FRANKFORT, Ky. — Gov. Andy Beshear has made the following appointments to Kentucky boards and commissions:
Appointed Lon Lafferty as County Judge/Executive of Martin County, Kentucky.
Appointed Fr. Matthew Young and Dr. Irvin Smith as members of the Kentucky Fire Commission.
- Matthew Young of Newport is the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the chaplain at the Newport Fire/EMS Department. He replaces Dustin Isaacs, who has resigned, and shall serve for the remainder of the term expiring Nov. 30, 2023.
- Irvin Smith of Paducah is a physician at Healthworks LLC. He replaces Fadi Al Akhrass, who has resigned, and shall serve for the remainder of the term expiring Nov. 30, 2023.
Appointed Jessica Coleman Hastings as a member of the State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education.
- Jessica Coleman Hastings of Lexington is the owner of Coleman Hastings Advancement Consulting. She replaces Emily Lawson, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 20, 2025.
Appointed Susan Guess and James Thompson as members of the Financial Institutions Board.
- Susan Guess of Paducah is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Paducah Bank. She replaces David Stockton, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2026.
- James Thompson of Louisville is CEO of Autotruck Financial Credit Union. He replaces Karen Harbin, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2026
Appointed Leigh Van Hooser and Darrell Mattingly as members of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. Reappointed Jacob Cruz, Mark Rothel and Regina Watts.
- Leigh Van Hooser of Simpsonville is executive assistant to the Office of the Governor. She replaces Kathy Salazar, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2025.
- Darrell Mattingly of Lexington is a web designer at the University of Kentucky. He replaces Norbert Ryan, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2025.
- Jacob Cruz of Lexington is the custodian at St. Peter Catholic Church and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
- Mark Rothel of Lexington is an advocate for individuals with disabilities and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
- Regina Watts of Covington is the IT manager and activities director at The Point/Arc of Kentucky and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
Appointed Marc Farris as a member of the Personnel Board.
- Marc Farris of Lexington is an attorney at Tachau Meek PLC. He replaces Josh Hicks, who was not confirmed by the Senate, and shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2024.
Appointed Lamont Collins as a member of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission. The Governor has also appointed Betty Dobson as chair.
- Lamont Collins of Louisville is CEO of Roots-101 African American Museum. He replaces Angela Crenshaw, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Nov. 1, 2026.
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