The Northwest Voice

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Sometimes when I interview people and the interview ends, I go “Whew, how do they do that!”  The interview with Bette Horn, one of the Northwest’s many busy people, ended on that note!  Bette is a great addition to Northwest Bakersfield, to the city of Bakersfield and to the county of Kern. 

Currently, in her full-time position with Aera Energy, Bette’s title is “Public Affairs Specialist.”  As is frequently the case with titles, it really doesn’t say all that much about what she does.  Her duties are broad and far-reaching in the community.  Her love for her job is obvious when her eyes light up as she describes going out into the community and helping in ways that sometimes really can’t be measured.  She’s been in her current position with Aera for the almost 10 years they’ve been in business and prior to that she held the same position with CalResources.  CalResources and Aera are both “offshoots” of Shell Oil Company.  Bette began her work with Shell when it was called Shell California Production Inc. in 1982.  At that time, Shell California was housed in the “Triangle Building” on California, waiting for completion of the12 story Stockdale Tower on the corner of California and Mohawk.  Currently, Aera occupies the building at the corner of Ming and Old River in southwest Bakersfield. 

We talked about Bette’s job and what she likes best on a day to day basis.  She enjoys working with the local Chamber of Commerce, various schools in the area and developing relationships with people in other corporations.  Her favorite “thing” is people and helping them so it is apparent that she is in the right job for her personality and skills.  Aera is well-known in Bakersfield, Kern County and the state for its work in the communities where its people live and work.  Bette’s work behind the scenes helps employees carry out Aera’s vision to make positive contributions in their communities.  Making a difference and improving life is what it’s all about.  One of Aera’s favorite projects, and definitely a favorite of Bette’s, is reading to second graders in classrooms in the city who are not meeting the grade level reading requirement.  Twenty-five Aera employees go out each week to help these children catch up with their reading skills - - the end result is success for the student.  It is an important task that makes Bette proud of her fellow Aera employees.   

Bette was quick to say that she has a life outside of her full-time employment.  She and her husband, Mark, are very involved in the lives of their four grandsons ranging in ages from 4 to 11.  They spend as much time on the weekends as they can with their grandsons and believe that grand parenting is a positive contribution to their eventual success.  With a grandmother like Bette, the four boys have an opportunity to feel loved and secure that not all kids have.  Bette stressed that she and her husband do not feel that it is the amount of money they spend on the children but rather the quality of the time.  Just being together and playing together is very, very important to Bette and she makes time for them even though her work is very demanding.  She believes that some work projects can wait until Monday.  “Children grow fast,” Bette said, “and sometimes if you miss an important moment, you’ve missed something that can’t wait and won’t be repeated.”  She is very happy that her two daughters and son live in Bakersfield so that she has frequent visits with the grandchildren. 

Bette talks of “someday” retiring and having more time to travel, spend more time with the grandchildren and work with local non-profits as well as continuing to work with the school reading programs. She is firm in her belief in early childhood education (specifically, mastering reading skills) and says it will carry over into her retirement.  “To see a child all of a sudden ‘get it’ is a thrill of a lifetime,” Bette exclaims.  She will continue to make a difference, working full-time for Aera and eventually living a very productive life in retirement. 

Bette has lived in Bakersfield most of her life.  She graduated from Garces High and attended Bakersfield College.  She and her husband moved to Northwest Bakersfield 20 years ago.  They thought they were moving way out of town.  When they first completed their home off Brimhall and Old River Road, Bette said they could sit in their back yard and “see forever.” They are now surrounded by hundreds of homes on large lots and they can’t “see forever” but they do love Northwest Bakersfield and enjoy their home and neighborhood.   

Bette pondered what happens as people age and said that she has made a conscious effort to remain interested in others.  Her belief is that if you focus outside of yourself, you become a better person inside. She is living proof of her philosophy.  The difference she makes in the lives of a lot of people is evident.  Her inner goodness is infectious.  Her example of living life to the fullest and helping in as many ways as she can is an inspiration.  Northwest Bakersfield is indeed fortunate to claim Bette as one of its residents.  The world could use a “Bette” on every block in every neighborhood!    

E-mail Caroline at creid@bak.rr.com if you have a friend, neighbor or family member in the Northwest who is 55+ and would be an interesting subject for this column.