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COVER
STORY - September
2001
by Claude Hammond
Kentucky’s
Power Elite
Leaders take different routes to the realm of influence
Who
are the most powerful Kentuckians? The means used to
determine our list of the most powerful citizens of the
Commonwealth weren’t limited exclusively to who had
the most money or was elected to the highest office. What
makes one a member of The Lane Report’s
Power Elite is influence. Certainly, there are
Kentuckians who are wealthier than most, if not all, of
the individuals on our list. Without a doubt, there are
politicians who have held, or hold, offices greater in
rank than many of the Power Elite. But when it comes to
influence, we selected those who wield their abilities to
the degree that they influence the lives of most
Kentuckians. That is what qualifies them for our
first-ever list.
 Jerry
Abramson
Attorney, Louisville
Former Louisville mayor Jerry Abramson is the one most
often mentioned for the new elected spot as head of the
Louisville-Jefferson County combined government in 2002.
His long string of achievements includes the
revitalization of what was once a dingy downtown.
 David
Armstrong
Mayor of Louisville
Following an immensely popular predecessor, Armstrong
continues to carve out achievements that could have a
lasting and positive effect on Louisville.
Armstrong’s biggest legacy may well be the
strengthened local economy and the UPS commitment to
enlarge its impressive corporate presence.
 John
Y. Brown III
Kentucky Secretary of State, Frankfort
Representing the third generation of public service for
his family, Brown fulfilled his promise to make his
office more business- and user-friendly. Brown’s
business friendliness and savvy insight into the state
political scene make him a probable candidate for a
higher office in 2003.
 Owsley
Brown II
CEO, Brown-Forman, Louisville
A patron of the arts, Brown is one of the major reasons
his company has become even more diversified and
successful in making, distributing and selling various
distilled spirits. Under his watch, Brown-Forman has
greatly expanded its presence in the wine market and
developed the Labrot & Graham distillery and
bourbons, among other accomplishments.
 Bill
Butler
CEO, Corporex, Covington
In 1965, Butler started Corporex when he was just a
spring chicken of 22. Arguably, the development company
has done more to revitalize downtown Covington than any
other private enterprise.
 Albert
“Ben” Chandler III
Kentucky Attorney General, Versailles
Following the footsteps of his grandfather, A.B.
“Happy” Chandler, Ben’s efforts have
targeted health insurance and crime. Almost certainly,
he’ll run for governor in 2003.
 Paul
Chellgren
CEO, Ashland, Inc., Covington
With Ashland Inc., Chellgren has taken the bull by the
horns. Not without controversy, the company left its
namesake city and relocated in Northern Kentucky. More
importantly, Ashland Inc. is better focused on what is
most profitable for its shareholders.
 Doug
Cobb
Chairman, Appriss Senior Management, Louisville
Cobb founded and was CEO of the Cobb Group. This led to
his much more visible role as co-founder of the Chrysalis
Group, a highly influential venture capital group. With
two major successes under his belt, he took on the chief
post at Greater Louisville Inc. in 1997, holding it until
last year.
 Martha
Layne Collins
Former Governor and Educator, Shelbyville
It is entirely possible that, as governor, Collins
contributed more to Kentucky’s economic well being
than any other holding her office. Toyota and its many
suppliers based in the Commonwealth owe their presence to
the governor’s efforts to improve the state economy.
 Gary
Convis
President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing – Ky.,
Georgetown
The first American president of Toyota’s massive
Georgetown operations, Convis is the most visible
executive of a Kentucky manufacturer. Named as president
earlier this year, he brings 36 years of automotive
industry experience to the helm, including a joint
GM-Toyota manufacturing effort in Fremont, Calif.
 Paul
Curlander
President, Lexmark, Lexington
Curlander was named Lexmark’s COO and president in
1997. Lexmark prospered during the dizzying high-tech
boom of 1999-2000 and, despite a dip in stock valuation,
continues to be an innovator in printing technology.
 Gordon
Davies
President, Kentucky Council on Postsecondary
Education
In his 1999 second inaugural address, Gov. Paul Patton
said that higher education would be a priority of his
second term. One result has been that Davies, in his role
as the head of the KCPE, has incredible power and
influence among those in the state’s higher
education system.
 Luther
Deaton
CEO, Central Bank, Lexington
Now president of the Kentucky Bankers Association, Deaton
heads Central Kentucky’s most visible bank. His
influence throughout both his state and his industry is
exceptional.
