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 off the third Thursday and Friday 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 $700. 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 off the third Thursday and Friday 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 $700. 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
2018-19 Program Presented By:
Platinum Sponsor:
Silver Sponsors:
Ale-8-One
Kentucky Bank
Book Sponsor:
CV Sciences
Ale-8-One
Kentucky Bank
Book Sponsor:
CV Sciences
Leadership Central Kentucky Class Studies Scott County
Recap by Anya Armes Weber, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
As part of our Scott County Day, the Leadership Central Kentucky class learned details of the Toyota deal from Rick Hesterberg, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky’s vice president of external affairs. In 1986, then-Governor Martha Layne Collins and her team used years of research and a savvy approach in landing the company’s largest plant, which included meeting the Toyota contingency at the airport, hosting a lavish dinner party in their honor, and launching a show of fireworks – beloved in Japanese culture.
During our visit to Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Conner described how the AMC got design funding from the state in 2006, but did not receive expected construction funding until 2008. The wait kept project collaborators seeking solutions, Conner said, and the funding was secured in 2014, with the AMC opening in 2017 to serve businesses and students with a “work-and-learn” philosophy.
The center’s design mirrors a manufacturing production facility and offers customized workforce training. Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program students talked to the class about their success through learning at school and at work placements through manufacturers like Toyota and Topy. When they graduate, most AMT students are offered permanent positions from their employers.
The commitment to education of leaders in Scott County was also evident as students of Elkhorn Crossing School hosted us for lunch and guided us on tours of the school’s “villages,” where students can concentrate on one professional area like media arts, engineering, biomedical sciences, health science, and law and justice. The students impressed our class with their excellent “essential skills.”
At Country Boy Brewing Co., co-owner Daniel Harrison described how his love of craft beer and a blog he started while teaching in Japan led him and his partners to open CBB in 2012 with just one employee. In 2018, CBB was named Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Year” and at the end of 2018, its staff will grow to 48.
On our bus rides between site visits, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission Marketing Director Bailey Gilkerson mentioned that Scott County is a popular travel destination and now is home to 14 hotels - with one more in development. Besides Toyota, other large tourism draws include the Kentucky Horse Park and Old Friends Equine farm. For history buffs, Scott County also has 200 historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Growth is welcome but can bring several challenges, as we learned during a discussion of community challenges. Law enforcement, government leaders and community advocates all showed a commitment to working together to help solve issues like homelessness and drug abuse.
With its beautiful locale, picturesque horse farms, historic downtown, and thriving manufacturing and technology sector, Scott County’s success is proven through the persistence and partnerships of its leaders.
Recap by Anya Armes Weber, Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services
As part of our Scott County Day, the Leadership Central Kentucky class learned details of the Toyota deal from Rick Hesterberg, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky’s vice president of external affairs. In 1986, then-Governor Martha Layne Collins and her team used years of research and a savvy approach in landing the company’s largest plant, which included meeting the Toyota contingency at the airport, hosting a lavish dinner party in their honor, and launching a show of fireworks – beloved in Japanese culture.
During our visit to Bluegrass Community and Technical College’s Advanced Manufacturing Center, Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Jack Conner described how the AMC got design funding from the state in 2006, but did not receive expected construction funding until 2008. The wait kept project collaborators seeking solutions, Conner said, and the funding was secured in 2014, with the AMC opening in 2017 to serve businesses and students with a “work-and-learn” philosophy.
The center’s design mirrors a manufacturing production facility and offers customized workforce training. Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program students talked to the class about their success through learning at school and at work placements through manufacturers like Toyota and Topy. When they graduate, most AMT students are offered permanent positions from their employers.
The commitment to education of leaders in Scott County was also evident as students of Elkhorn Crossing School hosted us for lunch and guided us on tours of the school’s “villages,” where students can concentrate on one professional area like media arts, engineering, biomedical sciences, health science, and law and justice. The students impressed our class with their excellent “essential skills.”
At Country Boy Brewing Co., co-owner Daniel Harrison described how his love of craft beer and a blog he started while teaching in Japan led him and his partners to open CBB in 2012 with just one employee. In 2018, CBB was named Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce’s “Business of the Year” and at the end of 2018, its staff will grow to 48.
On our bus rides between site visits, Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission Marketing Director Bailey Gilkerson mentioned that Scott County is a popular travel destination and now is home to 14 hotels - with one more in development. Besides Toyota, other large tourism draws include the Kentucky Horse Park and Old Friends Equine farm. For history buffs, Scott County also has 200 historic buildings on the National Register of Historic Places.
Growth is welcome but can bring several challenges, as we learned during a discussion of community challenges. Law enforcement, government leaders and community advocates all showed a commitment to working together to help solve issues like homelessness and drug abuse.
With its beautiful locale, picturesque horse farms, historic downtown, and thriving manufacturing and technology sector, Scott County’s success is proven through the persistence and partnerships of its leaders.
