Governor Andy Beshear grew up in central Kentucky and graduated from Lexington’s Henry Clay High School before attending Vanderbilt University and the University of Virginia School of Law. His family and community instilled in him the values of faith, family, and public service. He leaned on those values more than ever during the COVID-19 pandemic and during two historic natural disasters: the tornadoes that struck Western Kentucky and the flooding that devastated Eastern Kentucky.

Now in his second term, Gov. Beshear continues to re-build and revitalize those communities, and Kentucky’s economy is booming like never before. Even as our state faced some of its toughest challenges, Gov. Beshear prioritized improving and expanding infrastructure and bringing good-paying jobs to every corner of the commonwealth.

The Governor and his wife, First Lady Britainy Beshear – along with their two children – live in Frankfort and are active in Louisville’s Beargrass Christian Church.

Michael G. Adams is Kentucky's 86th Secretary of State.

Michael graduated from McCracken County public schools, was the first in his family to get a bachelor's degree, and attended Harvard Law School on low-income aid. Michael worked for Senator Mitch McConnell and Governor Ernie Fletcher before moving to Washington to serve as Counsel to the U.S. Deputy Attorney General in the second Bush Administration.

In 2007, Michael began private practice in election law, ultimately building a national practice in the field. He has represented several national political committees, numerous national political figures, and statewide campaign efforts in all 50 states. Because of this unique experience, in 2016 Michael was appointed to the Kentucky State Board of Elections.

Inaugurated as Secretary of State in 2020, just before the onset of coronavirus, Michael used emergency powers to conduct safe and secure elections that became a model for other states. Having expanded voter access while also tightening election integrity, in 2021 Adams presented the state legislature with the most ambitious election reform plan since 1891, and it passed both chambers with near-unanimous support.

Michael's work in making it easy to vote and hard to cheat has earned praise throughout America and across party lines. In 2023, Michael sought reelection and was the top vote getter of all candidates for constitutional office, carrying 118 of 120 counties. In 2024, the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation presented Michael the JFK Profile in Courage Award, which recognizes public servants who have risked their careers by putting the public interest ahead of their own political standing.

Michael is happily married to Christina and is the proud father of Lucia.

Jeff Noel was appointed Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development in June 2022.

He is responsible for the development and administration of executive policies designed to support and promote the attraction of new jobs and investment to the Commonwealth of Kentucky, maintenance of existing industries, and overall support of economic growth for the state.

Noel previously served as Whirlpool’s corporate Vice President of Communications and Public Affairs, reporting to the Chairman and CEO, a position he held since 2004. He also served as the president of Whirlpool Foundation, which includes oversight of the company’s 20-year relationship with Habitat for Humanity that has touched over 200,000 families.

Alan currently leads the Valvoline Global Trade and Product Regulatory team. Alan oversees the export and import activities globally for Valvoline. Alan also manages Product Regulatory compliance for all Valvoline products worldwide. His organization works collectively with trade associations and government agencies in the development and implementation of regulatory requirements.

Prior to Valvoline Global Products, Alan with the with FedEx Express, serving in many roles over his 35+ years. He was most recently the Regulatory and Carrier Compliance Manger. Alan has also been an active representative on various Trade & Government Committees.

Amy Lee is a Senior Sustainability Leader with Owens Corning, a Fortune500 manufacturer of roofing, insulation, doors, and composites. In this role, she is responsible for Circular Economy solutions, collaborating with customers and external partners to develop solutions for products throughout their lifecycles, from end-of-life and back again.

Amy brings extensive experience in sustainability, innovation, and strategy with companies including DuPont – where she was global business director of Second Life Materials, a business focused on circularity; Saint-Gobain; and GE. She has worked with NIST, under the US Department of Commerce, to develop a Business Continuity risk management program for small- to mid-sized manufacturers.

Amy Spiller is president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in Ohio and Kentucky, which serve approximately 900,000 electric customers and 557,000 natural gas customers. She is accountable for advancing the company’s rate and regulatory initiatives and managing the government relations, community affairs and stakeholder engagement functions throughout the region.

