Age: over 60 (ha ha)

Profession and title: CPA and actively employed as a shareholder in the accounting firm of Barbich Hooper King Dill Hoffman, LLP. The firm currently has more than 75 staff with eight partners.

Community involvement: Past chair of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, past president of Bakersfield West Rotary (current member of the Rotary Club of Bakersfield downtown), past chair of the Bakersfield Chapter of the California Society of CPAs (followed by chair of the state California Society of CPAs, chair of the national Management of a CPA Firm committee, member of the national board of the American Institute of CPAS), past president of Bakersfield Country Club, past chair of the CSUB Executive Advisory Council, past board member of Bakersfield Vision 2020, and past chair of the Education Vision Force, past board member of the Boys & Girls Club Foundation.

Immediate family: Sheryl Barbich, wife.

How would you describe yourself in five words?

Empathetic (especially with clients), innovative, experienced, physically active and outgoing.

How long have you lived in Bakersfield? If you are not from here, what brought you to town?

Fifty years ago, the opportunity to succeed in a growing CPA profession brought us to Bakersfield. I was born in Chovet, Argentina, and came to this country when I was 5 years old. We lived out in the country near Earlimart, where I helped my dad until I went to Bellarmine Prep in San Jose for high school. I graduated from Fresno State University with a degree in accounting.

Following graduation I worked for an accounting firm in Fresno until I was drafted during the Vietnam War. I spent a year in Vietnam where I was head of the payroll department in Saigon. I was able to get an “early out” of the service to go to graduate school at UCLA, where I obtained a master’s degree in accounting. We were married and determined to return to the valley for the opportunities here.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?

My mom said to marry Sheryl.

What is your proudest achievement of your career?

Founder and chair for 26 years of CAMICO, a liability insurance company for CPAs that was originally intended for California CPAs, but has subsequently gone nationwide.

How do you find inspiration to do what you do?

I love to help people. I put myself in their shoes and try to assist them with their problems.

What volunteer efforts are you passionate about?

Locally: Past chair of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce, and past board member of the Boys & Girls Club Foundation. Statewide and nationally, I am proud of my service to the CPA profession, as president of the California Society of CPAs and on the board of the AICPA.

What do you love most about the community? Where do you see the greatest need for change or improvement?

I love the support the nonprofits provide in the community. We still need to work on helping the homeless.

What advice do you offer to a younger generation?

Find work you can do that you love, and that will provide for the needs of your family.

Where do you hope to see Bakersfield/Kern County in five years?

A prosperous, multicultural community with minimal poverty.

What brings you joy?

The appreciation you get back from helping people.

What is your favorite quote?

“If you’re in a position to take a chance, go ahead and give it full effort. If it doesn’t work, you will still be in a better position than you were before.”

What else would you like to share about your life?

We have traveled and explored more than 56 countries, and enjoyed the sights and sounds there. I would encourage everyone to take advantage of as many new adventures in the world that you can, to experience new things in new cultures.