Events

Chris Kelley has established himself as an accomplished leader in the casino and hospitality industry, bringing over two decades of expertise to some of the most recognised gaming and entertainment destinations in the United States. 

Kelley’s career trajectory began at Viejas Casino & Resort near San Diego, where he held several notable leadership positions, including CFO and General Manager. During his time there, Kelley demonstrated strategic and operational acumen, overseeing large-scale renovations and expansions that elevated the property. His efforts were instrumental in earning the resort its first AAA Four Diamond and Forbes Four Star Awards, solidifying its reputation as a desirable destination in the competitive Southern California market. 

In 2017, Kelley joined MGM Resorts International as Vice President and CFO of MGM Grand Detroit. His role was pivotal in developing plans and implementing continuous improvement efforts while enhancing guest experiences. His success in Detroit set the stage for his next major leadership role within the company. 

In early 2019, Kelley was appointed as President and COO of what was then known as Hard Rock Rocksino Northfield Park in Ohio, a property that MGM Resorts acquired and rebranded under its portfolio. Kelley led the property through the transition, providing direction and ensuring continued operational success.  

As Kelley’s responsibilities expanded, he was named President and COO of MGM Resorts International Northeast Group, overseeing operations at two of the company’s key properties: MGM Springfield in Massachusetts and Empire City Casino in Yonkers, New York. In this role, Kelley successfully navigated the complexities of managing a multi-property portfolio, maintaining a focus on operational efficiency, team leadership and guest satisfaction. 

Brynn Carrigan has served as Director of Kern County Public Health since January 2021, bringing more than 17 years of experience in county government to the role. Throughout her career, she has led the development of innovative, community-driven programs focused on addressing Kern County’s most urgent public health challenges.

Under her leadership, initiatives such as Waste Hunger Not Food, a food rescue program, and Valley Fever Ambassadors, a community education initiative on Valley Fever prevention and early detection, have flourished.

Carrigan holds a degree in Business Administration from California State University, Bakersfield, and is widely recognized for her strategic leadership and deep commitment to building healthier communities through education, outreach, and collaboration.

A survivor of Valley Fever, Carrigan brings both personal perspective and professional dedication to her work. She currently serves on the Board of the Valley Fever Americas Foundation, where she advocates for increased awareness and support for those affected by the disease.

Outside of her professional responsibilities, Carrigan enjoys hiking local trails and playing disc golf with her husband.

Our club is excited to welcome this year’s RYLA (Rotary Youth Leadership Awards) participants as our special guest speakers! These outstanding local students recently attended RYLA camp, where they gained hands-on experience in leadership, teamwork, and community service. Join us as they share highlights from their weekend of learning, inspiration, and personal growth—and discover how Rotary’s investment in youth leadership continues to build future leaders in our community.

In 1999, I began my career with Edward Jones as a financial advisor, immediately following my graduation from Brigham Young University with a degree in business administration and an emphasis in finance. In 2009, I received my CFP® certification, granted from the Certified Financial Planner Board of Standards (CFP Board). More recently, I received my CPWA® designation from the Investments & Wealth Institute® in 2022.

My senior branch office administrator, Nellie Mesa, joined our office in 2000. Together, we have established the longest-serving branch team in Bakersfield, California. Both Nellie and I are limited partners of Edward Jones. In 2024, we expanded our branch team to include Spencer Gumm, a registered branch associate. With the addition of Spencer, we are positioned to provide you with deeper insights, perspectives and guidance and an overall exceptional client experience.

My wife, Amy, and I married in 1997 and have made Bakersfield our home since 1999. Together, we have five children and one grandchild and are active members of the community, volunteering to serve in our church and supporting various local organizations, such as the Alzheimer's Disease Association of Kern County and the Bakersfield Symphony Orchestra. I joined Rotary International in 2009 and the Bakersfield Breakfast Rotary Club in 2016. I also serve on the board of the Bakersfield College Foundation, having been a member since 2011 and past board chair from 2018-2020.

Tyler Thompson joined the BC Football coaching staff in 2014 as an assistant coach and was promoted to defensive coordinator in 2019. Prior to BC, he spent the 2013 season as an intern at the University of Maryland.

Thompson played football for BC from 2008-09 before transferring to the University of Nevada where he played from 2010-12.

He holds an A.A. from Bakersfield College (2009), a B.A. from Nevada (2012) and an M.S in Kinesiology from Fresno Pacific University (2016).

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The Woolworth’s Building has always been an anchor. Rising unshaken from the 1952 earthquake, it stayed put as the decades swirled around it, the vinyl booths and milkshake mixers long outlasting the chain store’s corporate footprint. And now, in a turn both surprising and inevitable, it’s being brought back to life by two people who never left. 

Emily and Sherod Waite, lifelong Bakersfield residents and co-founders of Moneywise Wealth Management, weren’t looking to make a statement. They needed more room. But when they learned the Woolworth’s Building was for sale, the opportunity was too layered to ignore: a chance to expand their business, to preserve a cornerstone of downtown, and to reinvest in a place they’ve quietly championed for years. 

