Patton Leadership Holds Eighth Session in Letcher County

PIKEVILLE, KY (May 8, 2024) – The Southeast Kentucky Chamber’s Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its eighth session in Letcher County on Thursday, May 2, 2024. The cohort visits a different county each session. PLI will hold its final session in Lawrence County on June 6, 2024.

The PLI class of 2024 met at Pine Mountain Grill in Whitesburg, which was organized by Whitney Justice, marketing director for double kwik and secretary on the Chamber’s Board of Directors. The day began with a presentation from Missy Matthews, Chair of Letcher County Tourism Commission as well as the founder of the East Kentucky Heritage Foundation. She spoke on the work they are doing to promote tourism in Letcher County.  The group then heard from Jeffery Justice, executive director of Pine Mountain Partnership and a 2014 PLI graduate, who spoke on economic development and how to entice businesses to establish themselves in the county. The last speaker of the day was Valerie Horn, director of Cowan Community Center, who gave a presentation about their different programs and how Grow Appalachia finds ways to reduce food insecurity in Letcher County.

Lunch was generously provided by Pine Mountain Grill, and after lunch, the cohort travelled to Kentucky Mist Distillery where they received a tour of the facilities and a tasting of a selection of their moonshines and spirits.  The group was then led on a walking tour of Downtown Whitesburg where they learned about the history and architecture of the city and were able to meet with local artist Lacy Hale, followed by a tour of City Hall with Mayor Tiffany Craft, and Judge/Executive Terry Adams. The walking tour was guided by Lee Adams, Letcher County Tourism Director and PLI class of 2024 participant Emily Baker Hall, executive assistant for double kwik.

“Whitesburg has always been home to me. It is the one thing that was always a constant,” said Emily Baker Hall. “We are invested in Letcher County and determined to help make it a place that people don’t feel they need to leave. It is because of programs like PLI that people can come to this realization and learn about all the things that towns of Eastern Kentucky have to offer. I have seen the pride that my fellow PLI participants have in their areas and I’m proud to share that same pride for my hometown. It was a pleasure to have PLI visit and learn about our community.”

Patton Leadership Institute is a leadership development program of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce. PLI is made up of leaders from across the Chamber’s eight-county region. Participants attend nine sessions over a nine-month period, and the curriculum weaves together topics crucial to the development of community such as education, economic development, healthcare, energy, tourism, and government. Leadership skills are integrated into each session.

For more information about the Chamber or PLI visit them online at www.sekchamber.com or call 606.432.5504.

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce is located at 178 College Street in Pikeville and serves more than 500 businesses in eight Eastern Kentucky Counties: Floyd, Johnson, Knott, Lawrence, Letcher, Magoffin, Martin, and Pike. The Chamber’s mission is to serve the businesses of Southeastern Kentucky through a commitment to networking, advocacy, education, and collaboration as we partner together to enhance the business climate in our region.
 

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