Leadership Paducah

Leadership Paducah is a leadership development program coordinated by the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. Established in 1984, the participants selected for 2024-25 will be Class #38. The program is directed towards individuals who demonstrate leadership qualities and exposes them to a variety of topics and issues to better understand our community. It is an educational opportunity that broadens perspectives and allows participants to gain increased understanding of community dynamics and public issues.  

From applications submitted, approximately 30-35 individuals are chosen each year to participate. The program kicks off with a retreat in August and monthly sessions continue through May. A graduation ceremony is held at the Chamber’s Power in Partnership Breakfast in June. During the monthly sessions the participants study the community through tours and presentations. Leadership enrichment programs are incorporated in the classes.

Watch this page for information on Class #39 in Spring 2025! 

Leadership Paducah Class #38 Class Project Information! 

Leadership Paducah Class #38

Members of the 2024-2025 Class #38 pictured above are:

First Row (L to R): Joseph Anderson, Paducah Housing Authority; Nathan Antonites, Paducah Police Department; Jessica Ashworth, LivWell Community Health Services; Erica Baker, Community Financial Services Bank; Jase Baker, BFW Engineering; Andrew Belt, Easterseals West Kentucky; Chelsea Blackwell, KentuckyCare; Jared Burnett, Petter Business Systems; Ashley Burns, West Kentucky Community & Technical College.

Second Row: Madelyn Chambers, Marquette Transportation Company; Shelby Clark, Keuler, Kelly, Hutchins, Blankenship & Sigler, LLP; Tara Crumble, Mercy Health; Jolie Fleming, Enterprise Technical Assistance Services (ETAS); Evelyne Hildreth, Banterra Bank; Lori Hyde, McCracken County Public Schools; Tamara Jackson, Tamed by Tam; Russell Jones, Veterinary Institute of Paducah; April Ladd, Department of Energy.

Third Row: Mark Lindsey, Jackson Purchase Energy Cooperative; Aaron Martin, Beltline Electric; Marika Merritt, Paducah Power System; Daniel Miller, Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub PLLC; Matthew Morgan, Marcum Engineering; Jeffery Nelson, Computer Services Inc.; Dylan Nichols, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership; Ryan Phillips, Williams, Williams, & Lentz LLP; Sharolette Pierce, ATOMIC CITY Fun Center. 

Fourth Row: Jerald Puffenbarger, Paducah Power System; Hope Reasons, City of Paducah; Myrna Redfield, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership; Marilyn Riley, Baptist Health Paducah; Rex Roberts, Pine Bluff Materials; Alexandra Roberts, Fairfield Service Group; Katelynn Rowe, Signet Federal Credit Union; Victoria Seng, Denton Law Firm; Austin Smith, Paducah Bank. 

Fifth Row: Amie Tooley, aecreatives LLC; Cynthia Turner, Four Rivers Behavioral Health; Daronda Tyler, McCracken County Clerk’s Office; Scott Vaughn, Happy ZZZ’s Sit’n Sleep; Caroline Veatch, Inland Waterways Museum; Lea Wentworth, McCracken County Public Library; Christa White, Ingram Barge Company; Angela Yeisley, Paducah-McCracken County Conv. & Expo Center. 

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 Each year as a way to give back to the community, the class selects a community project to benefit a Chamber member non-profit organization. The pictures below represent some of the wonderful recipients.

Leadership Paducah Class #36 presents the proceeds from their class project to Paducah Day Nursery.

Leadership Paducah Class #35 presents the proceeds from their class project to Child Watch.

Leadership Paducah Class #34 presents the proceeds ($111,220) from their class project to Lifeline Recovery Center.

Leadership Paducah Class #33 presents the funds from their class project to Starfish Orphan Ministry.

Leadership Paducah Class #32 presents the funds from their class project to Habitat for Humanity.

Leadership Paducah Class #31 presents the funds from their class project to the Columbia Theatre Restoration Project.

  Terrance Adams with Leadership Paducah Class #30 presents the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club with the funds from their class project.

Patrick Whalen of Leadership Class #29 presents a check to Jessie Meiser of Easter Seals West Kentucky. 

Mary Foley with Merryman House thanks Leadership Paducah Class #28 after receiving the funds raised from their class project.

Leadership Paducah Class #27 members Kim Beanland & Jim Dudley (left & center) present the funds raised from their class project to Judy McKeel from Child Watch for their CASA program.

Matt Snow (right) with Leadership Paducah Class #26 presents the Oscar Cross Boys and Girls Club with the funds from their class project.  

Proud member of:

The Leadership Paducah experience does not end at graduation. 

Graduates of the Leadership Paducah program are encouraged to join the Leadership Paducah Alumni Association. (LPAA).  LPAA is a nonprofit organization committed to providing a forum to introduce current and future leaders to the qualities, attributes, and challenges of the Paducah/McCracken County area.  The LPAA provides an informational network and a mechanism for maintaining contact that includes a web site membership directory and semi-annual newsletter.

LPAA annual dues are $35. 

Each year the LPAA presents the annual “Outstanding Leadership Paducah Alum Award” at the Chamber’s Annual Meeting in January.  The Board Members also coordinate the Youth L.E.A.D. program and sponsor the national Leadercast simulcast program in May. 

Pay your LPAA Annual Dues here!