Receiving Forward in the Fifth’s 2012 Appalachian Leaders in Education (AppLE) Awards for going “above and beyond” in their efforts to support education were Kelly Bell, principal at Metcalfe County High School; Rob Lester, pharmacist/proprietor of Pike County; parent volunteer Michelle Combs of Perry County; and Estill County student Abbey Alexandra Witt.

The awards were presented May 21 at Education Leadership Day at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

Forward in the Fifth, a nonprofit organization dedicated to reversing low educational attainment levels in the region, also presented U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) with the 2012 AppLE Visionary Award in recognition of his creation in 1986 of the organization, also an affiliate of The Center for Rural Development.

“Educators who lead with purpose and look beyond the horizon are making a difference in the lives of our students and ultimately impacting our communities,” Congressman Rogers said. “I commend all of the 2012 AppLE award winners, who are leaders with purpose.”

“The contribution of this year’s AppLE Award winners illustrates the passion and dedication each has for raising the educational bar across the region. We are honored to recognize each person’s accomplishments to further demonstrate the value of education. Our future award recipients have big shoes to fill in the years to come.”
Forward in the Fifth executive director Jim Tackett

Brief descriptions of the 2012 AppLE Award winners and their efforts to support education in their communities and the region are as follows:

Educator Award—Kelly Bell (principal at Metcalfe County High School)
When Bell was hired as school principal, Metcalfe County High School was listed as one of the “Ten Worst Schools in Kentucky,” according to the federal “No Child Left Behind” guidelines.

She decided to change that designation. During her tenure, she has worked tirelessly to improve students’ confidence in themselves, their school, and their community. Under Bell’s leadership, student ACT and graduation rates have risen upward. She has involved the community in the revitalization of the school by inviting community leaders to visit the school, have lunch with the students, and learn what they can do to support education in their home community.

Community Leader Award—Rob Lester (pharmacist/proprietor) of Pike County
Lester received his education in Pike County and sought to give back to the community. He formed a partnership with the University of Pikeville to establish a dual credit program, so that deserving students could get a jumpstart on their post-secondary education. He remains active in speaking with students about the value of education and establishing programs that will academically benefit students of Pike County.

Parent Award—Michelle Combs of Perry County
Combs is involved in volunteer and fundraising efforts in the Hazard Independent School System.  As assistant coach of the middle and high school speech teams, she encourages her students to become involved. She also serves as a volunteer for the Hazard/Perry County Soccer Leagues and coordinates numerous other volunteers on a weekly basis to ensure the smooth transition of the extra-curricular activities. Her individual sacrifices are often over-shadowed by the accomplishments of the young people she is assisting.

Student Award—Abbey Alexandra Witt of Estill County
Witt is involved in Career and Technical Education at Estill County High School. As president of Kentucky’s chapter of Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA), she has traveled across the state informing students about the importance Career and Technical Education can have on her peers as well as local communities. In February, Witt testified before Kentucky’s House and Senate Committees on the difference such programs have made in her life.

Also during Education Leadership Day at The Center, Congressman Rogers presented his Fifth Congressional District “Difference Maker Award” to retired NCAA and NBA basketball coach Lee Rose and his wife, Eleanor, for their volunteer support to motivate students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky to stay in school and plan careers.

“It is an honor to recognize the tireless efforts of Coach Lee Rose and his wife, Eleanor, for volunteering their time to tour our rural region and reach out to thousands of students about the importance of getting a high school diploma and dreaming big,” he said. “They are difference makers, along with all of the educators in our region who realize our region’s future begins in the classroom.”

From 2004 to 2009, Coach Rose partnered with Forward in the Fifth to travel throughout each of the 42 counties in the organization’s service area to share the emotional story of his journey from his childhood in Estill County to becoming a successful basketball coach. Rose coached many of basketball’s greatest players during his 50-year career, including the legendary Michael Jordan, former University of Kentucky (UK) Wildcat All-American Tony Delk, and former Boston Celtics forward Cedric “Cornbread” Maxwell.

