Written by Pennie Berry, Director of Transport Services & EMS, Norton Children’s Hospital & Norton Hospital

Leadership Kentucky Class of 2024 began the second session, July 24-26, 2024, in the beautiful Appalachian Mountains' town of Ashland. As class members convened at Delta Marriott Hotel's lobby, one could feel the excitement, as everyone wanted to know and share what had happened to each other over the last month. Day one began with a short walk to the beautifully restored Train Depot beside the flowing Ohio River. The program agenda centered on growth and economic development in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, focusing on the Ashland region, delivered by local and state professionals.

We first heard from Dr. Eli Capilouto, the University of Kentucky President, who spoke about the University of Kentucky's (UK) dedication to the Commonwealth of Kentucky's growth and economic impact, focusing on their partnership with UK King's Daughters Health System. Under the direction of Dr. Capilouto, UK's partnerships are allowing more citizens of Kentucky to receive preventative and acute healthcare, along with developing affordable educational opportunities for those seeking a college degree. UK King's Daughters President and CEO Sara Marks solidified the positive effects of the partnership with UK with recent economic growth through jobs and innovation and increased healthcare services throughout the region.

Dr. Alison Davis then shared her analytical and sobering assessment of population growth and decline across different areas in Kentucky. She framed the declines in a positive light as opportunities for initiatives to assist and grow at-risk regions. Dr. Davis' enthusiasm was contagious to the class, with a high level of engagement and inquiry to improve Kentucky.

A few of Ashland's leadership members composed a panel to discuss the community's growth over the last few years and shared future economic goals. The panel included Amanda Clark, City Commissioner, Leadership Kentucky Class 2022 alum, Matt Perkins, Mayor of Ashland, Judge Executive Eric Chaney, and Scott Martin, President of Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. All panel members shared their love and commitment to their community.  Their ultimate goal was revitalizing Ashland and surrounding counties through open communication with bipartisanship.

We were then joined by Kim McCann, Executive Chair of Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), LKY Class of 1995, and Kristin Norman, SOAR Marketing and Communications Manager, who shared information on the regional initiative programs. A few programs include educational programs for displaced workers, incentives for remote workers to relocate to Appalachian communities, and regional entrepreneur scholarships. Our first class panel, focusing on utilities management, was a unique and engaging experience. The panel, consisting of Sandy Grogan, Justin Holsinger, Shelly Porter, and Jana Sublet, shared their roles and their companies' impact on the local and national population. The class's active engagement through questions and discussions allowed everyone to gain a deeper understanding of utilities management, making the session both informative and participative.

Next up was an 'Exploring Downtown Ashland' organized by AKY tourism.  The class divided into groups to compete in the hunt, which provided an opportunity to get to know the members of their groups. The teams moved from one historic or artistic location, artist alley, to another, solving clues and learning about the history and culture of downtown Ashland. The group gained an appreciation for the restoration and beauty of downtown Ashland. 

The class ended with dinner at The Mill restaurant. The Kentucky Power/AEP Foundation's leadership presented the LKY with a $55,000 check, highlighting their ongoing support for the Leadership Kentucky program.

Day Two began with a tour of Kentucky Power/AEP Big Sandy's Power Plant. The plant opened in 1963, providing coal-driven power to the Appalachian region. In 2015, the plant converted to natural gas. During this time, Unit 2’s decommission occurred due to operational costs, and today, the plant operates with a workforce of 22 employees. Our next stop was Marathon Marine, where the class boarded a barge for a river tour and enjoyed lunch, along with information on the significant impact of water transportation of fuel throughout the eastern region. Our visit enriched our understanding of Marathon's contribution to the local and regional economy. After a relaxing ride down the Ohio, the class toured the Neighborhood. The Neighborhood is a collection of community resources: clothing, workforce development, legal services, and warm meals, all residing in one building. Jeremy Holbrook, the executive director, stated that having all the resources together allows for a more significant impact and participation of the community seeking assistance due to the lack of reliable transportation. We concluded our day at Camp Landing and Sandy's Casino, a revitalized, formally vacant mall. We learned about the area’s focus on economic development through tourism and the positive impact on the community. The future growth in this area includes a horseracing track with a new hotel. Our schedule allowed us to explore and enjoy all the entertainment Camp Landing and Sandy's Casino offers; whether it was testing one's “lady luck” at the casino, playing the many games offered at Malibu Jacks, or dining in one of several restaurants.

On Day Three, the class traveled to Morehead State University to learn about and tour the Space Science Center. One of our own, Alison, an employee of Morehead State University, shared the rich and deep impact information about the university, not only to the city but internationally. Many of the class did not realize the international contribution of the space-engineering program through collaboration with NASA in monitoring satellites and deep space. The impactful and significant program conducts R&D and completes space equipment testing and trials. The students within the program are quickly engaged in all aspects of the space-engineering program. A signifying fact is that Morehead State University has the highest enrollment rate of females, 49%, as compared to any other university based space program. As the class toured the space building, a few class members were able to reposition the satellite on campus, and one saw the excitement on the faces of the class.

As the Class of 2024 concluded our time in Appalachia, we left with a sense of camaraderie and a deeper understanding of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. Our educational trip was not just a series of visits, but also a transformative experience that enriched our knowledge and broadened our perspectives. We are not just a class, but a community of leaders on the path to becoming the best, as our 40th-class status is a testament to our potential. With each of us eagerly anticipating the next session in Hopkinsville, united in our journey toward excellence, proud of the knowledge and insights we have gained.

On behalf of the class, I want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Delta Marriot, Kentucky Power/AEP, Marathon, Ashland's government, and the alumni who joined us in Ashland. Your support and contributions, such as providing accommodation, organizing tours, and sharing your expertise, made our session genuinely excellent. A special thank you to our devoted LKY staff and all the LKY sponsors for their unwavering commitment to our learning journey.