Coalition Bios

Coalition Home | Steering Committee | Task Force Descriptions

		Coalition Coordinator
		Keith Davis, Ed.D. KASA Davis is a retired school superintendent and former associate clinical professor. He served as a middle school teacher in Butler County, before moving into leadership roles in Bullitt County. He has served as assistant principal, principal, assistant superintendent of business administration and finance, and finally, 11 years as superintendent of Bullitt County Public Schools. Upon retirement in 2018, Davis served as an associate clinical professor/superintendent in residence at the University of Louisville for three years.

		Coalition Committee

		Jim Allen, CEO, Baird Allen is a Vice Chairman of Baird and a member of its Executive Committee out of Louisville. Allen is active in the financial services industry and is Chairman of the Board of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. He is also a Chartered Financial Analyst®. Allen is the immediate past Board Chairman of the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation. He is the former Chairman of the Fund for the Arts, and he chaired the 2016 Metro United Way Campaign for Greater Louisville. He also serves on the Advisory Board for the College of Business at the University of Louisville, the Board of Trustees of Bellarmine University, and the Dean’s Advisory Council for the Fisher College of Business at The Ohio State University.

		Bill Alverson, Traditional Bank Alverson began his financial career in 1984 with Citizen’s Union Bank in Lexington, Ky. He first joined Traditional Bank in 1986. Alverson left in 1991 but continued to work in banking. He returned to Traditional Bank in 1999 to help guide the bank’s expanding Central Kentucky market, was promoted to president in 2009, and named CEO in January of 2015. He is a graduate of Paris High School, and today he spends countless service hours helping to create opportunities for low-income and at-risk students enrolled in Paris Independent Schools.

		Jesse Bacon, Ed.D., Bullitt County, Vice President KASA Bacon is the superintendent of Bullitt County school district. He began his career as a social studies teacher and assistant varsity football coach. He quickly moved into administrative roles as vice principal, principal, and his current role as superintendent. Bacon has served on the association's board of directors representing the Ohio Valley Region. In addition, he serves as vice-chair of the Ohio Valley Education Cooperative and as a member of the UofL South Hospital Board of Directors.

		Doug Bechanan, Nicholas County Bechanan has been superintendent of Nicholas County Schools since 2018. He came to this position as no stranger to Nicholas County as he has worked his entire 32-year educational career in positions such as an agricultural education teacher, bus driver, high school principal, and district personnel/federal programs director within the school system. He serves in executive leadership roles in multiple educational professional organizations and cooperatives as well as his church and local civic groups.

		Bobby Bennett, Middlesboro High School and Immediate Past President, KASA Bennett is a veteran educator with 32 years of extensive classroom and administrative experiences in P-12 education. Bennet has received several prestigious awards over the course of his career. His awards include the Excellence in Teaching Award by Campbellsville University, the National Association of Secondary School Principals Kentucky Principal of the Year, and the Kentucky Music Educators Association Administrator of the year.

		Bridgette Blom Ramsey, President & CEO, The Prichard Committee Blom is the President & CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence. She's been an education leader for over 20 years, spending time in both public policies, maintaining a steadfast commitment to improving the quality of life for Kentuckians through increased education outcomes and opportunities. In 2019, Brigitte was recognized as one of 50 Notable Women in Kentucky Politics and Government, by the Kentucky Gazette, and in 2018, under Brigitte's leadership, the Prichard Committee received the 25th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, award from the Alpha Phi.

		Jason Booher, Superintendent, Mercer County Booher is beginning his 27th year as an educator in Kentucky's public schools. He is currently in his second year as superintendent of Mercer County Schools. He chose to be an educator because of the impact teachers and coaches had on his life growing up helping him overcome adversity and tragedy.

		Jim Bradford, Deputy Garrison Commander, Ft. Knox Braford entered federal civilian service in 2019 after retiring from active duty from the U.S. Army after 29 years of service. While in uniform, he served in a variety of command and key staff positions leading organizations in Germany, Korea, Hawaii, and the Continental United States. Bradford Commanded and led organizations in Afghanistan, Iraq, Kosovo, Macedonia and Bosnia. He is a certified public administrator and a project management professional.