During these five years of work with Forward in the Fifth, Rose delivered his presentation to 11,000 middle and high school students in the region.

In addition to the AppLE Award presentations, representatives from Clay County Schools, Wayne County and Monticello Independent Schools, and Jenkins Independent School in Letcher County led a series of breakout sessions on the impact grant funding from Forward in the Fifth’s Local Educational Affiliate Program (LEAP) has had in tackling educational issues in their areas.

Somerset businessman Chuck Coldiron, who organized the successful “Read Pulaski County” literacy event at The Center the last two years, also delivered a presentation on the success of that endeavor. At each event, nearly 1,000 Pulaski County fourth graders have enjoyed a free pizza lunch and children’s book, and had the opportunity to hear Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear speak about the importance of reading.

“Our Local Educational Affiliate Program (LEAP) is a very practical way people can get involved in improving their community’s education process,” Tackett said. “This program has a long history of creating long-lasting change. We have no doubt that these communities will grow and sustain their efforts serving future generations.”

Since 2011, Forward in the Fifth has presented more than $13,000 to nine counties, including area schools or college systems, to establish a LEAP affiliate in their home communities and address an educational issue relevant to students in the region.

For more information about the AppLE Awards or LEAP grant program, contact Jim Tackett, executive director of Forward in the Fifth, at 606-677-6000, email fif@centertech.com, or visit www.fif.org.

The Center received the awards May 18 at the KAGC Spring Conference and Awards of Excellence held at the Administrative Office of the Courts facility in Frankfort, Ky.

The Center received three First Place “Awards of Excellence,” including wins in the Special Events Category for The Center’s 15^th Anniversary Celebration; Brochure Category for its Cloud Virtual Servers brochure; and Publications Category for The Center’s 2010-2011 annual report.

The Center received three Second Place “Awards of Merit,” including the Newsletter Category for the February 2011 National Symphony Orchestra issue of “The Center Insider” 3D virtual monthly newsletter; Web-Based Media Category for the redesigned www.centertech.com; and News Writing Category for a report on how The Center’s Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center’s Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute helped connect a struggling Louisiana police department with critical law enforcement equipment from other departments.

The organization also received two Honorable Mention awards, including in the Image Campaign Category for its photo series on The Wall That Heals traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial’s stay at The Center; and Feature Writing Category for a report on Letcher County’s ARC grant-funded tourism development success and mobile phone tour.

In only its second year of competing in the contest, The Center’s Marketing and Public Relations Department also earned Third Place “Office of the Year” honors based on the total number of awards won in the contest.

In announcing the Office of the Year winners, 2012 KAGC President Anya Armes Weber said, “There are a lot of good things coming out of this Center, and what you’ve heard here today (about their awards) certainly shows that.”

Public relations and marketing departments from Kentucky government and state agencies submitted a record total of more than 100 entries in the contest this year. All entries centered around materials created and/or published in 2011, and were judged by public relations, marketing, and journalism professionals across Kentucky.

“We do what we do because we want the citizens we serve in the region, state, and nation to remain informed about and engaged with the life-changing programs and services The Center can offer them.

“But earning such recognition among your peers at all levels of state government—people who also apply their proven public relations, marketing, and communications skills in similar ways to achieve similar goals—helps remind us that our efforts are continuing to hit the mark.”
Michael Cornett, The Center’s director of marketing and public relations

 

Receiving recognition with the KAGC awards were Cornett, Communications Specialist Sharon Dodson, Web Developers Wes Brown and Gretchen Wheeler, and Graphic Designers Trish Noe and Kendol Mason.

The Kentucky Association of Government Communication (KAGC) has recognized professional excellence in written and broadcast communications materials and campaigns by public agencies through this competition for the last 22 years.

For more information on The Center, visit us online at www.centertech.com.

At the inaugural 2012 Somernites Cruise weekend April 25 and 26, the thousands of muscle car enthusiasts packed into downtown Somerset, Ky. might not have seen the small, white helicopter-like aircraft quietly patrolling the skies above them.

