SOMERSET, KY – One East Kentucky President & CEO Colby Kirk has been elected to the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation’s (SKED) Board of Directors
The Eastern Kentucky native was nominated to fill the position and elected by the SKED Board of Directors at its May 2025 meeting.
“I’m deeply honored to be elected to the Board of Directors for SKED,” Kirk said. “This organization plays a critical role in shaping the future of our region, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to contribute. As a lifelong advocate for Eastern Kentucky, I am committed to supporting efforts that drive job creation, entrepreneurship, and long-term economic growth. I look forward to working alongside other dedicated leaders to help move our communities forward.”
SKED’s 12-member volunteer board of directors comprises some of the region’s most successful leaders in banking, education, business, utilities and economic development. Directors shape the mission and provide governance for the Somerset, Kentucky-based nonprofit economic development organization.
Kirk began serving on SKED’s General Membership in 2024.
The Inez, Kentucky resident has led and developed the economic development strategy at One East Kentucky since 2022. His role includes heading up marketing activities for industrial sites and buildings across a nine-county region in Eastern Kentucky, developing and implementing strategic plans with partner communities focused on infrastructure development and downtown revitalization, assisting private companies with site selection, incentive opportunities, logistics planning and connecting them with workforce development and educational training programs to create new regional job opportunities.
Before working for One East Kentucky, Kirk served as both Martin County Judge-Executive and Deputy County Judge-Executive. He also served as executive director at One Harlan County and served in various other economic development positions in prior years.
Kirk is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, earning a bachelor’s degree in finance. He also studied international business at Korea University and is a graduate of the University of Oklahoma’s Economic Development Institute.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says Kirk’s experience and expertise will be instrumental in laying the foundation for SKED’s future growth.
“Colby is the person I call when I need assistance in one of the nine counties he serves at One East Kentucky. Our two organizations have similar missions. I look forward to working with him as a new director on the board.”
Brett Traver, SKED Executive Director
Kirk joins a veteran group of directors on SKED’s board: Darryl McGaha, retired Lake Cumberland Area Development executive director, as president; Hometown Bank 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 at-large director.
Other directors currently serving on the SKED Board include Charlene Harris, president and CEO of First National Bank of Russell Springs; Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president and CEO of Hazard Community and Technical College; Steve Allen, Executive Vice President of Human Resources at the University of the Cumberlands; Amanda Clark, Kentucky Power Economic and Business Development Manager; Keith Gabbard, CEO for Peoples Rural Telephone Cooperative and Brittany Cox, East Kentucky Power Associate Economic Development Director.
In its 39th year of service to a 45-county service region in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, the SKED Board of Directors has installed three new members to its board. They include Kirk, Gabbard and Cox.
Traver says the Community Development Financial Institution (CDFI) is honored to be represented by a distinguished and experienced slate of directors.
“We truly appreciate the guidance our volunteer directors give to manage our CDFI’s programs,” Traver said. “Their guidance helps bring our plans and future growth to life.”
