SOMERSET — Colby Kirk, president and CEO of One East Kentucky, has been appointed to the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation’s (SKED) General Membership board. The Martin County native was nominated and elected by the SKED board of directors during its May 2024 meeting.
“I’m honored to have this opportunity to serve alongside other Eastern Kentucky leaders and to be more involved with SKED, an organization supporting economic development across our region,” Kirk said.
The General Membership of SKED consists of 25 regional leaders from various sectors, including banking, education, business, utilities and economic development. Members serve as liaisons for the Somerset-based nonprofit within their respective communities.
Since 2022, Kirk has led One East Kentucky, focusing on marketing industrial sites, developing strategic plans for infrastructure and downtown revitalization, assisting companies with site selection, and connecting businesses with workforce development programs.
Previously, Kirk served as Martin County Judge/Executive and Deputy County Judge/Executive, as well as executive director at One Harlan County. He holds a bachelor’s degree in finance from the University of Kentucky, studied international business at Korea University, and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver expressed confidence in Kirk’s appointment.
“Colby is a great person. He works daily to bring opportunities to the people of the nine-county, One East Kentucky region,” Traver said. “The missions of our two organizations fit together. It makes sense that we more formalize our partnership.”
Traver emphasized the importance of the board and membership.
“The time our volunteer directors and general membership give to guide our organization’s programs and growth is immeasurable,” he said. “Without their leadership, SKED’s future successes would not be as bright.”
Kirk joins a 12-member board of directors: Carol Wright, president and CEO of Jackson Energy Cooperative, as president; Tim Barnes, president and CEO of Hometown Bank, as vice president; David Blakeman, owner of 4 Arrows Consulting LLC, as secretary; Bruce Carpenter, executive director of the Southern Kentucky Economic Development Agency, as treasurer; and Corey Craig, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Mount Vernon, as at-large director.
Other SKED board directors include Charlene Harris, president and CEO of First National Bank of Russell Springs; Virginia Flanagan, special assistant to the president of Campbellsville University; Daryl Smith, ombudsman at LG&E and KU Energy LLC; Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president and CEO of Hazard Community and Technical College; Darryl McGaha, retired executive director of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District; Steve Allen, director of human resources at the University of the Cumberlands; and Amanda Clark, Kentucky Power external affairs manager.
Additional General Membership members include Rodney Hitch, economic development manager at East Kentucky Power Cooperative; Josh Branscum, executive vice president at Branscum Construction; Mack Johnson, financial advisor at Private Wealth Management; David Ledford, executive vice president at Boneal, Inc.; Terry Spears, SBA banking officer at Community Trust Bank in Pikeville; Ben Caudill, senior vice president at Stock Yards Bank & Trust; Tim Dalton, commercial lender at Monticello Banking Company; Bob Helton of Morehead; Ron McMahan, executive director at Team Taylor County Economic Development Authority; Mike Trosper, member of the London-Laurel County Industrial Development Authority; Denise Thomas, grant writer at the University of Pikeville; and Shawn Daugherty, president and CEO of Citizens National Bank.
Celebrating 38 years of service to a 45-county region in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, SKED has welcomed four new General Membership members: Kirk, Daugherty, Caudill and Clark.
SKED, a nonprofit economic development organization and Community Development Financial Institution, was founded 38 years ago by 5th District Congressman Hal Rogers to foster job creation and economic prosperity in Southeast Kentucky. Based in Somerset, SKED serves a 45-county region, providing financing solutions, business counseling, and training to support local businesses. For more information about SKED, visit www.skedcorp.com or call (606) 677-6100.