Nominating

BJ Saidi is the co-owner of Venita’s Gourmet Sweets, a business venture he started with his wife Venita, whose talent for creating innovative sweets is out of this world. 

BJ also works as a free-lance video editor and lends his skills to the Chamber, offering video commercials to businesses at a fraction of the cost through the Member Video Program. 

“I believe in the phrase ‘strength in numbers’ which is why I joined the Chamber in 2017. If we forget our differences and truly come together on a larger scale, we can achieve a great many things, but only together.” BJ also belongs to Mountain Neighbors, a group dedicated to bringing people together by embracing diversity. 

BJ takes the personal approach. “My interest and enthusiasm for the Chamber can be quite contagious. I also believe that people want to be heard, so I take the time to listen.”

Debbie Turner is a private-practice acupuncturist and retired 25-year law enforcement veteran.  She has invested her law enforcement experience right back into our local youth as the founder and instructor of the Frazier Mountain High School Law Enforcement Leadership Academy (LELA).  The LELA students learn the value of teamwork, leadership, and respect as they are taken through field scenarios, inter-agency training, field trips, and activities with agencies such as the US Coast Guard, CHP, and the Kern County Sheriff Academy.

In addition to her service as a Mountain Communities Chamber of Commerce board member, she also serves on the board of the Family Resource Center, and was Past President of the Frazier Mountain Communities Rotary Club.  Debbie was honored in September 2018 as the Kern County Second District's Constituent of the Month in recognition of her contributions to the community.

Mel Weinstein started out as a history teacher but soon found out he was a gifted photographer. Over his 50-year career, Mel has worked as a personal photographer, presidential photographer, wedding photographer, magazine photographer, real estate photographer but what he enjoys most is taking photos of the great outdoors…and his dog, Reggie. 

Mel and his wife, Kathy have lived in PMC for 17 years.  Despite that, Mel has never lost his Bronx accent or his New York sense of humor.  When he is not taking pictures, Mel is pursuing all kinds of volunteer opportunities.  He serves on the boards of several local agencies and is active in helping the Mountain Communities from schools to food insecurity and donates all his proceeds to charity.

I’m Misty Johnston, the Executive Director at the MCFRC. My family and I have lived in the mountain communities since 2005. My husband Jeff and I share two children, two bonus children, and three grandchildren.