Unbound:Kern Capital Summit 2026
Where deals begin. Where futures are shaped.
The Event
Connect. Engage. Advance.
Unbound brings together the people, ideas and capital shaping Kern County’s next chapter. The program moves from relationship-building to industry insight, regional experiences and actionable opportunities.
Connect
Begin with a relaxed evening reception designed to build relationships among investors, industry leaders and regional partners.
Engage
Experience the keynote, major industry panels, exhibitions, site tours, breakout sessions and evening receptions.
Advance
Explore aerospace, energy, artificial intelligence and precision medicine, then turn the Summit’s conversations into next steps.
MC
Keynote Speaker
Mick Cornett
Former Mayor of Oklahoma City
Hear from a nationally recognized leader whose work helped redefine how cities think about economic growth, investment and quality of place.
- Business leader and former four-term mayor of Oklahoma City
- Named to Fortune’s list of the World’s 50 Greatest Leaders in 2018
Featured Panels
Five conversations shaping what comes next.
Go beyond the headlines with leaders working at the intersection of capital, technology, industry and regional growth.
Built to Move
Industrial Growth and the Future of Goods Movement
View speakersFrom Field to Future
AgTech with Global Reach
View speakersMission Ready
Aerospace, Defense and the New Industrial Frontier
View speakersPowering What’s Next
Advanced Energy and the New Economy
View speakersSmarter Care, Precisely Delivered
AI and the Future of Medicine
View speakersSpeaker Lineup
Meet the leaders joining the conversation.
Open a panel to see its current speaker lineup. New headshots and additional speakers can be added as confirmations are received.
01Built to MoveIndustrial Development and Goods Movement
MWMatt Walker
President and CEO
Tejon Ranch
JVJoe Vargas
President
Wonderful Real Estate
GWGregg Wasmansdorff
Senior Managing Director
Newmark Group
M+DMike Mullis
President and CEO
J.M. Mullis, Inc.
Denise Mullis
Senior Vice President and Partner
J.M. Mullis, Inc.
02From Field to FutureAgTech with Global Reach
AHAaron Hegde
Executive Director
Grimm Family Center
California State University, Bakersfield
PEPeter Ernster
Chief Ingredient Officer
California Dairies,
Inc.
MHMelissa Haworth
Executive Director of Corporate and Foundation Engagement
UC Davis
03Mission ReadyAerospace, Defense and the New Industrial Frontier
JSJustin Salters
Project Lead
Griffiss Institute
DSDr. David G. Smith
CEO and General Manager
Mojave Air and Space Port
BWBrandon Woods
Operations Executive
Stratolaunch
DSBrian Coleman
Project Financing Manager
Governor’s Office of Business and Economic Development (GO-Biz)
04Powering What’s NextAdvanced Energy and the New Economy
Erec DeVost
Vice President of Development
Terra-Gen
TBAKemp Gregory
Renewell Energy
BHBrian Holt
Busines Manager/Financial Secretary
IBEW Local 428
BHDaniela Hamann-Nazaroff
Director, Technical Program Management
Air Capture
05Smarter Care, Precisely DeliveredAI and the Future of Medicine
Emil Hewage
Founder and CEO
BIOS
Dawn McCollough
President
Kordata
Breakout session speakers
Breakout Block 1B1.1The Place AdvantageInvesting in the Urban Core
R+AAustin Smith
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Sage Equities
R+AAnna Smith
Co-founder and Managing Partner
Sage Equities
E+SEmily Waite
Owner
Woolworth’s
E+SSherrod Waite
Owner
Woolworth’s
TDTomas Del Toro
Sound Capital
TDShannon LaBare
Founder + CEO
Purveyor Branding Co.
B1.2Preparing the Workforce of TomorrowTalent pipelines for Kern County’s growth industries
BMBrian Miller
Principal
Kern High School District
KLKaty Larson
California Energy Research Center
California State University, Bakersfield
CMCarlos Medina
Industrial Automation
Bakersfield College
EMEllen Morris
California Renewable Energy Lab
B1.3Tourism in Kern CountyGrowing the visitor economy
DLDr. David Lyman
Visit Bakersfield Manager
Retired
GAGary Ananian
Kernville Chamber of Commerce
MDMichael Dorner
Tehachapi Wine Region
B1.4Business Recruitment StrategiesApproaches to regional recruitment
AHAmber Hunter
ResearchFDI
CRChris Roche
ResearchFDI
MMMark Mimms
Board Chair
Central Valley Economic Development Corporation
RCRichard Chapman
Kern Economic Development Corporation
B2.1Solving Infrastructure’s Most Pressing ChallengesInfrastructure for growth and industry
JCJason Caudle
First Public Hydrogen Authority
EDEric Dhanens
Cornerstone Engineering
JPJoel Perler
International Engagement Manager
Port of Long Beach
B2.2Small Business Soft Landing and ScalingResources for launching and growing in Kern County
KBKelly Bearden
Director
Small Business Development Center
California State University, Bakersfield
CECharles Eason
Advisor
Tech Futures Group
ASAndy Seeto
Director, Fresno U.S. Commercial Service
U.S. Department of Commerce
B2.3Manufacturing in KernRegional production and industrial growth
MOMark Olson
Vice President of Mill Operations
Pacific Steel Group
JBJim Brumley
Technical Services Manager
Central Valley Renewable Fuels
JDJon Dearing
Vice President, Strategy and Public Affairs
National Cement Company of California
RCRyan Carney
Owner
Ernst USA
RCRichard Chapman
Kern Economic Development Corporation
B2.4Invest in Complex IndustriesCapital strategies for specialized sectors
DWDavid Woessner
FutureOf
Nicole Lai
Advisor
Beau Woodward
Mavrk Investments
Agenda
Three days of connection and discovery.
