SOMERSET, KY – A veteran energy executive has been elected to lead the Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation’s (SKED) Board of Directors.
Carol Wright, president and CEO of Jackson Energy Cooperative, was installed as the nonprofit economic development organization’s president at its April Board meeting. Wright takes the reins of the 36-year-old organization from Rockcastle County native Corey Craig who has served as the Board’s president since 2017.
Wright has been a SKED director since 2017, serving as the organization’s treasurer for the past four years. The Tyner, Ky. resident says she is honored to serve and feels prepared to lead the 36-year-old nonprofit lender.
“Our focus will remain on job creation, growth opportunities, and economic support for our region, business communities, and neighbors,” she said. “I look forward to applying my past experiences and knowledge of the business sector, alongside the other SKED Board members, as we work together for the betterment and success of those we serve and represent.”
Wright has extensive experience in the energy sector and has led Jackson Energy as its president and CEO since January 2013. Previous positions at Jackson Energy include chief operations officer and vice president of engineering & operations. In addition, she has held management positions at another Kentucky cooperative and has 10 years of technical engineering experience with Kentucky Utilities. Wright has more than 31 years of experience in the electric utility industry.
She serves on the following boards and committees in the region: Kentucky Council for Postsecondary Education, Kentucky Association for Electric Cooperatives (KAEC), and Jackson Propane Plus chairperson.
Wright is a graduate of the University of Kentucky, where she earned a Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering. She also earned a Master in Business Administration degree from Sullivan University. She lives in Jackson County with her husband, Terry.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says he looks forward to seeing new growth under Wright’s leadership.
“Carol has been a valuable director and member of our executive committee for years,” said Traver. “She offers great advice and counsel to the organization and me.”
Assisting Wright in SKED’s oversight are the remaining members of the SKED Executive Committee. They include 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, economic development project manager with Kentucky Utilities; Tim Gibbs, president, and CEO of Ashland Alliance, Dr. Jennifer Lindon, president and CEO of Hazard Community and Technical College; Darryl McGaha, retired director of the Lake Cumberland Area Development District and Steve Allen, University of the Cumberlands, director of human resources.
SKED Executive Director Brett Traver says the corporation is honored to be represented by such distinguished and experienced directors as it begins its 36th year of service to the region.
“Our volunteer board members take time from their busy schedules each month to help lead the organization’s programs and make important financial decisions,” Traver said. “Their volunteer efforts are invaluable to SKED’s future success. We look forward to working with Wright and the new executive committee.”
SKED is a nonprofit economic development organization designated a Certified Development Corporation (CDC) by the U.S. Small Business Administration. The organization was formed 36 years ago by Fifth District Congressman Hal Rogers to create jobs in Southeast Kentucky.
Its office is in Somerset, Ky., and serves a 45-county service region. A staff of eight professionals works with business owners, small and large, to identify financing solutions to fund their location, expansion, and working capital needs and provide them the technical assistance and training they need to succeed.
To learn how SKED helps small business owners do business better, visit www.skedcorp.com or call (606) 677-6100.
