Pike County Judge/Executive Ray S. Jones II. Pike County Judge/Executive Ray S. Jones II, was born in Whitesburg, Kentucky, and grew up in the Virgie community of Pike County.

join us on april 24 - 25, 2025, for our 37th annual east kentucky leadership conference in manchester, ky.

Corbin, KY (February 1, 2024) – The East Kentucky Leadership Foundation (EKLF) is now seeking nominations for its annual awards program, which honors outstanding leaders throughout the region who go above and beyond to make a difference in their communities.

John Rosenberg. John M. Rosenberg of Prestonsburg is Director-Emeritus of Appalachian Research and Defense Fund of Ky., Inc. (Appalred), a legal services program serving low income clients in 37 counties in eastern and south central Kentucky.

Joshua Ball. Joshua Ball is the Associate Executive Director of Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR). SOAR is a non-profit that works across Appalachia Kentucky (54 counties) promoting community and economic development through collaboration and innovation.

Paul Dole. Paul D. Dole is in his 35th year as President/CEO of KCEOC Community Action Partnership and 41st overall. Prior to becoming President/CEO, Paul served as Deputy Director, Head Start Director, Finance Director and Weatherization Coordinator for the Agency.

Kay Hammond. Mrs. Kay Hammond holds degrees from the University of Pikeville, Morehead State University and Eastern Kentucky University. She was a high school librarian in the Letcher County school system until retirement and assistant librarian at the University of Pikeville where she continues as President of the University’s Alumni Association.

Paul Patton. Paul Patton served as the 59th governor of Kentucky from 1995-2003 and as lieutenant governor from 1991-1995. His many accomplishments, awards and years of service include Kentucky higher education reform, Kentucky Association of Economic Development Hall of Fame inductee, and service on the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education, chair of …

Bill Weinberg. Bill Weinberg is Chairman of Community Exchange Bancshares, Inc, a bank holding company and is President of Clean Gas, Inc., an Eastern Kentucky natural gas exploration and management company.

Founded in 1988, East Kentucky Leadership Foundation (EKLF) was created to promote leadership in Eastern Kentucky. For more than 30 years, the EKLF has encouraged leadership development, communication and collaboration throughout the Eastern Kentucky region.