Meet the President

tracykiserweb: Tracy Kiser

Tracy Kiser

When the sun is shining Tracy Kiser describes herself as feeling happy and alive with the energy to accomplish anything. Anyone who has worked with her can offer testimony to that fact. She thrives on people, talking, helping or just hanging out with customers and friends.

A native of Bakersfield, she attended Carden, Garces, Bakersfield College and CSUB, Her maternal grandparents were from Italy and her mother, Doris Banducci Walker, was born in Bakersfield. Herb Walker, her dad and original owner of the H.Walker Men’s Clothing Store, is from Missouri. Tracy purchased the store in l997 and relocated to the current downtown location where it resonates with a hub of loyal customers and provides a friendly atmosphere to just come by and visit.

Tracy has an extensive volunteer resume that totals approximately 36 years and has shared her 18 years of Junior League fundraising experience with other organizations. She has served six years on the Bakersfield Museum of Art board, 11 years with Downtown Rotary and was recently invited to join the Bakersfield Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. However one of her most moving volunteer experiences was with the Junior Achievement teaching the 8th grade survival program. It heightened her awareness of the importance of school, which while difficult for her, emphasized the value of completing her own education. Her husband Brian has joined the volunteer community as a board member for the Kern County Junior Livestock Association where they recently volunteered on the Jackpot Drawing fundraiser.

Surprising as it may be, and as accomplished as Tracy has been with Junior League fundraisers, her opportunity to serve as Provisional Chair stands out most in her mind. She said, “I felt very complacent in my volunteering at that point and needed an attitude adjustment on the meaning of being a volunteer. Those provisional’s taught me more than I was able to give back to them. I now have new friendships and bigger insights into League.”

As president this year, Tracy is examining the League as an organization, what the roles and responsibilities of its members should be, and how League performs as a group to make a difference in the community. “Training and working together as a group will keep us focused and efficient and make better use of our resources and our time. My hopes for this year is to build friendships, to get out into the community more and be aware of the difference JLB members make as an organization.”

What does this community minded, multi-tasking woman do to unwind? She learned the relaxing hobby of gardening from her dad and loves to see “ a garden grow and come alive.” Many are grateful for the lesson learned from her grandmother, “the love of the kitchen and how cooking and baking brings others around you.” That and hanging out on the couch with “BK” and their chocolate Labrador Isabella, a product of a JL fundraiser, keep Tracy a beautiful, happy woman.

Organization is key to Tracy in her home and her workplace, working daily to keep it under control. It is a valuable skill she is bringing to the Junior League of Bakersfield as training this summer can already attest to. Maximizing resources and time efficiently and effectively Tracy has a vision of where to go, and the plan to get there.


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