“For the past 15 years, I’ve been drawn to downtown’s creative energy,” Emily says. “It’s a real ecosystem — generational businesses, artists, entrepreneurs, institutions that have shaped Bakersfield’s identity. When our firm needed to grow, we didn’t look elsewhere. We looked downtown.” 

The building spans 44,000 square feet across four levels, each with its own quirks and complications. Adapting them wasn’t easy. The mechanical systems were outdated, the infrastructure unyielding, the fire codes unrelenting. With their shared business acumen and creative vision, the Waites moved methodically, balancing historical preservation with present-day function. 

“We knew we were inheriting something significant. But we also had to make it work — not just as a monument, but as a living, usable space.” 

John grew up on a farm in the Arvin/Lamont area, where he learned the value of hard work and practical problem-solving—skills that have shaped his entire career. He graduated from Arvin High School then earned a Business degree from CSUB with concentrations in finance, marketing, and economics.
His professional path began in real estate, where he started selling homes when a nice house cost around $30,000 and later moved into investment and development. He then dove into workers’ compensation, becoming an expert in the field and even developing a pioneering legal structure that allowed non-professionals to own and operate professional medical practices in California. John went on to create eMedData, a technology solution that returned claims control to employers, and later acquired and streamlined a light business jet manufacturing company—reducing parts count by 35% and bringing engineers and mechanics together more effectively.
About eight years ago, John made a complete change of direction. He founded the **Epiphany Foundation**, a nonprofit dedicated to helping homeless individuals struggling with addiction and alcoholism. The program provides free room and board in exchange for full participation in a structured recovery program—including mandatory AA/NA meetings, church services, counseling, and work therapy. Participants gain practical skills, often in construction and trades, while rebuilding their lives in a supportive, sober environment. The Foundation’s unique model has earned national media attention and is making a real difference right here in Kern County by addressing both addiction and the need for job-ready skills.

In 2006, following a campaign fought on the issues of leadership and experience, the citizens of Kern County elected Donny Youngblood to the Offices of Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator.

Sheriff Donny Youngblood is a life-long native of Kern County. He attended East and West High Schools, and graduated from Bakersfield College.

He enlisted in the United States Army in 1968, serving 14 months in South Vietnam. Following his return stateside, he spent his last year in the military as an Army Drill Sergeant preparing young men to defend the United States of America. He left the military service in 1971.

Sheriff Youngblood joined the Kern County Sheriff’s Office in 1972 as a Correctional Officer assigned to the Lerdo Facility. Two years later, he entered the Basic Academy to begin training to become a Deputy Sheriff.

During his career of over 45 years with the Sheriff’s Office, Sheriff Youngblood worked in all areas of the department. His duty assignments included the Patrol Division, Court Services, Narcotics, Boron Substation, East Kern Substations Commander, Watch Commander, Air Support Division Commander, and Detectives.

Sheriff Youngblood obtained a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Administration of Justice and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from Golden Gate University. He is an alumnus of the 144th class of the FBI National Academy, and is also a graduate of the POST Command College.

Sheriff Youngblood holds a commercial pilot’s license with instrument and multi-engine ratings. He is also an avid golfer, hunter and horseman.

Alejandro is an Internship and Career Coordinator for the College of Natural Sciences, Mathematics, and Engineering at California State University, Bakersfield (CSUB), where he is dedicated to helping students prepare for successful careers through internship development, employer engagement, career advising, and workforce readiness initiatives. He works closely with students, faculty, and industry partners to create meaningful opportunities that bridge academic learning with professional experience.

A former NCAA Division I student-athlete at the University of Nevada, Reno, Alejandro brings the values of leadership, discipline, resilience, and teamwork to his work each day. He is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Public Administration, further strengthening his commitment to public service, higher education, and workforce development. Passionate about empowering the next generation of professionals, Alejandro is committed to connecting talent with opportunity and fostering student success both inside and outside the classroom.

Check your email for a registration link from Char.  If you don't have one, please email her.

