Local business man Billy Harper will be the featured speaker for the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce’s 20th anniversary luncheon celebrating the establishment of the Business Education Partnership (BEP). The luncheon will be held on Thursday, December 15, at 11:30 a.m. at the Commerce Center, 300 South 3rd Street, in the Paducah Bank Community Room.
Harper led the effort for the Paducah Chamber to establish the BEP, a 501(c)(3), in order to strengthen the partnerships between business leaders and educators. The overall mission of the BEP has remained constant throughout these 20 years: to establish mutually beneficial partnerships between business and education and become a pro-active voice for educational issues at the local, regional, and state level.
Harper has more than 40 years of executive leadership experience in construction and construction-related businesses. As a successful entrepreneur, he has negotiated several company acquisitions, start-up operations and business sales during his career, and has structured a diverse company poised for long term growth. In 1980, he founded Harper Industries, Inc., a privately owned construction services holding company, and serves as its President & Chief Executive Officer.
He has received many civic and industry awards and recognitions over the years, however, his most cherished is the distinguished Eagle Award presented to him by the Boy Scouts of America. He has served on both state and national boards for the Council of Economic Education, Associated General Contractors, World Presidents Organization (WPO), and the Governor’s Scholars Program. He is a long time member of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and has served on the Board of Directors, led numerous sub-committees and was Chairman from 1989-1990. He served on the Kentucky State School Board of Education from 2008-2012.
Harper graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering. In 2009, he was inducted into the University of Kentucky Engineering Hall of Distinction.
There is no charge to attend but reservations are required by Tuesday, December 13, by 5 p.m. at info@paducahchamber.org or calling (270) 443-1746.