 C.M.
Gatton
Chairman, AREA Bancshares, Owensboro
Gatton chairs the board of the largest Kentucky-based
banking company. Gatton’s belief in encouraging
talented businesspeople led to a major gift to the
University of Kentucky, whose business school is named in
his honor.
 Ed
Glasscock
Louisville attorney
Glasscock chairs the boards of Bellarmine University,
Greater Louisville Inc. and the Kentucky Center for the
Arts. He is a co-owner of the Louisville RiverBats and
co-managing partner of Frost Brown Todd.
 Tom
Hammond
NBC Broadcaster, Lexington
Hammond’s understated style and skillful
presentation have brought him to the top of his
profession. A lifelong Lexington resident, Hammond is a
classy influence on the sports broadcasting industry
worldwide.
 Ed
Hatchett
State Auditor of Public Accounts, Frankfort
Sloppy bookkeeping and embezzlement are no longer winked
at in the state capitol. The man Frankfort bureaucrats
love to hate, Hatchett has initiated performance audits
that have found $231 million in savings and missed
opportunities. More than 130 audits his office has
performed have been referred to law enforcement or
regulatory agencies. Now that’s influence!
 David
Hawpe
Vice President and Editorial Director, The
Courier-Journal
Responsible for the editorial voice of the state’s
largest newspaper, Hawpe wields considerable influence in
and around Kentucky’s largest metropolitan area.
Despite his many commitments, Hawpe teaches both
Appalachian studies and journalism courses at the
Universities of Kentucky and Louisville.
 Steve
Henry
Lieutenant Governor of Kentucky, Frankfort
Ambitious, hard working and married to a former Miss
America, Henry is a highly visible politician. Like the
lieutenant governors before him, a major concern of his
will be to attain a higher office.
 Jim
Host
Founder, Host Communications, Lexington
A pioneer in the field of sports marketing, Jim Host
deals with the major power brokers in college and
professional sports. Host’s company was named one of
the top five sports marketing companies in the world for
2000 by SportsBusiness Journal.
 Henry
Jackson
President, Jackson Plastics, Nicholasville
An entrepreneur of the first rank, Jackson founded his
injection-molded plastics company in 1994. Sales for
Jackson Plastics totaled about $12 million for 2000, but
the company’s success at getting the contract for
the 2002 Toyota Camry interior components will probably
result in 2001 sales of approximately double that amount.
 Rebecca
Jackson
Jefferson County Judge Executive, Louisville
A Republican with a strong base of supporters in the
state’s most populous area, Jackson is a contender
for the governor’s race. However, her influence is
such that she may be one of the candidates for the top
position in Jefferson County merged government.
 Tim
Kelly
Publisher, Lexington Herald-Leader
Editors may come and go at the Herald-Leader, but
Kelly’s influence is felt throughout Central
Kentucky. The past two decades have seen the
Herald-Leader become more of a regional force in
journalism.
 Joseph
Lambert
Chief Justice, Kentucky Supreme Court, Mt. Vernon
The state’s highest-placed jurist, Lambert wields
unusual power, often in defiance of others in power. This
was evident last year, when he led the court in an
opinion that rule that an Eastern Kentucky judge who was
removed from office for misconduct could not run in a
special election to fill his own vacancy.
 Bill
Lear
Attorney, Lexington
A powerful lawyer with impressive connections, Lear is
Managing Partner of Stoll, Keenon & Park, LLP. His
work with corporations and property owners in major real
estate development projects has helped draw numerous new
businesses to the Commonwealth.
 Lucille
Caudill Little
Philanthropist, Lexington
Everybody’s favorite philanthropist, Little’s
pervasive smile and overwhelming generosity have made her
one of Kentucky’s most influential people. The arts,
education and cultural events have all benefited from her
tremendous gifts.
 Sylvia
Lovely
CEO, Kentucky League of Cities, Lexington
Virtually all Kentuckians who live in incorporated towns
and cities owe something to Lovely. Her tireless efforts
at the Kentucky League of Cities have helped their civic
governments save money and stay organized and in focus.
 Jessica
Loving
Chairman of the Board, University of Louisville
President of Creative Alliance Public Relations, Loving
is no stranger to public affairs. A long time community
activist with a long history of civic involvement in
Louisville, she is a former executive director of the
Kentucky Commission on Women.
