Leadership

Leadership Committee

Former Assemblyman Bill Maze, California’s 34th District
Assemblyman Maze has long been in the forefront on federal, state, and regional issues concerning land management and non scientific environmental protection policies. He is a particularly strong advocate for private property rights and has been a leader in the drive to reduce government regulation on agriculture and business. Maze represents citizens in Tulare, Inyo, Kern and San Bernardino counties.

Adrian Moore, Ph.D., Reason Foundation
Adrian Moore is vice president of research at Reason Foundation, a non-profit think tank advancing free minds and free markets. Moore oversees all of Reason’s policy research and conducts his own research on topics such as privatization, government and regulatory reform, air quality, transportation and urban growth, prisons and utilities.

Chad Vegas, Sovereign Grace Church of Bakersfield
Chad is a pastor and an elected trustee for the Kern High School District Board. He is also the Chaplain and vice president for the California Republican Assembly, a frequent guest host on talk radio and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Science with an emphasis in political science, two teaching credentials, and a Master’s degree in Biblical and Theological Studies from Talbot School of Theology.

Harlan Ode, Sharpe Solar Energy Systems
As company founder and president, Harlan has been designing and customizing Solar Energy devices & products for over 30 years, and is often asked to give lectures on the Solar Energy technology currently available. He is also a longtime community activist and volunteer for issues ranging from central valley economic development to 2nd Amendment and property rights issues.

Scott Tucker, Roto-Rooter
Scott is the Kern County Manager for Roto Rooter and has been active locally with the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce’s Governmental Relations Council and with The Foundation for Success as Vice President of the Board supporting the Greenfield Union School District; he is also a member of Kern Taxpayers Association board. He was previously with the Nashville Chamber of Commerce’s Small Business Education Committee, Vice President of the Florida Manufacturers Association and Executive Director of the North Florida Manufacturers Association.

Jim Lopez, California Republican National Hispanic Assembly
Jim is a longtime conservative activist and an American patriot with 23 years of experience in uniform. Mr. Lopez’ military recognition includes: Serving two tours of duty in Vietnam, flew over 2,000 combat hours; awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 16 Air medals, Cross of Gallantry with crossed palms, Marine Corp and Air Force Presidential Citations, Meritorious Service medal and Combat Crewmember badge.

Ken Mettler, KLM Homes
Ken is president of his own homebuilding company and has spent nearly 30 years in business and real estate. He earned a Master’s of Public Administration degree from the University of California in 1975, served in the Peace Corps, worked in the oil industry and was recently elected to the Kern High School District Board of Trustees after serving as a Rosedale School Board member for twelve years. Ken has been active in community affairs, politics and private property issues for most of his adult life.

Gordon Downs, Downs Equipment Rentals, Inc.
Gordon founded Downs Equipment Rentals, Inc. in 1977. He has been President of the company for 30 years. The prior nineteen years were spent working for the Tosco Petro Refinery as a unit operator and trainer. He has always advanced strong conservative principles in his many community service endeavors and has had first-hand experience with issues regarding respect for private property rights.

Mike Turnipseed, Kern County Taxpayers Association
Michael Turnipseed is the Executive Director of the Kern County Taxpayers Association, a member-supported, non-partisan, 501 (c)4 nonprofit corporation, whose purpose is to bring about greater economy, efficiency and effectiveness in government, basing its recommendations upon the analysis of facts obtained through research.