Paducah Economic Development Restructures Board

Greater Paducah Economic Development has reconfigured its board and direction.

The board voted to reconfigure itself to a ten-person transition board. They also have established an investor council which will provide future board members and input into the organization's direction.

The current interim CEO, Glen Anderson, has agreed to serve as chairman of the transition board so that a smooth changeover to a new CEO takes place when that person is hired.

The current board and investors will remain connected as part of the investor council, and many will also serve on committees focused on core functions of economic development. 

The transition board includes:

Mardie Herndon, Immediate Past Chair, Paducah Bank & Trust

Glen Anderson, Board Chairman, Greater Paducah Economic Development

J.P. Kelly, Vice Chair, Triangle Enterprises

Kala Shihady, Secretary/Treasurer, Custom Fuel Services

Craig Clymer, Judge Executive of McCracken County

Brandi Harless, Mayor of the city of Paducah

Greg Grissom, Jackson Purchase Energy

Cory Hicks, Four Rivers Nuclear Partnership

Leon Owens, Swift & Stanley, Inc

Bill Rager, Southern Coal Handling

Bill Robertson, Paducah Water


Running parallel to the completion of the restructuring, the CEO Search Committee is on track to also make its selection for the incoming CEO by the annual meeting in June.In a Wednesday press release, GPED said, "Our role and mission are simple. GPED exists to proactively recruit and support companies that provide high-quality, high-paying jobs to our community. To better accomplish this mission and serve our city, county, and region, we have restructured our organization to be more nimble and execute the necessary functions to win more jobs."

Herndon added, “Today was an important day for our organization. During the past few months, our board, community partners, and interim CEO, Glen Anderson, have worked to simplify the organizational structure, accelerate job creation and proactively communicate with our investors. As our board executed this realignment over the past few months, we recognized the impact Glen Anderson had on our organization, key partnerships, and investors. In recognition of his outstanding leadership, I am pleased Glen Anderson will step into the role of Board Chairman. This will not only provide continuity as the organization continues to work current projects but also maintain key communication points with site selectors, the Kentucky Cabinet of Economic Development and local companies.”

Anderson stated, “It’s exciting to see GPED refining its role and I’m grateful for the opportunity to continue to serve Greater Paducah and the region. We are, without a doubt, better positioned for local and regional collaboration and partnerships for success and I look forward to continuing to collaborate with other leaders to shape a better future for Western Kentucky.”