Landon Borders is the Sr. Executive Director of R&D Partnerships, Product Management and Technology Development for UK Innovate. He leads efforts to support industry partnerships and economic development objectives for research and innovation at UK, including in alignment with Kentucky’s priority industries as well as UK’s Research Priority areas. Additionally, he and his team support new technology, process and product development initiatives for UK HealthCare. Landon is also the founding Director of the Estate Whiskey Alliance, a global consortium dedicated to discovering, advancing and promoting the virtues of estate-produced whiskey and Chief Ecosystem Officer of GAME Change, which is building America’s first regional innovation hub for circular manufacturing and supply chain resilience.

For over twenty years, Landon has been a leading innovator of new products and technologies that have made a lasting impact on Kentucky industries. Previously, he was the Director of Product Development at Bullard with responsibility for global patent portfolio, technology development and new product introductions leading multi-discipline design and engineering teams across the globe. Prior to Bullard, Landon worked at Big Ass Fans and Lexmark International where he developed and commercialized internet-connected devices, software solutions and imaging systems in various roles. Landon has served on the Advisory Board for Launch Blue, as Board Director for Thread Group, The Connected Lighting Alliance and JSRDF and is a proud UK graduate with a Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.

Amy has been with Bluegrass Greensource since the beginning. She started at its inception and became Executive Director in 2006. She has a background in environmental education and a degree in Natural Resource Conservation and Management, but spends most of her days on program development and people/money management. Though she misses being in actual contact with the environment, she has come to enjoy managing the great staff and working with our community partners. When not at work, Amy likes to play nature hunter with her two daughters at their home near the Kentucky River Palisades. Contact Amy with questions about Bluegrass Greensource’s administration and program development.

Rachel is our Business Outreach Coordinator. She is a graduate of Tufts University with an M.S. in Sustainable Water Management. Rachel has previously worked within Kentucky communities while receiving her B.S. at Centre College in Danville and completing a summer internship with Kentucky Waterways Alliance in Louisville. A Georgia native, Rachel has recently made her way back to the Bluegrass to pursue a career in the environmental nonprofit sector. In her free time, Rachel enjoys pickleball, hiking, and listening to live music.

Ally Hall is the Solid Waste Coordinator for Franklin County–coordinating residential trash, recycling, and managing the livestock composting facility.

Ally helped write a single-use plastic reduction ordinance for Franklin County, created the “Plastic Free Franklin County” initiative for businesses, and educates her community about the benefits of a variety of sustainable practices.

In her personal life, Ally is an artist, marathon runner, politically engaged, and on the Board of Directors for WalkBike Frankfort, a 501c3 nonprofit–advocating for bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure. She orients her life around the belief that true environmentalism is intersectional and begins with equitable access to resources for all.

As a native Kentuckian, Kevin is passionate about the bourbon industry and improving the lives of Kentuckians. After studying chemical engineering at the University of Kentucky, he earned his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, where his research focused on developing new techniques for understanding how air pollution can affect health. His subsequent postdoctoral research projects in yeast engineering and air quality led him back to Lexington. Kevin now serves the bourbon industry workforce as the Education Coordinator at the James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits, where he works with a variety of industry partners to provide educational opportunities to working professionals in bourbon distilleries and supporting industries. Kevin manages several workforce education programs at the Beam Institute, including the Whiskey Specialist Registered Apprenticeship Program in partnership with Suntory Global Spirits, as well as customized Bourbon Professional Training Workshops and short courses.

Arin Arnold-Davis is the Director of Destination Stewardship and Community Engagement at VisitLEX in Lexington, KY (USA). She leads initiatives in sustainability, accessibility, and social inclusion, working to make Lexington a better place to live and visit. Arin fosters community partnerships, ensuring tourism development benefits residents while promoting an inclusive, environmentally-conscious destination.

Gabrielle Blocher serves as the Chief Executive Officer of Sunflower Fuels, handling day-to-day operations and the strategy for the business. Ms. Blocher holds a Bachelor of Science degree from the U.S. Naval Academy and a Masters of Business Administration in Economics from Columbia Business School. She is an Airborne qualified former Marine Logistics officer. Her professional career has included extensive start-up management and business growth experience. She has served as president of the board of the Mercantile Library of Cincinnati, and she is a partner in multiple real estate investment companies. She solves complex problems with ingenuity and has a passion for building and growing dynamic teams with varying skills.

Nancy is most in her element when analyzing, developing and managing strategic communication programs and counseling top executives. She also thrives on the creative process. Her experience is wide and deep, having provided marketing and public relations counsel and services to businesses for more than 30 years. Nancy has owned and managed marketing firms since 2000, working with a wide range of businesses and institutions. Degrees include a master’s degree in communication from the University of Kentucky and an undergraduate degree from Eastern Kentucky University. Nancy has served on numerous community boards and is currently a member of the Lexington Center Corporation Board of Directors.

