SOMERSET, KY – A Kentucky Power executive has been elected to the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation’s (SKED) Board of Directors.
Amanda Clark, external affairs manager at the Ashland, Ky.- based utility company, was nominated to fill the position and elected by the Board of Directors earlier this month.
“I am incredibly honored to be elected to the SKED Board of Directors,” Clark said. “I am committed to the economic growth of the region and am grateful to be in a position with Kentucky Power that gives me the opportunity to work in that space. The election to the board will allow me to further contribute to creating a strong and vibrant business environment for Southeast Kentucky. I look forward to working alongside the esteemed members of the board to attract new investment, create jobs, and ensure a prosperous future for our communities.”
Clark has a background in economic development. She worked as vice president of operations for Ashland Alliance, Inc., for four years before moving to Kentucky Power in 2019. She’s also served on the Ashland Board of Commissioners since 2015. Clark is a graduate of Marshall University and The Economic Development Institute at The University of Oklahoma.
She currently serves on the board of directors for the Kentucky Association for Economic Development, TENCO Workforce Development and Ashland Housing Authority. Clark also serves on the Kentucky Advisory Board for the Dolly Parton Imagination Library. She is the chair for Ashland’s Convention and Visitors Commission, Visit Ashland, and is an executive board member for CMH 23 – a regional television channel highlighting upcoming stars and tourism along the Country Music Highway.
Clark graduated from the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Appalachian Leadership Institute in 2021 and Leadership Kentucky in 2022.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says Clark is a good fit for the Board’s directorship in many ways.
“Amanda’s experience at the community and electrical utility levels in economic development brings a unique perspective to SKED. Plus, she’s just a great person who cares about her community and region. She’s a perfect fit for us.”
Brett Traver, SKED executive director
Clark joins an experienced group of individuals as part of SKED’s Board of Directors. They include Carol Wright, president and CEO of Jackson Energy Cooperative, as president; Hometown Bank President and CEO Tim Barnes as vice president; 4 Arrows Consulting, LLC owner David Blakeman as secretary; Southern Kentucky Economic Development Agency Executive Director Bruce Carpenter as treasurer; and Corey Craig, president and CEO of Citizens Bank of Mount Vernon, as an at-large director.
Other directors currently serving on the SKED Board include Charlene Harris, president and CEO of First National Bank of Russell Springs; Virginia Flanagan, special assistant to the President of Campbellsville University; Daryl Smith, ombudsman, advanced metering infrastructure at LG&E and KU Energy LLC; Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president and CEO of Hazard Community and Technical College; Steve Allen, director of human resources at University of the Cumberlands and Darryl McGaha, retired executive director of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District.
Traver says the corporation is honored to be represented by such distinguished and experienced directors as it begins its 38th year of service to the region.
“The time our volunteer directors give to guide our organization’s programs and growth is immeasurable,” Traver said. “Without their leadership, SKED’s future successes would not be as bright.”
