and Strategy, Cornerstone Engineering
  • Mr. Troy Hightower, TDH Associates International
  • Mr. Ken Keller, CEO and President, Dignity Health, Bakersfield Memorial Hospital
  • Dr. John G. Mendiburu, Superintendent, Kern County Superintendent of Schools
  • Mr. David Milazzo, Founder and Principal, Bakersfield Marathon-Active
  • Mr. Edward R. Paine, Financial Consultant, Cal IV Prep
  • Ms. Amanda Ruiz, Kern County, County Administrative Office
  • Mr. Isaac Sandifer, Director, African-American Network of Kern County
  • Ms. Lauren Skidmore, CEO, Open Door Network
  • Mr. Rick Stevens, President, Stevens Transportation Inc.
  • Mr. Jay Tamsi, President/CEO, Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
  • Mr. Scott Thygerson, CEO, Kern Medical
  • Mr. Kiyoshi Tomono, Vice President, Kern County Partnership, Adventist Health Bakersfield
  • Mr. Jason Wells, CEO and President, Adventist Health Bakersfield

Ex-Officio Members

Dr. Vernon B. Harper Jr., President
California State University, Bakersfield
Executive Secretary

Dr. James Rodriguez
Interim Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs
California State University, Bakersfield

Dr. Thomas D. Wallace
Vice President for Student Affairs
California State University, Bakersfield

Mr. Heath Niemeyer
Vice President for University Advancement
California State University, Bakersfield

Dr. Kristen Watson
Interim Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Business and Administrative Services
Chief of Staff to the President
California State University, Bakersfield

2024-2025 Foundation Board of Directors