Kern County board appoints Bill Lemake as airports director; names Kendra Graham interim county counsel

The Kern County Board of Supervisors announced two personnel appointments after a closed‑session meeting: Bill Lemake was appointed director of Kern County Airports and Kendra Graham was appointed interim county counsel.

Bill Lemake was appointed director of airports by a unanimous 5‑0 board vote and will take office effective July 12, 2025, the board said. The board described Lemake as having more than 30 years in aviation, noting his most recent role as senior planner for the Virginia Department of Aviation where he oversaw projects and budgets for 31 airports. The board said Lemake previously worked as business development director at Newport News Airport, helped develop a master plan there, and holds a bachelor’s degree in business administration from Christopher Newport University and an MBA from Longwood University.

The board also voted 4‑1 to appoint Kendra Graham as interim county counsel, effective July 5, 2025, to succeed the county’s retiring counsel, Margo Raizon, whose retirement is effective July 4, 2025. Graham has worked in the Kern County Office of County Counsel for more than 20 years and served as assistant county counsel for the past four years, the board said. The board noted that Supervisor Peters opposed the appointment.

At the meeting, Graham addressed the board from the podium: “I am so beyond grateful, and I love working with all of you. I promise to do the best job that I know how to do and make you all proud,” she said.

The board said it will formally introduce Lemake at its June 24 meeting and will honor Margo Raizon at a future board meeting. No additional conditions or contracts related to the appointments were disclosed in the public report out of closed session.