Home » 5 new field representatives appointed to the Dept. of Rural and Municipal Aid

5 new field representatives appointed to the Dept. of Rural and Municipal Aid

FRANKFORT, Ky. (Nov. 10, 2016) –  Five field representatives have been appointed to the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet Secretary Greg Thomas announced.

Mark Welch, of Murray; Adam Rumohr, of Louisville; Scott Williamson, of Corbin; Shelby Peel, of Georgetown; and Gary Reece, of London, will perform a variety of services as liaisons to the Commissioner of Rural and Municipal Aid, the Transportation Cabinet, various agencies and local communities.

Field representatives work concurrently with Gov. Matt Bevin and Secretary Thomas for the advancement of Kentucky, assisting with issues concerning roads, community projects, and other situations requiring government assistance. Additionally, field representatives coordinate with local and state officials to respond to inquiries from constituents across the Commonwealth.

“With their wealth of knowledge, these new field representatives will be an asset for our Cabinet,” said Secretary Thomas. “Local communities and constituents will benefit from their passion of serving the people of the Commonwealth. I welcome them to their new roles and look forward to working with them as we move Kentucky forward.”

Mark Welch was appointed field representative for 30 counties in western Kentucky. He comes to the Transportation Cabinet with an extensive background in media and community relations, having spent over 25 years as a public radio announcer, producer and programmer. He also served as director of community relations in the Office of the President at Murray State University where he coordinated Murray State University’s Town & Gown Partnership. Later, he served as director of alumni relations. Welch was raised in Fulton and now lives with his wife, Karen, in Murray. He is an ordained minister and co-pastors New Life Church in Murray.

Adam Rumohr was appointed field representative for areas in northern and southern Kentucky along I-75 and I-65. Rumohr graduated magna cum laude from Western Kentucky University, having earned his bachelor’s degree in three years. Rumohr began his career in Congressman Brett Guthrie’s D.C. office assisting with constituent services, communications and policy. With a strong desire to come back to the Commonwealth, Rumohr managed a number of statewide and local campaigns before returning to public service. Rumohr lives in Louisville and looks forward to continuing to give back to the Commonwealth through serving the people of Kentucky.

Scott Williamson was appointed field representative for central and eastern Kentucky. After graduating from Corbin High School, Williamson attended Eastern Kentucky University and completed his education at Union College. Williamson taught high school for two years in the Harlan County and Corbin Independent school systems. Before becoming a teacher, he had a 28-year career in the pharmaceutical industry with Roche Pharmaceuticals and Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceuticals. Elected mayor of Corbin, he served three terms. He was also appointed by Governor Patton to the Kentucky Community Service Commission and appointed by Governor Fletcher as an executive director in the Healthcare and Transportation Cabinets. He is married to Susan Bacquet Williamson, and they have five children and seven grandchildren.

Shelby Peel has served the Commonwealth and the Transportation Cabinet for over ten years. She began her career as a summer intern while attending Morehead State University in 2006. In her time with the Cabinet, Peel has served a variety of offices, including the Office of Inspector General, the Office for Civil Rights and Small Business Development and most recently as the executive office manager for the Department for Rural and Municipal Aid. She is also co-chair of the Kentucky Employees Charitable Campaign. Peel and her husband, Ben, reside in Georgetown. They have dedicated their lives to serving their communities—Ben, a local firefighter, and Shelby, a board member and director of communications for the Georgetown Community Theatre and Georgetown Children’s Theatre. Peel is excited and humbled to continue her career in service to make a positive impact for her fellow constituents and citizens across the Commonwealth.

Gary Reece was appointed Commissioner of the Department of Rural and Municipal Aid. Reece began his career as a right of way agent for the Transportation Cabinet’s Department of Highways District 11 office in Manchester. Reece left the Cabinet in 1972 to pursue a career in the energy and coal industry. After a successful 33-year career in the private industry, Reece returned to KYTC by serving in the Office of Rural Secondary Roads from 2004 to 2006. In 2006, Reece was appointed the director of legislative affairs and served as a policy advisor to the Office of the Secretary in 2007. Reece earned his bachelor’s degree in business administration from Eastern Kentucky University. He is originally from Jackson County and currently lives in London with his wife, Linda. They have three children and five grandchildren.