LOUISVILLE, Ky. — The Kentucky Association of Manufacturers (KAM) has elected a vice chairman and five new members to its board of directors.
“KAM’s new vice chair and directors bring a remarkable range of experience, knowledge, and expertise to the overall leadership of our organization,” said KAM President and CEO Frank Jemley. “This group of accomplished business leaders will join the other outstanding members of our board in guiding KAM as we support the continued growth and innovation of Kentucky manufacturing, industry, business, and the economy overall.”
In Georgetown, Kerry Creech, President of Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, has been elected Vice Chair of the KAM board.
As president of Toyota Motor Manufacturing Kentucky (Toyota Kentucky), Creech oversees an $8.5 billion operation employing nearly 9,500 Kentuckians who produce as many as 550,000 vehicles and 600,000 engines annually. Before being named president, he was Toyota Kentucky’s Vice President of Manufacturing, responsible for overall vehicle manufacturing and logistics management at the sprawling facility in Georgetown, which is Toyota’s largest assembly facility in the world.
“Attracting, retaining, and preparing Kentucky’s manufacturing workforce has been a major focus of Toyota, including partnering with local school systems on recognizing and developing clear pathways for students,” Creech said. “As KAM vice chair, I look forward to continuing working with my fellow board members, particularly on ideas, initiatives, and programs to develop Kentucky’s workforce further.”
Newly elected as KAM directors are:
D. Christopher Evans, former Acting Administrator and Chief of Operations for the United States Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the founder and principal consultant of H&S Integrated Solutions in Louisville.
Evans served in numerous roles with the DEA, including as the Special Agent in Charge of the Appalachian Region and Chief of Operations, where he commanded DEA’s global enforcement efforts in 240 domestic offices in 23 divisions throughout the United States and 93 foreign offices in 69 countries. From January to June of 2021, he served as the Acting Administrator of the DEA, leading the agency’s 10,000 employees.
Vijay Kamineni, CEO, Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), Bowling Green, and Chief Innovation & Technology Leader, Logan Aluminum in Russellville.
Kamineni is CEO of the Metals Innovation Initiative (MI2), a Kentucky-focused nonprofit with the mission to bring Kentucky together to make the state the destination for metals innovation. MI2 was formed in 2022 by executives from several leading Kentucky metals companies, with support from the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development and a range of key ecosystem partners. MI2 focuses on innovation projects in talent/workforce, environmental sustainability, branding, and technology.
Kamineni also leads organization-wide transformation activities through process innovation and digital initiatives at Logan Aluminum as Chief Innovation & Technology Leader with the company’s Strategic Business Management Unit.
Clarence Mingo, Vice President, Corporate Affairs & ESG, T. Marzetti Co. T. Marzetti employs more than 1,000 Kentuckians at its flagship manufacturing facility in Horse Cave.
Mingo brings diverse public and private sector experience to the KAM board. He served as the Franklin County, Ohio, Auditor, a commissioner of the Ohio Lottery Commission, and a commissioner of the Supreme Court of Ohio, as well as an attorney in private practice. He is an Army combat veteran of the Persian Gulf War to liberate Kuwait.
“Developing and implementing policy is one of my passions,” Mingo said. “It will be exciting and challenging to work closely with the KAM board on the complex issues facing manufacturers, including developing the next generation of workers and competing in a global and rapidly changing economy.”
Dwight Newton, Corporate Vice President Human Resources/Chief People Officer, Zoeller Company, Louisville.
Newton spent several years working in the Kentucky state government before pursuing a career in manufacturing human resources. Founded in 1939, Zoeller Company is one of North America’s oldest family-owned water pump manufacturers. The company operates international sales offices in Canada, Mexico and Taiwan.
Amy Spiller, Ohio and Kentucky President, Duke Energy, Cincinnati.
As president of Duke Energy’s utility operations in Ohio and Kentucky, which serve approximately 900,000 electric customers and 557,000 natural gas customers, Spiller is accountable for advancing the company’s rate and regulatory initiatives and managing the government relations, community affairs, and stakeholder engagement functions throughout the region.
Spiller said she is pleased to join the KAM board when the organization is taking more interest in energy issues.
