About NKY Works

NKY Works leads and integrates workforce development throughout the Northern Kentucky region. It provides a single point of contact for employers to find data, best practices, partners, and resources that enable them to attract, grow, and retain talent.

NKY Works is led by a nine-member Executive Committee of regional growth organizations and local government leaders and advised by a 24-member Advisory Committee of private-sector representatives and workforce partners.

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July/August 2026‍ ‍May/June 2026‍ ‍Mar/Apr 2026‍ ‍Jan./Feb. 2026‍ ‍November 2025 ‍ ‍September 2025‍ ‍ July 2025‍ ‍May 2025‍ ‍March 2025‍ ‍

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Executive Committee

  • BE NKY

    Lee Crume, President & CEO

  • Boone County Fiscal Court

    Gary Moore, Judge Executive

  • Brighton Center

    Wonda Winkler, President & CEO

  • Campbell County Fiscal Court

    Steve Pendery, Judge Executive

  • Duke Energy

    Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt, Vice President (Retired)

  • Kenton County Fiscal Court

    Kris Knochelmann (Chair), Judge Executive

  • Northern Kentucky Area Development District

    Tara Johnson-Noem, Executive Director

  • Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

    Brent Cooper, President & CEO

  • One NKY Alliance

    Karen Finan, President & CEO

Advisory committee:

BE NKY Growth Partnership: Tracy Power, Workforce Development Manager

Boone County Fiscal Court: Laura Pleiman, Director, Community Services and Programs

Campbell County Fiscal Court: Kim Serra, Assistant County Administrator

C.A.P. Real Estate: Jesse Brewer, Owner (Also Commissioner, Boone County Fiscal Court)

Dayton School District: Rick Wolf, Superintendent

Duke Energy: Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt, Vice President, Community Relations (Retired)

EC LEARN: Sandy Woodall, Executive Director/CEO

Educate NKY: Tom Haggard, Vice President

Education Council: Dr. Randy Poe, Executive Director

Gateway Community and Technical College: Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Chancellor

Kenton County Fiscal Court: John Stanton, Director of External Affairs

Kentucky Career Center: Lauren Allhands, Director of KCC Operations

Kentucky Refugee Ministries: Wilson Mejia, Resettlement Director

Learning Grove: Shannon Starkey-Taylor, CEO

Mazak: Katie Lower, HR Manager

meetNKY: Julie Kirkpatrick, President/CEO

NKY Chamber of Commerce: Gene Kirchner, Sr. Vice President/COO

NKY Chamber of Commerce: Nancy Spivey, Vice President, Talent Strategies

NKY Workforce Investment Board: Correy Eimer, Director, NKY Works

Northern Kentucky University: Jenny Sand, Executive Director, Government and Community Relations

Northern Kentucky-Greater Cincinnati International Airport: Gina Stough, Vice President, Human Resources

Proudworks: Jason Ashbrook, President/CEO ‍

Saint Elizabeth Healthcare: Julie McGregor, Senior Vice President, CHRO, Human Resources

Staffmark: Michelle Cestaric (Chair), Director of Sales, Performance Management Group

TradesNKY: Lorraine O’Moore, Executive Director

NKY Works Staff