October 2019
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464 Chenault Road | Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: 502-695-4700 Fax: 502-695-5051 www.kychamber.com 464 Chenault Road | Frankfort, KY 40601 Phone: 502-695-4700 Fax: 502-695-5051 www.kychamber.com NEWSOCTOBER 2019 NEW CHAMBER LEADERSHIP FOR 2020 Watts Named President, CEO Thompson The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce has named of the chamber board of directors. “We know she will Leads Chamber Ashli R. Watts of Frankfort as President and CEO of provide strong, forward-looking leadership that will the state’s largest business association after an eight- move the Chamber to even greater accomplishments on Through month national search. She takes office on November behalf of our members, their employees, and benefitting 1, succeeding Dave Adkisson, 66, who is retiring after the entire Commonwealth.” Transition serving 15 years in the position. Watts, a native of Elizabethtown, holds a bachelor’s As the year comes Watts, 37, currently is degree in political science and to a close, Kentucky Senior Vice President history from Campbellsville Chamber Board of Public Affairs for the University and a master’s Chairman Paul Chamber, where she has As a lifelong Kentuckian, I look degree in public policy and Thompson reflects led the organization’s forward to working with the Chamber administration from the on the efforts to find successful advocacy board, staff and members to continue University of Louisville. Prior to a new CEO for the efforts on behalf of the aggressive and bold advocacy joining the Chamber in 2012, organization, what the initiatives ranging from as the united voice of Kentucky’s she worked at the Kentucky Bar Chamber accomplished workers’ compensation business community. Association and the Legislative during his time at the reform to right-to-work — Ashli Watts, president & CEO Research Commission. helm of the state’s legislation to felony largest business “It is an honor to have been records expungement that association, and what he PAUL THOMPSON selected as the Chamber’s helps people return to the sees yet to come for the 2019 BOARD CHAIR president and CEO and to have Kentucky Chamber of Commerce workforce. organization. Thompson, Chairman, CEO, and President the opportunity to continue the progress the Chamber chairman, CEO and LG&E and KU Energy LLC Her selection as the state Chamber’s first woman has made for employers and citizens across the state,” president of LG&E and President and CEO follows a search that attracted a Watts said. “As a lifelong Kentuckian, I look forward to KU Energy in Louisville, was named Chairman of broad, competitive field of in-state and out-of-state working with the Chamber board, staff and members the Board of the Kentucky Chamber in October applicants. to continue the aggressive and bold advocacy as the 2018, succeeding Alliance Resource Partners L.P. united voice of Kentucky’s business community.” “We are so excited to have Ashli as our new chief President and CEO Joe Craft. executive,” noted Paul W. Thompson, chairman, CEO SEE NEW PRESIDENT, CEO, PAGE 2 and president of LG&E and KU Energy and 2019 chair SEE THOMPSON NAVIGATES, PAGE 2 Nick Rowe Elected 2020 Chairman Nick Rowe, American Water Southeast Division Kentucky and Tennessee, Rowe is responsible for senior vice president and Kentucky American Water driving performance within the division, establishing president, has been elected to serve as chairman of consistent best practices and enhancing American the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2020 Water’s efforts to maintain and build external term. Rowe succeeds Paul Thompson, chairman, relationships. president and CEO of LG&E and KU Energy, whose Aside from his role at Kentucky American Water term expired September 30. and the Kentucky Chamber, Rowe is involved in civic Since joining American Water in 1987, Rowe has organizations including serving on the boards of held numerous management positions within the the Lexington Industrial Foundation and Lexington company including serving as senior vice president Clinic as well as the Central Bank Advisory Board. of American Water’s Central and Eastern divisions. He previously served on the boards of Commerce As president of Kentucky American Water, Rowe Lexington (past chair), United Way of the Bluegrass reinforces and strengthens customer, regulatory and St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce. and local government relationships, and drives operational and financial results. As senior vice SEE 2020 CHAIRMAN, PAGE 3 president of the Southeast Division, overseeing The Kentucky Chamber CEOCEO Search Search CommitteeCommittee Paul Thompson Joseph Craft III Jean Hale Bill Lear Elizabeth McCoy Candace McGraw Diane Medley Nick Rowe COMMITTEE CHAIRMAN ALLIANCE