FRANKFORT — The Leadership Kentucky Class of 2022 graduated Dec. 14 and included James Ayers of First State Bank in Inez.
Ayers was among 51 civic and community leaders from across the Commonwealth of Kentucky who celebrated the completion of the program after seven months together.
The year’s program ran from 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. Participants met with Kentucky leaders in a series of seven monthly, three-day sessions and explored the state’s resources and opportunities.
The curriculum educated participants on Kentucky’s cultural heritage and diversity. 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.
“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.”
Ayers currently serves as an executive vice president with the First State Bank, overseeing credit services, information technology, investments and enterprise-wide risk management. Ayers has served on numerous local and regional nonprofit and quasi-governmental boards.
In addition to Ayers, the class included the following:
Scott Alvey — Woodford County — Kentucky Historical Society; Erich Blackburn — Pike County — Pikeville Medical Center, Inc.; Pedro Bryant — Jefferson County —Republic Bank & Trust; Michelle Buerger — Fayette County — City National Bank; Beverly Chester-Burton — Jefferson County — City of Shively; Joe Chillo — Kenton; County — Thomas More University; Amanda Clark — Boyd County — Kentucky Power; Tracey Clark — Christian County — Jennie Stuart Health Foundation; Cindy Clouse — Pulaski County — Somerset Community College; Lee Emmons — McCracken County – University of KY Philanthropy and Alumni Engagement, Western KY Region; Jennifer Evans-Jefferson County- Cutting Edge Coaching and Consulting; Jeff Garrison — Montgomery County — Thoroughbred Engineering; Logan Germann — Boyle County — The Logan Company; Marty Gibson — Boyle County — Farmers National Bank; Trevor Graves — Fayette County — Stites & Harbison, PLLC; Rachel Harb — Marion County — Maker’s Mark; Julie Nelson Harris — Pulaski County — City of Somerset; Whayne Herriford — Campbell County — Whayne Herriford, MS, LPCC-S; Courtney Hixon — Calloway County — Murray State University; Mark Hogg — Jefferson County — WaterStep; Brian Hutchinson — Rowan County — Community Ventures Corporation; Scott Keadle — Jefferson County — JLL/ / Brown-Forman; Kyle Kelly — Owen County — Kentucky Farm Bureau; Tiffany Koller — Jefferson County — LG&E and KU Services; Byron Largen — Oldham County — MCM CPAs & Advisors; Maegan Mansfield — McCracken County — Bacon Farmer Workman Engineering & Testing; Cindy McCarty — Floyd County — East Kentucky Network, LLC d/b/a Appalachian Wireless; Chris Melton — Jefferson County — Wyatt, Tarrant, & Combs, LLP; Joe Middleton — Barren County — Ambulance Service Corporation, Inc. (dba: Barren-Metcalfe EMS); LaKisha Miller — Kenton County — Kentucky Chamber of Commerce; Dannie Moore — Madison County — Eastern Kentucky University; Tracy Naylor — Daviess County — Owensboro Health; Amy Neighbors — Metcalfe County — Retired from Metcalfe Health Care Center; John Nelson — Rowan County — Morehead State University; Christina Perkins — Owen County — Owen Electric Cooperative; Mark Polston — Fayette County — WSP USA Inc.; Kelly Pullen — Jefferson County — Aetna Better Health of Kentucky; Shannon Rickett — Jefferson County — University of Louisville; Talley Russell — Jefferson County — Humana; Lindsey Sanson — Warren County — American Bank & Trust; Mary Singer — Scott County — MAP Group Companies; Jill Smith — Fayette County — University of Kentucky; Kevin Smith — Laurel County — Law Office of Kevin R. Smith; Rick W. Smith Sr. — Franklin County — Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education; Amanda Tyler — Bullitt County — Beam Suntory; Ryan Watts — Franklin County — Kentucky Oil and Gas Association; Kim Webb — Kenton County — Emergency Shelter of Northern Kentucky; Jason Wessel — Boone County — St. Elizabeth Healthcare; Elizabeth Whitehouse — Woodford County — The Council of State Governments; John Yanes — Laurel County — CHI-Saint Joseph Health.
Applications for the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2023 will be available online via nomination beginning Jan. 1 at leadershipky.org.