The Western States Petroleum Association (WISPA) presented awards and recognitions at a program in Taft during Oil Dorado Days, honoring long-serving industry leader Les Clark and recognizing Mayor Dave Noor for his service to the community.

Suzanne Noble of WISPA introduced the association’s recognition and thanked Mayor Noor for what she described as his public advocacy for the local oil industry. “You are there for us at hearings,” Noble said, thanking the mayor for outreach and public education on oil-related issues.

Kathy Rehais Boyd, described in the program as WISPA’s recent past president and CEO, presented a president’s award to Les Clark and praised Clark’s decades of industry work and advocacy. Boyd said Clark and others had helped maintain county production and industry presence in Sacramento and beyond.

County officials also took part: Supervisor David Couch and Supervisor Chris Parlier presented a certificate of recognition to Mayor Noor. Couch and Parlier praised Noor’s years of community service and involvement with local events and governance.

Les Clark accepted the recognition and delivered brief remarks reflecting on a long career in the industry and public life. The program included additional ceremonial remarks and an archival resolution that the mayor’s office said would be finalized and presented in court records in the coming days.

WISPA representatives noted support for recent state legislation they said would help local production; during the same program Noble thanked Senator Shannon Grove for work on SB 237 and said the bill “will help our industry tremendously,” enabling a path to re-establish certain drilling rights through the Kern County Oil and Gas EIR, according to the remarks.

The presentations were ceremonial; the transcript does not record any formal municipal actions or votes tied to the recognitions.