KRC's BOARD of DIRECTORS

upcoming meeting

The next meeting of the KRC Board of Directors is Monday, October 12, at 11:00am.

Joe Childers, Chairman

Joe Childers, Chair of the Board of Directors for KRC, graduated from the University of Kentucky College of Law and has over 30 years of legal experience with specialties in environmental, mineral, and civil rights litigation. He has been successful in winning some of Kentucky’s most notable cases, including unmined mineral taxation, the notorious "broad form" mineral deed, and surface owner’s rights against natural gas companies. He currently lives in Lexington with his wife and two children.

Joe serves on the Litigation and Financial Sub-Committees.

Betsy Bennett

Born in Louisville, Alison Brotzge-Elder is happy to found herself back in her hometown and on the Board of KRC. She currently is a Social Media Lead at Humana and has extensive experience in both public relations and journalism. She spent six years as a producer for The Weather Channel where she witnessed first-hand the power of Mother Nature on countless occasions. Alison is a graduate of Boston University. She and her husband are avid gardeners. They have won multiple Kentucky State Fair ribbons for their produce. They live in Louisville with their two children, dog and cat.

Betsy serves as the chair of the Litigation and the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institiute Sub-Committees.

Alison Brotzge-Elder

"I am passionate about protecting and enhancing the environment of my home state. After spending years covering climate change for The Weather Channel, I returned to Kentucky and decided to get involved in broader work to bring economic justice to my fellow Kentuckians. For too long, the people of our Commonwealth have born the brunt of environmental and economic exploitation. KRC is on the frontline, fighting for the people directly impacted by that exploitation and standing up to protect our natural resources. I am proud to be a part of the Board and get involved in their work."

Alison serves on the Development Sub-Committee

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Sarah Lynn Cunningham

Sarah Lynn Cunningham is a professional environmental engineer and environmental educator who graduated from the University of Louisville with degrees in environmental engineering, environmental history, and environmental education. She has worked with the Louisville and Jefferson County Metropolitan Sewer District, Jefferson County Board of Health, and Kentucky Division of Water. She was co-founder of the Louisville Climate Action Network in 2007, where she serves as its part-time Director. Sarah Lynn is also a Board member of the Kentucky Conservation Committee.

Sarah Lynn serves on the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute Sub-Committee.

Madison Carter

Originally from Louisville Kentucky, Madison studied political science at the University of Louisville, before attending Northern Kentucky University and obtaining a Master's in Public Administration. During his graduate studies, he worked three seasons with the National Park Service in Ohio, North Dakota, and Washington. During this time Madison's passion for the natural world and environmental justice grew. Now, Madison seeks to serve his home state in endeavors to advocate for those downhill, downwind, and downstream.

"I want to join the KRC Board in order to help protect and preserve Kentucky's Natural Resources for generations to come."

Madison serves on the Development Sub-Committee.

Dr. Larry Cook

Dr Larry Cook is a physician educator. He attended the University of Louisville for both undergraduate and medical school. He completed training as a pediatrician and neonatologist and joined the faculty of the UL School of Medicine in 1974 and still serve as Professor of Pediatrics. He has served as Chief of the Division of Neonatology, Chairman of the Department of Pediatrics and Chief of Staff at The Children’s Hospital as well as Vice-President for Health Affairs. He was instrumental in the formation of Passport Health Plan and University of Louisville Physicians. Larry is married to Christine Cook, an obstetrician-gynecologist also on the faculty at UL. Together, they have three children -- Kirk, Brian and Amelia and four granddaughters.

"I joined the board to do what I can to save our environment."

Larry serves on the Development and Finance sub-committees.

Arnita Gadson

Arnita Gadson is a steward for those with environmental concerns as she is the executive director of the Environmental Quality Commission in Louisville. She has managed Louisville’s air pollution by securing funding that established a state-of-the-art laboratory at the University of Louisville to measure air toxins. Her achievements prevent human suffering and contribute to the Louisville economy by protecting the health of each citizen.

Arnita serves on the Chair of the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute Sub-Committee.

Jim Hays

Jim is an alumni of Sue Bennett College and Cumberland College, with a degree in aquatic biology. Jim is dedicated to serving the Commonwealth and appreciates the importance of stewardship.

Jim serves on the Development Sub-Committee.

Dr. Lauren Heberle

Dr. Lauren C. Heberle is the Director of the Center for Environmental Policy and Management and Associate Professor of Sociology. Dr. Heberle is also the lead investigator for the Community Engagement Core of the UofL Superfund Research Center. She teaches environmental and social policy courses and urban sociology. Her expertise is in community participation in environmental decision making. Her areas of research include urban redevelopment, environmental policy, environmental justice, community engagement, and sustainable development. Dr. Heberle has a PhD in Sociology from Rutgers University and a BA in Public Policy from the University of Chicago. She grew up in Richmond and Louisville, KY.

"I want to learn more about state-wide environmental issues and offer up my expertise in community engagement in environmental decision making."

Adam Johnson

Originally from Ashland, Kentucky, Adam studied at Centre College in Danville, Kentucky and graduated in 2017. Before attending the University of Louisville Brandeis School of Law. Adam has worked for the LRC and KCARD during his time as a student. Currently, Adam is a litigation associate at Jenkins Fenstermaker in Huntington, West Virginia, and is excited to be able to contribute to the continued success of KRC's mission.

"I joined the board to have the ability to help a non-profit, which focuses on the environment, succeed. KRC has great and inspiring staff, and I hope to be able to make it easier for them to focus on the issues and less on the management of KRC."

Adam serves on the Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute Sub-Committee.

Roger Shott

After growing up in Washington D.C., Roger Shott attended the University of Virginia Medical School and graduated in 1964. He completed his residency in pediatrics and neonatology, then continued on to serve in the US Military Medical Corp where he cared for dependent children of Vietnam soldiers from 1967-1969. While continuing his practice of neonatology, Roger became a professor of nurseries at the University of Louisville Hospitals and Director of pediatric education for UL medical students for 20 years. After retiring in 2002, Roger Shott became a board member of KRC and the Nature Conservancy. He currently lives in Louisville with his wife and has two sons, Brian and Eric.

Roger serves on the Development and Financial Sub-Committees.

Hannah Weinstein

Hannah Weinstein is a market researcher and aspiring environmental educator. After spending her childhood in Rhode Island, Hannah decided to attend Centre College. After graduating in 2018, she now works for Unified Trust Company, located in Lexington. During her time with Unified Trust Company, Hannah has helped in driving the strategic and tactical decisions around sales and marketing. She hopes to apply her experiences and knowledge with KRC.

" I wanted to join KRC so that I would have the outlet to inspire generations to come to deeply care and protect the environment, just as those who have came before have done for me."

Hannah serves on the Development and Financial Sub-Committee.

INFORMATION

If you are interested in learning more about the KRC Board of Directors or one of its sub-committes, please contact Amy Carpenter, Office Manager, at amy@kyrc.org.

Current sub-committees are:

Development
Finance
Kentucky Environmental Leadership Institute
Litigation

The Kentucky Resources Council is a non-profit, 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to the conservation and prudent use of Kentucky’s natural resources. Since 1984, we have dedicated ourselves to protecting Kentucky’s land, air, water, and communities.

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