The Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) is pleased to announce the election of new officers and board members at its annual meeting held in Louisville. The newly appointed officers will help guide the organization through the upcoming year, including Kimberly Rossetti, who will assume the role of Chairperson in 2025; Ray Hagerman, who will serve as Chair-Elect; and Amanda Clark, who has been appointed as the new Secretary-Treasurer.
The new leadership team will join Amanda Davenport, the outgoing Chair, who will now serve as Past Chair of the board. With a deep commitment to advancing economic development across Kentucky, the new leadership is poised to help drive the state’s growth, foster regional collaboration, and further KAED’s mission to support the state’s economic development professionals.
Kimberly Rossetti, Vice President of Economic Development for BE NKY Growth Partnership, will become the Chairperson in 2025. In her role, Rossetti leads the economic development team at BE NKY, which is focused on attracting new businesses to Northern Kentucky and supporting the expansion of existing industries. Her extensive experience in both public and private sector economic development, including her time as Vice President of Economic Development at Commerce Lexington Inc., positions her as a strong leader for the association. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations and Advertising from Penn State University.
Ray Haggerman, newly appointed Chair-Elect, is the Executive Director of Muhlenberg Economic Growth Alliance (MEGA). Ray has over two decades of experience in regional economic development and has been instrumental in driving growth and investment in Muhlenberg County. His leadership at MEGA has focused on enhancing local industries, improving workforce development, and promoting business expansion. Ray’s comprehensive knowledge of Kentucky’s economic landscape will be a valuable asset in his new role on the KAED board.
Amanda Clark, the newly named Secretary-Treasurer, is the Economic and Business Development Manager at Kentucky Power, where she plays a pivotal role in managing the company’s relationships with external stakeholders, including local governments, regulatory agencies, and community organizations. Amanda has a strong background in public relations, community outreach, and strategic planning. Her leadership experience and passion for community development make her a key addition to the KAED leadership team.
In addition to the officer appointments, three new board members were named to the KAED Board of Directors: Andy Games, Elizabeth Griffith Mudd, and Jim Moore.
Andy Games is the President & COO of the Elizabethtown/Hardin County Industrial Foundation (EHCIF), where he has dedicated his career to advancing the region’s industrial development. Games has served on various community boards, including the Elizabethtown Education Foundation and the Down Syndrome Association of the Heartland. He is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University.
Elizabeth Griffith Mudd serves as the President of Kentucky Lake Economic Development (KLED). A native of Owensboro, she holds degrees from Kentucky Wesleyan College and Western Kentucky University. Elizabeth is a 2022 graduate of the University of Oklahoma Economic Development Institute and brings experience from her previous role as Director of Existing Industry and Workforce Development at the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation.
Jim Moore serves as Director of Business Development for Greater Paducah Economic Development and brings 30 years of experience from his work with local and regional organizations in Kentucky, South Carolina and Georgia. His focus is on industrial attraction and retention in the Greater Paducah region.
Terri Bradshaw, President/CEO of KAED, expressed her excitement about the new leadership. “We are thrilled to welcome our new board members, whose diverse expertise and passionate commitment to KAED will be invaluable in driving our organization forward and achieving our shared vision,” Bradshaw said.
The Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) looks forward to the positive impact this new leadership team will have on the economic development landscape in Kentucky.