Home » 300 Kentucky business leaders set for 2014 Leadership Expedition to Charlotte, June 1-3

300 Kentucky business leaders set for 2014 Leadership Expedition to Charlotte, June 1-3

LEXINGTON, Ky. (May 30, 2014) – More than 300 business and community leaders from Kentucky’s largest cities – Louisville and Lexington – leave on Sunday to study best practices that can be used to build on the collaboration between the two cities and strengthen the region. The 2014 Leadership Expedition will travel to Charlotte, N.C., to explore how this regional leader in job creation, entrepreneurial activity and workforce development has leveraged its assets to create a high quality of place and become known as one of the most vibrant cities in the nation. The trip gives attendees the opportunity to meet with Charlotte’s top executives and civic leaders to learn about its successes in driving economic growth in key business sectors, education and business community collaboration, workforce development and downtown redevelopment.

“Collaboration is essential to competitiveness in today’s global economy, and Charlotte is a regional leader in this arena,” said Stephan Gault, President, Stephen C. Gault Co. and 2014 Expedition co-chair. “This trip will serve as a catalyst for greater coordination and innovation between two of Kentucky’s most energized communities and help position us for future success.”

Trip highlights include sessions with Charles Bowman, Market President-North Carolina, Bank of America; a talent attraction and retention panel with Jim Boylan, VP of Human Resources, MetLife and Kevin Holland, Chief People Officer, Chiquita Brands International; Louisville Mayor Greg Fischer and Lexington Mayor Jim Gray; and Mark Pringle, Vice President, Siemens Charlotte Energy Hub with Mary Vickers-Koch, Dean, Central Piedmont Community College to discuss innovative education and business collaboration initiatives. The trip will wrap up with a look at trends and insights with Mark Beattle, Principal, Hickey & Associates, LLC.

“Our steering committee has assembled an exciting agenda that allows us to learn from Charlotte’s recent successes and gain insight into the challenges,” said Ken Sagan, Chairman, Stites & Harbison PLLC and 2014 Expedition co-chair. “From regionalism and key economic drivers to talent, workforce development and business collaboration, there are many similarities between our communities and an abundance of learning opportunities.”

The 2014 Leadership Expedition to Charlotte is co-presented by CHASE / J.P. Morgan and LG&E/KU.