Amy Wombwell is the Co-Founder of BlackBox Energy, a company known for its TruVolt Motor, a BLDC Axial Flux motor that boasts exceptional efficiency, running at up to 98%. These motors maintain their efficiency even at extreme speeds, making them highly versatile. The TruVolt motor achieves its remarkable efficiency through innovative design, reducing the need for copper and iron by up to 500%, which translates to reduced weight and cost.

Art Samberg is the Assistant Director of the Southeast Onsite Energy Technical Assistance Partnership located at the North Carolina Clean Energy Technology Center at NC State University. In this role, Art conducts and manages technical assistance services to help energy users identify and evaluate the appropriate onsite energy technology based on their site’s particular energy needs and long-term strategies. Art also has approximately 35 years of private-sector environmental consulting experience providing energy project siting and licensing services as well as air quality permitting support to a wide range of industrial sectors. Art has a Master’s Degree in Meteorology.

Ben Armstrong is Executive Director and a research scientist at MIT’s Industrial Performance Center, where he co-leads the Work of the Future initiative. His research and teaching examine how workers, firms, and regions adapt to technological change. His current projects include a working group on generative AI and its impact on jobs, as well as a book on American manufacturing competitiveness. His work has been published or featured in academic and popular outlets including the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Harvard Business Review, Bloomberg, Forbes, Sloan Management Review, Fast Company, Boston Review, and Economic Development Quarterly. Ben received his PhD from MIT. He previously led an open-source hardware non-profit and worked for Google Inc.

Bob joined The David J. Joseph Company in 1992 as a Brokerage Representative in the Pittsburgh trading office. In 2000, Bob was promoted to District Manager of the Cincinnati trading office and in 2006 became River Metal Recycling VP of Commercial. Bob moved to Trademark Metals Recycling as the General Manager of the Rockledge and Orlando regions in 2008 and promoted to President of River Metal Recycling in 2013.  In 2021, Bob accepted the position of General Manager over River Metals Recycling and Metals Recycling Services. He was elected VP in 2022. Bob graduated from Indiana University Bloomington in 1991 with a BA in Economics and a certificate in Business Studies.

Brent Wilson is a global business executive with Dual Citizenship of United States and of Germany, recognized for establishing industry leading operational and supply chain teams in the Metals Industry, delivering commercial value, and driving strategy. Well versed as a business founder and shareholder, as a managing executive in the metals industry and as a creator and implementor of transformational change programs. A competitor by nature, rooted by his collegiate and professional success on the basketball court, proficient in adapting to environments and frameworks while maintaining composure in high stress situations. Experienced in aligning North American industrial manufacturing operations with European headquarters. Adept in capturing technological advancements while maintaining a grounded approach when things need to get done.

Brent is an Executive Officer of the Advisory Board for School of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Western Kentucky University, and he is the Co-Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce Roundtable for local executives and plant managers. Additionally, he serves the Bluegrass Blazers as a Head Coach for Varsity Basketball.

Brian Becker is the VP of Operations and Programs for the South Central Workforce Development Board where he helps oversee and implement workforce development programs that create opportunities and remove barriers to employment for strategic “focus populations” including “New Americans.” He has led and overseen the explosive growth in services and outreach to New Americans which has resulted in an increase from less than 90 individuals served a year to over 1,300 served each year. Brian works closely with social services, workforce development and nonprofit community partners to strengthen collaboration and implement an inclusive one system approach for employers and job seekers that increases regional workforce participation. His background includes directing and overseeing Adult Education as well as youth development and fundraising programs. He has over 20 years of leadership in operational and program effectiveness and has cultivated and stewarded corporate and community stakeholders to provide positive outcomes for Kentucky residents.

Chris Lewis currently serves as Vice President, Corporate Development & Engagement for the Automotive Industry Action Group (AIAG), after spending 7 years in higher education administration. Chris is responsible for developing strategic relationships with a primary focus on Southeast, Southwest USA, and Mexico.

