Honoring A Legacy Of Service Over Self.
Honoring A Legacy Of Service Over Self.
Our Mission
The legacy of Jim Burke and his spirit of generosity are the driving force of the Jim Burke Education Foundation. Our mission is to help Kern County’s youth excel through grants, scholarships and civic projects developed through the Ford Dimension and Dream Builders student leadership program.
How It All Started
In 1994, two hundred Ford Dimension alumni from across the country gathered to honor Jim Burke and thank him for the contributions he made to improve educational opportunities for local youth through the Ford Dimension program. As a tribute to Mr. Burke, and the program he began in 1975, the alumni announced the founding of the Jim Burke Education Foundation.
In 2003, Ford Dimension alumni and the Jim Burke Education Foundation Directors created Dream Builders. Today, we continue Jim Burke’s legacy of generosity for the educational support of others.
Our Board Of Directors
The Jim Burke Ford Education Foundation is 501(c)3 non-profit organization governed by a volunteer Board of Directors.
Cindy Meek
Community Volunteer
Matt Billings
President, Billings Ranches
Ford Dimension
1989-90
Troy Fringer
VP of Finance, Jim Burke Ford
Maria Toretta
Educator, Kern High School District
Ford Dimension
1987-88
Roger Griess
President, Ag Tec Resources
Mikie Hay
VP Community Affairs, Jim Burke Ford
Laura Houchin
Community Volunteer
Chad Manning
VP Sales, Jim Burke Ford
Ford Dimension
1991-92
Lakesha Ray, Ph.D
Educator, CSUB
Justin Salters
President, Hey Salty
Dream Builders
2005-06
Jeff Vaughan
Petroleum Geologist, Vaughan Exploration, Inc.
Ford Dimension
1978-79
Katie Werdel
Community Volunteer
Ford Dimension
1991-92
The Hon. Vince Fong
Member of Congress,
U.S. House of
Representatives
Gabe Woodward
Partner, Woodward Diversified Capital
Our Team
Peggy Rivera
Mikie Hay
Corporate Sponsors
Each year, four local companies sponsor our Ford Dream Builders teams helping to fund their community projects and support our student scholarships. Thank you to our 2024-25 Corporate Sponsors, Bank of the Sierra, Dignity Health Mercy and Memorial Hospitals, Grimmway Farms and California Resources Corporation for their support.
