Board of Directors

The Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau is overseen by a 13-member Board of Directors. The board is comprised of community leaders with a vested interest in the travel, tourism, and convention industries in Bakersfield. 

Chair: Bill Murray, General Manager, DoubleTree Hotel

Vice Chair: Ray Watson, Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel

Treasurer: Nelson Smith, Finance Director, City of Bakersfield

Secretary: David Lyman, Manager, Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Immediate Past Chair: Blake Bowser, Director of Operations,  Auto Club Famoso Raceway

Mike Allen, New Business Development, American General Media 

Jenny Gatlin, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott

Bernard J. Herman, Executive Director/CEO, Bakersfield Museum of Art

Jarrod McNaughton, Vice President, San Joaquin Community Hospital 

Carlos Navarro, General Manager, Bakersfield Marriott at the Convention Center 

Mike Raja, General Manager, Days Inn

Jim Shaw, Buck Owens Productions

Rhonda Smiley, Assistant to the City Manager, City of Bakersfield

Ed Dorsey, Booking and Events Director, Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center  

• Hotels
• Flights
• Auto