After 55 years of dedicated public service, Trustee Phil Franey has completed his service to the Kern County Employees’ Retirement Association (KCERA). His impact on KCERA and the Kern County community is woven into the very fabric of our history.

Phil’s public service career began long before he was officially elected as the five-term Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector. As a recent veteran of the US Army and graduate from Cal State University Bakersfield, he was employed by Bakersfield City School District as Supervisor of the Accounting Department and later hired by the Kern County Auditor-Controller as a Systems Accountant. He then was hired by Kern County Treasurer-Tax Collector (KCTTC) as Assistant Treasurer with responsibilities for the daily operations of the Kern County Deferred Compensation Plan, Kern County Treasury, KCERA Administration and KCTTC Alternate KCERA Board member.

Phil was elected KCTTC effective January 1987 with the responsibility for Tax Collection, Deferred Compensation, Kern County Treasury, KCERA Administrator and KCTTC Primary Board member for KCTTC. When a separate KCERA Administrator was hired, Phil assisted in the transition and served as Acting Administrator during new Administrator recruitments. Phil also served as KCERA Board Chair in 2000, 2001, 2016 and 2024 as well as serving as chair and member on numerous committees. After Phil’s retirement in 2007, he later became the KCERA Board Retiree Member from 2008-2025 serving on many committees and, at times, as chair leading with fiduciary care and vision. Phil also has presented at state and national conferences while having written in many publications discussing pension and technical matters. 

Beyond KCERA, Phil contributed his time and talents to numerous organizations including the Bakersfield East Rotary Club, the Plank Foundation, the American Legion as a lifetime member, and the California Association of County Treasurers and Tax Collectors, where he served as Past President and now lifetime member. He also was Past President of the Retired Employees of Kern County, member of the California Retired County Employees Association, the Retired Public Employees Association and other organizations.

For the past 43 years, Phil Franey has been more than a trustee - he has been a pillar of integrity, commitment, and stewardship. KCERA extends its deepest gratitude for his service, leadership, and unwavering dedication to the members and beneficiaries we serve.