But Lt. Shannon Smith of the Somerset Police Department certainly saw them—from the pilot’s seat of the two-seat Magni M24 Orion Gyroplane.

From that vantage point, Smith spotted reckless drivers and helped officers below in patrol cars locate those drivers without having to pursue them at high speeds.

“It really increases the safety of the officers, the suspects, and the public,” Smith said of the aircraft’s capabilities displayed during this first mission. “We consider it a success.”

And they are just getting started.

Thanks to a national law enforcement program operated by The Center for Rural Development, the Somerset Police Department has become the first law enforcement agency in America to test and evaluate the Italian-made gyroplane, and only the second U.S. law enforcement agency to use this style of aircraft for police operations.

Through an agreement with the Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center (SRTB-RC)—a component of the National Institute of Justice’s National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center (NLECTC) system—the Somerset Police Department has the gyroplane at its disposal at no cost until the end of July for police activities.

Following the testing and evaluation period, the department can choose whether it will fund the aircraft and continue aviation operations.

Activities to be undertaken with the gyroplane during the testing and evaluation period include traffic enforcement, search and rescue, traffic flow monitoring during special events, aerial photography, and counter-drug operations.

Because of the gyroplane, a city the size of Somerset with just over 11,000 residents now has capabilities primarily available in larger, more metropolitan cities, according to Acting Somerset Police Chief Major Doug Nelson.

“This partnership between the U.S. Department of Justice, The Center for Rural Development, the Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center, and the Somerset Police Department gives us the ability to see how an aviation program will work for us.”
Acting Somerset Police Chief Doug Nelson

Smith, who has 12 years of aviation experience and 1,950 hours of flight time in 20 different types of aircraft, will fly the gyroplane to help protect Somerset’s critical infrastructure from natural or manmade hazards.

This includes the city’s water plant that provides drinking water to 100,000 customers daily, and its 135-mile natural gas pipeline that serves six counties in Southeastern and Central Kentucky.

“The Somerset Police Department is responsible for protecting the City of Somerset and its infrastructure,” Nelson said. “The rough Eastern Kentucky terrain makes inspection and protection of our natural gas pipeline difficult without an aircraft.”

Though similar in appearance to a helicopter, a gyroplane does not have a powered rotor. It instead uses a free-spinning rotor to generate lift, called autorotation.

The rotor is kept spinning by wind forces, and the thrust from the gyroplane’s engine and propeller allows it to take off and land on a runway like a traditional airplane.

Once airborne, it can reach speeds of up to 100 MPH. It can also appear to hover with slow to no forward speed while slowly descending.

The experimental aircraft is not a replacement for all helicopter missions due to the inability to take off and land vertically and weight restrictions on what it can carry.

However, for the missions it can perform, a gyroplane is very cost effective. A traditional police helicopter costs anywhere from $500,000 to $4 million fully equipped, and operational costs can average over $1,000 per hour.

In contrast, the Magni gyroplane costs about $110,000 and about $40 an hour to operate using regular gas just like a car. Those costs are less than purchasing and operating three fully equipped patrol cars.

“It didn’t take long for us to realize the advantage gyroplanes give law enforcement agencies that don’t have large budgets,” Nelson said. “Their low purchase price and low cost per hour makes them ideal for any public safety agency.”

The aircraft is part of the Law Enforcement Aviation Technology program, an arm of the U.S. Department of Justice’s National Institute of Justice. The aviation program is administered nationally by SRTB-RC through The Center in Somerset.

The Somerset Police Department is the latest partner in the aviation technology program, which has stationed 17 light-sport aircraft with law enforcement agencies across the nation for testing and evaluation purposes in police operations.

Even though it is a national program, SRTB-RC remains committed to serving law enforcement agencies in The Center’s 42-county primary service area in Southern and Eastern Kentucky, according to SRTB-RC Executive Director Dave Mather.

The new partnership with the Somerset Police Department and the Magni gyroplane exemplifies this commitment, Mather said.

“Our program provides technology support to small and rural law enforcement across the United States, but this program was perfectly suited for the Somerset Police Department,” Mather said.