Peter A. Vainauskas currently serves as the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) for the Fresno District Office where he oversees the Fresno District Office and Bakersfield Resident Office. These two offices cover Inyo, Kern, Kings, Tulare, Fresno, Mariposa, and Madera Counties in California.
Mr. Vainauskas is a native of Chicago, Illinois. He has a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management from LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas and a Master’s of Science degree in Inter-American Defense and Security from the Inter-American Defense College in Washington, D.C. He is also a graduate from the Law Enforcement Management Institute of Texas, at Sam Houston State University.
Mr. Vainauskas started his law enforcement career in 1991. He worked as Texas Peace Officer for approximately 11 years, with the Morris County Sheriff’s Office, Pittsburg Police Department and Mount Pleasant Police Department. During that time, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in both Patrol and Criminal Investigation Divisions. Additionally, Mr. Vainauskas worked as a SWAT and Honor Guard member at the Mt. Pleasant PD. He obtained a Master Peace Officer and Instructors License from the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement.
Mr. Vainauskas was hired by the DEA in August 2001 and worked at the DEA Dallas Field Division and Tyler Resident Office. In 2002, he was assigned to the Fresno Resident Office as a Special Agent. In 2010, he promoted to Group Supervisor and was assigned as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) Task Force Commander in Fresno. In 2013, the Office of National Drug Control Policy selected him as a national HIDTA Commander of the Year.
In 2016, Mr. Vainauskas was transferred to DEA Headquarters as a Staff Coordinator to the Financial Operations Section, where he oversaw money laundering operations from ten different DEA field divisions and global cryptocurrency cases. In March 2018, he was promoted to Deputy Section Chief, where he oversaw all of DEA’s global money laundering operations.
In March 2019, Mr. Vainauskas transferred to the position of ASAC at the San Francisco Field Division Office where he supervised the Administrative Officer Section, Special Support Unit, Financial Investigations Team, Technical Operations Group, DEA’s Pacific Region Organized Crime Drug Enforcement Task Force Coordinator, Asset Removal Group and the Santa Rosa Resident Office. In 2021, Mr. Vainauskas served as the Acting Special Agent in Charge for the San Francisco Field Division. In July 2022, Mr. Vainauskas was transferred as an ASAC to the Fresno District Office where he manages the day to day operations for the DEA Offices in Fresno and Bakersfield. He is also a proud member of the DEA’s Black and Gold Pipes and Drums.

In The Black Business Services Larissa Reid is an award-winning entrepreneur, tax strategist, speaker, and founder of In The Black Business Services, where she helps small business owners build stronger, more financially sustainable businesses. Her work has earned her recognition as the 2023 NAACP Bakersfield Business of the Year and the 2024 Beautiful Bakersfield Business Person of the Year.

Beyond business, Larissa is passionate about using entrepreneurship as a vehicle for impact. She is the founder of the In The Black Impact Division, an initiative focused on creating opportunities for women and children to rewrite their stories through education, essential resources, mentorship, and community impact. In 2026, that mission took her to Kenya, where she spoke with women and girls, visited schools, and supported initiatives centered on education, opportunity, and long-term community impact.

As a mother of five, author, and entrepreneur whose own path has been anything but traditional, Larissa believes that where you begin does not determine where you can go. Her message, “Your Story Is Not Over,” encourages others to embrace every chapter of their story and recognize the possibility in what comes next.

Dr. Rasham Sandhu, MD, FACC, is an accomplished interventional cardiologist and Managing Partner at California Cardiovascular Institute. Trained at Westchester Medical Center and New York Medical College, Dr. Sandhu specializes in minimally invasive cardiac care, including angioplasty and structural heart interventions, with a particular focus on complex coronary and structural heart conditions. He also serves as Medical Director at Dignity Health and is recognized for advancing innovation and excellence in cardiovascular care. Beyond his clinical leadership, Dr. Sandhu is an advocate for community health, supporting programs that promote wellness, education, and healthcare engagement for both seniors and young people. 

Madelyn Janssen joined the CALM Zoo board of directors in 2023. As a Bakersfield native and mom, education and community betterment are two things she is extremely passionate about.

Madelyn spent 16 years at KGET News, most of them as the anchor for 17 News at Sunrise. During her tenure at KGET she got to learn first-hand how valuable CALM Zoo is to local families, conservation and education efforts and the community as a whole.

Madelyn left KGET in 2025 to homeschool her three sons; she works part-time at her church in media and communications, writes and hosts a podcast with her husband and obtained a cottage food license this year to further her sourdough obsession. 

David Brust Co-owner & Managing Partner for Rooster's Honky Tonk and the Eye St. Pub

Commercial Insurance Agent Clifford and Bradford Insurance

BOD of the Downtown Business Assocation/Treasurer for Omni Family Health 

Wife Lilian Sons Mark & Mikey Daughter Taylor 

Grandfather to Sophia (10) and Olivia (9)

Originally from Miami Florida moved to Bakersfield in 1/91 after graduation from UF.

Russell Johnson is a Bakersfield native. After obtaining his undergraduate at Bakersfield College, he transferred to the University of California Santa Barbara where he obtained his degree in history in 2001. Russell has extensive experience in government.  He has served as a District Representative for a local State Senator, Chief of Staff to a County Supervisor, Planning Commissioner, and Councilmember at the City of Bakersfield.  In 2010, Russell started the government affairs firm, Common Sense Consulting, a full-service government relations and public affairs firm where he helps clients with issues such as land entitlement, property tax assessment appeals, permits, and association management. Community service is a passion of Russell’s. He has served on many non-profit boards, including the Boys and Girls Club of Kern County, the Home Builders Association of Kern County, and BizFed Central Valley, to name a few. Russell and his wife Susanne were married in 2006, and together they are raising their sons, Benjamin and Ryan.