SOMERSET, KY – East Kentucky Power Cooperative’s Associate Economic Development Manager Brittany Cox has been elected to the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation’s (SKED) Board of Directors
The Lexington, Ky. resident was nominated to fill the position and elected by the SKED Board of Directors at its May 2025 meeting.
“I feel so honored to stand alongside some of southern and eastern Kentucky’s most dedicated leaders as we work toward the continued support of improving the quality of life through the innovative business solutions, programs, and resources and solutions SKED offers,” Cox said.
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, Ky.-based nonprofit economic development organization.
Cox was named one of Consultant Connect’s Top 50 Economic Developers in North America this year.
She has worked for East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC) since August 2022. Previously, she served the Commonwealth of Kentucky as a senior project manager for the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. Her current responsibilities include promoting Kentucky’s Touchstone Energy Cooperatives and developing economic development opportunities for the 16 owner/member rural electric co-operatives that represent more than 46% of Kentucky’s geography, serving more than a million Kentuckians.
She works alongside the EKPC team and representatives of the 16 owner-member cooperatives to facilitate industrial growth and retention opportunities across 89 counties, attracting new jobs and investments, and finding solutions to retain existing businesses in the communities they serve. She considers her primary role in life to be being mom to her 11 and 7-year-old daughters. Cox is a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s College of Communication and currently lives in Lexington, Ky.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says Cox’s economic development experience, combined with her daily interaction with businesses across the region, gives her a unique perspective on decisions affecting SKED’s 45-county service territory.
“Brittany provides broad insight into business recruitment and electrical utility service to the SKED Board of Directors. I look forward to her insight, as we work to increase SKED’s impact across the region.”
Brett Traver, SKED Executive Director
Cox 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 Colby Kirk, One East Kentucky president and CEO.
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 on its board. They include Cox, Gabbard and Kirk,
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.”