Prior to AIAG, Chris served for 3 community college systems including the Alabama Community College System, Rock Valley College (IL) and Aims Community College in (CO). His leadership rolls included Associate Vice President of Academic Affairs, Dean of Workforce Development, VP Workforce Development, Assistant to the Chancellor, and interim President.

Connie Prostko-Bell is the ESG and Sustainability Practice Director at ALL4, Inc. Connie believes that prosperity and sustainability are both possible and necessary and has spent the last 15 years weaving sustainability performance into the corporate fabric to maximize resource productivity and build resilience, delivering tangible business results. Connie is focused on advising global companies, challenging old economy thinking and transforming risks and impacts into better ways of doing business. Profound changes are happening in our shared ecosystem, in societies and in the global economy. Businesses must transform or be left behind.

Daniel’s practice focuses on state and local tax planning, controversy and incentives matters, including property tax, sales tax, excise tax, income tax, employment tax and local business tax, particularly for manufacturers. He also advises clients in the alcohol industry on various matters, including federal and state tax, incentive, licensing and regulatory issues.

Daniel is a leader in the firm’s Manufacturing Industry Team, including heading up its Consumable & Regulated Goods subteam which oversees all alcohol, tobacco, hemp, cannabis, food and beverage clients. He is also a member of the firm’s Technology and Innovation Committee and its Blockchain subteam due to his experience with e-commerce, digital products, cryptomining and other technology-based products and businesses.

Donnie Slagle is the Vice President of Administration for Toyotetsu’s North American operations. He is responsible for all administrative aspects of the company including Accounting, Human Resources, General Affairs, Environmental Health & Safety, Sales, Purchasing, Project Management, and Information Technologies. Since joining Toyotetsu in 1997, Mr. Slagle has served in a number of managerial positions at the plant as well as the corporate headquarters in Somerset, KY. He began his career with Toyotetsu in Purchasing and has been assigned management roles in all areas of his current responsibility.

Dorian Moe is one of the KY Chamber Foundations Talent Pipeline Project Managers who covers the Construction, IT/Business, and Metals Manufacturing industries across the state. Dorian currently serves on the Bluegrass SHRM Board of Directors as the Workforce Readiness Director. She has experience in Workforce Development, Education, Behavioral Health, and Healthcare. Dorian is a TPM®️ Fellow and Faculty member for the US Chamber Talent Pipeline Management program. She has extensive experience working with grants and has directed successful multi-million-dollar grant projects. Dorian currently leads the Educators Guide to Industry and Bus to Business® programs for the KY Chamber Foundation which engaged over 1700 students, 242 Educators, and 277 employers during the 2023-2024 school year. Dorian is very passionate about her work and enjoys working with students and adult learners to make meaningful connections, help them reach their career goals, and build workforce throughout the state of Kentucky.

Dr. Garry Cooper is the Co-founder and CEO of Rheaply, a Chicago-based climate tech, which scales reuse programs for large organizations, by helping them better utilize physical resources. He also serves as vice chair on P33 Chicago’s board as well as a board member of 1871 and Northwestern's Master of Product Design and Management program. He is a founding partner at LongJump Ventures. Previously, Dr. Cooper served on the faculty of Northwestern University and facilitated supply chain improvements for enterprise businesses at Ernst & Young. He holds a Ph.D. in neuroscience from Northwestern University, a certificate in management from the Kellogg School of Management, and a BS & BA in mathematics and chemistry from Indiana University. He also has a 7 year old rescue dog named Sasha that takes up most of his free time, in the best way possible.

Gregory Tink is the Industrial Digital Transformation Director at Schneider Electric where he is responsible for operating Schneider’s digital transformation business focused on providing transformation services to our clients in North America. Greg is an Operations Transformation and Technology specialist with more 25 years of industry and leadership experience focused on various process and manufacturing industries.

Over his career, Gregory was the founder of businesses focused on operational excellence, technology enablement and organizational transformation. Leading these companies, he worked with a variety of clients in supporting their operational transformation enabled by technology. This included standing up operations and control centers, the implementation of operations/asset optimization and maintenance platforms, the rollout of cyber security and risk management strategies, the integration of OT / IT and the integration of business functions supporting value chain alignment and the digital thread across the asset lifecycle.

