Tipton among six new members appointed to SOAR board of directors

Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers and Governor Matt Bevin recently announced the appointment of six new board members to the Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) board of directors, including Corbin paralegal Lynn Tipton.

Tipton, who works at the law offices of Tipton and Tipton, was inducted as a member of the SOAR Executive Board Aug. 21. She will serve in the role through June 30, 2020.

Kim McCann, of Ashland, Ky., is a partner at VanAntwerp Attorneys, LLP. She has served on the executive board of SOAR since its inception in 2014 and was named board chair.

As McCann takes over the helm of the SOAR Executive Board, Rogers and Bevin will continue their commitment to the organization as principal officers. Their designee proxy members will be Karen Kelly, District Director for Rogers and Scott Brinkman, Secretary of the Executive Cabinet for Bevin.

“This is an important transition for the organization, and it will further the transformative work of SOAR throughout communities across the Appalachian region of Kentucky,” said Governor Bevin. “SOAR is the catalyst for people and communities to come together to address challenges and seize new opportunities. I am excited to have Kim as Chairperson of the SOAR Executive Board, and I am confident that her experience and passion for the area will help SOAR continue its meaningful work.”

Jared Arnett, Executive Director of SOAR, said he is grateful to Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin for their leadership and support of SOAR.

“The work and leadership of Congressman Rogers and Governor Bevin have been instrumental, and I look forward to their continued support and guidance as we move forward,” said Arnett.

“We are writing a new chapter in the history of Appalachia Kentucky. This chapter is one we are authoring through a spirit of unity, collaboration, and innovation. We’ve come a long way, but there is still much more work left to do.”

SOAR welcomed new board members at its August 23 meeting. In addition to Tipton, they include:

• Chuck Sexton, President/CEO of One East Kentucky (through June 30, 2020)

• Andrew Scott, Mayor of Coal Run Village (through June 30, 2020)

• Dan Mosley, Harlan County Judge-Executive (through June 30, 2021)

• French Harmon, Pastor of Somerset Baptist Church (through June 30, 2021)

• Nate Haney, Senior Vice President of Braidy Industries (through June 30, 2021)

Jean Hale, President, CEO, and Chairman of Community Trust Bancorp; Jim Host, retired CEO of Host Communications; and McCann have been reappointed to the Executive Board, along with the following ex-officio members Senate President Robert Stivers, Speaker of the House David Osborne, Magoffin County Judge-Executive Dr. Charles Hardin, and Bell County Judge-

Executive Albey Brock. Donovan Blackburn, CEO of Pikeville Medical Center, is the treasurer.

“I look forward to getting to know the new members of our executive board, and I am also glad to continue to work with those who have been reappointed,” said Arnett. “Our executive board represents the best and brightest in Appalachia Kentucky. They fully understand the scope and magnitude of our work, and I appreciate their dedication to our work.”

Members of the executive board plan to attend the 2018 SOAR Summit on August 30-31 in Pikeville, Ky. at the East Kentucky Expo Center. Registration is still open for the event at https://www.thereisafuture.org/summit18/ or by calling (606) 766-1160.
To learn more about SOAR, visit www.thereisafuture.org.