Professor of Economics, California State University, Bakersfield

Aaron Hegde is Professor of Economics at CSU Bakersfield. He is also the Executive Director of the Grimm Family Center for Agricultural Business. His areas of research are broad but mostly focused on agriculture and other regional economic issues. After receiving his PhD in Agricultural Economics from North Carolina State University in Raleigh, NC and spending a couple of years at the Pennsylvania State University, Dr. Hegde moved to Bakersfield in 2003. Among his many service contributions to the university, he is most proud of starting the BS degree in Agricultural Business, which continues to grow with the help of the community.

Rick Burnes is President of Sunridge Nurseries, the world’s premier grapevine nursery. He brings more than 30 years of leadership experience across agriculture, with a career spanning executive roles at Bolthouse Farms, Agriculture Capital, and over two decades with The Wonderful Company, where he worked across its diverse portfolio including Wonderful Citrus, Wonderful Nurseries, POM Wonderful, FIJI Water, Justin Vineyards & Winery, and Wonderful Almonds and Pistachios.

Known for building high-performing teams and leading complex agricultural operations, Rick has overseen large-scale farming, supply chains, and strategic growth initiatives across domestic and international markets. He has also served on a range of industry and community boards, including water boards, the California Agricultural Leadership Foundation, and multiple agricultural and business organizations.

A Bakersfield native, Rick holds a degree in Operations Management from California State University, Bakersfield, and is a graduate and former class president of the California Agricultural Leadership Program. He remains deeply committed to advancing innovation and sustainability in agriculture.

Site Lead, Reservoir Farms

Spencer Gunlund is the Central Valley Site Lead for Reservoir Farms, where he works with agtech startups to develop and deploy new technologies in real farm environments.

A son of a fourth-generation Central Valley farming family and a proud UC Merced alumnus, Spencer previously spent seven years with The Morning Star Company in R&D, helping implement automation and autonomy solutions across the agricultural supply chain.

He now focuses on bridging the gap between research, startups, and growers to bring practical, field-ready innovations into specialty crops. His work is centered on advancing automation, rugged AI, and data-driven tools for orchard systems like almonds and stone fruit, as well as high-value row crops such as processing tomatoes. Startups building technologies for real-world farm deployment in these systems are encouraged to connect and explore opportunities to work with Reservoir.

Senior Vice President, Director of Products and Sales, Holloway

Daniel Terry is a third-generation employee at Holloway, which provides soil amendments and related services to growers in California.

Collectively, the Terry family has over 200 years of combined service as employees of HM Holloway. Following in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, who each worked more than 50 years with the company, Terry carries forward a legacy rooted in California agriculture while helping modern growers navigate increasingly complex soil challenges. As Senior Vice President and Director of Ag Products and Sales, Terry oversees both the development and delivery of soil amendment solutions, bridging the gap between mining, product creation, and real-world field performance.

With a hands-on understanding of gypsum production through Holloway’s mining operations and a deep connection to the farming community, Terry brings a full-spectrum perspective to soil health. He works closely with growers, PCAs, and agronomists to evaluate soil conditions, interpret data, and recommend tailored programs that improve structure, balance nutrients, and enhance long-term productivity. His approach emphasizes knowing exactly what’s in the product being applied — and why it matters —advocating for transparency, consistency and science-backed solutions in an industry often clouded by variability.

Terry began his career with Holloway in sales and marketing, including work with agricultural gypsum and environmental byproducts. Over time, he advanced into leadership roles where he now directs both Holloway Ag Services and Lost Hills Mining, giving him rare oversight of the entire value chain — from raw material sourcing to final field application.

A former college baseball player, Terry studied at Bakersfield College and Allan Hancock College, where he focused on Fire Science, before continuing his education in Business Administration at the University of Phoenix — an academic path that complements his operational and strategic leadership.

Learn more about Holloway at www.hollowayag.com

Professor of Economics, California State University, Bakersfield

Nyakundi Michieka is a Professor in the department of Economics at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), where he also serves as the Director for the Center for Economic Education and Research. His primary research focuses on energy, environmental economics and regional economics.

Dr. Michieka has presented his work at numerous conferences and has authored over 36 research publications in esteemed journals, including Energy Economics, Applied Energy, Energy Policy, Economic Modelling and Economic Analysis and Policy. Additionally, he has contributed three book chapters and has several working papers.

His current research examines the long- and short-run effects of oil prices on Kern County’s economy. He also analyzes and reports on economic trends in Kern County through CSUB’s Kern Economic Journal. Dr. Michieka has collaborated with faculty to secure $2 million in research funding for CSUB and is actively mentoring students on these projects.