Heather McClanahan is the HR Director at Fives Machining Systems, Inc., where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the company’s workforce initiatives. Prior to her current position, she served as an Apprenticeship Project Manager for KCTCS, focusing on developing custom work-based learning and apprenticeship solutions tailored for employers.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Arts in Communications from Northern Kentucky University and Morehead State University, respectively. In addition to her corporate roles, she has served as an adjunct instructor at GCTC Workforce Solutions, where she taught the SHRM prep course, sharing her expertise and passion for human resources with the next generation of leaders. She has also fulfilled the role of Coach Mentor for NAVIGO Scholars program, enabling career exploration for high school students in the construction technologies.

A dedicated mother of four, Heather balances her professional commitments with family life, embodying the spirit of resilience and dedication that she encourages in her children and colleagues.

Jay Richert is the General Manager at the Marathon Petroleum Refinery in Catlettsburg, Kentucky. The Catlettsburg Refinery has a crude oil processing capacity of 300,000 barrels per day and approximately 750 employees. Over the course of his 26-year career with Marathon, Jay has worked at four refineries and the corporate office in Findlay, OH in roles of increasing responsibility. Jay holds a BS in Chemical Engineering from the University of Calgary, a Master's degree in Chemical Engineering from Auburn University and he completed his executive education at the University of Pennsylvania Wharton School. Jay is on the boards of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers and the Northeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.

Jennifer Betts is the CEO of Magnar Metals and founder of ScrapTrader and Recycled Media. With two decades of experience in the circular economy—specifically in metals recycling and manufacturing—Jennifer has become a recognized leader in the industry.

While Magnar Metals is her primary focus, offering consulting and brokerage services for sustainable metal solutions, Recycled Media is a proud member of MI2, one of the key organizations behind the Kentucky Industry Conference. Jennifer's work spans the globe, collaborating with steel mills, metal recycling facilities, and trading companies like Nucor Steel and Cleveland Cliffs. She also launched the Betts on the Future podcast, spotlighting career opportunities as told by women leading innovation in metals and recycling.

She holds a Finance degree from Indiana University and an MBA from Xavier University, providing a solid foundation for her work in sustainability and business development.

Jennifer Bogs is the Global Director of Sustainability at Crown Holdings, Inc., a Fortune 500 company with approximately $12.5 billion in revenue. There, she oversees the strategy and implementation of the company's sustainability program at approximately 400 locations in 40 countries while leading a global team of sustainability professionals. Working alongside the global executive team, Jennifer is client-facing with some of the worlds' largest household-name brands. She has experience working in the food and beverage industry, packaging, and steel industry, with 20+ years' experience in the environmental field and 10+ years of experience in sustainability. Jennifer is a licensed attorney and holds a M.B.A.

Jeremy Ballard works as General Manager of Production at Toyotetsu North America, which is an Automotive Service & Collision Repair company with an estimated 1,499 employees; and founded in 1995. He has 24 years of service and holds a bachelor’s degree in technology management from Berea College and a Master of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University.

As a lifelong pioneer and entrepreneur, Jeremy has created multiple technologies, products and patents across a variety of industries including finance, energy, and technology, where he is well-known and respected for deciphering and inventing innovative solutions to real life problems. Jeremy’s thought leadership pieces have been featured in premium publications including: Forbes, Business Insider, TechCrunch, Bloomberg, Yahoo Finance, Benzinga, Digital Signage Today, Boston Globe, PC Mag and many more.

In the early 2000s, Jeremy launched EYECONIC.TV, which today stands as the leaders in point-of-sale media. During this time, Jeremy and his team invented an entire suite of fully managed digital signage, menu and touch screen kiosk applications and solutions that today are used across multiple industries including retail, industrial, visitor management, restaurants, cannabis, and more. Inclusively, EYECONIC.TV’s products have been distributed globally by companies such as Sysco Foods, Alcatel Lucent, Signarama, and more.

