"The Kern Leaders Academy provided me with the opportunity to interact amongst a diverse group of up and coming community leaders to discuss and study many of the issues affecting Kern County. The Kern Leaders Academy featured presenters from many areas including business, education, ethics, government, and water who are at the forefront of their respective fields to challenge class members to dig beyond the surface of complex issues and develop the necessary skills to suggest complete, comprehensive, and common sense solutions to the problems we face today."
— Romeo Agbalog, 2009
"Well honestly I really don't know where to start. I came into Kern Leaders Academy with no expectations, actually feeling overwhelmed due to all of the other projects that were going on. But, during the course of the academy I became a committed servant(politician) to the people of this great community. We gained knowledge and insight into some of the toughest issues that are faced in our county. Our instructors provided us with unbiased outlooks on the issues that we face. As I reflect on the chronological order that each instructor was presented to us, the Academy staff was right on point. I believe that I walked into Kern Leaders Academy as someone concerned about the community, but I completed the academy with the confidence of knowing that if I don't have the answers, I know where they can be found. Also, I left with an understanding that taxpayers want their elected representatives to make the tough decisions. I appreciate that Mike Turnipseed and the entire Kern Leaders Academy faculty believed in a young man with a heart and for giving me the opportunity to grow. It takes a village to raise a child and thanks to the Kern Leaders Academy in helping to raise me!"
— Sean Battle, 2009
"The Kern Leaders Academy was a whirlwind nine-week experience designed to challenge its participants to learn more about current issues affecting the region prior to seeking a term of public service. The quality of speakers was unsurpassed as we were led through all manner of regulatory and political issues affecting us at the local, state and national level. Aside from the relationships established through 72 hours of discussion with my fellow classmates, I derived the greatest value from the exposure to regulatory challenges beyond the realm of home construction and land development. I highly recommend the Kern Leaders Academy as a prerequisite for anyone pursuing a future in public life."
— Bob Decker, 2009
“As a member of the first Kern Leaders Academy, I am pleased to report that the classes were engaging, informative, insightful and worth the time to participate. The program will impact the way I think, the questions I ask, and the conclusions I draw for years to come. Thanks to all who supported the program. The effort will have far-reaching impacts .I believe the Academy is a must for everyone seeking office. One of this year’s presenters, Ira Reiner, told us that people get into politics for one of two reasons: to BE BIG or to do BIG THINGS. The members of our class want to do BIG things, IMPORTANT things, the RIGHT things. I believe that “education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. The Kern Leaders Academy delivered not only the ignition to start the fire, but the fuel to sustain it.”
— Mary Beth Garrison, 2009
"Kern Leaders Academy provides excellent preparation for those who hold, or who might seek, decision-making public policy positions in Kern County. The course content is comprehensive, covering the many critical and complex issues facing local government in Kern County. In addition, the course covers ethical issues and the fundamentals of political campaigns. The course faculty is very well qualified and is consistently prepared, and it succeeds in engaging the students in discussion. As a result, both the faculty and my fellow students were great teachers for me. I learned a great deal at Kern Leaders Academy, including how much more there is to learn in the area covered by each class. Without reservation, I would recommend Kern Leaders Academy to anyone who is engaged in, or who might aspire to, political leadership in Kern County."
— Harley F. Pinson, 2009
"As a veterinarian in private practice for the last 28 year, I applied to the Kern Leaders Academy to find out how our government works. What I got was a great insight into the problems and challenges facing our state and local government. The issues are varied and far reaching. Faculty members were actually people in government and involved in public sector issues. For example, the current interruption of water deliveries from the Delta to the Central Valley is an acute state and local problem with many political forces at work. 76 percent of the water entering the Delta flows out to the ocean and only 18 percent is diverted into the Central Valley to keep farmland productive and our California economy strong. Surely, a diversion of less than 20 percent is sustainable, but environmentalists disagree and this juxtaposition of opinions puts our entire state economy at risk. Kern Leaders Academy outlined the different agencies involved and how we personally could pursue these issues. The faculty was well-prepared and informative. I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in public service."
— Tom Willis, DMV, 2009
"Personally, I applied to the Kern Leaders Academy to further my own understanding about the “in and outs” of government and the political process in Bakersfield and Kern County in order to become an informed citizen about the issues facing our community. After the nine weeks, I acquired a foundation that far exceeded my expectations. Kern Leaders Academy sharpened my political and intellectual skill set. I now possess the confidence to think critically, resist political cowardice and conformity and step up to serve in the community whether I am an elected official or not. I would highly recommend this fantastic study in governance to those in Kern County that have political ambition or currently serving in an elected capacity. After KLA’s completion, I guarantee that you will emerge a different human being."
