On March 4, 2010, Kern Council of Governments honored 13 individuals and organizations for making significant contributions to this area’s quality of life through innovative, cooperative efforts during its 21th annual Regional Awards of Merit Program.

2009 Regional Award Recipients

Regional Award of Merit for Local Government

City of Tehachapi & Tehachapi Community Theatre

Brent Green, Economic Development Director - City of Shafter

Regional Award of Merit for Community Involvement

Virginia "Jinny" DeAngelis - Desert Area Resources and Training (DART)

Diane Duran - Chevron

Keep Bakersfield Beautiful - Highway 99 Tree Planting Subcommittee

Regional Award of Merit for Transportation

Mehran Akhavan - Caltrans

Ted Wright - City of Bakersfield

Regional Award of Merit for Environmental Resources and Conservation

Kern Water Agency's Improvement District No. 4

City of Maricopa

Regional Award of Merit for Distinguished Leadership (Public Group)

Judge Gary Ingle - Kern County Superior Court

Regional Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement (Private Citizens)

Jan Bennett - Ridgecrest Chamber of Commerce

Regional Award of Merit for Lifetime Achievement (Public Official)

Michael D. Avery - City of Ridgecrest

James D. Movius - City of Bakersfield

Cheif William R. Rector - Bakersfield Police Department