Celebrating the flourishing success of Kern County’s business
community, the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce (KCHCC) is proud to host its annual blacktie awards dinner, Saturday, February 3, at the Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center starting at 6
p.m.
This year’s event is sold out. The annual black-tie event will honor local professionals and businesses, in
their service to others, uncovered success, growth and perseverance over the past year. In addition, the
dinner will recognize the 2024 Board of Directors for KCHCC and the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of
Commerce’s Business Education Foundation.
“We are much excited about our new year as we celebrate the successes of our past year. Our chamber
continues to excel on many fronts benefitting local businesses and small business owners. And we will
continue to do so this year with our new slate of directors. The gala will also honor some of the most
outstanding businesses and individuals who continue to make Kern County thrive,” said Jay Tamsi,
President/CEO of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.
The following is the list of honorees to be spotlighted at the dinner:
- Businesswoman of the Year: Emily Duran, CEO, Kern Health Systems
- Businessman of the Year: Ken Ouellette, General Manager, Advance Beverage
- Corporation of the Year: California Resources Corporation
- Large Business of the Year: AltaOne Federal Credit Union
- Small Business of the Year: Trends Auto Collision Center
- Non-Profit of the Year: Clinica Sierra Vista
- Community Service Award: Raquel Jimenez
- Next Generation Award: Matthew Cauthron
In addition, the Hispanic Chamber will also install its new slate of directors. They are the following:
Executive Officers: Sal Saavedra, Daniells, Phillips, Vaughan & Bock (Chair); Robin Mangarin-Scott,
Dignity Health – Mercy and Memorial Hospitals (Chair-Elect); Ken Ouellette, Advance Beverage (Vice
Chair); Ed Taylor, Business Consultant (Treasurer); David C. Alanis, EDD/America’s Job Center of
California (Secretary); and Olivia Garcia, Bakersfield College and CSU Bakersfield (Past Chair).
Board of Directors: Adam A. Alvidrez, Kern Energy; Chris Lowe, AltaOne Federal Credit Union;
Matthew Cauthron, Adventist Health; Adriana Coleman, Common Spirit Health; Jose Gonzalez,
Northwestern Mutual; Donna Hermann, American Cancer Society; Ariana Joven, The Wonderful
Company; Julie Pensinger, Pensinger Oilfield Trailers; Zachary Rabanal, Walker-Lewis Rents; Eva
Ramirez, Kaiser Permanente; Larry Velasquez, Bank of the Sierra; Tere Quintana, Panchito’s Cocina;
Dulce Hernandez, Chevron; Sal Brito, State Farm Insurance; and Mario Arenas, Greenlawn Memorial
Park.
The officers for the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Business Education Foundation will
also be installed. They are as follows:
Executive Officers: Chairman James Galindo, KGET 17/Telemundo/CW; Vice-Chair Marilyn Maldonado,
Tri Counties Bank; Treasurer Chris Bernal, Bernal Tax & Accounting Services; Secretary Bianca Torres,
Kern Regional Medical; and Immediate Past Chairman Gabriel A. Godinez, Godinez Law.
Board of Directors: Jorge Barrientos, Chain | Cohn | Clark; Pam Alvarez, Beautiful You Medical
Aesthetics; Michael Bowers, Centric Health; Kevin Burton, Klein DeNatale Goldner; David Caracas,
Reliable Healthcare; Ganesh Acharya, Aspire Counseling Services; Gabriela Mello, Citizens Business
Bank; Dr. Olga Meave, Clinica Sierra Vista; John Heath, Alpha Technologies & Alarm Systems, Inc.;
Kenan Patel, Valley Strong Credit Union; Manuel Aguilar, Trends Auto Collision Center; Navi Rai, Rai
Law Firm; Joseph Lopez, Aera Energy LLC; and Domenica Trinidad, KCCD/Bakersfield College
Members At-Large: Norma Rojas-Mora, Bakersfield College/KCCD; David C. Alanis, EDD/America’s Job
Center; Dr. Carlos Alvarez, Alvarez Healthcare M.D., Inc.; Xochitl Garcia, XM Garcia Law; and Cornelio
“Corny” Rodriguez, Retired.
About the Chamber – The Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce KCHCC is a non-profit, non-partisan, and
non-sectarian organization. It is a recognized Hispanic business resource and leader in the economic and business
development of Kern County. As the largest Hispanic business organization in the region, the KCHCC connects
businesses with the growing and dynamic Hispanic marketplace.
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