“We had the right conditions, right aircraft, and an experienced pilot in Lieutenant Smith to be able to conduct meaningful research into the use of the gyroplane in support of law enforcement,” Mather said. “I’m thrilled this combination was right here in Somerset.”

Smith agreed.

“Without (SRTB-RC) being in our backyard, this situation probably wouldn’t have happened,” Smith said. “We were at the right place at the right time.”

“The safety of our residents and those we serve outside our city limits is a top priority,” Nelson added. “We are thankful for this partnership, and are proud to have a modern, safe, and efficient aircraft to serve our community and its resources.”

Funded through a cooperative agreement between the U.S. Department of Justice, Office of Justice Programs, National Institute for Justice, National Law Enforcement and Corrections Technology Center, and The Center for Rural Development, SRTB-RC serves as an honest broker providing responsive solutions and practical benefits to small and rural law enforcement agencies and acting as a one-stop-shop for free technical assistance and access to other NIJ Centers for nearly 17,000 small, rural, tribal, and border agencies across the nation through innovative, collaborative cooperation.

For more information on SRTB-RC and its programs, contact Executive Director Dave Mather at 606-677-6000, or visit www.srtbrc.org.

Rogers Scholars—The Center’s flagship youth program—is an intensive one-week summer session that brings together some of the best and brightest students from within The Center’s 42-county primary service area to develop critical leadership skills as the region’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

“The Center believes in giving young people in our region a chance to receive leadership and scholarship opportunities so they can seize their potential and become effective, skilled leaders,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. “It is our goal that many of these students will return to Southern and Eastern Kentucky to build their careers and transform this region for years to come.”

Now in its 15^th year, Rogers Scholars was built on a mission started by U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) that “no young person should have to leave home to find his or her future.”

“The program emphasizes the development of technological skills and builds in participants a sense of leadership, an entrepreneurial spirit, and a commitment to rural Kentucky. We  are looking forward to meeting the 2012 Class of Rogers Scholars and working with each participant to develop his or her leadership skills.”
Delaney Stephens, youth programs coordinator and community liaison

The first group of Scholars will be at The Center June 24-29 for the opening week session. The final summer session is planned for July 8-13.

During the program, Scholars will meet and hear presentations from some of the region’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs; complete a community service project; and receive professional, hands-on instruction from leading experts in one of three top in-demand careers: healthcare, engineering, and video production.

Most of the activities take place on the grounds of The Center in Somerset and other sites in the Lake Cumberland region.

The Center is proud to announce the following high school students in Southern and Eastern Kentucky have been named 2012 Rogers Scholars:

• Elizabeth McGaha—Adair County
• Patrick Toy—Bath County
• Kelly Brown and Jacob Schneider—Bell County
• Courtney Hamblin—Breathitt County
• Allison Clark—Casey County
• Teddy Woods—Clay County
• Jacob Williams and Lamon Hubbs—Clinton County
• Monica Poindexter—Cumberland County
• Michael Witt and Kayla Wolpert—Estill County
• Joslyn Isaac—Floyd County
• Anna Leigh Morrow—Garrard County
• Kelsay Scott, Brianna Scott, and Madeira Curry—Green County
• Haley Cook—Harlan County
• Sarah Gabbard—Jackson County
• Luke Landis—Jessamine County
• Katherine Wells and Matt Barber—Johnson County
• Channing Everidge—Knott County
• Alexander Phipps and Jessica Pope—Knox County
• Scotty Reams—Laurel County
• Brock Finley—Lawrence County
• Ja Cinda Warner—Lee County
• Savannah Sizemore—Leslie County
• Cody Baker—Letcher County
• Morgan Cooper—Lincoln County
• Kourtney Salyer—Magoffin County
• Cassady James and Elizabeth Ward—Martin County
• Brooklyne Chitwood—McCreary County
• Jacob Valerio—Menifee County
• Mandi Rigsby—Metcalfe County
• Mary Madison Lyons—Monroe County
• Chase Turner—Morgan County
• Olivia Bryant—Owsley County
• Mariah Tiller—Perry County
• Courtney Wright—Pike County
• Katherine Stockham, Katherine Citak, Caroline Parker, Rebecca Dunmore, Madison Hatfield, Brittany Pittman, Bethany Cox, Lexie Parks, Ashley Johnson, Shelby Harville, Cameron Cheuvront, and Blake Morris—Pulaski County
• Rebekah Ponder and Madisan Miller—Rockcastle County
• Yulia Perevozchikova—Rowan County
• McKinzie Henson and Madisan Allen—Russell County
• Caleb Wigginton and Taylor Agathen—Taylor County
• Cheyenne Chaney and Daniel Bertram—Wayne County
• Kori Sears and Cai Jackson—Whitley County
• Colby Creech—Wolfe County