		Amanda Butler, Spencer County Butler is the Chief Academic Officer at Spencer County school district. She was hired at Spencer County Middle School in 2010 and has not left Spencer County since. She taught Language Arts before stepping into the role of Assistant Principal. She then moved into her dream role as Chief Academic Officer in 2022.

		Nick Carter, Ed.D., Breckinridge County, President-Elect KASA Carter is the superintendent in the Breckinridge County school district, assumes the role of president-elect. He began his career as a social studies teacher and quickly moved into administrative roles as an assistant principal, principal, and his current role as superintendent. A member of KASA since 2008, Carter has served on the membership committee, principal design team, new superintendent core leadership team, board of directors, and the government affairs team.

		Scott Christmas, Director, Women, Ag Education & Member Benefits, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation Christmas serves as Director, Women, Ag Education & Member Benefits for Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. In this position, Christmas serves as the organization's agriculture and consumer education specialist. He is responsible for providing and coordinating opportunities for women's educational and leadership development thus better enabling farm women to become active participating members of the Farm Bureau. Also, Christmas manages Kentucky Farm Bureau's member benefits program which are designed to add value to membership.

		Thom Cochran, Johnson County Cochran is a 24-year veteran of the Johnson County Schools and has served as Superintendent for 5 years. He began his career as a special education teacher and moved on to work as an athletic director, principal, and DPP. Cochran keeps abreast of education issues by serving on several committees and boards, including the Local Superintendent's Advisory Council to the Commissioner as well as current President-Elect of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS). Yet he considers his greatest accomplishment to be his family, wife Cristal, and children Ava and Grayson.

		Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman is an educator, basketball coach, writer, founder of a non-profit and the fifty-eighth lieutenant governor of Kentucky. During her first term as Lieutenant Governor, Jacqueline focused on rural economic development and creating a comprehensive cradle-to-career public education and job training system in Kentucky that will produce the future leaders of our Commonwealth. As the highest elected educator in Kentucky, Lt. Governor Coleman knows that the future of Kentucky’s economy is in our classrooms – today. As the commonwealth’s highest elected mom, she is determined to build a better Kentucky for every child, no matter their zip code.

		Rebecca Combs, Kentucky State Manager, American Fidelity Educational Services Rebecca Combs is a native Kentuckian and champion of public education through her association with K-12 public schools as state manager with American Fidelity. During her 14 years with American Fidelity, she has worked with public schools in 8 states. As a mom of 3 public school students (one who is pursuing a degree in education), she recognizes the vitality of Kentucky public schools personally and professionally.

		Brain Creasman, Fleming County Creasman is currently superintendent of Fleming County Schools in Kentucky. He is the 2020 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year. He has served as an assistant superintendent, a high school and middle school principal and assistant principal, and an instructional technologist and classroom teacher.

		Stephanie Emmons, Scott County Emmons is the assistant superintendent of student learning in the Scott County school district. She began her career as a special education teacher and quickly moved into administrative roles as an elementary principal, high school principal, and her current role as assistant superintendent. She is also currently on the board of directors for the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce and the economic and educational affairs committee for Georgetown focusing on workforce development.

		Robbie Fletcher, Lawrence County Fletcher has entered his ninth year serving as the Superintendent of Lawrence County Schools. In his 27 years as an educator, Fletcher has also been a teacher and an administrator at both the middle school and high school settings, as well as an adjunct professor at Asbury University. Over the years, Fletcher has served on various committees with the Kentucky Department of Education and with the Kentucky State Legislature.

		Jim Flynn, Ed.D., Executive Director, Kentucky Association of School Superintendents Flynn is a veteran educator and leader with over 30 years of experience, he serves as executive director of Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS) where he provides professional assistance and leadership and leads the advocacy efforts of KASS. Flynn served 16 years as superintendent of Simpson County Schools where he was recognized as the 2015 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year. He previously served as a high school principal, assistant principal and science teacher.

