About KEDC
Kern Economic Development Corporation’s mission is to cultivate and promote Kern County’s boundless opportunities for business.
As we look to the future
Kern EDC’s vision is in advancing employment opportunities and economic well-being. We plan to build on the success of the past, continuing our efforts to position the Kern EDC at the forefront of the competition for job creation. With a strong and formidable team, composed of experienced economic development professionals, we will continue to develop and implement innovative strategies for the region’s emerging and established industry clusters.
Meet the Team
PRESIDENT & CEO
Richard Chapman
Get in Touch
(661) 862-5161
Or Email me at:
Richard@kedc.com
Vice president of business development
Melinda Brown
Get in Touch
(661) 862-5058
Or Email me at:
Melinda@kedc.com
marketing & member relations manager
Sophia Gligorevic
Get in Touch
Call Me at:
(661) 862-5156
Or Email me at:
Sophia@kedc.com
Research & Marketing Coordinator
Andy Young
Get in Touch
Call Me at:
(661) 862-5164
Or Email me at:
andy@kedc.com
Adminstrative Assistant
Autumn True
Get in Touch
Call Me at:
(661) 862-5162
Or Email me at:
Autumn@kedc.com
Board of Directors
Executive Committee
western states petroleum association
Bank of America
Pacific Gas & Electric Company
A-C Electric Company
KGET TV-17 NBC/TELEMUNDO/CW
Adventist Health
1st District, Kern County
4th District, Kern County
Directors
Gilbert Alvarado
Shafter City Council
Joe Ashley
California Resources Corporation
Saul Ayon
City of McFarland
Jimmy Balentine
Mojave Air & Spaceport at Rutan Field
Jonathan Bautista
Houchin Community Blood Bank
Jeannie Bertolaccini
Ordiz Melby
Scott Black
Tri Counties Bank
Darin Blunt
AgWest Farm Credit
Josh Bryant
City of Taft
Roman Cyrus
S.C. Anderson
Beckie Diltz
Proforma Solutions for Printing
Rob Duchow
Soouthern California Gas Company
Natalie Dyson
First Solutions Insurance Servies
Brandon Evans
Kern County – America’s Job Center
Bill Farris
City Of Ridgecrest
Greg Garrett
City of Tehachapi
Mary Beth Garrison
Rio Tinto
John Guinn
Wonderful Real Estate Development
Dr. Vernon Harper Jr.
California State University, Bakersfield
Marquette Hawkins
City of California City
Dr. Sheri Horn-Bunk
Taft College Foundation
Jeff Jones
City of Arvin
Larry Koman
City of Bakersfield
Rick Kreiser
Carney’s Business Technology Center
Cindy Kiser
Bakersfield Association of REALTORS
Wayne Kress
Cushman & Wakefield/ Pacific Commercial Realty Advisors
Maybelle Liquigan
Kaiser Permanente, Kern County
Megan Lopez
Chevron
Valentin Medina
City of Wasco
Dr. John Mendiburu
Kern County Superintendent of Schools
Kaelyn Peterson
Grimmway Farms
Dr. Stacy Pfluger
Bakersfield College
Lindsay Reyes
Valley Strong Credit Union
Jay Rosenlieb
Klein DeNatale Goldner
Cal Rossi
Southern California Edison
Lauren Skidmore
The Open Door Network
Tom Saba
Saba Agency
Tim Sullivan Jr.
Sullivan Petroleum Company
Scott Thayer
Castle & Cooke
David Franz
Ex-Officio, KEDF
Chris Hamilton
LEGAL COUNSEL
Contact Us
Do you have a question, comment or suggestion for us? We would love to hear it.
Kern Economic Development Corporation (Kern EDC) is a public-private partnership that brings together private businesses, education, elected officials, and non-profit organizations for the purpose of a single goal: creating a strong and diverse economy for Kern County. Kern EDC promotes the region to businesses looking for areas to expand, and works with existing local businesses to ensure they have what they need to thrive and grow here in Kern County.
Contact Us
Kern Economic Development Corporation
2700 M Street, Suite 200
Bakersfield, CA 93301
661-862-5150