"The Kern Leaders Academy provided me with the opportunity to interact amongst a diverse group of up and coming community leaders to discuss and study many of the issues affecting Kern County. The Kern Leaders Academy featured presenters from many areas including business, education, ethics, government, and water who are at the forefront of their respective fields to challenge class members to dig beyond the surface of complex issues and develop the necessary skills to suggest complete, comprehensive, and common sense solutions to the problems we face today."
"Well honestly I really don't know where to start. I came into Kern Leaders Academy with no expectations, actually feeling overwhelmed due to all of the other projects that were going on. But, during the course of the academy I became a committed servant(politician) to the people of this great community. We gained knowledge and insight into some of the toughest issues that are faced in our county. Our instructors provided us with unbiased outlooks on the issues that we face. As I reflect on the chronological order that each instructor was presented to us, the Academy staff was right on point. I believe that I walked into Kern Leaders Academy as someone concerned about the community, but I completed the academy with the confidence of knowing that if I don't have the answers, I know where they can be found. Also, I left with an understanding that taxpayers want their elected representatives to make the tough decisions. I appreciate that Mike Turnipseed and the entire Kern Leaders Academy faculty believed in a young man with a heart and for giving me the opportunity to grow. It takes a village to raise a child and thanks to the Kern Leaders Academy in helping to raise me!"
"The Kern Leaders Academy was a whirlwind nine-week experience designed to challenge its participants to learn more about current issues affecting the region prior to seeking a term of public service. The quality of speakers was unsurpassed as we were led through all manner of regulatory and political issues affecting us at the local, state and national level. Aside from the relationships established through 72 hours of discussion with my fellow classmates, I derived the greatest value from the exposure to regulatory challenges beyond the realm of home construction and land development. I highly recommend the Kern Leaders Academy as a prerequisite for anyone pursuing a future in public life."
“As a member of the first Kern Leaders Academy, I am pleased to report that the classes were engaging, informative, insightful and worth the time to participate. The program will impact the way I think, the questions I ask, and the conclusions I draw for years to come. Thanks to all who supported the program. The effort will have far-reaching impacts .I believe the Academy is a must for everyone seeking office. One of this year’s presenters, Ira Reiner, told us that people get into politics for one of two reasons: to BE BIG or to do BIG THINGS. The members of our class want to do BIG things, IMPORTANT things, the RIGHT things. I believe that “education is not the filling of a pail, but the lighting of a fire”. The Kern Leaders Academy delivered not only the ignition to start the fire, but the fuel to sustain it.” 
"Kern Leaders Academy provides excellent preparation for those who hold, or who might seek, decision-making public policy positions in Kern County. The course content is comprehensive, covering the many critical and complex issues facing local government in Kern County. In addition, the course covers ethical issues and the fundamentals of political campaigns. The course faculty is very well qualified and is consistently prepared, and it succeeds in engaging the students in discussion. As a result, both the faculty and my fellow students were great teachers for me. I learned a great deal at Kern Leaders Academy, including how much more there is to learn in the area covered by each class. Without reservation, I would recommend Kern Leaders Academy to anyone who is engaged in, or who might aspire to, political leadership in Kern County."
"As a veterinarian in private practice for the last 28 year, I applied to the Kern Leaders Academy to find out how our government works. What I got was a great insight into the problems and challenges facing our state and local government. The issues are varied and far reaching. Faculty members were actually people in government and involved in public sector issues. For example, the current interruption of water deliveries from the Delta to the Central Valley is an acute state and local problem with many political forces at work. 76 percent of the water entering the Delta flows out to the ocean and only 18 percent is diverted into the Central Valley to keep farmland productive and our California economy strong. Surely, a diversion of less than 20 percent is sustainable, but environmentalists disagree and this juxtaposition of opinions puts our entire state economy at risk. Kern Leaders Academy outlined the different agencies involved and how we personally could pursue these issues. The faculty was well-prepared and informative. I would highly recommend this course for anyone interested in public service."
"Personally, I applied to the Kern Leaders Academy to further my own understanding about the “in and outs” of government and the political process in Bakersfield and Kern County in order to become an informed citizen about the issues facing our community. After the nine weeks, I acquired a foundation that far exceeded my expectations. Kern Leaders Academy sharpened my political and intellectual skill set. I now possess the confidence to think critically, resist political cowardice and conformity and step up to serve in the community whether I am an elected official or not. I would highly recommend this fantastic study in governance to those in Kern County that have political ambition or currently serving in an elected capacity. After KLA’s completion, I guarantee that you will emerge a different human being."