Valley Fever Americas Foundation was founded in 1995 by Bakersfield Rotarians concerned about the impact of Valley Fever on our community and on all endemic regions. Due to the nature of the disease, the only practical way to prevent Valley Fever is through development of a vaccine, a project our foundation has been devoted to promoting since its inception. We also support research towards development of a cure.

Valley Fever Americas Foundation’s mission is to promote awareness of and to support research on Valley Fever and the fungus that causes it.

There is currently no cure for the disease, and VFAF supports research to find a cure for all of those already suffering from this potentially life-threatening disease. Until a vaccine and cure are available, our organization recognizes the critical role that awareness plays in the prevention and early diagnosis of Valley Fever. Understanding the conditions in which Valley Fever is most likely to be contracted can prevent further suffering and loss throughout our community, and being familiar with its symptoms empowers victims of this disease to be diagnosed early and increase their chances of making a full recovery.

Watch the Faces of Valley Fever: Americas Foundation

Having served as Tehachapi's City Manager since 2009, Greg has overseen the completion of the City’s General Plan, directed major infrastructure investments, and created an efficient organizational model that has consistently maintained balanced budgets. These infrastructure improvements have spurred countless private investments in the community, contributing to a vibrant and thriving place to live and work.

Throughout his tenure, the community has experienced healthy growth and has become a shining example of civic government in Kern County. Transparency with the public, award-winning projects, and a dedicated staff have all played a role in showcasing the exceptional qualities of the City of Tehachapi.

Before serving as City Manager, Greg was the Assistant City Manager from 2004 to 2009. He played a key role in the successful downtown revitalization, overseeing projects such as the BeeKay Theatre, the Tehachapi Depot Museum, and other public improvements to roads, sidewalks, and streetlights. He also managed major upgrades to the City’s freshwater and wastewater infrastructure and contributed to the re-establishment of the Tehachapi Police Department in 2007. Continued investment in public safety has helped keep Tehachapi the safest city in Kern County for many years.

As City Manager, Greg takes pride in working with staff to produce an annual balanced budget that includes reserves for critical City accounts. His commitment to fiscal responsibility has helped guide Tehachapi through both strong economic periods and national recessions. It continues to shape the City’s financial planning as its economic influence grows with the arrival of larger retailers and an expanded trade area. The City’s budgeting process and presentation have earned multiple awards from the Government Finance Officers Association.

Many of the management philosophies Greg applies in his role stem from his extensive private‑sector background. Before entering public service and returning to his hometown, he served as Vice President at Scaled Composites and later as a Global Projects Manager at General Electric.

During his time at Scaled Composites—the premier aerospace prototyping company based at Mojave Air and Spaceport—he helped lead teams focused on cost‑effective development, delivering projects and new concepts on accelerated timelines. Scaled Composites is an influential company whose work impacts the region and extends globally. Later in his career at General Electric, he oversaw sourcing and manufacturing plants across the U.S., Asia, Europe, and South America.

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DAVID TORRES is an AV Preeminent rated California attorney who has practiced both state and federal criminal defense law for over thirty-five years, has tried well over 175 felony trials to verdict and has argued successfully before the California Supreme Court (Cowan vs. Superior Court, (1996) 14 Cal.4th 370). Mr. Torres is past President of the KCBA and in 2010 was awarded the KCBA Bench & Bar Award, the highest award given by the KCBA. In 2013, Mr. Torres was awarded the Distinguished Alumni Merit Award from Gonzaga University. Mr. Torres served as a Trustee for the State Bar of California and Chaired the Admissions and Education Committee (2012-2015). He previously served as Vice-Chairman of the California State Bar Committee of Bar Examiners and served 8 years as a Committee member.

In 2008, Torres was appointed by California Governor Jerry Brown to serve on the Central Valley Judicial Selection Application Committee as well as the Fair Board for the 15th Agricultural District. In 2015, he was appointed to serve as the Criminal Justice Act Representative for the United States District Court, Eastern District of California. Mr. Torres has been recognized as a California Super Lawyer consecutively since 2012. In August 2020, Torres and two colleagues founded the Covid-19 Task Force. The group educated the Latino public about Covid awareness.  

Mr. Torres is a Colonel having served in the US Army Reserve and California State Guard Judge Advocate General's Corps, and in 2018, was appointed by Governor Gavin Newsom to serve as a Justice on the California Military Appellate Board.

Born in Atlanta, Ralph Emerson Bailey, Jr., grew up in Los Angeles and moved to Bakersfield in 1992. He began his professional career as a correspondent and later staff writer with The Bakersfield Californian and later moved into television where he served as weekend anchor for both KERO ABC-23 and KBAK-TV 29. He then morphed into radio where the last ten years he’s been the executive producer and host of “The Ralph Bailey Show,” three-time Kern Press Club Award Winner for Best Radio Show. Ralph, a Valley Fever survivor, has given up cigars but still enjoys golf, American History, and expensive bourbon. His mother, Harriet, lives in Los Angeles and is a regular on his program

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Hi, my Name is Ivory. Born and being raised in Kern County. I currently attend school at Rio Bravo Elementary. I was diagnosed with Cocci when I was 6 years old. I love dogs I have a yorkie, her name is Oackley.

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Brynn Carrigan has served as the Director of Kern County Public Health since January 2021. With over 17 years of experience in county services, Brynn has been a driving force behind innovative community-based programs designed to improve public health, including initiatives like Waste Hunger Not Food, Certified Healthy, and Know Your Numbers. Throughout her tenure, she has played a key role in advancing departmental services and fostering community wellness.

Born and raised in Kern County, Brynn is a proud graduate of California State University Bakersfield, where she earned a degree in Business Administration. Outside of her professional life, Brynn is the mother to two thriving teenagers, and she enjoys hiking scenic trails in the area, playing disc golf with her husband at local parks, and is an avid runner.

In addition to her career accomplishments, Brynn is a cocci meningitis survivor and dedicated advocate for increasing Valley Fever awareness, using her personal experience to educate and support others affected by this disease.

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Joel D. Walton graduated from California State University, Bakersfield in 1998 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy with a Pre-Law concentration. He began his career at the Department of Human Services for five years as a Social Service Worker. He began working for Kern County Probation in 2005 and started as a Deputy Probation Officer in the Placement Unit. He acted as the Probation liaison for the Multi-Agency Integrated Services Team (M.I.S.T.) through Kern County Behavioral Health and Recovery Services for several years. In 2022, he was promoted to Probation Division Director over the Youth Supervision Division of the Kern County Probation Department.

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Quon Louey has been an advocate for Kern County, helping the community through various programs. He is a member of several boards, such as the Valley Fever Board, and served as President and Region 1 Executive Assistant Governor for the Bakersfield East Rotary. Recently, he became Vice President of the Asian Chamber of Commerce and helped celebrate the Lunar New Year with an event at the local Rice Bowl. Quon is present at most events, showing his support for community leaders and businesses throughout Kern County. 

As Executive Director of Telehealthdocs Medical Group, which won the Beautiful Bakersfield Small Business Award in 2022, Quon has improved access to healthcare in rural schools of Lamont and Lake Isabella, improving attendance and providing necessary care. His community work has shaped his leadership and impact on the community. From public health advocacy to small business support to fostering cultural connections, Quon Louey continues to be committed to positive change in Kern County. 

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Willow is a senior boxer whose journey with Valley Fever began after she suddenly slowed down and became ill. With dedicated care, she is now back to enjoying her days, playing with her toys, and bringing joy to everyone at home.

Watch Willow's Journey.