NKY Works Leadership

NKY Works is the catalyst that unites industry, education, government, and workforce partners to strengthen the talent-development ecosystem and ensure Northern Kentucky is ready to work today and in the future.

NKY Works is led by an 11-member Executive Committee of employers, regional growth organizations, and local government leaders and advised by a 25-member Advisory Committee of private-sector representatives and workforce partners.

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Northern Kentucky from Ohio River with a riverboat

Executive Committee

  • Professional man in a suit smiling, standing indoors with a blurred background.

    BE NKY

    Lee Crume, President & CEO

  • A headshot of a middle-aged man with gray hair, wearing a dark suit, white shirt, and a plaid tie, smiling against a gradient background.

    Boone County Fiscal Court

    Gary Moore, Judge Executive

  • A woman with long brown hair, smiling, standing outdoors in front of a brick building and green shrubbery.

    Brighton Center

    Wonda Winkler, President & CEO

  • Professional portrait of a man in a suit and tie, standing in front of an American flag.

    Campbell County Fiscal Court

    Steve Pendery, Judge Executive

  • Professional woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a black blazer with a patterned blouse, against a dark background.

    Duke Energy

    Rhonda Whitaker Hurtt, Vice President (Retired)

  • Smiling middle-aged man with glasses in a blue suit and striped yellow and navy tie, standing in front of an American flag.

    Kenton County Fiscal Court

    Kris Knochelmann (Chair), Judge Executive

  • A woman with brown hair, glasses, and a big smile, wearing a formal blazer and white blouse.

    Northern Kentucky Area Development District

    Tara Johnson-Noem, Executive Director

  • A smiling man with a bald head, wearing a dark suit and light pink dress shirt, standing outdoors in front of a bridge and cityscape.

    Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

    Brent Cooper, President & CEO

  • Professional portrait of a woman with shoulder-length brown hair, smiling, wearing a light blue blazer and pearl necklace, against a gray background.

    One NKY Alliance

    Karen Finan, President & CEO

  • A smiling blonde woman with wavy hair wearing a turquoise necklace and a light blue top.

    St. Elizabeth Healthcare

    Julie McGregor, Sr. Vice President and Chief Human Resource Officer

  • Open Position

    TBA

NKY Works 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 

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

Gravity Diagnostics: Karen Hargett, Chief People Officer

Huff Realty: Sheena Parton, Director of Corporate Services

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: Nancy Spivey (Chair), Vice President, Talent Strategies

NKY Workforce Investment Board: Correy Eimer, Director, NKWIB and 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: Brittany Sorrell, DNP, RN, Director of Workforce Development

Staffmark: Michelle Cestaric, Director of Sales, Performance Management Group

TradesNKY: Lorraine O’Moore, Executive Director

NKY Works Staff