A Santa Maria, California resident, John (JJ) Zahry is an insurance agent with the National Life Group and also serves as an agent for AFLAC. Prior to his current roles, John Zahry was an officer with the Kern County Probation Department in Bakersfield for 27 years.

Mr. Zahry began his career with Kern County in 1994, working as a probation officer in the Juvenile Division. In 2004, he became probation supervisor in an armed juvenile unit. In 2008, he performed similar duties as a probation supervisor in the Adult Division.

In 2017, Mr. Zahry was promoted to assistant probation director and then probation division director of the Administrative Services Department. He retired in 2021.

During his time in Kern County, Mr. Zahry’s accomplishments included creating and leading the probation department’s Field Apprehension Services Team. He also participated in recruiting personnel, handling media inquiries, and grant writing to secure funds for the department.

John Zahry