Officers & Directors 2018

Board Member

Jon Raichelson

CPCU

Jon Raichelson is a 27 year State Farm employee having held positions in Fire Claims, Learning and Development, and Business Lines Underwriting. He is currently an Auto Claim Trainer in the Bakersfield Operations Center. He obtained his CPCU designation in 2001 and has also obtained the AINS, ChFC®, and CLU® designations. Jon has been an active member of the Golden Empire chapter serving on the All-industry Day, Community Outreach, Social, and Scholarship committees, as well as others. In 2016, Jon served on the chapter Board of Directors as Secretary.

Board Member

Brian Backens

CPCU

Brian is currently an underwriting supervisor in personal lines fire. Brian started his State Farm career in 1988 in the Costa Mesa regional office and has a diverse P&C background having served in a variety of roles in both auto and fire underwriting. He has also worked in a multiple locations including corporate headquarters and the Northeast Zone (New York). Brian has his CPCU, CLU, and ChFC designations and recently completed his Master’s in Business Administration (MBA). Outside of work, Brian loves spending time with family and being physically active whether it’s basketball, golf, mountain biking, or hiking.

Director

Rick Baytosh

CPCU

Rick has been with State Farm for 24 Years. He has earned his CPCU, CLU and ChFC designations.  Rick brings much experience to the board as he was the Chapter President in 2015, Immediate Past President 2016 and joins us again as our newest Director for 2017.

Director

Rebekah L. Bridgette

CPCU

Rebekah has held various positions in underwriting, claims and after-hours sales in several offices.  Rebekah moved to Bakersfield in 2012 to assume her current position as an Underwriting Section Manager.  Rebekah received her Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Accounting and her Master of Science in Industrial Relations from West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV.  She earned her Fellow, Life Management Institute (FLMI) and Chartered Property Casualty Underwriter (CPCU) designations in 2010 and her Chartered Life Underwriter (CLU) designation in 2012

Board Member

Ranae Niell

CPCU

Board Member

Yuri Rodriguez

CPCU

Yuri works at State Farm as a Underwriting Service Assistant. She is currently pursuing her Master's in Business Administration at California University of Bakersfield