		Senator David Givens, House District 9 Senator Givens was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 2008 and represents the 9th District comprising of Allen, Barren, Green, Metcalfe, Monroe, and Simpson counties. He serves as the Senate President Pro Tempore and is co-chair of the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity as well as the Emergency Medical Service Task Force. Senator Givens is a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Appropriations and Revenue, Agriculture, Education, and Health and Welfare. He is a managing partner of Central Farmers Supply in Greensburg.

		Jason E. Glass, Ed.D., Commissioner, Kentucky Department of Education Glass, a third-generation Kentucky educator, was named Commissioner of Education in September 2020. Before that, he was superintendent and chief learner of Jeffco Public Schools in Colorado. From 2001 to 2006 he held progressively senior positions with the Colorado Department of Education, then worked as vice president of quality ratings for Qualistar Early Learning. He served briefly as senior director of human capital strategy for Ohio-based Battelle for Kids. Terry Branstad appointed him state Director of Education. Glass served as Iowa’s chief state school officer from 2010 to 2013. 2013 to 2017 Glass was superintendent of Eagle County Public Schools in Colorado. In 2016, President Barack Obama nominated Glass to the National Board for Education Sciences.

		Diane Hatchett, Ph.D., Berea Independent Hatchett has proudly served as the superintendent of Berea Independent school district since Jan. 2018. She recently received her National Superintendent Commission Chair for the National Alliance of Black School Educators. She is a member of KY Women in Education Leadership (KWEL) and serves on The Leadership Challenge Steering Committee for KASA. She also serves on the Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging Committee for KDE, KASS conference planning committee and Kentucky School Principal Institute Board of Managers. Hatchett served as a member of the KY Coalition for Advancing Education.

		Althea Hurt, Bullitt County Hurt has been the HR Director for Bullitt County Public Schools for four years. Before that, Hurt was a high school assistant principal for 5 years and an elementary school principal for 5 years in Hardin County, Kentucky. Althea received her bachelor's from Georgia Sothern University, a Post-Grad Teaching Certification and Rank II from Northwestern State University, a master's degree, Rank I, Principal Certification, and Superintendent Certification from Western Kentucky University. Althea is also currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership from Western Kentucky University.

		Johnny Jacobs, Nucor Steel Johnny Jacobs is Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Brandenburg. Prior to his current role at Nucor, Mr. Jacobs served as Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Kankakee, Inc. from 2014 to 2019. He served as Controller at Nucor Steel Louisiana from 2011 to 2014 and from 2002 to 2011 he served as the Controller at Nucor Steel Hertford County. Mr. Jacobs was a business consultant with a focus on bankruptcy asset liquidation and reorganization from 2000-2002, and he held leadership roles in finance and human resources at Gulf States Steel, Inc. from 1997-2000.

		Lee Johnson, Barren County Johnson is the current principal at Austin Tracy Elementary in Lucas, KY. This is his second year as principal. Previously, he served as an assistant principal at Barren County High School in Glasgow, KY for four years. Mr. Johnson spent nine years in the classroom teaching AP US Government and Politics and US History in the Barren County School District and Gallatin County School District. Mr. Johnson lives with his wife and two sons in Fountain Run, KY.

		Martha Jones, Ed.D., Fayette County Jones is in her 21st year in public education. She began her career as a high school teacher in Jessamine County then transferred to Madison in the same role. After two years in Madison, she was blessed with an opportunity to open B. Michael Caudill Middle School as an assistant principal. After serving in that position for three years she accepted an interim position as principal at Silver Creek Elementary that turned into a permanent position.

		Demetrus Liggins, Ph.D., Fayette County Liggins has 21 years of experience in public education, he joined Fayette County Public Schools in July 2021. He is someone who leads with a laser focus on student achievement, with a compassion for students and staff and a fierce determination to make a difference.

		BJ Martin-Chaney, Fayette County Martin-Chaney has 23 years of experience in education, currently serving as a school leader at Winburn Middle School in Fayette County. Prior to this role, she served as Director of Teaching and Learning for Elementary for Fayette County and as an Education Recovery Leader with the Kentucky Department of Education, providing assistance to districts and schools across the Commonwealth in developing systems for continuous improvement. She began her career as an elementary teacher with additional experience as district curriculum coach and instructional supervisor, gifted coordinator and district assessment coordinator.

