The Kern County Board of Supervisors presented a certificate of recognition on Nov. 18 to Philip (Phil) Franey for decades of service to the county retirement board.

Supervisor Couch led the presentation and said Franey served in county accounting and as treasurer‑tax collector and later as the retiree representative on the retirement board. Franey and others recounted a career spanning service in the Army, work in city schools and a long county finance career. Franey said the retirement portfolio he helped manage grew from roughly $200 million earlier in his career to about $6.5 billion today and that the office now serves more than 20,000 employees.

Board members presented a corrected certificate during the meeting noting Franey’s years of service (the record alternates between 42 and 43 years); Franey thanked colleagues and family members in the audience.

The presentation was ceremonial and no board action beyond the recognition was recorded.