The most recent spin off of EYECONIC.TV, Transmission, serves the manufacturing industry with a configurable workflow solution that can be used to do nearly any workflow in a facility and includes digital signage, text messaging and kiosk applications. In addition to currently serving at Transmission, Jeremy also serves as the COO of RealTIme Safety Solutions and designs its patented technology that serve the ride-share and package delivery businesses.

Jessie Schook serves as Vice President of Workforce and Economic Development for KCTCS. She oversees partnerships with business and industry stakeholders and key partners to support the development of innovative workforce initiatives. She is also tasked with collaborating across the colleges to ensure alignment of talent supply and labor market demands.

Founder and President of the Kentucky Thermal Institute, bringing over 17 years of experience in the thermal imaging technology industry. Under his leadership, the Kentucky Thermal Institute has developed key partnerships with academic institutions like Western Kentucky University and the University of Louisville, offering specialized thermal imaging education and training programs, including Tactical Fire Fighter Thermology. As a Bronze member of Mi2 and a Bowling Green Chamber partner, Kentucky Thermal Institute is committed to innovation, with its offices inside the WKU Innovation Campus. Through these efforts, Kentucky Thermal Institute continues to be a driving force in advancing thermal imaging technology and education.

Kristen Byrd is the Regional President of PNC Bank, Kentucky. She is responsible for overseeing all aspects of PNC's operations in Kentucky and southern Indiana markets including Retail Banking, Corporate & Institutional Banking, and Private Banking. Byrd is also responsible for sponsorship and philanthropic efforts important to PNC in the region. Prior to being named to her current role in March 2022, Byrd served as senior vice president and regional banking director of PNC Private Bank

A PNC Certified women’s business advocate, Byrd was integral to establishing the Louisville chapter of Women Connect, an Employee Business Resource Group designed to support the professional development of female PNC employees.

Mark W. Erwin became the President and CEO of the Bardstown Bourbon Company in September 2019, having previously served on the board. Prior to that, Erwin served as President of the Karakoram Group International, a risk advisory firm, which provides strategic consulting to Fortune 500 companies. He also served as a Non-Executive Board Director of Heritage Oil Plc, an independent upstream exploration and production company listed on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Erwin served for 26 years in the United States Army, culminating his career as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army Special Operations Command, with a budget in excess of $1.5 billion while coordinating a headquarters staff of more than 1,000 employees. He commanded at every level of the United States Army’s most elite Special Mission Unit from Captain to Colonel and was deployed numerous times to Afghanistan, Iraq, and other countries throughout the Middle East and Africa. Erwin holds a degree in Psychology from Wake Forest University and conducted his War College Fellowship at the Central Intelligence Agency.

Mark Pendley is a seasoned leader in Environmental Performance Assurance and Sustainability, with over 25 years of experience driving clean energy initiatives and fostering innovation in environmental technologies in energy-intensive industries. As the Environmental and Sustainability Leader and Advisor to the Board of Directors at Logan Aluminum, Mark has been instrumental in shaping the company's clean energy strategy, leading efforts to reduce carbon emissions and improve energy efficiency. Under his leadership, Logan Aluminum achieved the Aluminium Stewardship Initiative Performance Standard Certification, marking a significant milestone in sustainable aluminum production.

Throughout his career, Mark has played a pivotal role in advancing clean energy technologies and sustainable practices across a wide range of industries, including power generation, oil and gas production, metals manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, consumer chemical commodities, and electronics. His strategic approach has focused on implementing Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) management systems, developing carbon disclosure reporting frameworks, and supporting large-scale industrial projects that prioritize minimizing environmental impact through innovative solutions.

Meredith Rozanski, CPA is the Executive Vice President of Operations of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, a combined five-star accredited chamber of commerce and regional economic development entity. In her current role, Meredith is responsible for the operational and financial activities of the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, Inc.; the Bowling Green Area Chamber Foundation, Inc.; the Bowling Green Area Economic Development Authority, Inc.; the Inter-Modal Transportation Authority, Inc.; the South Central Kentucky Regional Development Authority, Inc.; the South Central Kentucky Business PAC; and the South Central Kentucky Training Consortium, Inc.