		David Meinschein, Ed.D., Livingston County Schools Meinschein is currently serving as the Superintendent of Livingston County Schools. Prior to his educational career, he served as a United States Army Officer, worked for a Fortune 500 Company, and at a startup technology company in California’s Silicon Valley. Dr. Meinschein currently serves on the Board of Regents for Murray State University. He believes strong leaders and high performing teachers are the silver bullets to solve the complex problems that face the education community today.

		Leon Mooneyhan, Ph.D., Retired Educator Mooneyhan spent 53 years in education as a teacher, program administrator, superintendent, and educational cooperative CEO. He is a former president of Kentucky Association of School Administrators (KASA), Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS), and Kentucky Association of School Business Officials (KASBO).

		Terrie Morgan, Hardin County Morgan is serving her seventh year as superintendent of Hardin County school district. This is her 33rd year in education and all have been in Hardin County. Morgan believes teachers change lives and they need to do all they can to bring quality educators into the profession.

		Jennifer Muncy, Ed.D., Fayette County Muncy has a BBA in Accounting, MAT in Business and Marketing Education, MA in Instructional Leadership and Ed.D. in Educational Leadership. Currently she is in her 19th year of education, her 9th as an administrator. She is married to Brent Muncy, a retired agriculture teacher, and has two sons, one a junior in high school and a senior at Murray State University.

		Contessa Orr, Muhlenberg County, President KASA Orr, superintendent of the Muhlenberg County school district, currently serves as KASA’s president. She began her career as a special education teacher and quickly moved into administrative roles as counselor, assistant principal, director of federal programs, chief academic officer, and her current role as superintendent. Orr has served on the annual leadership institute planning, NxGL2, and governance committees. She is a member of the Kentucky Women in Education Leadership and a Leadership Challenge trainer.

		Marty Pollio, Ed.D., Jefferson County Pollio was appointed superintendent of the Jefferson County Public School District effective April 1, 2018. Dr. Pollio had served as acting superintendent since July 2, 2017. For 25 years, Dr. Pollio has dedicated his career to serving the students of JCPS. He is a long- time administrator and educator whose focus is improving culture and climate across the district, increasing student achievement, and implementing deeper learning strategies to make lessons come alive for students and teachers

		Bob Rowland, KASA Rowland began his career as a classroom teacher and then joined the staff of the KY Legislative Research Commission. In 2018 he became a contract lobbyist for KASA and became KASA’s Director of Government Relations in 2021. Bob helps lead legislative strategy for KASA and legislative advocacy programs including the Coalition to Sustain the Education Profession, Legislative Drive-In Day, Principal for a Day and Legislative District Advocacy Teams. Bob graduated from Western KY University with majors in Government and Philosophy, and the University of Kentucky with a master's degree in Public Administration.

		Talley Russell, Director of Government Affairs, Humana

		Scott Shoenberger, President & CEO, AJS Hotels Shoenberger has more than 30 years of hotel industry experience. He comes to Louisville, the Al J. Schneider Company and AJS Hotels from Milwaukee, where he was senior vice president of operations and acquisitions for Marcus Hotels & Resorts. Prior to Marcus Hotels & Resorts, he served in various positions at The Irvine Company, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Olympus Hospitality and Dusit Hotels & Resorts, overseeing acquisitions and managing leading hotel properties that received national and international acclaim.

		Amanda Sewell, Family Consumer Sciences Teacher, and Kentucky Education Association Representative Sewell is a high school teacher in her 11th year of teaching. Sewell believes she has an amazing opportunity to work with kids each day who are interested in a career in education and hopes to inspire the next generation of teachers who will change the world.

		William Sims, Ed.D., Pulaski County Sims is the principal of Southern Pulaski Middle School in Somerset, Kentucky and adjunct professor at the University of the Cumberlands, teaching graduate courses in the Educational Administration Program. Prior to his administrative position, Sims was an ELA teacher and has 24 years of educational experience in Kentucky's public schools. Sims earned his Ed.D. from the University of the Cumberlands in Educational Administration.

