Town Branch Park makes staff announcements, moves to new office space

LEXINGTON, Ky. — Town Branch Park made staffing announcements Thursday and relocated its office space in downtown Lexington closer to the site of the future park.

The park hired Ben Shaffar, who will serve as director of the capital campaign. Shaffar worked in the office of development at Midway University for more than two years, most recently as director of development. He was the co-chief development officer for the university’s $5 million, 3-year capital campaign for the institution’s first-ever athletics field house, baseball stadium and dormitory renovations. He also previously worked at the Kentucky Department of Agriculture, where he managed the commonwealth’s official agricultural marketing program, Kentucky Proud.

Shaffar, who spent several years as a professional baseball player in the Reds, Cubs, Pirates and Phillies organizations, has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Kentucky, where he also played baseball.

Allison Lankford and Hannah O’Leary, who have been serving as staff since the fund was formed, are transitioning away from the Blue Grass Community Foundation.

Lankford, executive director of Town Branch Park, was vice president and general counsel for the Blue Grass Community Foundation for more than 12 years. A native of Mount Sterling, Lankford has a degree from the University of Kentucky College of Law and a bachelor’s degree from Furman University.

O’Leary, who is the deputy director, previously served as project analyst at Lexington Downtown Development Authority. She graduated with an economics degree from Centre College and holds a master’s degree in public affairs from the School for Public and Environmental Affairs at Indiana University.

In addition, the offices relocated from the Blue Grass Community Foundation to 249 East Main Street, Suite 201.

“This is an important next step for Town Branch Park,” Lankford said. “In addition to submitting paperwork for 501(c)3 status, this move demonstrates the successful incubation of the organization. We appreciate the leadership and guidance from Blue Grass Community Foundation, which has been instrumental in our start-up phase.”

Cornett, a creative marketing agency, is donating the office space.

“One of our firm’s core values is giving back to the community – and Town Branch Park is one of most exciting projects I’ve seen in my 50 plus years in Lexington,” said Cornett founder and CEO Kip Cornett, who also is a member of the Town Branch Park Board of Advisors.