 Crit
Luallen
Secretary of the Governor’s Executive Cabinet
Luallen holds the highest appointed position in Kentucky
state government. A former Secretary of the Finance and
Administration Cabinet, she has also been Secretary of
the Kentucky Tourism Cabinet. Married to Lynn Luallen,
CEO of the Kentucky Housing Corporation, she is half of
one of Frankfort’s most influential “power
couples.”
 Mike
McCallister
President, Humana, Louisville
McCallister was a key member of the four-person team
responsible for assembling a turnaround plan for the
Louisville health insurer.
 Mitch
McConnell
U.S. Senator, Louisville
One of the most powerful Republicans on Capitol Hill,
McConnell has made a habit of beating the odds. The only
Kentucky Republican ever elected to three full terms to
the U.S. Senate, he first came to office by unseating
incumbent Walter “Dee” Huddleston. Married to
U.S. Secretary of Labor Elaine Chao, he is half of one of
Washington’s most influential “power
couples.”
 Tom
Meeker
CEO, Churchill Downs, Louisville
When Tom Meeker talks, the Thoroughbred industry listens.
A heavily decorated former Marine Corps officer, Meeker
has made Churchill Downs the premier horse racing company
in North America.
 Billy
Joe Miles
Chairman, UK Board of Trustees, Owensboro
The man behind the hiring of Lee Todd as UK president was
most likely Miles, a businessman and farmer from Daviess
County. In 1999, Miles and a few other members opposed a
two-year contract extension for UK President Charles
Wethington. The extension was revoked and Miles’
leadership in the affair led to his election as chairman.
 Pam
Miller
Mayor of Lexington
Though she will not run again for the top office in the
Lexington Fayette Urban County Government, Miller has the
name recognition required to aim for other elected
positions. Her predecessor, Scotty Baesler, did this with
ease and became a one-term congressman.
 Nick
Nicholson
President, Keeneland Association, Lexington
Nicholson was instrumental in the formation of the
National Thoroughbred Racing Association and Equibase. He
came to Keeneland in 1991 after serving as executive
director of The Jockey Club. Nicholson was Gov. Wendell
Ford’s chief assistant back in 1974.
 David
Novak
CEO, Tricon Global Restaurants, Louisville
Novak was promoted from vice chairman early last year. He
was directly responsible for moving 400 jobs to
Louisville from the company’s Wichita, Kan.,
operations back in 1998 and has since enlarged
Tricon’s role as a corporate sponsor of
Louisville’s cultural and civic events.
 Paul
Patton
Governor of Kentucky
Patton was a success in the coal business before turning
to a life as an elected official. He served three terms
as Pike County Judge Executive and a term as Deputy State
Transportation Secretary.
 Jody
Richards
Speaker of the Kentucky House, Bowling Green
The most powerful legislative Democrat in Kentucky,
Richards preaches a pro-business combination of fiscal
conservatism and stronger public education. His
considerable support in key areas of Central and Western
Kentucky could well motivate him to run for the Kentucky
governorship in 2003.
 John
Schnatter
CEO, Papa John’s Inc., Louisville
It’s not every day that someone creates a fast food
restaurant concept that revolutionizes an industry. But
that’s exactly what Schnatter did. His dedication to
the community has been manifest in a lot of ways –
most noticeably donating a large amount of funds for Papa
John’s Cardinal Stadium.
 John
Shumaker
President of the University of Louisville
In the tradition of John Silber and William Bennett,
Shumaker has proven himself to be one of a rare breed: He
has both a classical education and political acumen.
Shumaker’s skillful work among state officials has
given U of L renewed status and clout, as well as a
bigger budget.
 Billy
Ray Smith
Kentucky Commissioner of Agriculture, Bowling Green
Kentucky is still primarily an agrarian state and Smith,
a fourth-generation cattleman, is its tireless promoter.
His efforts have been focused on helping the
Commonwealth’s farmers make a better living by
producing value-added goods and niche crops.
 Lee
Todd
President of the University of Kentucky, Lexington
Todd is a former electrical engineering professor who has
a strong history of business know-how and success.
Already, he has streamlined the upper levels of
university administration – a promising start in the
traditionally inefficient field of higher education
management.
 David
Williams
President, State Senate, Burkesville
Williams’ plans for engineering a Republican Senate
majority can be traced to his obtaining the Republican
Caucus Chair way back in 1990. Williams may be the most
likely GOP nominee for Kentucky’s 2003 gubernatorial
election.
Claude Hammond is editorial director of The Lane
Report.
editorial@lanereport.com
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