In 2023, Michael Beaton formed MaxPTS, LLC to become the global distributor of Maximum Power Transfer Solutions (MPTS), a unique power management and control system perfectly adapted for today’s modern electrical/electronic energy networks. MPTS global clients include NORAD, US Air Force, Hospitals, Factories, Properties, Schools, and Colleges.

Coming from a career of recruiting, marketing, and relationship building, Nicki Stewart has worked to solidify business and workforce needs in Kentucky. She’s integral in supporting those transitioning out of the military, and working directly with employers to place military members, and spouses in jobs across the bluegrass. Nicki has been hands on from the beginning of KY VALOR and continues to catch the pulse of workforce needs in Kentucky, as well as connect with individuals seeking a new career.

Dr. Omar N. Ayyash is a seasoned executive with a deep understanding of the entire startup lifecycle, from market research and validation to successful launch and scaling. He leverages his extensive experience guiding innovative ideas from conception to realization. Dr. Ayyash has a unique background straddling research excellence and innovation management. He has worked on local, national, and international levels, fostering entrepreneurship initiatives in his most recent role at a UAE educational institution. Previously, he served as the Director of the Mayor's Office for International Affairs in Louisville, Kentucky, contributing to a historic government merger.

Parashar has over 26 years of experience with 15 years in the specialty materials sector (Ashland Inc.) and 10 years in the automotive & consumer sector (Valvoline Inc.) Mr. Joshi served as corporate Vice President in both corporations (Ashland & Valvoline) leading the supply chain, operations & commercial business groups. He is a certified six sigma black belt and has managed over billion dollars of capital to build several facilities from ground up globally. He earned four President Award honors during this corporate tenure. Born in Gujarat, India his educational background includes a B.S., in Chemical Engineering from University of Cincinnati (summa cum laude), an MBA in Operations Management and International Business, from Cleveland State University (with honors). In addition, he has a graduate certificate in Executive Finance from Indiana University. He currently serves on the University of Cincinnati, College of Engineering & Applied Sciences Advisory Board. In addition, he serves or has served on several for profit and non-profit boards; [American Foundry Society (Chairman), Lexington Habitat for Humanity (Chairman), World Trade Center Kentucky (Chairman) and Valvoline Cummins Private Limited (Director).

Rusty Justice is an entrepreneur from Eastern Kentucky. His business investments provide services in engineering, mining, land development, telecom, software, and broadcasting. He holds degrees from the University of Kentucky in Mining and Civil Engineering and is a Fellow in the UK Engineering Hall of Distinction. He is also a graduate of MIT’s Regional Entrepreneurial Accelerator Program and a founding member of Accelerate Kentucky, a nonprofit focused on supporting Kentucky’s entrepreneurs and innovators. Rusty combines his love for business and engineering with a deep appreciation for Appalachia’s rich heritage. He works to leverage his capabilities to grow the local economy through diverse projects with cultural value that celebrate the Appalachian identity and promote its future.

Ruth is the Senior Vice President for The Bardstown Bourbon Company and has more than 30 years of experience in Human Resources, most recently serving as HR Director, Global Manufacturing and Engineering and North America Regional Lead for Trinseo LLC, covering 1700 employees across North America, Europe, Middle East, Africa and Asia Pacific. She is passionate about workforce development at all levels and enterprise-wide talent growth.

As Vice President of Federal Affairs at the American Chemistry Council (ACC), Ryan Jackson is responsible for engaging with the White House, Congress, and federal agencies to create sensible policies and regulations that put science first, promote innovation and support supply chain resiliency.