RESOURCE COMMUNITY TRUST STOLL KEENON OGDEN PLANTERS BANK CINCINNATI / NORTHERN MCM CPAs & ADVISORS KENTUCKY AMERICAN LG&E AND KU ENERGY PARTNERS BANKCORP LEXINGTON HOPKINSVILLE KENTUCKY INTL. AIRPORT LOUISVILLE WATER LOUISVILLE LEXINGTON PIKEVILLE ERLANGER LEXINGTON FROM THE FRONT Thompson Navigates Transition Throughout Thompson’s time as chair, the search to fi nd a successor for Kentucky the state’s woefully underfunded pension systems, Thompson said those issues Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson was a key focus. Ahead of the have remained in the public eye due to the strong voice of the Kentucky Chamber public announcement that Adkisson would retire after 15 years as the head of the advocating for change. organization, Thompson worked behind the scenes with other board members and As the Kentucky Chamber Board Chair, Thompson said he has become more business leaders from across the state to put together a strong, diverse search involved with all aspects of the organization and its membership and has enjoyed committee to ensure a robust and successful national search for the new Chamber the unique opportunity to have important conversations with businesses and president. leaders from across the state to shape crucial actions, After a serious, intensive, yearlong process, which he feels should be a driving force for Kentucky Thompson said the committee was pleased to companies to get involved with the organization. announce their decision that Kentucky Chamber “If you want to make certain things happen, from a Senior Vice President of Public Affairs Ashli Watts If you’re not [a member of the business perspective, your local chamber and the state will take over as head of the organization. Chamber], recognize the Chamber can make things happen for you. Chamber are great avenues to make things happen. If you In the process of choosing a new leader and public Don’t underestimate what the are not a member [of the state Chamber], and you want awareness of Adkisson’s retirement, Thompson said Chamber can do for you. to get something for your business, whether it is policies, he believes the Chamber continued to establish itself — Paul Thompson, 2019 board chairman laws, regulations…if you want to get some action there, as one of the strongest voices at the Capitol and a you would be surprised at how well the Chamber can do catalyst for change across the state. that for you,” Thompson said. “If you’re not [a member of the Chamber], recognize the Chamber can make things Another goal of his time as the chair of the Chamber, happen for you. Don’t underestimate what the Chamber Thompson said, was to build upon successes the can do for you.” organization has seen legislatively and across the state with initiatives to improve workforce and education, address the opioid crisis, and more. Moving ahead, Thompson looks forward to seeing what the Chamber accomplishes under Watts’s leadership and is confi dent the organization will sustain growth in Thompson said he believes the Chamber continues to think bigger and bolder and important initiatives across the state and continue to be the leading voice for pro- accomplish a great amount. And while there is still much work to be done on critical growth advocacy. issues facing Kentucky including updates to an outdated tax code and reforms to Inform yourself. Vote smart. Watts testifi es in front of a legislative committee Statewide Elections oN FROM THE FRONT New President, CEO Nov. 5th! “Ashli is an exceptional and talented leader,” Adkisson said. “I’ve observed her work for seven years, and I know the great respect she has earned among business leaders and legislators. Ashli will take the state’s leading business association to new heights, and Kentucky will be better for it.” The Chamber’s search committee, in addition to Thompson chairing it, included: • Joseph Craft III, president, CEO and director of Alliance Resource Partners, Lexington • Jean Hale, chairman, president and CEO of Community Trust Bancorp, Inc., Pikeville • William M. Lear Jr., chair emeritus of Stoll Keenon Ogden, Lexington • Elizabeth McCoy, CEO of Planters Bank, Hopkinsville • Candace McGraw, CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, Erlanger • Diane Medley, executive chairman of MCM CPAs & Advisors, Louisville • Nick Rowe, president of Kentucky American Water and 2020 chair of the Chamber board, Lexington The 2020 Chamber Executive Committee: • Immediate Past Chair, Paul Thompson, LG&E and KU, Louisville FROM THE FRONT • Treasurer, Janet P. Jakubowicz, Bingham Greenebaum Doll, Louisville • Vice Chair, Administration, Kevin Smith, Beam Suntory, Clermont • Vice Chair, Business Services, Scott Davis, Field & Main Bank, Henderson 2020 Chairman • Vice Chair, Membership Development, Rusty Cheuvront, Brown-Forman, Louisville He is currently a member of the