Since 1998, approximately 806 high school students have graduated from Rogers Scholars. College scholarships valued at more than $7.5 million are available to program graduates.

Education Leadership Day, to be held at The Center in Somerset, will feature the announcement of the winners of the 2012 Appalachian Leaders in Education (AppLE) Awards, according to Jim Tackett, executive director of Forward in the Fifth.

Set to begin at 10 a.m., the event will honor the work that educators, community leaders, parents, and students are doing across the region to further education.

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05)—the visionary behind the creation of Forward in the Fifth—is scheduled to make a special guest appearance at the event and share in the achievements of the AppLE recipients.

“Forward in the Fifth is excited to recognize the commitment and dedication of individuals across our region in our first round of AppLE Awards. Each nominee’s actions demonstrate a strong passion for improving education and their actions are to be commended.”
Jim Tackett, executive director of Forward in the Fifth

AppLE Awards will be presented to recipients in each of the four award categories of educator, community leader, student/student group, and parent/parent group.

Forward in the Fifth accepted nominations from within its 42-county primary service area of Southern and Eastern Kentucky and selected award recipients based on their work in helping to advance education in the region.

In addition to the AppLE award presentations, representatives from each of the nine area school or college systems participating in Forward in the Fifth’s Local Educational Affiliate Program (LEAP) grant program will lead a series of breakout sessions on the impact their grant-funded efforts have had in tackling educational issues in their areas.

The LEAP presentations will be delivered by school systems in Pulaski, Monroe, Clay, Bath and Wayne counties; Jenkins Independent in Letcher County, Jackson Independent in Breathitt County, and Monticello Independent in Wayne County; and Big Sandy Community and Technical College, serving Floyd and Johnson counties.

Chuck Coldiron at 2012 "Read Pulaski County" literacy event

Somerset businessman Chuck Coldiron, who organized the successful “Read Pulaski County” literacy event at The Center the last two years, will also deliver a presentation on the success of that endeavor. At the events, nearly 1,000 Pulaski County fourth graders have gotten a free pizza lunch and children’s book, and had the opportunity to hear Kentucky First Lady Jane Beshear speak about the importance of reading.

“Communities across our Appalachian region are doing some amazing things to raise educational expectations and outcomes,” Tackett said. “This grassroots approach is paying great dividends for our young people, families, and some communities.”

Forward in the Fifth, a non-profit organization and affiliate of The Center, was formed in 1986 by Congressman Rogers and other leaders to work to reverse low educational attainment levels in the Fifth Congressional District.

For more information about the AppLE Awards or Education Leadership Day, contact Jim Tackett, executive director of Forward in the Fifth, at 606-677-6000 or email fif@centertech.com.

Delaney Stephens

The Center for Rural Development has named University of Kentucky graduate Delaney Stephens of Somerset as youth programs coordinator and community liaison.

Stephens, who has a background in public service and leadership, will coordinate The Center’s three summer youth leadership programs and serve a dual role as community liaison networking with government and community leaders across the region.

“We are excited to welcome Delaney to The Center and our management team,” Lonnie Lawson, president and CEO of The Center, said. “He will be a tremendous asset to our youth leadership programs and represent The Center well in Southern and Eastern Kentucky within our 42-county primary service area.”

