From Foresight, Vol. 11, No. 2
published 2004
Continuing its tradition of partnering with other agencies and organizations, the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center will again partner with Kentucky Educational Television (KET) to host a panel discussion on economic development. As in recent years, the discussion will be filmed by KET and aired statewide at a later date. This year’s panel features distinguished state and national experts from the field of economic and regional development who bring varied perspectives to this critical discussion. Their fields of expertise range from banking to education and entrepreneurship, from infrastructure to the day-to-day challenges of running a business, from the role of science and technology to the critical work of shaping policy that gives life to best of our ideas for progress. Kentucky’s leading lawmakers, Sen. David L. Williams, President of the Kentucky Senate, and Rep. Jody Richards, Speaker of the House of Representatives will lend their legislative experience in this vital area to the panel.
Bill Goodman, host of Kentucky Tonight on the Kentucky Education Network (KET) since September of 1996. Former business operator in Glasgow, Kentucky; news director at KPRC-TV in Houston. Also worked in various capacities at WTVF-TV in Nashville. Graduate of Western Kentucky University.
Debbi D. Brock, William and Kay Moore Professor of Entrepreneurship and Management and Assistant Professor in the Economics and Business department at Berea College, Co-Director of the Berea Entrepreneurship for the Public Good (EPG) program, former Director of the Entrepreneurial Resource Lab at Miami University in Ohio, former Director of the Kauffman Entrepreneurial Internship program at Miami, and former Executive Director of the Association of Collegiate Entrepreneurs (ACE).
Jim Clinton, Executive director of the Southern Growth Policies Board, member of the board of trustees for the Southeastern Universities Research Association and the board of directors for the Southern Arts Federation and the Trans-Atlantic Technology and Training Alliance, published poet, and lead author for many Southern Growth Policies Board reports.
Luther R. Deaton, Jr., Chairman/President and CEO of Central Bank & Trust Co., Lexington, Kentucky; 2004 inductee into the Junior Achievement of the Bluegrass Business Hall of Fame; winner of the Governor’s Economic Development Leadership Award in 2001 and the Lexington Theological Seminary’s John R. Wooden Award in 1997.
Kris W. Kimel, Founder and president of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation; president of KSTC’s subsidiary company Intelligent Change Initiatives, Inc.; recipient of the University of Kentucky’s 1974 Sullivan Award; and member of the Board of Directors of The Southern Technology Council, The United Way of the Bluegrass, and Lexington Catholic High School.
Hilda Gay Legg, Administrator of the Rural Utilities Service of the USDA; Vice Chair of Alice Lloyd College Board of Trustees; member of Campbellsville University’s Advisory Board; former Executive Director and CEO of The Center for Rural Development in Somerset, KY; and former Director of Admissions and faculty member at Lindsey Wilson College in Columbia, KY.
Dr. Walter H. Plosila, Vice President, Public Technology Management, for Battelle Memorial Institute and leader of Battelle’s Technology Partnership Practice; currently serves on the Board of Editors of Commentary and the Advisory Board for Technology Access; winner of the Founders’ Award from the National Small Business Incubator Association and the Tibbetts Award from the U.S. Small Business Administration.
Dr. James Ramsey, President of the University of Louisville; former senior policy advisor and state budget director for the Commonwealth of Kentucky; winner of the National Governor’s Association Outstanding Public Service Award in 2001; and Kentucky’s Distinguished Economist of the Year, 1999.
Representative Jody Richards, Speaker of the House, Kentucky General Assembly, Representative of Kentucky’s House District 20 (Warren County) since 1976, Wesleyan College, AB. Univ. of Missouri, MA. member of the Bowling Green/Warren County Jaycees, the Chair-elect of the Southern Legislative Conference, member of the Southern Region Education Board, past President of the Southern Kentucky Fair Board, and Democratic Caucus Chair 1987-1994.
Phillip Wilkins, Author of The Wealthy Entrepreneur; owner of Diverse Wealth Systems, Rising Star, Inc., and PJK Holdings; member of the Board of Directors for the National Black McDonald’s® Operators Association, McDonald’s® Regional Leadership Council, the North Lexington YMCA, Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation, and Lexington United; and a Visiting Professor in the Urban League’s Black Executive Exchange Program.
Senator David L. Williams, President of the Senate; has served in the Kentucky General Assembly for 19 years, 17 of those in the Senate. Former Caucus Chairman, Minority and Majority Floor Leader. Made history when he became the first Republican ever elected to serve as Senate President in January 2000. Williams has been recognized as “Legislator of the Year” and “2000 Republican Legislative Leader of the Year” by national organizations.