Meet the Team!

Chair

trudie@kernfiresafe.org

  • Trudie lives in Kernville, CA and enjoys everything the Kern River Valley has to offer. After retirement she decided to move from the Bay Area to her current home to be closer to friends and family. Although fishing and boating are high on her list of recreational passions, her real love is baseball. Trudie will soon achieve her goal of attending a game at all 30 MLB ballparks. Trudie finished her professional career as the Assistant Director and Program Manager for the U.S. Forest Service Cooperative Fire Program for California, Hawaii, American Samoa, Guam, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Republic of the Marshall Islands, and Republic of Palau. Chief Mahoney oversaw federal grant administration (State and Volunteer Fire Assistance grants), the Regional Fire Prevention program, the Federal Excess Personnel Property program (providing firefighting equipment to partners), technical assistance (classroom and field training for partners) and response to FEMA requests for activation of Emergency Support Function #4 (Firefighting). Before becoming an Assistant Director, Trudie served as an Emergency Management Specialist for U.S. Forest Service, International Programs, Disaster Management Program in Washington, DC. During this time she coordinated and facilitated Incident Command System Workshops throughout the Indian Ocean Region and South East Asia. This work involved leading Incident Command System training for government and volunteer emergency responders to increase capacity for professional response. Trudie started her career as a firefighter on the San Bernardino National Forest. Working her way up through the ranks she worked on engines, crews, helicopter modules, and served as a Chief Officer on various National Forests in California. She has worked with Incident Management Teams throughout her career, primarily in the Planning Section. Trudie graduated from Southern Illinois University with a B.S. in Workforce Education and Development and served honorable in the U.S. Air Force.

Board Member

dale@kernfiresafe.org

  • A Southern California native with more than 25 years of experience in aerospace propulsion testing and operations, Dale advanced from hands-on technical roles at Northrop, Hughes, and Boeing to Site Supervisor of a remote hazardous test facility. In that role he directed a team while overseeing safety, environmental health and safety (EHS), security, fire protection, quality, regulatory compliance, and high-stakes propellant and satellite operations around the globe. He has served for 10 years as President of a 39-homeowner HOA non-profit, managing private roads, volunteer-driven maintenance, meetings, and finances on a minimal budget. Since 2021 he has also led a 13-member community water system non-profit, ensuring regulatory compliance, reliable service, and rapid emergency response. As a resident of Hart Flat, Dale is keenly aware of wildfire risks. His background in operations leadership, multi-role problem-solving, budget stewardship, and community governance equips him to contribute effectively as a non-profit board member. When not spoiling his grandchildren, Dale most enjoys a trip through Canada to Homer, Alaska, for some halibut and salmon fishing.

Secretary

peggy@kernfiresafe.org

  • Peggy has a long career in service that extends into an active retirement. She received a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Cal State Dominguez Hills, then earned her master’s in health administration from the University of Laverne. Peggy lives in Pine Mountain Club, an intermix community surrounded by Los Padres National Forest, where she recently completed a term on the board of directors of the local POA. She appreciates the beauty and serenity of living in a forest and is acutely aware of the high fire risk. Loves hiking with her husband, friends and as many dogs as she can gather. From the beginning of her life in the forest, Peggy has been active in reigniting and restructuring the three nonoperating fire safe councils in Kern County to create one county-wide Kern Fire Safe Council.

Treasurer

kathleen@kernfiresafe.org

  • After a satisfying career as a nurse, Kathleen retired to an equally satisfying role as a volunteer in her community. She has served on the boards of her local Meals on Wheels, Chamber of Commerce, Community Garden and collaborates with Peak to Peak Mountain Charter School and the Mountain Communities Family Resource Center. Kathleen is a founding member of the reconstituted Kern Fire Safe Council. She is lucky to live in the Los Padres National Forest.

County Coordinator

kerncc@kernfiresafe.org

  • Since 2019, Wendy Ward has been a member of the Kern Fire Safe Council. In 2023 Wendy stepped into the role of Kern County Wildfire Mitigation Coordinator. Although Wendy now resides in Bakersfield, she is a native of the Kern River Valley and knows all too well the risks of wildfires upon residents, business owners and communities. Evacuations as a child or now for her elderly parents or annual Spring Defensible Space work is all too common for Wendy. Wendy's education includes an AA in Fire Science, a BA in Public Administration, an MS in Counseling and has advanced doctoral studies in Organizational Leadership. Outside of her Wildfire efforts, Wendy is a School Counselor and has extensive experience in intervention, trauma, collaboration and conflict resolution. Not only is Wendy passionate about protecting the rural communities of Kern County against wildfire, but Wendy also honors and serves our veteran community through volunteering with Honor Flight Kern County and as Vice President of the Kern County WWII Veterans Memorial Committee. Wendy is also a lover of adventure, the outdoors, traveling and baseball.

Projects & Grant Coordinator

cuc@kernfiresafe.org

  • Cuc joined the KFSC team in 2023 as an Outreach Coordinator, eager to combine her passion for educating young children with her dedication to community service. A graduate of California State University, Los Angeles, with a Bachelor's degree in Sociology, Cuc brought a rich and diverse background to her role. Prior to joining KFSC, she dedicated a decade to social work before taking a hiatus to care for her two young children. She later re-entered the workforce as an Instructional Aide at a local elementary school. In 2024, when funding became available through the Sierra Nevada Conservancy RFFCP grant, Cuc transitioned into her current role as Projects & Grants Coordinator.

    Cuc’s love for nature was cultivated over 14 years of volunteering with the Girl Scouts and Boy Scouts. In her free time, she enjoys hiking, fishing, traveling, and making cherished memories with her large extended family.

Outreach Coordinator

outreach@kernfiresafe.org

  • Hello! I’m Kelsey and I grew up in Kern County. I attended California State University, Bakersfield, where I received a Bachelor of Arts degree (2013) and Master of Public Administration degree (2015). My work experience includes public safety, local government affairs, community outreach, communications and family engagement.

    I have two children, and they keep me very busy (and highly entertained) in my spare time. My hobbies include participating in events at my church, reading, and interior decorating.

Financial Manager

acct@kernfiresafe.org

  • Hi there! I'm Jorge, a graduate of CSUB with a Bachelors in Accounting (class of 2019). Since then, I've been putting my skills to good use as an accountant at a non-profit. Outside of work, you can find me hitting the greens for a round of golf, exploring nature on a hike, or setting up camp under the stars.

Project Manager

will@kernfiresafe.org

  • Before joining the Kern Fire Safe Council, Will served as a Peace Corps volunteer, working as an English teacher in rural northwest Madagascar. Following his time with the Peace Corps, Will founded ZARASOA, a non-profit organization partnering with local groups in Madagascar to provide access to clean water at rural schools and healthcare facilities. He has experience working with large-scale funders like USAID, the US Embassy in Madagascar, GIZ, and others, as well as local organizations such as town councils, district, and regional governments. Will values working directly with and listening to communities and implementing local solutions to local problems.

    In his free time, Will is an avid surfer and golfer.

Information Technology

it@kernfiresafe.org

  • Hi there! I’m Zane, and I grew up in Bakersfield and the Kern River Valley. As the IT Support for the Kern Fire Safe Council, I handle everything from web management to tech support—making sure our digital tools and resources keep our communities informed, connected, and prepared.