Originally hailing from Orange County, David Ahumada found a true home in Taft after his family moved in 2023. Deeply invested in the town's youth and future through his work as the Lead School Counselor at Buena Vista High School and as a swim coach at Taft High School, David is equally passionate about honoring the area's past. Joining the Fort Preservation Society Board is his way of giving back and deepening his connection to the region's rich heritage.

A lifelong resident of Taft, Jan graduated from our local schools before earning a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Fresno State. Married with adult children, she continues to invest deeply in the town she has called home for the majority of her life.

Following a distinguished 30-plus-year career as a Women’s Health Care Nurse Practitioner, Jan now channels her passion into civic leadership. She serves on the boards of the Taft College Foundation, the Westside Health Care District, Friends of the Library, the Taft District Chamber of Commerce, the Taft Union High School Foundation, and the Fort Preservation Society. In her spare time, she makes handcrafted cards and teaches a Home Care Aide class, bringing the same spirit of care and dedication to preserving the Fort’s place in our community.

A resident of Taft since 1974, Margie Burell has deep roots in our community. A dedicated lifelong educator, Margie holds degrees from Taft College, Cal State Bakersfield, and the University of La Verne, spending years teaching everywhere from Cuyama Elementary to local correctional institutions before retiring in 2012. Her family ties to the area run strong, with two sons and five grandchildren raised and educated in local schools.

A passionate creative who enjoys everything from photography to painting and jewelry making, Margie views the Fort as an essential cultural treasure. She is dedicated to serving on the Board to protect its unique history, preserve its timeless beauty, and ensure it remains a welcoming home for community gatherings for generations to come.

Born and raised in Taft, DeAnna Jacobs (TUHS Class of ’81) grew up making memories at the Fort, from high school senior pictures to memorable family reunions.

As the owner of Every Penny Counts, DeAnna brought her financial expertise to the Fort Preservation Society in 2019, serving as tax preparer, bookkeeper, and eventually Board Member. With ten years of service on the Taft Chamber of Commerce Board and active leadership with Diamond in the Rough, DeAnna’s devotion to the Taft community is endless. She is proud to help preserve the history and beauty of the Fort for her four children, nine grandchildren, and the entire community she calls home.

Born at the Fort in 1945 when it served as a Kern General auxiliary hospital, Randy Miller is proud to be part of a rare group of "Fort Babies." After returning to Taft in 1979, Randy spent decades supporting the site, including helping save the venue from demolition in 1985 and serving as Fort Preservation Society Board President in the early 2000s . Rejoining the board in 2025, he remains deeply committed to preserving this historic community treasure alongside a re-energized team of local volunteers.

After marrying her husband, Jerry, in 1979, Jackie moved to Taft and fell so in love with the community that she convinced her parents to relocate here soon after. Her deep local roots include a legacy of TUHS graduates, from her husband and stepdaughters to two grandsons and a great-grandson.

Jackie holds a B.A. in Philosophy and Religious Studies from CSU Bakersfield, a Master’s Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and an Administrative Certification from Fresno Pacific University. Though she didn't attend school here as a child, she had the privilege of teaching grades 4–12 across local elementary, junior high, and high schools for 32 years. Today, she stays deeply active in local youth ministry, community volunteering, and serves as a dedicated volunteer and board member for the Fort Preservation Society.

Joining the Fort Board was a natural choice for Lisa, driven by her passion to help preserve local history while reviving and restoring the venue's natural beauty. Serving on the board gives her the opportunity to initiate special events and community activities that protect this cherished landmark for future generations to experience. A board member since February 2026, Lisa is excited to work alongside the team and watch all their vision and dreams come to fruition.