Speakers

The Planning and Natural Resources Department provides consolidated land use planning and community development programs for the County’s residents. We are proud to fulfill a mission that fosters economic vitality, supports resource conservation, and serves the diverse needs of Kern County residents, including those with lower incomes, by improving their economic, environmental, and social quality of life. We achieve this through projects and programs that revitalize neighborhoods by providing safer living environments, decent and affordable housing, public facilities and improvements, and expanded employment opportunities.

"Our goal is to provide quality infrastructure design, construction and inspection services; to design, install and maintain traffic control systems; to provide maintenance of street surfaces, publicly-owned facilities, and street lighting; to monitor, operate and maintain the Wastewater Treatment Plants, sanitary sewer and storm drain systems, and recycling center; to ensure an adequate inventory of safe and efficient motorized fleet, equipment and telecommunications systems; and to ensure that public inquiries are handled in a timely and professional manner."

Rotary became a better organization when Jim joined on December 5, 2001. Since then he has been a member of Simi Sunrise, Conejo Valley, and currently is a member of the Rotary Club of Moorpark. He has also served the District in many functions since 2005 including Assistant Governor. He is currently on the Rose Parade Committee as Float Director in addition to his on-going role as the District Rotary Foundation Polio Plus Chair.

Jim has personally helped combat polio through participating in eight National Immunization Days in India and been a speaker/trainer on the topic at assemblies and conferences for many districts. He recently chaired the Polio Survivor Summit held in Kolkata India.

Jim has been recognized within the District with the Sam Greene "Service Above Self" and the Dr. Otto Austel Polio Plus Award. He has also received the RI Five Avenues of Service Award and, in 2017, the prestigious “International Service Award for a Polio-Free World” from The Rotary Foundation.

In his professional life Jim was a High School Teacher, a Coach, and an Administrator.

Jim knows well the toll polio takes as he is a survivor who became paralyzed in 1948.

In summary, Jim is well-respected and sought after as a speaker, grant writer, and champion for the eradication of polio in the world.

 

Keith Brice is the President/CEO of Mid State Development Corporation. Headquartered in Bakersfield Mid State is an SBA authorized Certified Development company serving Kem County. Mid State partners with commercial lenders to finance owner-occupied commercial/Industrial real estate and equipment. The company was established in 1980 to assist in creating economic growth through projects that help businesses become more competitive in the marketplace.

Since its inception, Mid State Development has funded over $450 million in loans. These projects have created or retained over 12,000 jobs in Kern County.

Keith came to Mid State with over 20 years of Commercial Banking experience, having held Vice President Positions at Community First Bank, California Republic Bank and Sanwa Bank (now Bank of the West).  An active member in the community for over 34 years, he has served on various boards and committees. Keith is a past chair of: the Board for the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, the United Way of Kern County and the Kern Community Foundation. He is also Past President of Kiwanis clubs of South and Southeast Bakersfield, past board member of: Westminster Presbyterian Church Foundation, Kern Economic Development Corporation, Kern County Special Olympics, Junior Achievement of Bakersfield and Mid State Development Corporation.

He currently serves Chair of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Political Action Committee. He is a member of the CSUB Executive Advisory Council and Beta Gamma Sigma International Honor Society for the Collegiate School of Business. He has received numerous awards including SBA Central California Financial Service Advocate of the Year and Kern County Black Chamber of Commerce Businessman of the Year.

A native of Washington, D.C., Keith earned his bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dayton. He is also a graduate of California Intermediate Banking School and Pacific Coast Banking School in Seattle. He and Betsy Brice have been married for over 37 years. Betsy is a math teacher at Rosedale Middle School. The couple have two adult kids and one grandchild.