Barry Braun receives Trustee of the Year award

Barry Braun, chairman of the Kern County Cemetery District 1, which includes Shafter and Wasco, has received the Trustee of the Year award from the California Association of Public Cemeteries.

The award is given to a trustee who was nominated by their district for exceptional performance, including for their commitment of time and energy to working with others to improve and enhance their district, and to develop new approaches, methods and systems to improve organizational effectiveness.

This trustee is part of a team that plans for the future acquisition and development of cemetery property.

Braun was presented the award at the 66th Annual Conference of the California Association of Public Cemeteries in San Diego on March 16.

Braun became chairman of the local district board in 2016; his term goes until 2027.

He was born and raised in Reedley. He spent two years in the Democratic Republic of Congo before marrying his wife, Melissa. He started farming with his wife's father shortly after that. They have three children and raised their family on the farm in a family partnership with his father-in-law.

Braun was a member of the Wasco Union High School Board of Trustees for over 19 years, as well as various positions in their church. His favorite times are family vacations and include photography and flying his drone.