Leadership Central Kentucky
MISSION:
Leadership Central Kentucky is a program to: educate and inform individuals on issues and opportunities for all of our region’s communities; create awareness and understanding of how each county’s actions affect the others; and to help foster a regional vision for the Bluegrass. Its vision seeks to build a network of committed, informed and progressive citizens connected across institutions and county lines. These leaders of the new century embrace and embody the philosophy that our region will realize its highest potential through working together.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Leadership Central Kentucky Board seeks to identify those individuals most likely to utilize their regional leadership abilities for a long-term benefit. Applicants must either work or live in any of the following eight counties: Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Approximately twenty-four individuals will be selected to participate in the program. These leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organization. Attention is taken to reflect the diversity of the Bluegrass Region’s communities.
Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Central Kentucky Board based upon the information completed on the application. They will be seeking a diverse class, professionally, geographically, ethnically and gender-wise. Preference will be given to individuals who have successfully completed a local leadership program.
STRUCTURE:
A mandatory Orientation kicks the program in August and thereafter, the third Wednesday September through May, class members travel to one county per month with a focus on community and regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, public advocacy, and agri-tourism. These topics are covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises and class discussions.
Sessions will last an average of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be located throughout the region. Times and locations will be sent prior to sessions. Participant is responsible for their own transportation to the county. Once in the county, bus transportation is provided between venues. Any participant missing more than two regular full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program
COST:
Tuition for Leadership Central Kentucky is $800. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. If financial assistance is sought please attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating your reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships are awarded.)
BENEFITS:
Leadership Central Kentucky is a program to: educate and inform individuals on issues and opportunities for all of our region’s communities; create awareness and understanding of how each county’s actions affect the others; and to help foster a regional vision for the Bluegrass. Its vision seeks to build a network of committed, informed and progressive citizens connected across institutions and county lines. These leaders of the new century embrace and embody the philosophy that our region will realize its highest potential through working together.
ELIGIBILITY:
The Leadership Central Kentucky Board seeks to identify those individuals most likely to utilize their regional leadership abilities for a long-term benefit. Applicants must either work or live in any of the following eight counties: Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Franklin, Jessamine, Madison, Scott, and Woodford. Approximately twenty-four individuals will be selected to participate in the program. These leaders and potential leaders will be active in business, education, the arts, religion, government, community-based organization. Attention is taken to reflect the diversity of the Bluegrass Region’s communities.
Participants will be chosen by the Leadership Central Kentucky Board based upon the information completed on the application. They will be seeking a diverse class, professionally, geographically, ethnically and gender-wise. Preference will be given to individuals who have successfully completed a local leadership program.
STRUCTURE:
A mandatory Orientation kicks the program in August and thereafter, the third Wednesday September through May, class members travel to one county per month with a focus on community and regional topics such as transportation, education, economic development, quality of life, public advocacy, and agri-tourism. These topics are covered by knowledgeable speakers and panels, tours, interactive exercises and class discussions.
Sessions will last an average of eight hours between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. Sessions will be located throughout the region. Times and locations will be sent prior to sessions. Participant is responsible for their own transportation to the county. Once in the county, bus transportation is provided between venues. Any participant missing more than two regular full day sessions, in half-day increments, will not graduate from the program
COST:
Tuition for Leadership Central Kentucky is $800. A limited number of partial scholarships are available. If financial assistance is sought please attach a letter officially requesting a scholarship and stating your reasons. The scholarship request must accompany the completed application to be considered. Requests for scholarship assistance are completely confidential. (Note: no full scholarships are awarded.)
BENEFITS:
- Broaden perspectives and understanding of the Bluegrass Region
- Meet local, regional and state leaders
- Develop and expand network of contacts
- Visit county sites and facilities
- Gain exposure to both current county and regional issues and developments
- Build friendships and working relationships with class members
2020-21 Program Presented By:
Platinum Sponsors:
Silver Sponsor:
Kentucky Bank
Kentucky Bank
Leadership Central Kentucky Class Visits Paris, Bourbon County
Recap By Charles Thompson, Studio46 Media
Change. It happens every Fall. Leaves, weather, and pumpkin spice. However, for many of us we have been dealing with change since March when COVID changed everything.
For many business leaders in Bourbon County, that change meant opportunity. During the Leadership Central Kentucky Bourbon County visit, our participants had the pleasure of meeting the innovators behind a booming entrepreneurial spirit in and around Paris.
Sodworks was the first stop. Owner John Mahan has created a generational business by changing the family business from tobacco to sod. With the meteoric housing growth of Central Kentucky, John has created a turnkey niche business that is made to order. He says that “tending to the ground is spiritual. It means so much to know that I can pass it (my business) on to the next generation. It’s an honor and duty."
