Coalition Committee
Jim Allen, CEO, Baird
Allen is Vice Chairman of Baird in Louisville and chairs the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association. A Chartered Financial Analyst®, he has chaired the Jefferson County Public Education Foundation, Fund for the Arts, and the 2016 Metro United Way Campaign. He serves on advisory boards for the University of Louisville, Bellarmine University, and Ohio State University's Fisher College of Business.
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, 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, KASA
Bennett is a veteran educator with 32 years of extensive classroom and administrative experiences in P-12 education. Bennett 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 President & CEO of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, with over 20 years of leadership in education and public policy. She was recognized as one of Kentucky's 50 Notable Women in Politics (2019) and led the Prichard Committee to receive the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Award in 2018.
Jason Booher, 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
Bradford 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.
Eddie Campbell, Kentucky Education Association
Campbell currently serves as President of the Kentucky Education Association. He has served as secretary and vice-president before his current role. Campbell has been a teacher for 20 years in Knox County and had even served on the Knox County Education Association.
Nick Carter, Ed.D., Breckinridge County, Immediate Past President KASA
Carter, superintendent of the Breckinridge County school district, is the new immediate past president. He started as a social studies teacher and advanced through roles as assistant principal, principal, and superintendent. A KASA member since 2008, he has served on the membership committee, principal design team, new superintendent core leadership team, board of directors, and government affairs team.
Scott Christmas, Director, Women, Ag Education & Member Benefits, Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation
Christmas is the Director of Women, Ag Education & Member Benefits for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation. He leads agricultural and consumer education initiatives, focusing on women's leadership development to enhance their participation in the organization. Additionally, he manages the Farm Bureau's member benefits program, aimed at adding value to membership.
Thom Cochran, Johnson County
Cochran, a 24-year veteran of Johnson County Schools, has been Superintendent for 5 years. He has also served as a teacher, athletic director, principal, and DPP. Active in education, he’s on several boards, including the Local Superintendent's Advisory Council and is President-Elect of KASS.
Lieutenant Governor Jacqueline Coleman
Lieutenant Governor Coleman is an educator, coach, writer, and the 58th Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky. She focuses on rural economic development and building a strong education and job training system to prepare future leaders. As Kentucky's highest elected educator and mom, she is committed to improving opportunities for every child.
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 an educator with 30+ years of experience, currently serving as executive director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents (KASS). He was superintendent of Simpson County Schools for 16 years, earning Kentucky Superintendent of the Year honors in 2015. Flynn has also worked as a high school principal, assistant principal, and science teacher.
Senator President Pro Tem David Givens
Senator Givens, elected in 2008, represents Kentucky's 9th District. He is Senate President Pro Tem, co-chairs the Commission on Race and Access to Opportunity and the EMS Task Force, and serves on several committees. Givens is also a managing partner at Central Farmers Supply in Greensburg.
Diane Hatchett, Ph.D., Berea Independent
Hatchett has been superintendent of Berea Independent since 2018. She holds the National Superintendent Commission Chair for the National Alliance of Black School Educators and is involved in several leadership roles, including with KWEL, KASA, KDE’s DEI committee, and the KASS conference planning committee. She also served on the Kentucky Coalition for Advancing Education.
Althea Hurt, Bullitt County
Hurt has been the HR Director for Bullitt County Public Schools for four years. She previously served as an assistant high school principal and elementary school principal for 10 years in Hardin County, Kentucky. Hurt holds degrees from Georgia Southern University, Northwestern State University, and Western Kentucky University, including a master's, Rank I, Principal Certification, Superintendent Certification, and is currently pursuing a doctorate in Educational Leadership at Western Kentucky University.
Johnny Jacobs, Nucor Steel
Johnny Jacobs is Vice President and General Manager of Nucor Steel Brandenburg. Before this role, he was Vice President and General Manager at Nucor Steel Kankakee (2014–2019) and Controller at Nucor Steel Louisiana (2011–2014) and Nucor Steel Hertford County (2002–2011). Jacobs also worked as a business consultant in bankruptcy asset liquidation and reorganization (2000–2002) and held leadership roles in finance and human resources at Gulf States Steel (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.
Eric Kennedy, Kentucky School Board Association
Kennedy currently works as the Director of Advocacy for the KY School Board Association. He has been an analyst on the nonpartisan staff of the legislatures Interim Joint Committee on Appropriations and Revenue back in 2016. Kennedy has also been a volunteer counselor with the Kentucky Lawyer Assistance Program. He earned a law degree from Chase College of Law at Northern Kentucky University and an undergraduate degree from the University of Louisville.
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, Fayette County
Martin-Chaney has 23 years of experience in education and is currently the leader of Southside Technical Center in Fayette County. She has also served as Director of Teaching and Learning for Elementary and Education Recovery Leader with the Kentucky Department of Education, supporting districts in continuous improvement. Her career began as an elementary teacher, with additional roles as curriculum coach, instructional supervisor, gifted coordinator, and assessment coordinator.
David Meinschein, Ed.D., Livingston County Schools
Dr. Meinschein is the Superintendent of Livingston County Schools. Before his education career, he served as a U.S. Army Officer and worked for a Fortune 500 company and a Silicon Valley startup. He also serves on the Board of Regents for Murray State University. Dr. Meinschein believes that strong leadership and high-performing teachers are key to addressing the challenges in education 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
Orr, superintendent of the Muhlenberg County school district. 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 brings 30+ years of hotel industry experience. Before joining the Al J. Schneider Company and AJS Hotels, he was senior VP of operations and acquisitions at Marcus Hotels & Resorts in Milwaukee. His career also includes roles at The Irvine Company, Noble House Hotels & Resorts, Olympus Hospitality, and Dusit Hotels & Resorts, where he led acquisitions and managed renowned properties.
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 40+ years in Kentucky education, with roles as a teacher, principal, and superintendent of Shelby County since 2020. She has also served at KDE as a Highly Skilled Educator and Associate Commissioner, and taught education administration at 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.
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. She previously served as assistant principal at Phillip Sharp Middle School and spent 16 years as a music educator and school counselor, earning the KACTE Career Guidance Counselor of the Year award in 2016.
Jenny Watson, Ed.D., Boone County
Dr. Watson is the Assistant Superintendent for Learning Support Services - Elementary Schools in Boone County. A lifelong learner and educational leader, she is passionate about teaching, empowering aspiring female leaders, and collaborating with educators. Jenny serves on KASA's KY Women in Educational Leadership executive planning team, leads district-wide leadership projects in Boone County, and has built 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.