Governor Martha Layne Collins

Recipient of Leadership Kentucky’s

2005 Flame of Excellence Award

Governor Martha Layne Collins grew up in Shelby County, Kentucky, graduated from the University of Kentucky, and was a schoolteacher until 1970. She worked in a number of political campaigns, leading her into public office. Collins served as Clerk of the Supreme Court of the Commonwealth of Kentucky from 1978 to 1979.

During her term as Lieutenant Governor from 1979 to 1983, Collins sat as President of the State Senate and Chair of the National Conference of Lieutenant Governors. She was elected the first (and only) female Governor of the Commonwealth in 1983 and served until 1987, accomplishing successful endeavors in education reform and economic development.

After serving her term as Governor, Collins served as President of St.Catherine's College for six years, as the Executive-in-Residence at the University of Louisville's School of Business,and as the Director of the International Business and Management Center at the University of Kentucky's Carol Martin Gatton College of Business and Economics. Since 1998, Collins has served as Executive Scholar in Residence at Georgetown College, Georgetown, Kentucky.

Collins is the Honorary Consul-General of Japan for Kentucky and serves on the Board of Directors or the Advisory Board of four prestigious companies, including Eastman Kodak Company Incorporated, New York. She also serves as an Advisory Board Member for three additional firms and organizations, including Women Leading Kentucky and BB&T. She is currently the CEO and Chair of the Kentucky World Trade Center.

Governor Collins is married to Dr. Bill L. Collins and enjoys the company of their five grandchildren.