Kern County, CA
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Karen Zuber, District 1
With more than 20 years in the financial services industry, Karen Zuber is the president of Bank of America’s Bakersfield market, connecting businesses, families and individuals to her banking and investment teams. Ms. Zuber also leads Bank of America’s philanthropic resources across our region to address social and economic concerns and build strong communities. Additionally, Ms. Zuber serves as the market executive for Bakersfield and leads the local Bank of America leadership team. She has a strong connection to Kern County and has lived in the area for more than 20 years. She currently lives in Lake Isabella and has been active in her community throughout her career. She currently serves on the board for the Bakersfield College Foundation and Kern Economic Development Foundation, as well as the B3K steering committee.
Jeffrey Kermode, District 2
Jeffery Kermode serves as President and CEO of The JJK Group, Inc., where he provides services to government agencies, including expert witness services, operations and practices, consulting for law enforcement, and personnel investigations. Before this role, Mr. Kermode began his career as a self-employed attorney where he provided consulting, instruction, and expert witness services to law enforcement agencies, which led him to becoming a police officer for the City of Garden Grove, California. He advanced in his law enforcement career to serve as the Police Sergeant, turned Police Lieutenant, then finally Police Commander for the City of Irvine, California. He then moved to Kern County in 2006 to work as the Chief of Police for the City of Tehachapi to design, develop, and implement the new Tehachapi Police Department. Additionally, he served as the Interim Police Chief for the Bear Valley Community Service District. Mr. Kermode currently lives in Tehachapi and is the president and member on the Board of Trustees for the Tehachapi Unified School District.
Sheryl Barbich, District 3
Sheryl Barbich is a long-term Kern County resident with an extensive background in banking and finance. She currently operates Barbich Consulting which facilities change in Kern County through strategic planning, management consulting, leadership development, and executive coaching. Ms. Barbich’s background encompasses over 20 years in the banking industry and commercial lending field, including her service as the Chief Financial Officer for a local homebuilding company, Coleman Holmes, Inc., management of an agricultural specific accounting software company, Integrated Knowledge Group, Inc., and vast array of prestigious community service roles including Chair of the Board for the Kern County Museum, past president of the California State University Bakersfield (CSUB) Foundation, Memorial Hospital Foundation, and Rotary Club of Downtown Bakersfield, among others. Ms. Barbich is also a recipient of numerous awards including the CEWAER Woman of Distinction, Co-recipient of the John Brock Award, CSUB President’s Medal, Woman with a Heart for Bakersfield, and Judi McCarthy Woman Defining Philanthropy, among others.
Regina Houchin, District 4
Regina Houchin holds a breadth of experience in accounting and bookkeeping, and currently runs Albert G. Pacini, a local bookkeeping business which provides important financial services to agricultural, non-profit and DAC water systems clients. Ms. Houchin has also spent the past 35 years as a Buttonwillow Union School District trustee and past 25 years as a Buttonwillow Recreation and Park District board member. She is also a member of the Buttonwillow Chamber of Commerce and Agriculture Board and donates her time and expertise to New Life Fellowship of Buttonwillow, serving as their financial secretary and clerk. Ms. Houchin currently lives in Buttonwillow and is an active member of the community.
Laura Guerrero-Salgado, District 5
Laura Guerrero-Salgado is the president of the Bakersfield City School District Board of Education. She is a proud parent of three children enrolled in the Dual Immersion Program at the Bakersfield City School District, and a mother of six. Ms. Guerrero-Salgado is a native of Orange County and moved to Bakersfield nearly 15 years ago to provide a better life for her family. She believes in being active in education and for years has been a member of BCSD parent committees and events geared towards helping students. As BCSD’s newest board member and president, she truly believes in the vision, values, and mission of the Bakersfield City School District and is proud to be an active member of the Bakersfield community.