Leadership Central Kentucky Celebrates Graduation Day

On May 20, 2026, the Leadership Central Kentucky (LCK) class gathered at R. J. Corman Railroad Group's facilities in Nicholasville, Kentucky, for its Reflection and Graduation Day — the culminating event of a program that began in August 2025. Hosted generously by R. J. Corman, the day opened with breakfast and a safety briefing before Tyra Harbut, Director of Leadership Development at Commerce Lexington and Executive Director of the LCK Board of Directors, set the tone with introductory remarks. She reminded participants that graduation is not an ending but the beginning of a journey to lead and develop Central Kentucky.

​Dr. Virgil Grant facilitated the morning's reflective sessions, guiding the class through a review of the hopes, expectations, and concerns each member had expressed at the start of the program. Participants confirmed that their goals had been met and revisited the experiences they shared during their visits to different Central Kentucky counties throughout the year. Dr. Grant also led a structured feedback exercise in which the class discussed what went right, what needs changing, what should be added, and what should be stopped in future iterations of LCK. He encouraged participants to remember that the best gift they can give to their families, friends, and workplaces is themselves, and that work-life balance is not static but evolves over time. The class then engaged in a self-reflection activity assessing personal performance across various life categories and received tools to facilitate a similar exercise with their respective teams at their respective places of business.

During an excellent lunch provided by R. J. Corman, Justin Broyles, President and CEO of R. J. Corman, addressed the group. He spoke about the company's key principles — safety, customer service, looking good, efficiency, and the fair and respectful treatment of others — and emphasized that growth is the responsibility of every employee of a company.
 
The keynote address was delivered by State Senator Amanda Mays Bledsoe, who offered the class both personal wisdom and a call to civic engagement. She reflected on the seasons of life, urging participants to be fully present in each one. Senator Bledsoe highlighted the importance of regionalism in Central Kentucky, noting that fifty percent of Fayette County's workforce resides outside the county and that voters across the region care deeply about developments in neighboring communities. She encouraged LCK graduates to become involved in regional initiatives, to consider running for local government, and to seek common ground even with those with whom they may disagree. The relationships built through the LCK program, she noted, are a foundation for lasting influence.

​The day concluded with brief remarks from Valerie Phillips, Acting Community Liaison Manager of Kentucky Utilities, representing one of the program's sponsors. Tyra Harbut offered thanks to all sponsors before each member of the class was called to the front individually to receive a commemorative plaque and have their photograph taken — a fitting capstone to a transformative eight months of leadership development and community engagement with the best LCK class ever.  On a personal note, I found LCK to be a wonderful experience and I look forward to meeting up with classmates at social, community, and business events for years to come.

Written By: Brian W. Chellgren, Ph.D., Dentons
Photos By: Shelly Dawn Images