As a regional leadership development program sponsored by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance, the third class of Leadership West Kentucky was announced Friday — 32 participants representing all 15 counties in the partnership.
Designed to foster a network of informed, engaged citizens who have the knowledge and know-how to collaborate across county boundaries, the program offers deep-dive curriculum into the region’s unique and diverse cultural, business and economic environment.
By combining regional education, leadership development training and intentional relationship-building, the program also empowers individuals to drive meaningful change — while creating a lasting, positive impact for all of west Kentucky.
This includes Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, and Trigg counties.
Class members will participate in six sessions between January and June, which includes a beginner’s mandatory overnight orientation this weekend in Paducah.
From there, each participant will travel one-day sessions in a featured area with a focus on that community, as well as regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, advocacy, agriculture, and tourism.
These topics will be covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises, and class discussions.
Participants will graduate at the final session to be held in Hopkinsville on June 26.
TVA is the presenting sponsor of the program, while the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the administrator for WKRCA in coordination with The Leadership Center.
In the News Edge listening area, this includes:
+ Hannah Bowles, Fredonia Valley Bank; Jared Nelson, Pennyrile Area Development District, for Caldwell;
+ Raychel Farmer, Hopkinsville Human Rights Commission; Taylor Hancock, Farm Credit Mid America; Michael Venable, State Farm; Matt Workman, Planters Bank, for Christian;
+ Tiffany Blazina, Crittenden Co. Board of Education; Chasta Champion, Farmers Bank and Trust, for Crittenden;
+ Brian Benedict, City of Madisonville; Katy McGlothlin, Farmers Bank and Trust, for Hopkins;
+ Glen Kinder, USDA, for Lyon;
+ Cy Dossett, Kentucky Farm Bureau, for Trigg;
+ And Tab Brockman, Playmaker Consulting, who previously lived in both Calloway and Christian.
Serving multiple counties includes Lee Emmons, University of Kentucky; Kenneth Duffy, Tennessee Valley Authority; and Uppinder Mehan, West Kentucky Allied Services.