Sam Ford is Director of Strategic Communications for the Metals Innovation Initiative. In this role, he oversees the communications strategy and execution for MI2 across all channels. Throughout his career, Sam has worked with various organizations on innovation approaches, audience engagement, cultural intelligence, and media/storytelling strategies, including in-house roles at Paramount, Univision, Peppercomm, and MIT. Currently, Sam also serves as Executive Director of the nonprofit AccelerateKY, which launched in 2021 as a result of Kentucky becoming the first U.S. state to go through the MIT Regional Entrepreneurship Acceleration Program and which took on as one of its first major projects supporting the concept, formation, and launch of MI2. Sam is co-founder of the company Innovation Engine and organizes workshops and pilot projects through his company Suspenders of Disbelief, formed in partnership with two researchers from the University of Southern California. Sam is also a research affiliate with MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing and serves on the boards of Kentucky-based nonprofits Kentucky to the World, Canopy, and Employward.

Sarah Davasher-Wisdom has served as President & CEO of Greater Louisville Inc. since January 2020. Ms. Davasher-Wisdom has been Greater Louisville Inc. since 2014, rising from leading GLI's government affairs activities as vice president of government affairs to now President & Chief Executive Officer. In this role, Ms. Davasher-Wisdom provides strategic leadership of the organization, which consists of 36 professionals who develop and implement the strategies, objectives, and policies of GLI. Greater Louisville Inc. was named National Chamber of the Year in 2019.

Seth Cutter is vice president of public affairs for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG), the 6th largest cargo airport in North America and the 2022 Best Airport in North America for Staff Service, according to London-based Skytrax.

In this role, Seth develops and executes CVG’s local, state, and federal policy priorities. He and airport leadership remain focused on advocacy related to transportation and infrastructure funding that will grow the airport’s $9.3 billion annual economic impact to the community. He also coordinates the activities of the Kentucky SAF Coalition, which is an industry partnership focused on developing an aviation biofuels ecosystem in the mid-South and Midwest. Seth represents CVG to local stakeholders and leads the team responsible for airport public relations, communications, marketing, and community affairs.

Seth joined CVG in 2017, previously having worked in the Campbell County, Kentucky, Judge/Executive’s office. He remains active in the community, serving on a variety of committees and working groups for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, BE NKY, Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and the Ohio Aviation Association.

He is a member of the 2021 Cincinnati “40 Under 40” Class and is on the board of KBT, Kentuckians for Better Transportation. He previously served on the board of Foreign Trade Zones 46 and 47 in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. Seth completed undergraduate studies at American University in Washington, DC, and earned an MPA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Shelley Goodwin serves as Senior Vice President for the KY Association of Manufacturers utilizing her experiences from a diverse employment and volunteer history. After graduating from Lindsey Wilson College with a degree in business management, Shelley worked in education, finance, hospitality, and marketing before combining these experiences and settling into the world of economic and workforce development for the past 25 years. A self-described “numbers, policies and procedures geek”, she also has a passion for helping young people discover their talents and find their vocational calling.

Stacy McCoy is the Vice President of Research & Insights at Employbridge. She started at Employbridge in 2021 to design and launch the research & insights function including building out their primary market research and market intelligence abilities. She focuses on monitoring labor and market trends across the industrial sector. Prior to Employbridge, she spent nearly a decade working at a boutique market research firm, Murphy Research, answering the most pressing business questions for Fortune 500 companies across a wide variety of industries.

Steve Marks has over 35 years developing and managing Supply Chains globally, for numerous international companies. In his current role, Steve serves as Sr. Vice President of Supply Chain for Givaudan Sense Colour. An operating division of Switzerland based, global manufacturer of Taste and Fragrance ingredients, Givaudan’s Sense Colour business unit creates and produces natural color ingredients used in food and beverage manufacturing. Overseeing the Supply Chain function for Sense Colour, Steve manages a team delivering all areas of supply chain support, including raw material sourcing, procurement, logistics, import / export and warehousing. His responsibilities ensure supply to (9) manufacturing facilities in (7) countries around the world.