From there, the group went to the Paris Stockyards. Randall Arnett, the owner/manager, expressed that COVID had also impacted his business. He and his team have changed some of the ways they do business and through adaptation began to see the business thrive. The growth they have had is what has helped make Kentucky the largest cattle producer East of the Mississippi.
Then, it was on to Dan Cummins Chevrolet. The dealership hosted the group in its training area and Hunt Brother Pizza provided lunch. Hunt Brothers CEO, Erin Hunt Ferguson, took time to discuss the changes her company has experienced during COVID. Mrs. Ferguson mentioned that it had been difficult with so many of her Paris team members working from home, but the group has persevered. They changed the way they managed the over 8,000 locations with the new restrictions and have seen a boon with so many families enjoying pizza during this pandemic. In fact, Hunt Brothers Pizza expects to sell at least 17 million pizzas in 2020…a record for the company.
After lunch, Josh Cummins, president of Dan Cummins, told us about the changes he made when he came on board at the dealership. Historically, the business did well to utilize radio and television for its primary advertising. However, Josh knew that the online approach was something that needed to change. He was able to shift the company to a larger online presence and saw sales skyrocket. Today, the family of dealerships sells over 1,400 vehicles a month and is a top 20 Chevrolet dealer. Josh says that “the customer experience is what matters most” and it has shown that with over 5,000 Google reviews.
Finally, Leadership Central Kentucky went to Hartfield and Company Distillery. Owner Andrew Buchanan spoke with everyone about his difficulties during the COVID crisis. Andrew was about to launch his bourbon to the masses right as the pandemic began. One night his wife spoke to him about the need to change things and manufacture hand sanitizer. Quickly, Andrew and his team were manufacturing thousands of gallons and the orders followed. His first large order was for $450,000. He said that that amount was more than any of his previous businesses had ever done in a year. For months he saw the orders continue to grow. During a pandemic, his business boomed.
Many of the individuals on the tour were surprised to hear that a mostly agrarian Bourbon County was now thriving thanks to its entrepreneurial leaders. Bourbon County is becoming a technological and innovation leader in Central Kentucky. Those times, they are a changin’.
Recap By Charles Thompson, Studio46 Media
Change. It happens every Fall. Leaves, weather, and pumpkin spice. However, for many of us we have been dealing with change since March when COVID changed everything.
For many business leaders in Bourbon County, that change meant opportunity. During the Leadership Central Kentucky Bourbon County visit, our participants had the pleasure of meeting the innovators behind a booming entrepreneurial spirit in and around Paris.
Sodworks was the first stop. Owner John Mahan has created a generational business by changing the family business from tobacco to sod. With the meteoric housing growth of Central Kentucky, John has created a turnkey niche business that is made to order. He says that “tending to the ground is spiritual. It means so much to know that I can pass it (my business) on to the next generation. It’s an honor and duty."
From there, the group went to the Paris Stockyards. Randall Arnett, the owner/manager, expressed that COVID had also impacted his business. He and his team have changed some of the ways they do business and through adaptation began to see the business thrive. The growth they have had is what has helped make Kentucky the largest cattle producer East of the Mississippi.
Then, it was on to Dan Cummins Chevrolet. The dealership hosted the group in its training area and Hunt Brother Pizza provided lunch. Hunt Brothers CEO, Erin Hunt Ferguson, took time to discuss the changes her company has experienced during COVID. Mrs. Ferguson mentioned that it had been difficult with so many of her Paris team members working from home, but the group has persevered. They changed the way they managed the over 8,000 locations with the new restrictions and have seen a boon with so many families enjoying pizza during this pandemic. In fact, Hunt Brothers Pizza expects to sell at least 17 million pizzas in 2020…a record for the company.
After lunch, Josh Cummins, president of Dan Cummins, told us about the changes he made when he came on board at the dealership. Historically, the business did well to utilize radio and television for its primary advertising. However, Josh knew that the online approach was something that needed to change. He was able to shift the company to a larger online presence and saw sales skyrocket. Today, the family of dealerships sells over 1,400 vehicles a month and is a top 20 Chevrolet dealer. Josh says that “the customer experience is what matters most” and it has shown that with over 5,000 Google reviews.
Finally, Leadership Central Kentucky went to Hartfield and Company Distillery. Owner Andrew Buchanan spoke with everyone about his difficulties during the COVID crisis. Andrew was about to launch his bourbon to the masses right as the pandemic began. One night his wife spoke to him about the need to change things and manufacture hand sanitizer. Quickly, Andrew and his team were manufacturing thousands of gallons and the orders followed. His first large order was for $450,000. He said that that amount was more than any of his previous businesses had ever done in a year. For months he saw the orders continue to grow. During a pandemic, his business boomed.
Many of the individuals on the tour were surprised to hear that a mostly agrarian Bourbon County was now thriving thanks to its entrepreneurial leaders. Bourbon County is becoming a technological and innovation leader in Central Kentucky. Those times, they are a changin’.
