Dan Allen, a retired Kenton County Cooperative Extension agent, is the inaugural Ralph Bailey Award recipient.
The Kenton County Fiscal Court presented Allen with the award at a meeting on April 9. The county created the Ralph Bailey Award to help keep Bailey’s memory alive. The award recognizes public servants who demonstrate exceptional leadership, integrity, dedication, and impact in their careers serving Kenton County residents. Bailey, who died in December 2024 at 93, devoted over three decades to the Kenton County government.
Originally from West Virginia, Allen graduated from the College of Agriculture and Forestry at West Virginia University.
In 2005, Allen was named Kenton County Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources with the University of Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service. For over two decades, he spearheaded educational programs, community leadership development and awareness of agriculture production in Kenton County.
“It’s been a privilege at the extension office every day; it was an honor to go to work for my community,” