Written by: Rob Collins, Ed.D., Kentucky Department of Education

The BRIGHT Kentucky Class of 2025 gathered in Somerset for three days of learning, exploration, and connection in the heart of the Lake Cumberland region—a community where cooperation is more than a value; it’s a way of doing business. From the start, it was clear that Somerset’s leaders across government, tourism, and economic development are united in their vision for growth, revitalization, and cultural pride.

Day 1 – Making a Case for the Region

We began at the Center for Rural Development, a huge facility that is a testament to the investment in the region by longtime senator Hal Rogers. We were welcomed by Lonnie Lawson (President & CEO, Leadership Kentucky Alum ’06), who shared exactly how the Center serves as a hub for regional collaboration, opportunity, and action. Bobby Clue (Executive Director, Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce, BRIGHT Alum ’19) followed with an inspiring “Making a Case for the Region” presentation, showing how Somerset’s economic and cultural development efforts are rooted in partnerships. Bobby told us there are two types of people in the world – “doers and don’ters” – and the reason Somerset has made so much progress in the past decade is due to the doers, who have come together with vision and passion and begun to make revitalization real.

After this presentation, we traveled to Trifecta Houseboats in Monticello for a behind-the-scenes tour of the state-of-the-art manufacturing process that supports Kentucky’s houseboat capital reputation. We learned about their process, including the astounding figure that Trifecta’s most expensive houseboat sold for $2.7 million. Trifecta Houseboats is an impressive business, and we were struck not only by the in-depth manufacturing and customization process, but also by the ingenuity and problem solving of the workers there. The office manager shared an engineering prototype with us for a collapsible roof that the employees had built after seeing a need. She told us that if any problem comes up, their workers are immediately problem-solving and building to address the need.

Back at the Center for Rural Development, Elmer Whitaker (Chairman & CEO, Whitaker Bank; LKY Board & Executive Committee Member; LKY Alum ’06) led a “Lessons in Leadership” session that challenged us to think about how leaders either create or support a vision, anticipate challenges, and stay open to collaboration and other critical Leadership Principles. We always appreciate Elmer’s insights into leadership and how he brings creativity, vision, and action to life to make change in Eastern Kentucky.

That evening at Lee’s Ford Marina, Rikiyah Pryor (Events & Experience Coordinator, Urban Stillhouse by Horse Soldier Bourbon, BRIGHT Alum ’22) shared “My Case for the Region,” reflecting on how bold ideas and community buy-in have transformed Somerset’s economic and tourism landscape. Surrounded by the beauty of Lake Cumberland, the message was clear—when leaders align around a shared vision, remarkable things happen.

Day 2 – Tourism, Agri-Business, and Community Pride

We started at the Pulaski County Extension Office for breakfast hosted by the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and Extension team. T.J. Adkins (Extension Agent, Agriculture & Natural Resources) gave us an overview of how Extension services connect farmers, businesses, and communities, and we explored the economic realities and opportunities in agriculture. T.J. shared about the current realities and challenges facing farmers and Agri-Business in the region and Kentucky. A striking number for me is the amount of available land we lose everyday in the United States to purposes other than farming; upwards of 2,000 acres!

In downtown Somerset, we toured the beautifully restored Virginia Theater, where Daisha Lile (Executive Director, The Virginia), Michelle Allen (Executive Director, Somerset-Pulaski Co. Tourism, LKY Alum ’20), Leslie Ikerd (Executive Director, See Somerset), Jerrica Flynn (Executive Director, Burnside Tourist & Recreation Commission), and Tiffany Finley (Executive Director, Master Musicians Festival, LKY Alum ’16) spoke on the power of tourism in shaping identity and driving economic growth. These ladies led an awesome panel sharing about their efforts at tourism and revitalization. We learned about the annual Master Musician’s Festival (and cheered as our own BRIGHT class member Marvin Guerrero was honored for his board service for the Festival) and the economic impact of Lake Cumberland, community events, and more. 

A walking tour took us to Makers Mill, The Mole Hole, Tangerine Moose, and Books Nooks and Crannies, where local entrepreneurs shared their passion for creating spaces that reflect Somerset’s culture and creativity. I highly recommend the vanilla bean ice cream from the Tangerine Moose and the wares at Books Nooks and Crannies (be sure to visit with Bo, the store cat, but watch out – he bites!).

At The Urban Stillhouse, we enjoyed lunch and heard Mayor Alan Keck (LKY Alum ’17, LKY Board of Directors) tell “The Horse Soldier Story,” detailing how a collaborative community effort attracted the renowned bourbon distillery to Somerset—an example of strategic economic recruitment at its finest. Mayor Keck showed us that it is possible to dream big for your community, and to set your sights on partners who can bring passion, possibility, and economic opportunity home.

The afternoon was dedicated to agri-tourism, with visits to Burnett Farms, Haney’s Appledale Farm, and the Buchanan Estate & Registered Black Angus Cattle Operation. We concluded at Cave Hill Winery in Eubank, where we toured the grounds, heard the owner’s story of steady growth and perseverance, and enjoyed a wine tasting before our class panel and a dinner prepared by the Pulaski County Cattlemen’s Association. A huge shoutout to T.J. Adkins for providing us with a delicious dinner to compliment the wine.

Day 3 – Innovation and Leadership Skills

Our final day began at Somerset Community College’s Valley Oak Center with breakfast hosted by the college. Cindy Clouse (VP of Institutional Advancement, LKY Alum ’22) and Emily Shafer (Director of Marketing & Communications, LKY Alum ’23) welcomed us, and Alesa Johnson (VP of Workforce Solutions) shared how SCC is meeting workforce needs through innovative programming.

A highlight of the morning was touring Floodbuster 1, a groundbreaking 3D-printed concrete home project. Eldon from SCC’s engineering team walked us through the design, costs, and potential for this technology to transform rural housing and more—an unforgettable demonstration of what’s possible when vision meets technical expertise.

We closed the session with Olivia Fitchett, a dynamic speaker and coach, who led “Speak Up! Engaging and Fearless Public Speaking,” giving us tools to communicate with confidence in any setting. We appreciated Olivia’s engaging presentation, her excitement to discuss our public speaking successes and challenges, and the practical advice she gave to help us become engaging public speakers while honoring our individual personalities and presentation styles. After thank-you notes and a preview of our next session, we departed Somerset inspired by what we had seen: a community thriving through cooperation, innovation, and deep pride in its identity. 

Takeaway

Across three days, Somerset showed us that when leaders unite around a shared vision, pool their resources, and honor their community’s culture, they can achieve transformative change. From thriving tourism and agri-business to cutting-edge workforce innovation, Somerset is proof that collaboration can be a community’s most powerful economic driver.