Originally from Kenya, Dr. Michieka earned his undergraduate degree in Mechatronic Engineering from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. He later pursued a Master’s degree from East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania before obtaining his Ph.D. in Natural Resource and Environmental Economics from West Virginia University.

Dr. Michieka has been recognized for his contributions to academia and research, receiving the 2019 Promising New Faculty Award. He is also an E. Kika De La Garza Fellow and in 2024, was honored with the CSUB Unity Award.

Professor of Economics, Chair, Economics Department, California State University, Bakersfield

Dr. Richard Gearhart is a Professor of Economics and Chair of the Economics Department at California State University, Bakersfield. He specializes in health, labor, and regional economics, and has published over 30 articles in peer reviewed journals. He is also a regular contributor to local, state, national, and international media and news organizations, appearing in New York Times, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, MSNBC, Le Monde, and Yomiuri Shimbun.

His research has focused on solutions and causes to the opioid crisis, positive and negative externalities arising from changes in minimum wage laws, mental health and financial solvency from legalized sports gambling, and the regional economic impacts from oil price changes.

He received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Economics from Clemson University in 2014.

California Project Lead, Griffiss Institute

Justin Salters is California Project Lead for the Griffiss Institute, where he leads a cluster strategy to expand flight test capacity and mission-driven aerospace and defense growth across California’s Aerospace Valley. In this role, he drives cross-sector partnerships spanning industry, government, community, and academia—unlocking access to collaboration with federal innovation assets in East Kern and the Antelope Valley to accelerate mission execution and regional economic growth.

With a background in public policy, strategic communications, and entrepreneurship, Salters specializes in stakeholder alignment, coalition-building, and regional advocacy. His work translates complex mission requirements into scalable economic opportunity, positioning California as a hub for sustainable flight test innovation. In addition to his work with Griffiss Institute, Salters is the owner of Hey Salty, a Bakersfield-based consulting firm specializing in stakeholder strategy and corporate affairs for energy, infrastructure, and industrial real estate projects.

Commander, 412th Mission Support Group, Edwards AFB

Col Chris Carnduff is the Commander, 412th Mission Support Group, Edwards AFB, CA. The 412 MSG conducts base operations for over 20,000 personnel assigned to the Air Force Test Center, 412th Test Wing, Air Force Research Laboratory, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center, Plant 42, and 50 associate units on two bases encompassing 313,800 acres. Col Carnduff leads over 1,800 personnel and directs force protection, communications, civilian/military personnel administration, supply, transportation, fuels, and deployment activities; as well as morale, welfare, and recreation services. He also serves as the liaison to the local school districts, Army and Air Force Exchange Service, and the Defense Commissary Agency.

Col Carnduff entered the Air Force in 2001 as a distinguished graduate of the University of Illinois Reserve Officer Training Corps program. As a company grade officer, he served in a variety of positions within base-level civil engineer squadrons including Chief of Design, Programs Flight Commander, Readiness and Emergency Management Flight Commander, and Operations Flight Commander. Col Carnduff served in a variety of positions on the Air Staff, including Joint Engineer Program Manager, Chief of Strategic Communications, Legislative Liaison, and Deputy Chair of the Installation Support Panel; and on the Air Force Installations and Mission Support Center staff, as the Installations Support Branch Chief within the Plans and Programs Division. As a lieutenant colonel, he was the Commander, 628th Civil Engineer Squadron (Air Mobility Command), Joint Base Charleston, SC, and the Commander, 2d Civil Engineer Squadron (Air Force Global Strike Command), Barksdale AFB, LA. Most recently, Col Carnduff was the Chief of the Strategy and Plans Division within the Air Staff’s Directorate of Civil Engineering.
Col Carnduff deployed in support of US Central Command operations four times: Al Udeid AB, Qatar in 2003, where he served as a construction manager and airfield engineer; Balad AB, Iraq in 2006, where he was a liaison officer for the 732d Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron, responsible for supporting over 200 civil engineers under tactical control of Army and joint commanders; Forward Operating Base Salerno, Afghanistan in 2008, as a project manager and airfield engineer within the Facilities Engineer Team; and Balad AB, Iraq in 2010-2011, where he served as the Deputy Engineer for the Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force-Arabian Peninsula.
EDUCATION
2001 Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering, University of Illinois, Champaign, Ill.
2002 Air and Space Basic Course, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2007 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (Top Third Graduate)
2009 Master of Business Administration, Webster University, Pope AFB, N.C.
2012 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (by correspondence)
2015 Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, Va. (Distinguished Graduate)
2015 Master of Military Studies, Marine Corps University, Quantico, Va.
2022 National Defense Fellow, U.S. Department of State, Washington, D.C.