The announcement comes at a time when The Center is preparing to kick off the 2012 summer sessions of its three youth leadership programs. Stephens will be responsible for coordinating activities for more than 200 middle and high school students involved in this summer’s Rogers Scholars, Rogers Explorers, and Entrepreneurial Leadership Institute (ELI) leadership programs.

“These programs have been extremely important to the development of youth in Southern and Eastern Kentucky. I am looking forward to continuing the model The Center sets for youth development in our region.”
Delaney Stephens
Youth programs coordinator and community liaison

The Center, a nonprofit organization based in Somerset, Ky., provides leadership and scholarship opportunities for young people in Southern and Eastern Kentucky to seize their potential as the region’s next generation of leaders and entrepreneurs.

In addition to his role as youth programs coordinator, Stephens will be traveling across the region meeting and talking with elected officials and community leaders about the diverse programs The Center has to offer in its four focus areas: leadership, public safety, technology, and arts and culture.

“One of the community liaison’s responsibilities is to help communities realize their community and economic development needs,” Stephens said. “By working together, we will be able to create a better quality of life for residents in our region.”

Stephens graduated from UK in 2010 with a bachelor’s degree in community communications and leadership development. After graduation, Stephens worked in the tourism industry in the Lake Cumberland area before he accepted the position at The Center.

For more information on The Center’s summer youth leadership programs, call 606-677-6000 or email youth@centertech.com.

U.S. Congressman Harold “Hal” Rogers (KY-05) will host technology, business, and economic development leaders from across the Tennessee Valley Corridor at the 2012 National Technology Summit on May 23-24 at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

The event, which carries the theme, “Promoting America’s Energy Security,” will bring a host of scheduled speakers to The Center, including U.S. Rep. Chuck Fleischmann of Tennessee; Kentucky’s Energy and Environmental Cabinet Secretary Len Peters; John Horack, vice president for research at the University of Alabama in Huntsville; and Toyota Motors Sales National Technology Manager Debbie West.

Other speakers will include:

• Dr. Anthony Cugini, Director, U.S. Department of Energy, National Energy Technology Laboratory
• Dr. Joe DiPietro, President, The University of Tennessee
• Dr. Wayne D. Andrews, President, Morehead State University
• Anda Ray, Senior Vice President, Tennessee Valley Authority
• Dr. Thom Mason, Director, Oak Ridge National Laboratory
• Dr. Brian Noland, President, East Tennessee State University
• Ewell Balltrip, Director, National Institute for Hometown Security
• Dr. Dan Schumacher, Director, Science and Technology Office, NASA Marshall Space Flight Center
• Jerry Rickett, President, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation
• Etta Clark, Vice President, Communications and Public Affairs, Eastman Chemical Company
• Ray Moncrief, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, Meritus Ventures
• John Eschenberg, Project Director, Oak Ridge Uranium Processing Facility, NNSA
• Dr. Jo Marshall, President, Somerset Community College
• Dr. Gary Goff, President, Roane State Community College
• Greg Jones, Executive Director, Southeast Kentucky Economic Development
• Lonnie Lawson, President and CEO, The Center for Rural Development
• Gerald Boyd, Vice President, S.M. Stoller Corporation
• Jeff McCord, Vice President, Northeast State Community College (Tenn.)

“Southern and Eastern Kentucky, the heart of America’s coalfields, is a prime location for the Tennessee Valley Corridor to highlight energy security this year,” said Rogers. “The Summit will bring together leaders from across the nation to collaborate on energy issues, as well as workforce development and job creation in rural America.”

Rogers, chairman of the House Appropriations Committee, is scheduled to deliver the opening remarks on the first day of the Summit and present the keynote address later that night at a catered dinner in The Center’s Exhibit Hall.

The Summit is the latest in a series of such events that have strategically linked the technology-rich Tennessee Valley Corridor—from North Alabama through East Tennessee into Southwest Virginia, Western North Carolina and Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

The Center last hosted the event in November 2004, when Rogers and former U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Tom Ridge delivered the keynote address on “Technology: Linking Homeland Security and Hometown Prosperity.”