Summer Dixon Goldman is the COO of the Metals Innovation Initiative and the founder of Dixon Strategies. Summer is passionate about supporting people finding success and support from leadership, structure, processes, and systems in the workplace. She has created a career by setting high standards for herself and those around her, valuing personal development, intentionally seeking new challenges and never being afraid to go first. Dixon Strategies is a vehicle to support small and mid-sized businesses in aligning operational strategy with big goals and, of course, supporting people. Summer has supported a wide range of businesses, from healthcare startups to mid-size manufacturers, since founding the firm. Prior to Dixon Strategies, Summer enjoyed a 20-year corporate career. After time in the chemical industry, she worked for Farm Credit Mid-America (FCMA), a $36B lending cooperative, for 18 years. Most of her roles with FCMA were in leadership with increasing responsibility. Summer has served as Regional Vice President leading all sales and operations, Vice President of Business Systems and Processes and, eventually, Managing Director Rural 1st Operations. These roles are indicative of her ability to successfully create new multi-functional teams, lead through the creation of processes, implement systems, and exceed organizational goals. Summer is originally from Bowling Green, Kentucky, and has earned a BS in Agriculture, an MS in Crop and Soil Science and an MBA from Western Kentucky University. After 15 years in the Midwest, she now happily lives in Louisville, Kentucky, with her teenage sons.

Tim has been in transportation and logistics for nearly 40 years. After working in New York and Chicago, he relocated to Buffalo, NY where he has spent the last 30 years focused on transportation, customs clearance and logistics issues specific to North American trade. Tim joined UPS Supply Chain Solutions three years ago and is currently the Managing Director of Global Customs Brokerage Growth where he and his global team are responsible for providing customs brokerage support and subject matter expertise to UPS Global Freight Forwarding customers.

Vijay Kamineni is Chief Executive Officer of the Metals Innovation Initiative (Mi2), a Kentucky-focused nonprofit focused on strengthening the region’s metals industry innovation ecosystem. He also leads organization-wide transformation activities through process innovation & digital initiatives at Logan Aluminum Inc as Chief Innovation & Technology Leader with the company’s Strategic Business Management Unit. Vijay started working in Kentucky’s metals industry when he joined Logan Aluminum in February 2009. Prior to his current role at Logan, he held various positions as Business Transformation Leader and Development Team Leader. He played visionary and change management roles in many successful continuous improvement programs at Logan, leveraging his lean six sigma, agile project management, and advanced analytics skills. His most recent work at Logan has involved leading the company’s Smart Industry/I4.0 initiative, bridging Operations and Information Technology. Vijay brings more than 30 years of international experience in various management and information technology experiences to his work with MI2. He previously worked in India, Malaysia, Philippines, and the United States, with business activities in many other countries as well.

Wells Bullard is the President and CEO of Bullard, a 126-year-old, fifth-generation, family-owned company that designs, develops, manufactures, and markets high-quality personal protective equipment (PPE) that helps save lives around the world.

Founded in 1898, and the inventor of the hard hat in 1919, Bullard protects construction, transportation, utilities, energy, firefighting, first responder, pharmaceutical manufacturing, and healthcare customers with innovative, purpose-built solutions. Bullard takes a long-term view on protecting workers in hazardous environments across the globe, so they can work productively and go home safely. Bullard’s product lines include hard hats, safety helmets, thermal imagers, firefighter and rescue helmets, supplied air respirators, powered air-purifying respirators, and air quality equipment. All of these products are customizable to customers’ unique needs.

For 52 years, Bullard has proudly called Central Kentucky home, with manufacturing in Cynthiana and an office in Lexington. Bullard subsidiaries are located in Germany and Singapore to support global customers.

Zach Morgan is the Director of Workforce Development at the Kentucky Association of Manufacturers. Prior to this role, he was a workforce project manager at the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, where he created the Military Hiring Academy and convened several employer-led initiatives in manufacturing and the distilling industry. Before joining the Kentucky Chamber, he was involved in workforce matters at the Kentucky Commission on Military Affairs, in the Governor’s office. At KCMA he helped streamline employment processes for service members, military spouses, and veterans – through consultation with government agencies, non-profits, and legislators. Zach was an Army reservist and military spouse for eight years during the Global War on Terrorism. He is a Kentucky Colonel, has a background in public relations and public history, and an MA in Military History.