Executive Vice President/General Manager, Scaled Composites

Jennifer Santiago is Executive Vice President / General Manager of Scaled Composites. Santiago first joined Scaled in 2014 and has filled several roles with increasing responsibility. With significant experience in portfolio management and supporting programs including Proteus, Model 401, Stratolaunch, and numerous proprietary efforts, Santiago has been the primary interface for many of Scaled’s important customers. Santiago holds a wide range of knowledge in Scaled’s business operations, program execution, flight testing, and contracting processes.

Santiago holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration from the University of La Verne.

Executive Director, Kern Dance Alliance

Andrea Hansen (B.A., M.F.A.) is the co-founder and Executive Director of KDA (Kern Dance Alliance), a nonprofit agency elevating California’s Central Valleys through the arts. KDA has
served 200,000 people and has raised $6 million to support grant-making, arts programs, and services. KDA initiatives promote cross-sector arts education programs, improve healthcare
outcomes, and enhance quality of life.

She also served as Program Director for the KDA Creative Corps, a $4.2 million dollar arts and culture program focused on improving life for people living in Central California and the Eastern
Sierras.

In addition to KDA, Andrea serves on the boards of CSU Bakersfield School of Arts and Humanities, the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, California for the Arts/California Arts Advocates, and she is a
member of the Bakersfield Downtown Rotary.

As a board member at the Historic Bakersfield Fox Theater, Andrea helped secure $1 million dollars for the theater’s continued renovation efforts.

With a B.A. in Dance and Political Science from Mercyhurst University and an M.F.A. in Choreography from the University of Arizona, Andrea danced professionally with ballet and contemporary dance companies across
America.

She began her arts administration career at Scottsdale Arts in Arizona, where she developed arts education curricula and presented world-renowned artists like Yo-Yo Ma, Kristin Chenoweth, Martin Short, and the Martha Graham Dance Company.

As an educator, she taught dance at American colleges and universities, notably tripling enrollment as Dance Program Director at Glendale Community College, where she was named 2013 Employee of the Year.

As an arts advocate Andrea has been a guest speaker at the 2024 California Arts Summit, California Economic Summit, and California Creative Economy Workforce Group. Her accolades include 2025 “Woman with a Heart for Bakersfield”, 2025 “Remarkable Woman” presented by NBC/KGET-Channel 17, 2025 Bakersfield High School Hall of Fame Inductee, Mercyhurst University 2023 Distinguished Alumni Awardee, 2021 Bakersfield Life Magazine “20 under 40” recognition.

In 2024, under Andrea’s leadership, KDA earned a Beautiful Bakersfield Award from the Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce and was recognized in 2025 as America’s Outstanding Dance Organization of the Year by the National Dance Education Organization.

Andrea is a devoted wife to husband, Michael, and mother to their two children, Alexander and Hannah.

Learn more at www.kda-ca.org / @kda_ca
Follow Andrea at @andrea4thearts.

Manager, Visit Bakersfield (Retired)

Before he retired in 2024, Dr. David Lyman spent almost forty years in the trenches of economic development for his hometown of Bakersfield: business attraction, business retention, redevelopment, enterprise zone, historic preservation, Community Development Block Grant, brownfields clean-up, and neighborhood stabilization.  For his last twelve years of service, he headed up Visit Bakersfield, the city’s visitor center, where his team helped people from around the world spend their money in California’s ninth largest city.

In 2020, Dr. Lyman was named one of ”40 Over 40” — the forty people and organizations that contributed to the success of CALED, the California Association for Local Economic Development, over its first forty years.

He served on the board of directors of the California Association of Enterprise Zones, including two terms as President, and currently serves on the Board of Regents for the California Academy for Economic Development.

Dr. Lyman is a graduate of the Economic Development Institute at the University of Oklahoma.  He holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Cal State Bakersfield, a master’s degree in public administration also from Cal State Bakersfield, a second master’s degree in public policy from Claremont Graduate University, and a Ph.D. in political science with a focus on urban development policy, also from Claremont. His graduate research involved surveying California city managers regarding their use of  incentives to attract and retain employers.

