Kentucky’s focus on the recruitment of veterans to the workforce will be the topic of the April Power in Partnership monthly breakfast of the Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce. The breakfast will be held on April 13 at 7:30 a.m. at the Julian Carroll Convention Center. Caring People Services is the sponsor. The speakers are Col. (R) Blaine Hedges, Executive Director for the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, and Josh Benton, Executive Director of Workforce Development for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. 

The breakfast will also feature the recognition of the 25 local high school students who recently completed the Youth L.E.A.D. program coordinated by the Leadership Paducah Foundation. 

Following the breakfast, Hedges and Benton will be available in the Kennedy Room to meet with businesses who are interested in more information about their program. 

Col. Hedges was appointed to his current position in December by Governor Matt Bevin. He advises the Governor, the General Assembly, and the Kentucky Congressional Delegation on military issues. The recruitment of the untapped resource of service men and women as they leave Fort Campbell and Fort Knox will be discussed. He works to increase economic growth in the Commonwealth, and improve the quality of life for service members, veterans, and their families. 

Hedges is a 1993 ROTC graduate of the University of Louisville, where he received a Regular Army Commission. His career in the military spanned 23 years, and included graduating from the War College. In addition, he holds two master’s degrees, one in Environmental Management and the other in National Resource Strategy. He has commanded at every level up through the Brigade level, and has twice worked at the Pentagon. He wears the 82nd Airborne Division as his Combat Patch. 

Josh Benton is an economic and workforce development professional with over a decade of experience with the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. After serving as a Project Manager for the Bluegrass State Skills Corporation and for the Office of Business Development, Benton was named the Executive Director of Workforce Development in 2013. He leads the Cabinet’s workforce efforts, including workforce project management, program and policy development, and oversight of training incentives available. 

Benton has lead a variety of initiatives, including Work Ready Communities and the Kentucky Federation of Advanced Manufacturing Education (KY FAME). He holds bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Cumberland College and master’s degree in Public Administration from Kentucky State University. 

Below are the details of the breakfast:

When: Thursday, April 13, 7:30-8:30 a.m.

Where: Julian M. Carroll Convention Center, Ohio Room

Speakers: Recruitment of Veterans to our local Workforce

Special Recognition: Class 6 Youth L.E.A.D. Graduation

Cost: $15 members, $25 non-members

Special Note:  The breakfast is being held one week later due to Spring Break. 

If you are not a Power Card holder, please make your reservations by Tuesday, April 11, by 5 p.m. to the Chamber at 270-443-1746 or info@paducahchamber.org