About the Eastern Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board
The Eastern Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board (WIB) is a private-sector led body composed of 24 volunteer members that works to prepare, advance, and expand the workforce of Eastern Kentucky.
The WIB brings together private-sector leaders from across our region with policy makers from the education, economic development, and public arenas. The board's strategic and policy guidance will improve the opportunities for all citizens to engage in and become productive members of the workforce. As a result, businesses will be more likely to have the human resources necessary to compete in our global economy.
Among the board's responsibilities are:
Developing the Local Plan for workforce innovation
Overseeing the local one-stop career center system
Conducting strategic program oversight
Negotiating local performance measures
Assisting in the development of the employment statistic system
Creating and sustaining employer linkages
Connecting, brokering, and coaching on behalf of the Local Workforce Innovation System
Appointing a youth council
Identifying eligible providers of training services
The WIB’s structure consists of private-sector members who are leaders in their own organizations, along with representatives from the economic development community, education, organized labor, community-based organizations, and the one-stop partner agencies administering the bulk of workforce innovation funds flowing into Eastern Kentucky.
Eastern Kentucky WIB meetings are held quarterly at the LKLP Kentucky Career Center JobSight, 412 Roy Campbell Drive. The next meeting will be held Wednesday, December 11 beginning at 2 p.m.
2025 Regular Meeting Schedule
March 12, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
June 11, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
September 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
December 10, 2025 at 2:00 p.m.
DOCUMENTATION
Eastern Kentucky Workforce Innovation Board Membership
Raymond Banks
Business
Bruce Carpenter
Business
Kevin Chesnut (Vice Chair)
Business
Benjamin Collier
Workforce
Kim Combs
Business
Travis Cox
Education & Training
Paul Dole
Workforce
Mikeal Fannin
Business
Keith Gabbard (Chair)
Business
Amy Greene
Business
Jeff Johnson
Business
William Tal Jones
Government & Economic Development
Dr. Jennifer Lindon
Workforce
Dennis Messer
Education & Training
Vince Minix
Workforce: Organized Labor
Paul Patton
Education & Training
Tonia Prewitt
Government & Economic Development
Tracey Smith
Business
Brent Sturgill
Vocational Rehabilitation