Leadership West Kentucky, a regional leadership development program sponsored by the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance (WKRCA), announces its third class which will include 32 participants representing all 15 counties in the WKRCA. 

The program is designed to foster a network of informed, engaged citizens who have the knowledge and network to collaborate across county boundaries. The curriculum offers a deep dive into the region's unique and diverse cultural, business, and economic environments. By combining regional education, leadership development training, and intentional relationship-building, the program empowers individuals to drive meaningful change and create a lasting, positive impact for all West Kentucky counties. The counties represented by Leadership West Kentucky Class #3 include Ballard, Caldwell, Calloway, Carlisle, Christian, Crittenden, Fulton, Graves, Hickman, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Marshall, McCracken, and Trigg.  

Class members will participate in six sessions, taking place from January through June 2025, which begins with a mandatory overnight orientation in Paducah on January 22 and 23 to kick off the program.

Class members will travel from February through June for a one-day session in a featured area with a focus on that community as well as regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, advocacy, agriculture, and tourism. These topics will be covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises, and class discussions.

Participants will graduate at the final session to be held in Hopkinsville on June 26. 

TVA is the presenting sponsor of the program. The Paducah Area Chamber of Commerce serves as the administrator for WKRCA and for Leadership West Kentucky in coordination with The Leadership Center. 

Members of Leadership West Kentucky Class #3 include:

Ballard: Nathan Whipple, Whipple’s Lawn Care and Landscaping (and Ballard Co. Magistrate);

Caldwell: Hannah Bowles, Fredonia Valley Bank; Jared Nelson, Pennyrile Area Development District;

Calloway: Jennifer Cline, Murray State University;Brittany Stinnett, HUB International; Whitney York, Murray Ind. Schools;

Carlisle: Mykala Jewell, USDA;

Christian: Raychel Farmer, Hopkinsville Human Rights Commission; Taylor Hancock, Farm Credit Mid-America; Michael Venable, State Farm; Matt Workman, Planters Bank;

Crittenden: Tiffany Blazina, Crittenden Co. Board of Education; Chasta Champion, Farmers Bank and Trust;

Fulton: Kristin Grooms, Fulton Co. Transit Authority;

Graves: Katie Beth McCord, Mayfield-Graves County Chamber; Lori Noel, FNB Bank;

Hickman: Daniel Kimbell, First Community Bank of Heartland;

Hopkins: Brian Benedict, City of Madisonville; Katy McGlothlin, Farmers Bank and Trust;

Livingston: Teris Swanson, Whitlow, Roberts, Houston & Straub PLLC; Jessie Watson, Livingston Hospital;   

Lyon: Glen Kinder, USDA;

Marshall: Britne Parker, CFSB; Tiffany Scott, Baptist Health Medical Group;

McCracken: Arianne Dillon, Paducah Bank; Katelyn Rice, Compass Counseling; Olivia Petter, Petter Business Systems; Tab Brockman, Playmaker Consulting;

Trigg: Cy Dossett, Kentucky Farm Bureau;

Multiple Counties: Lee Emmons, University of Kentucky; Kenneth Duffy, Tennessee Valley Authority; Uppinder Mehan, West Kentucky Allied Services.