Harvey L. Hall is a life-long Californian, having grown up in Bakersfield and graduating from Bakersfield High School. He attended Bakersfield Community College and San Francisco City College. In 1960 he took a dare from a friend and rode along on an ambulance for a shift. Soon after that first ride he went to work as an ambulance attendant. In February of 1971 he borrowed $10,000 to purchase an ambulance and the tradition of Hall Ambulance Service, Inc was born.

Mr. Hall knew that the key to success was quality customer service. He worked hard to build a solid reputation within the Kern County medical community. He wanted everyone to know that when you called Hall Ambulance you were going to get quality service.

Hall Ambulance is currently the largest and premier emergency and non-emergency medical transportation provider in Kern County. In addition, Hall Ambulance is one of the largest privately-owned emergency and non-emergency medical transportation providers in the state. Hall Ambulance is the 30th largest privately-owned ambulance company in the United States and belongs to the American Ambulance Association and the California Ambulance Association.

Harvey Hall turned his attention to running for Mayor of Bakersfield in 1999. Running under the slogan “Unity in the Community” he handily defeated a field of nine other candidates in the March 2000 election. During his swearing-in ceremony on January 2, 2001, Mayor Hall made clear his goal with the statement: “Our city is one of greatness and it will be my goal everyday to make every day better than the day before and to try and make this city the best city in America.”

Mayor Hall is Bakersfield’s 25th Mayor. He was re-elected in 2004 and 2008, and is presently serving his third term. Additionally, he is only the second Mayor in our city’s history to serve three terms. Bakersfield’s population has dramatically increased over the last twenty years, more than doubling from 161,670 in 1989 to 333,719 in 2009, making it one of the fastest growing cities in the United States. This ever-changing face of the city presents Mayor Hall abundant opportunities to promote commerce while encouraging citizens to rise to meet the challenges of the future with determination, dedication and tenacity. He staunchly believes the Bakersfield’s tomorrows are bright!

As Bakersfield’s mayor, Harvey Hall has initiated monthly Mayor’s Freeway Cleanups, is active with the Keep Bakersfield Beautiful Committee and the annual Great American Cleanup. His entire Mayor’s salary is turned over to the Kern Community Foundation for the purpose of funding scholarships for local students attending local colleges or the university. Mayor Hall is particularly fond of participating in events that encourage children and young people to pursue their dreams and goals. His key focus in his role as Mayor is shining a positive light on our community and her citizens.

Mayor Hall is married with four children and four grandchildren.

Community Service

Current Service:
Board member of the following organizations:

Police Activities League, Honorary Board Member: 2000 – present
Bakersfield Firefighters Burn Foundation: 1994 – present
Mexican American Opportunity Foundation: 1999 – present
San Joaquin Valley Rail Committee: 2001 – present
Highway 99 Task Force: 2002-present

Past Service:
Boys and Girls Club of Bakersfield: 1990 – 2004
Kern Community College District, Elected Trustee: 1996 – 2000
Bakersfield College Foundation, Board Member: 1994 – 2000
Boys and Girls Club of Bakersfield, President: 1997 – 1999
Downtown Business Association, Board Member: 1992 – 2000
Police Activities League, Board Member: 1998 – 2000
Kern County Law Enforcement Foundation, President and Board Member: 1990 – 2000
15th District Agricultural Association (Kern County Fair Board), Director
(appointed by Governor Wilson): 1998 – 2001
MARE Advisory Board: 1997 – 2002
Kern County Network for Children, Trustee: 1995-2002