Appointments and Promotions, Beyond the Badge

Kern Valley hosts staff promotion ceremony

February 25, 2026

From left are Warden Pat Horn and acting CDW S. Cranmer congratulating new Lt. Josephine Guzman.

Kern Valley State Prison held its quarterly staff promotion ceremony to celebrate multiple career advancements.

Custody promotions included:

four correctional lieutenants
a correctional sergeant
and three correctional counselors

Kern Valley State Prison custody staff being recognized during a promotion ceremony. — From left are Lt. L. Pantoja Gallardo, Lt. T. Sheldon, Lt. J. Guzman, Sgt. M. Barragan, Lt. N. Martinez, Lt. A. Haddad, Associate Warden R. Nuckles, Warden Pat Horn, acting Chief Deputy Warden S. Cranmer, Lt. J. Gomez Bettencourt, Capt. J. Neighbors, and Lt. R. Salazar.

Non-custody promotions included:

accounting officer-specialist
personnel specialist
analyst
maintenance mechanic
employee relations officer
and an office technician.

Accounting office staff from Kern Valley State Prison. — *From left are Shahzeen Javed, accountant trainee; a family member; Sally Williams, accounting officer-specialist; and Joy Calasin, senior accounting officer, supervisor.*

The ceremony included a presentation of colors from Kern Valley State Prison honor guard and speeches from the warden.

Additional speakers included union representatives from California Correctional Peace Officers Association and California Correctional Supervisors Organization, the correctional business manager and associate warden of central operations.

Families of staff members being recognized were also invited to attend.

Warden addresses the staff at Kern Valley State Prison during the promotion ceremony. — *Warden Pat Horn addresses staff at the promotion ceremony.*

Staff received a certificate of achievement acknowledging the promotion, kind words of encouragement for their next step within CDCR, dessert, and photos with their loved ones.

Submitted by Lt. J. Hernandez

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