Select a day to view the program. Times, speakers, tour stops and locations may be updated as final details are confirmed.
Day 1: Connect
Welcome Cocktail Reception
An informal mixer for investors, industry leaders and regional partners at The Padre Hotel.
The Padre HotelDay 2: Engage
Registration Opens
Check in and prepare for the day.
Exhibition Booths Open
Meet businesses and organizations working across Kern County’s growth sectors.
Welcome to Unbound 2026
Opening remarks from event leadership and local officials.
Main StageKeynote Address: Mick Cornett
Former Mayor of Oklahoma City and nationally recognized leader in economic growth and placemaking.
Main StageNetworking Break
Continue conversations and visit the exhibition area.
Built to Move
Industrial Growth and the Future of Goods Movement.
Featured PanelMain StageMission Ready
Aerospace, Defense, and the New Industrial Frontier
Featured PanelMain StageNetworking Lunch
Lunch and relationship-building with Summit participants.
Transition Break
Prepare for afternoon site tours and breakout sessions.
Regional Site Tours
Explore Kern County’s investment opportunities first-hand. Advance registration is required.
Pre-registration RequiredBreakout Session Block 1
Four concurrent discussions on placemaking, workforce, tourism, and business recruitment.
Networking and Transition Break
Breakout Session Block 2
Four concurrent discussions on infrastructure, small business scaling, manufacturing and complex-industry investment.
Happy Hour Reception
Close the conference day with informal networking.
Evening Receptions
Continue the conversation at multiple host venues.
Various LocationsRegional Site Tours
Tour routes are being finalized. Capacity will be limited, and advance registration will be required.
Breakout Session Block 1
Breakout Session Block 2
Day 3: Advance
Breakfast
Begin the final day with breakfast and networking.
Recognition of Sponsors
A featured presentation from the Summit’s sponsor.
Exhibition Booths Open
Continue meeting exhibitors throughout the morning.
From Field to Future
AgTech with Global Reach.
Featured PanelMain StageNetworking Break
Continue conversations and visit the exhibition area.
Powering What’s Next
Advanced Energy and the New Economy.
Featured PanelMain StageSmarter Care, Precisely Delivered
AI and the Future of Medicine.
Featured PanelMain StageClosing Remarks
Key takeaways and the call to action following Unbound 2026.
Program note: The agenda is subject to change. Final speakers, room assignments, tour stops and registration instructions will be announced as they are confirmed.
Experience Kern County
See the opportunity first-hand.
Unbound extends beyond the main stage with curated site tours and smaller breakout conversations designed for deeper engagement.
Industry Site Tours
Visit regional assets across aerospace, agriculture, energy, logistics, manufacturing and healthcare innovation.
Focused Breakouts
Join practical conversations about the urban core, workforce, tourism, infrastructure, manufacturing, small business growth and investment.
Exhibitor Connections
Meet organizations and companies working across Kern County’s most promising industries.
Meaningful Networking
Build relationships during receptions, meals, transitions and dedicated networking breaks.
Location & Logistics
Meet us in Bakersfield.
The Summit’s primary programming will take place in downtown Bakersfield, with regional tours and hosted evening activities extending the experience throughout Kern County.
Dignity Health Convention Center
Bakersfield, California
Opening reception: The Padre Hotel
Regional tours: Advance registration required
Evening receptions: Locations to be announced
Presented By
Regional leadership. Shared opportunity.
B3K Prosperity
City of BakersfieldBe in the Room
Your seat at the table starts here.
Join the people, ideas and capital shaping Kern County’s next chapter at Unbound 2026.
Powered by Our Partners
Unbound 2026 is made possible through the support of organizations committed to advancing innovation, investing, and economic growth across Kern County.