Click here to view a news report broadcast by News Channel 5 in Alexandria, La., on the arrival of the three donated police cruisers to Montgomery, La. Police Department.

Members of the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club deliver three donated vehicles from Gila River Police Department to Montgomery, La., Mayor Susie Waters and Atlanta, La., Mayor Ray Teal.

When Kevin Billiot first took over as chief of the struggling Montgomery, La. Police Department in April 2011, he was in need of everything from heavy-duty winter gear and uniforms for his officers to big-ticket items like in-car video equipment and trustworthy patrol vehicles.

On April 28, Billiot saw several months of networking and paperwork come to fruition when three donated cruisers from the Gila River Indian Community Police Department in Arizona rolled into Montgomery. The cruisers were escorted by riders from across the country affiliated with the Blue Knights International Law Enforcement Motorcycle Club.

Under the leadership of club President Michael Broman, retired and active law enforcement officers in the club’s Louisiana Chapter XIII raised money and made the nearly 2,800-mile round trip journey at no cost to the City of Montgomery to deliver the cruisers to Billiot’s department.

“This is the part of the brotherhood of law enforcement worth celebrating—this is cops helping cops—brothers and sisters in uniform backing each other up, no matter whether the challenge is tactical or financial.”
Dave Mather, executive director
Small, Rural, Tribal and Border Regional Center (SRTB-RC),
a public safety program operated by The Center for Rural Development

SRTB-RC is a Somerset, Ky.-based program with a national focus that serves small and rural police departments within The Center’s 42-county primary service area in Southern and Eastern Kentucky and throughout the United States.

Billiot and SRTB-RC first crossed paths in December 2011 at the Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute. The Institute is a national seminar in Annapolis Md. hosted by SRTB-RC for command officers from the nation’s small and rural departments.

The Institute brings nearly 40 chiefs, sheriffs, and command officers together and gives each a platform to share a presentation on low-cost, highly effective technology and planning solutions for common small-agency issues. In Billiot’s case, he was simply asking other participants for help finding funding sources for officer-worn video cameras.

Mather asked Billiot to compile a complete list of his department’s most critical needs, and officers at the Institute responded immediately. By the end of the weeklong event, Billiot had offers of donated surplus in-car video systems, uniforms, and ID badges, among other gear.

The offer of patrol cruisers came from Institute participant Dan Brown, at the time a commander with the Gila River Indian Community Police Department.

National and local media reports following the Institute resulted in additional offers, including a cruiser-capable vehicle from a local car dealership and more uniforms from a vendor near the department.

In all, Billiot’s department has received slightly more than $75,000 in donated equipment and supplies since his appearance at the Institute and his story first broke on the national Associated Press wire service on Christmas Day.

He is planning to pay such kindness forward by agreeing to donate one of the newly received cruisers from Arizona to the Atlanta, La. Police Department in Grant Parrish, a small agency with similar issues.

“Without the help of The Center for Rural Development and SRTB-RC, none of this would have been possible,” Billiot said. “My attendance at the 2011 Rural Law Enforcement Technology Institute has helped catapult our department into the 21^st Century.”

“What I love most about this story is that as much as Montgomery Police Department and Chief Billiot could use the equipment that has been donated to him, Chief Billiot has already begun to help others by offering some of the equipment to a neighboring department that is also in need of assistance,” Mather said. “That spirit truly is what this is all about.”

For more information on SRTB-RC and its programs, contact Executive Director Dave Mather at 606-677-6000, or visit www.srtbrc.org.

To nominate businesspeople for a 2012 EIEA award, access our online EIEA nomination form by clicking here.

Interested persons may also contact The Center for Rural Development at 606-677-6000, visit The Center’s website at www.centertech.com; or call EKU’s College of Business and Technology at 859-622-2334 or via email cbt.eiea@eku.edu.

The Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) program—honoring excellence since 2001—is now accepting nominations for the region’s top business leaders and entrepreneurs who have launched and are managing successful business enterprises in Southern and Eastern Kentucky.

Nominations will be accepted through June 4 in five business award categories, including a new award entry that recognizes the accomplishments of young entrepreneurs.

