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: Blake Bowser, Director of Operations,  Auto Club Famoso Raceway

Vice Chair: Bill Murray, General Manager, DoubleTree Hotel

Treasurer: Nelson Smith, Finance Director, City of Bakersfield

Secretary: Don I. Cohen, Manager, Bakersfield Convention & Visitors Bureau

Immediate Past President: Bill Blair, CEO, Kern County Fairgrounds

Mike Allen, New Business Development, American General Media 

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

Jenny Gatlin, General Manager, Courtyard by Marriott

Jerry Hufford, Promotions Director, Buck Owens Productions

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

Mike Raja, General Manager, Days Inn

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

Ray Watson, Uniglobe Golden Empire Travel

Steve Womack, General Manager, Rabobank Arena, Theater & Convention Center  

• Hotels
• Flights
• Auto