Forcht named to Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors

The founder and CEO of Forcht Group of Kentucky has been elected to one of Kentucky’s most highly regarding business organizations.

Terry E. Forcht was voted in late last month as one of the newest members to the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. The Kentucky Chamber represents 2,700 member businesses – from Fortune 500 companies to family-owned shops – that employ over half of the Commonwealth’s workforce.

Forcht’s two-year term on the Board of Directors will begin Oct. 1. Prior to him being officially seated, he has been invited to attend the group’s fall board meeting Sept. 25 in Paducah.

"I think it is extremely important to keep the business climate favorable in Kentucky as well as nationally," Forcht said. "I am very pleased that they wanted me to be a part of the organization."

Forcht was nominated to the board by Kentucky Chamber President and CEO Dave Adkisson. His nomination was approved by the board in mid-July along with a whole slate of new directors and officers.

Adkisson congratulated Forcht in a letter, dated July 27, on his election to the Chamber’s Board of Directors.

Forcht, known for his conservative economic philosophy, said he plans to be a vocal member of the board.

"There’s some important things out there, especially in regards to taxes and government regulation, that I think need to be talked about," Forcht said. "I plan to encourage a business-friendly attitude for Kentucky."

Forcht Group of Kentucky is comprised of 95 separate companies, including banks, lending companies, nursing homes, radio stations, an Internet design firm, and a newspaper.  The group has over 2,100 employees.

Forcht was born and raised in Louisville, graduating from Shawnee High School before moving on to earn his bachelor’s degree and Juris Doctoral from the University of Louisville. He also holds an MBA from the University of Miami at Florida. 

Shortly after graduating from U of L, Terry moved his family to Corbin and began teaching classes at Cumberland College, now University of the Cumberlands, and later opened his own law practice.

Forcht, with a group of investors, founded Tri-County National Bank in 1985 with $1.5 million in assets. Today, Forcht Group of Kentucky manages 35 banking centers in 11 Kentucky counties and holds more than $1 billion in assets.