Serenity Wright, Ed.D., is a passionate leader driving economic development through transformational change initiatives rooted in social innovation, expanding entrepreneurial access and opportunity, and fostering creativity by building integrated systems that connect research, business, and policy. She currently leads the Translating Research through Universal Solutions Together (TRUST) Hub, serving as the Senior Executive Director for Innovation, Community Health, and Societal Impact at UK Innovate within the University of Kentucky (LinkedIn), where she develops and manages new innovation and entrepreneurship programs.

Dr. Wright earned her doctorate from the University of Kentucky in policy, measurement, and evaluation. Her research interests focus on expanding access to opportunities, and she employs a hard science approach through a lens of cultural competency for her theoretical orientation. Her career spans teaching high school for eight years, serving as Associate Dean for Diversity and International Students Services at Transylvania University, working in city government, and serving in the Dean’s Cabinet for the Gatton College of Business and Economics. She has managed a leadership and business development consultancy across the country for the last 10 years.

She has served on mayoral commissions and volunteers her expertise to community and startup boards across Kentucky, providing strategic insight and guidance for business growth and development.

Kelly Hieronymus is the Marketing & Creative Director and a managing leader at West Sixth Brewing, proudly working for the company since 2012. Throughout her time there, Kelly has stretched across many areas of the business, from bartending to event planning, all while building a completely in-house marketing program at West Sixth. Kelly is currently the Secretary for the Kentucky Guild of Brewers, and does freelance photography, design & creative consulting. Born and raised in Kentucky, you can find her drinking West Sixth IPA in the kitchen, after a bike ride, and outdoors with friends.

As a career employee of the Energy and Environment Cabinet, Paulette Akers has worked in the Department of Natural Resources and the Department for Environmental Protection for more than twenty years. Currently, Paulette serves as the Gulf Hypoxia Program Engagement Coordinator in the Division of Water and works to support activities occurring in nutrient priority watersheds and develop new tools and partnerships to support nutrient reduction in those areas and across the Commonwealth. She works specifically in areas such as wastewater treatment plant nutrient optimization, agriculture and with partners in Tennessee. Previously, she served 5 years as the Director of the Division of Conservation and 2 years as the Director of the Division of Compliance Assistance. Her early career was with the Division of Water in the Water Quality and Watershed Management Branches. Paulette is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University where she earned a BS degree in Biology and an MS degree in Applied Ecology. Paulette lives in Woodford County with her husband and dog Grizzle. They have two adult kids.

Brian Berry is the Sustainability and Diversion Specialist for Rumpke’s Bluegrass Region, helping businesses in Northern, Central and Eastern Kentucky achieve their waste reduction goals.

Brian joined Rumpke in March 2021 and has helped hundreds of businesses throughout the Bluegrass start and grow their recycling programs.

Brian has been involved in the development of the Kentucky Recycling Coalition and remains an active member of the organization.

A University of Kentucky graduate, Brian holds degrees in Finance and Marketing. He is proud to call Lexington, Ky., home. A nature lover, he enjoys spending his free time outside fishing and golfing.

Carrie has worked with the Mountain Association’s Energy Program since 2017. In that time, the Energy Team has helped hundreds of businesses, governments and nonprofits across the region lower their energy bills through energy efficiency and renewable energy. In addition to directing the work of the energy team, Carrie seeks out new program opportunities, grants, and partnerships to help advance clean energy in Eastern Kentucky, works directly with clients, and wrangles spreadsheets. Carrie is also the co-chair for the Central Appalachian Network Energy Working Group She holds a Master’s Degree in International Public Affairs from the University of Wisconsin at Madison.

Alice cares deeply about streets as shared public spaces! A founding member of Living Streets Lexington, a new advocacy and community-building organization dedicated to co-creating safe, vibrant, welcoming streets, Alice enjoys walking, being outside, and riding her bike, especially alongside other people.

Jeffery Nazarko, VP of Sales, Marketing & Business Development. Mr. Nazarko is responsible for the oversight and management of all sales and marketing processes at Solar Energy Solutions. Mr. Nazarko started his career in the power conversion business working to develop and market the first generation of grid-tied energy storage system and renewable integration. After that, Mr. Nazarko worked for a world class manufacturer of highly engineered, precision electrical steel products used in energy conversion systems. As Global Marketing Director he collaborated with clients to develop innovative technologies for commercial, Industrial, and electric propulsion systems with a focus on efficiency improvements to reduce energy consumption.