For the first time this year, EIEA will honor the work of young entrepreneurs (25 years of age and younger) who are currently operating successful businesses in the region.

The new business awards category was announced earlier this year by EIEA program sponsors to recognize the energy and creativity of the region’s youngest business leaders and entrepreneurs.

“The Excellence in Entrepreneurship Awards (EIEA) program’s purpose is to raise the awareness of the contributions of high achieving entrepreneurs. Stephen Taylor, EIEA committee chairman and development director for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, said. “And now with the addition of the Young Entrepreneurs category, motivated people under the age of 25 have a category in which to compete.”

Stephen Taylor, EIEA committee chairman 
Development Director for Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation

The top three finalists in each of the five EIEA business categories will be recognized—and the winners announced—on Sept. 10 at the 2012 EIEA Awards luncheon hosted at The Center for Rural Development in Somerset.

Nominations will be accepted in the following EIEA categories:

• Business (in existence five or more years with greater than 25 employees)
• Small Business (in existence five or more years with 25 or less employees)
• Start-Up (in existence less than five years)
• Not-for-Profit Entity (in existence at least six months)
• Young Entrepreneur (for businesspeople who are 25 years of age and younger)

“Southeastern Kentucky has about 40,000 microenterprises, businesses with five or fewer employees,” Taylor said. “Like these small businesses, the entrepreneurs leading many of the region’s enterprises started in their garages, a basement or a spare room to become economic engines.”

Nominees are judged on the economic success of the enterprise, contributions to the community, job creation, and operational achievement as measured by innovative business practices, superior safety achievement, and superior technology.

The EIEA program, sponsored by Eastern Kentucky University’s (EKU) College of Business and Technology, Kentucky Highlands Investment Corporation, The Center for Rural Development, and its newest partner, Southeast Kentucky Economic Development Corporation (SKED), honors business leaders and entrepreneurs who exemplify America’s spirit of entrepreneurship.

Nominations may be submitted by any individual or business within the EIEA’s 55-county service area on or before June 4. Those counties include: Adair, Bath, Bell, Boyd, Boyle, Breathitt, Carter, Casey, Clark, Clay, Clinton, Cumberland, Edmonson, Elliott, Estill, Fleming, Floyd, Garrard, Green, Greenup, Harlan, Hart, Jackson, Jessamine, Johnson, Knott, Knox, Laurel, Lawrence, Lee, Leslie, Letcher, Lewis, Lincoln, McCreary, Madison, Magoffin, Martin, Menifee, Metcalf, Monroe, Montgomery, Morgan, Owsley, Perry, Pike, Powell, Pulaski, Rockcastle, Rowan, Russell, Taylor, Wayne, Whitley, or Wolfe

“The Center is proud to announce the launch of our new system powered by Vendini box office solutions,” Laura Glover, director of sales and events, said. “Vendini will provide customers a dependable and easy way to navigate The Center’s ticketing system.”

Vendini’s TicketAgent® box office software makes online ticket purchases a breeze through The Center’s flagship website.

Once there, viewers can scroll across the “Events” menu item at the top of the homepage, then click the “Purchase Tickets” link in the drop-down menu. The “Buy Tickets Now” button on the resulting page will take them to The Center’s Vendini page featuring all upcoming performances for which online tickets are available.

“Vendini believes in world-class customer care, just as The Center does. Vendini ensures a smooth transition to our new advanced system with state-of-the-art functions.”
Laura Glover, director of sales and event
The Center for Rural Development

Using The Center’s website, customers can order online tickets at their convenience—24 hours per day, seven day a week. With Vendini’s seat-selection tool, they can even pick their exact seats from those available at each show in The Center’s 760-seat performing arts theatre.

For more information, or to purchase tickets on site through The Center’s Box Office, call 606-677-6000 or visit The Center’s website for online ticket sales and the latest information on concert performances and events at The Center.

The Box Office is open 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday through Friday and about 30 minutes prior to the start of each scheduled event. The Center is located at 2292 South Highway 27 at Traffic Light 15 in Somerset.