For many years, Dr. Lyman has been a presenter in the Introduction to Economic Development Certificate Program at Fresno State University, and recently presented a CALED webinar, “Travel and Tourism for Economic Developers.”

Director of Engagement, Visit California

Amy Chambers is the Director of Engagement for Visit California. She is passionate about servant leadership and works to identify and develop opportunities that strengthen partnerships within the travel and tourism industry. During her tenure at Visit California, Amy has led both revenue management and statewide visitor services programs. Amy holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration, marketing and communication studies and a master’s degree in business administration from California State University, Stanislaus. When she is not road tripping with her family, you can find her outside admiring the local flora and fauna alongside the American River.

Executive Director, Ridgecrest Area Convention & Visitors Bureau

Kari Crutcher is the Executive Director of the Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau, where she leads destination marketing, tourism development, regional partnerships, and strategic initiatives that elevate Ridgecrest’s visibility across California and beyond. She also serves as Ridgecrest Regional Film Commissioner, Ridgecrest Regional Sports Commissioner, and Executive Director of Engagement for the
California Contracting, Acquisition and Procurement (CCAP) Industry Days Expo, the Advancing Rapid Defense Innovation Symposium (ARDIS), and the Naval Expo for Unmanned Systems (NEXUS). Her work sits at the intersection of tourism, economic development, film, sports, and defense-related events for eastern Kern County.

Crutcher joined the Ridgecrest Area Convention and Visitors Bureau in 2018 as Events and Marketing Coordinator. Since 2018, she has produced the annual Ridgecrest Petroglyph Festival and, last year, helped evolve the city’s signature event into the Native American Hoop Dancing Competition, expanding its cultural significance and community reach.

In 2019, she coordinated the successful effort for Ridgecrest to be awarded designation as an official California Welcome Center within Visit California’s statewide network of welcome centers.

In 2021, she was named Executive Director and assumed responsibility for all phases of the organization’s tourism services and marketing efforts. Just one month into her new role, she launched construction of the California Welcome Center – Ridgecrest. The center opened in November 2021 and featured a state-of-the-art virtual reality exhibit, community space, RACVB offices, and the Film and Television Experience, the first exhibit of its kind in the State of California to showcase the region’s film legacy. In 2023, Crutcher negotiated the restructuring of the RACVB’s Tourism Business Improvement District, securing a new 10-year term that nearly doubled the organization’s annual budget and strengthened its long-term capacity for destination promotion and economic impact.

Crutcher currently serves on the Board of Directors of Film Liaisons in California Statewide and contributes on both the California on Location Awards Committee and the Nominating Committee. She also served as Desert Region Co-Chair for the Visit California 2025 Referendum Coalition and is a member of the Immanuel Christian School Board of Directors.

President, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon

Chris Kelley is a strategic leader with extensive experience in the hospitality and entertainment industry with a career spanning more than two decades. Prior to joining Hard Rock, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, where he oversaw operations at MGM Springfield in Springfield, MA and Empire City in Yonkers, NY. 

Prior to this role, Chris served as President & COO of MGM Northfield Park, where he opened the property with the highest gross gaming revenues in the state. Additionally, as CFO of MGM Detroit, Chris led all finance operations for one of the largest regional properties in the country. 

Chris also held leadership positions at Viejas Casino & Resort in San Diego, CA, including CFO and General Manager roles. He holds Bachelor’s Degrees in Economics and Political Science from Connecticut College and a Master’s Degree in Economics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Kernville Cowork & Sierra Shared Spaces

Justin Powers is the founder of Kernville Cowork and president of Sierra Shared Spaces, where he focuses on strengthening rural economies through entrepreneurship, shared infrastructure, and community-driven development. A seventh-generation resident of the Kern River Valley, Justin brings both local perspective and a background in technology, startups, and collaborative spaces to his work supporting small businesses and remote workers in underserved regions.
Kernville Cowork was founded over 8 years ago with the mantra “Work Where You Play”. Since that time, Kernville Cowork has become a hub for collaboration and entrepreneurial activity. That experience of crafting spaces that facilitate connection, collaboration, and productivity led to the creation of the nonprofit organization Sierra Shared Spaces, which is advancing ambitious projects starting with the Lake Isabella Community Hub – a community-owned multi-use facility designed to support entrepreneurship, workforce development, community gathering, outdoor recreation, and resilience in the Kern River Valley.
Justin works closely with regional partners, economic development organizations, and government partners to position the Kern River Valley as a key contributor to Kern County’s recreation economy. His work highlights the growing intersection between outdoor recreation, remote work, and rural economic development.