The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2022 graduated on Wednesday, December 14, 2022. Fifty-one civic and community leaders from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky celebrated completion of the program after seven months together.

Since 1985, Leadership Kentucky graduates have brought an enlightened and informed perspective to their communities and companies, serving as important catalysts in the unified effort to Improve our State.

Leadership Kentucky joins together a selected group of leaders, with a variety of career accomplishments and volunteer activities, to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. In a series of seven monthly, three-day sessions held at various locations throughout the state, participants meet with Kentucky leaders and explore the state’s resources and opportunities. The leadership curriculum educates participants on Kentucky’s rich cultural heritage and unique diversity.

“As the 2022 Board Chair, I have had the opportunity to interact with this year’s class and have been so impressed with their engagement, leadership skills, and active participation in learning about our beautiful Commonwealth and its many opportunities as well as challenges,” said Regina Jackson.  “Through the Leadership Kentucky program, I am confident they have gained tremendous insight and experienced Kentucky in a very unique and special way.  They have also built lasting relationships with one another that will serve them well for many years to come.  I wish them all the best as they return to their own communities equipped with the knowledge that they can make a significant contribution both at home and across our state.”

The year’s program ran June through December and took the class across the state. Berea in June, Pikeville in July, Bowling Green in August, Louisville in September, Murray in October, Lexington/Frankfort in November, and Northern Kentucky, in December. The sessions covered topics ranging from business and economic development, racial equity, arts and tourism, natural resources and the environment, education and healthcare, agriculture, and government.

The class of 2022 included 51 participants representing a variety of public and private sectors. Leadership Kentucky congratulates the following:

1.  Scott Alvey — Woodford County — Kentucky Historical Society
2. James Ayers — Martin County — First State Bank
3. Erich Blackburn — Pike County — Pikeville Medical Center, Inc.
4. Pedro Bryant — Jefferson County —Republic Bank & Trust
5. Michelle Buerger — Fayette County — City National Bank
6. Beverly Chester-Burton — Jefferson County — City of Shively
7. Joe Chillo — Kenton County — Thomas More University
8. Amanda Clark — Boyd County — Kentucky Power
9. Tracey Clark — Christian County — Jennie Stuart Health Foundation
10. Cindy Clouse — Pulaski County — Somerset Community College
11. Lee Emmons — McCracken County -- University of KY Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Western KY Region
12. Jennifer Evans-Jefferson County- Cutting Edge Coaching and Consulting
13. Jeff Garrison — Montgomery County — Thoroughbred Engineering
14. Logan Germann — Boyle County — The Logan Company
15. Marty Gibson — Boyle County — Farmers National Bank
16. Trevor Graves — Fayette County — Stites & Harbison, PLLC
17. Rachel Harb — Marion County — Maker’s Mark
18. Julie Nelson Harris — Pulaski County — City of Somerset
19. Whayne Herriford — Campbell County — Whayne Herriford, MS, LPCC-S
20. Courtney Hixon — Calloway County — Murray State University
21. Mark Hogg — Jefferson County — WaterStep
22. Brian Hutchinson — Rowan County — Community Ventures Corporation
23. Scott Keadle — Jefferson County — JLL/ / Brown-Forman
24. Kyle Kelly — Owen County — Kentucky Farm Bureau
25. Tiffany Koller — Jefferson County — LG&E and KU Services
26. Byron Largen — Oldham County — MCM CPAs & Advisors
27. Maegan Mansfield — McCracken County — Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing
28. Cindy McCarty — Floyd County — East Kentucky Network, LLC d/b/a Appalachian Wireless
29. Chris Melton — Jefferson County — Wyatt, Tarrant, & Combs, LLP
30. Joe Middleton — Barren County — Ambulance Service Corporation, Inc. (dba: Barren-Metcalfe EMS)
31. LaKisha Miller — Kenton County — Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
32. Dannie Moore — Madison County — Eastern Kentucky University
33. Tracy Naylor — Daviess County — Owensboro Health
34. Amy Neighbors — Metcalfe County — Retired from Metcalfe Health Care Center
35. John Nelson — Rowan County — Morehead State University
36. Christina Perkins — Owen County — Owen Electric Cooperative
37. Mark Polston — Fayette County — WSP USA Inc.
38. Kelly Pullen — Jefferson County — Aetna Better Health of Kentucky
39. Shannon Rickett — Jefferson County — University of Louisville
40. Talley Russell — Jefferson County — Humana
41. Lindsey Sanson — Warren County — American Bank & Trust
42. Mary Singer — Scott County — MAP Group Companies
43. Jill Smith — Fayette County —University of Kentucky
44. Kevin Smith — Laurel County — Law Office of Kevin R. Smith
45. Rick W. Smith, Sr. — Franklin County — Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education
46. Amanda Tyler — Bullitt County — Beam Suntory
47. Ryan Watts — Franklin County — Kentucky Oil and Gas Association
48. Kim Webb — Kenton County — Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky
49. Jason Wessel — Boone County — St. Elizabeth Healthcare
50. Elizabeth Whitehouse — Woodford County — The Council of State Governments
51. John Yanes — Laurel County — CHI-Saint Joseph Health

Applications for the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2023 will be available online via nomination beginning January 1^st at leadershipky.org.

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About Leadership Kentucky:

Leadership Kentucky, created in 1984 as a non-profit educational organization, brings together a select group of people who possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the state. By fostering an understanding of how the state’s issues are interconnected, and by forging new relationships among community and regional leaders, Leadership Kentucky graduates bring a fresh and informed perspective to their communities and companies, serving as important participants in the unified effort to shape Kentucky’s future. The Leadership Kentucky Foundation offers four unique programs: Leadership Kentucky, ELEVATE Kentucky (for young professionals), BRIGHT Kentucky (for Eastern Kentuckians), and New Executives to Kentucky (for senior-level executives who have lived in the state for less than two years). For more information, please visit leadershipky.org or email lky@leadershipky.org.