		Sally Sugg, Ed.D., Shelby County Sugg has served over 40 years working at all levels of public education in Kentucky. Her teaching career began at the middle and high school level and her administrative career has included elementary and high school principal, and assistant principal roles. Sugg has worked in Henderson, McCracken, and Shelby Counties. She has served as superintendent of Shelby County since July 2020. Sugg's other leadership roles include serving KDE as a Highly Skilled Educator and Associate Commissioner for Leadership and School Improvement, and teaching education administration courses for the University of the Cumberlands and Murray State University.

		Liles Taylor, AFL-CIO Liles serves the working families of Kentucky as the Political Coordinator of the Kentucky State AFL-CIO, serving as Financial Secretary of the Kentucky Public Pension Coalition. He also serves as a Magistrate on the Woodford County Fiscal Court. He’s served in multiple capacities within Kentucky State Government, including Chief of Staff to former House Majority Whip, Tommy Thomason, and Deputy Chief of Staff to former Lt. Governor, Crit Luallen

		Aaron Thompson, President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education Thompson is president of the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education. He is a nationally recognized leader in higher education who is working to ensure that all Kentuckians have an equal opportunity to improve their lives through postsecondary education. His leadership experience spans 27 years across higher education, business and numerous nonprofit boards. Thompson has researcher, taught and consulted in areas of diversity, leadership.

		Representative James Allen Tipton, House District 53, Anderson and Spencer County Representative Tipton began his service in the House in 2015. He serves on the following House Committees: Appropriations and Revenue, Education, State Government and Agriculture. He is Chairman of the Budget Review Sub-Committee for Postsecondary Education and Co-Chair of the Public Pension Oversight Board.

		Cassie Trueblood, J.D., Counsel to the Education Professional Standards Board Trueblood serves as counsel and policy advisor to the Education Professional Standards Board (EPSB) and the Kentucky Department of Education's Office of Educator Licensures and Effectiveness. She joined the EPSB in 2010 prosecuting educator misconduct cases before moving into the role of general counsel in 2017.

		Carrie Wade, Williamstown Independent Wade is in her third year as principal at Williamstown Elementary School in Williamstown, KY. Previously she served as an assistant principal at Phillip Sharp Middle School in Butler, KY for four years. Mrs. Wade spent five years in the classroom as a music educator in the Montgomery County and Pendleton County School Districts followed by service as a professional secondary school counselor at Pendleton County High School for eleven years, earning the KACTE Career Guidance Counselor of the Year award in 2016.

		Jenny Watson, Boone County Watson is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning Support Services - Elementary Schools in Boone County. As a proud, lifelong learner and educational leader, Dr. Watson is passionate about teaching and learning, educational leadership, empowering other professionals, specifically aspiring female leaders, and working directly with educators to share the work she loves, Jenny is also a member of KASA'S KY Women in Educational Leadership executive planning team, leads various district-wide leadership project in Boone County and has developed strong relationships with colleagues across Kentucky.

		Senator Max Wise Senator Wise was elected to the Kentucky State Senate in 2015 and represents Adair, Clinton, Cumberland, McCreary, Russel, Taylor, and Wayne counties. Senator Wise is a member of the Agriculture, Economic Development, Health & Welfare, and Transportation Committees.

		Kerry Young, Chairman Warren County School Board and KSBA Board of Directors Young has worked at UPS for the last 38 1/2 years and will be retiring on Nov. 30th. He has been involved in Education for the last 24 years serving on SBDM at Richardsville Elementary for eight years and the Warren County Public Schools Board for the last 16 years. 10 of which he has been the Chair. He has been on the KDBA Board of Directors for the last six years.

		Lu. S. Young, Ed.D., Chair, KY Board of Education Young was appointed to the KY Board of Education by Governor Andy Beshear in Dec. 2019 and she became board chair in April 2020. She is a clinical associate professor at the University of KY and the executive director of the UK Center for Next Generation Leadership. Young serves on the KY Commonwealth Education Continuum and the Education Commission of the States. She was selected as Kentucky's 2012 Superintendent of the Year.

Annual Conference