DONNA LEE CARPENTER

1962 - 2016

Donna was an engineer in the truest sense, with an unquenchable thirst for knowledge of any kind. Whether you needed a contact, a recipe, or the best wine to pair with a dish; Donna would have the perfect solution. She had an extensive garden and canned fruits and vegetables, sauces and jams. She had a perpetual sourdough starter and would craft rolls, pizza crust and focaccia bread in a moment's notice. Donna was a fine sailor with a true love for the water and the wind. She could win any Yo-yo competition or pool tournament and had several trophies' for her golf skills that she repurposed as doorstops. Donna could do anything. Donna shared a great love of music with her husband-songwriter, David, and was the muse for most all of his creations. She played both the flute and the saxophone. Her tequila collection was legendary. If you were lucky enough to taste with her, you would come away with a true understanding and appreciation for fine tequila. She taught herself to speak Italian well enough to get around Italy and could speak food and Italian wine with the best of them. She often said she was Italian, but not because she was from the region but because of her love of all things Italian, which she got to visit earlier this year. Donna lived in the moment and believed in slowing down and enjoying the food and the wine, but most importantly the people and their spirits. There was a festive, passionate feel of the everyday with Donna. Donna's dad told her she had flirty eyes. When she turned them on to someone and smiled, they showed true affection and gentle acceptance shining from them like magic. Donna truly believed in people and had the rare ability to make you believe you could accomplish anything. Her friends and family knew she had their backs and would always break trail for them to achieve more than they thought they could. One recently said,
"she made me try to be the man she thought I was."
Her dearest treasures were her loving Husband David, "
She was his biggest fan"
and her beloved children Tom
"Bright, wise and handsome"
and Kate
"Gentle, spiritual, and beautiful"
.
Our Beautiful Bright Shining Girl will be missed.
Donna is survived by her husband David Reeves Carpenter, her son Thomas (Tom) Carpenter, daughter Kathleen (Kate) Carpenter, mother Esther Darleen Carroll, brother William Carroll, sisters Susanne and Eileen Carroll. Donna was preceded in death by her father Richard Arnold Carroll.
Donna grew up in Chico, CA. She graduated from California State University Chico with a degree in Civil Engineering. She spent time living the San Fernando Valley and Northridge before she and David moved to Santa Clarita in 1987. Donna and her family made Bakersfield their home in 2005.
At the time of her passing, Donna was at the height of her professional career as a Senior Project Manager with Psomas International Environmental Consulting Firm. Donna's first job in relation to the work she would later do in engineering was in junior high school at Northstar Chico. Donna had a great passion for her work and truly loved what she did. Donna was an inspiration, a leader, a mentor, and a pioneer paving the way for women in the professional world. Donna's advice and counsel was highly valued and sought after. She was well respected as a community leader and expert in her field. Donna touched the lives of many from all over the country from Sacramento to Bakersfield to Washington D.C. and beyond. Anyone that had the opportunity to work with Donna also considered her a friend. Her colleagues often relied on her for her professional advice, knowledge and wisdom, as well as friendship.
Donna had more than 35 years of experience having successfully managed master planned communities and developments throughout California. Donna was an expert in land development consulting, engineering, planning and surveying. Donna also brought over 30 years of experience in government relations specializing in advocacy and consulting services. She worked with many associations on legislative issues including the Association of REALTORS, Building Industry Association, National Association of Home Builders, Council of Engineering Companies, and the Chamber of Commerce at the state and local level. Donna was a member of the Metropolitan Bakersfield Habitat Conservation Trust Group from 2008 to 2010, served on the County of Kern Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy (CEDS) Committee, served as Chair of the Greater Bakersfield Chamber of Commerce Government Review Council in 2010, is currently an alternate hearing board member of the San Joaquin Valley Air Pollution Control District, is the current Chair of the Kern Transportation Foundation, and is the current Grassroots Chair for ACEC-CA. She also completed the Kern Leaders Academy in 2010, and continues to serve many other organizations at the state and local level.
During the past several years, Donna used her specialized skills to promote housing opportunity, protect private property rights, and foster economic development and a pro-business environment conducive to the development industry. She has advocated at the local, state, and national level on tax issues, real estate policy, land use and growth, transportation, and infrastructure, eminent domain and numerous other issues.
Donna's prior experience to her position at Psomas included Project Manager for a large residential project in Bakersfield, City in the Hills that was entitled in approximately one year and that will ultimately create more than 1,000 residential lots, including a school and park component. Donna's unique approach was critical to the City in the Hills project and would not have been possible without her remarkable expertise, her ability to design, engineer and coordinate the entitlements for projects such as this.
Donna also worked on the Transportation Improvement Fee for the City of Bakersfield and the County of Kern so that projects could move through the entitlement process quicker.  She was able to do this because of her ability and expertise to also work through government policies and procedures.
This ultimately allowed for the community to grow with the knowledge that people would be able to get around easier without causing any disruptions nor delays to the development of housing projects.   Donna's inputs, suggestions, and recommendations are all arounds us.   This community is truly better because of her.
Before Donna began her work in Bakersfield, she was Project Manager in Santa Clarita for the entitlements and construction documents, as well as provided construction project management for a large scale joint project. This particular project had many challenges that Donna was able to successfully and proudly navigate.
In Simi Valley, Donna was Project Manager for a 1,000-acre master planned development which created 847 residential units. She also was Engineering Project Manager for a 3,000-acre wood ranch in Simi Valley where Donna worked on the backbone infrastructure, various residential villages and the commercial center with master developer and builders over a span of 10 years.
Donna was very proud of these accomplishments and the economic development that will be generated by these projects. Her works will live on and our communities will continue to be better for the work Donna Carpenter did.
A Memorial will be held on Thursday, October 6, 2016 at 1:00pm at the Bakersfield Association of REALTORS® at 2300 Bahamas Drive, Bakersfield, CA 93309.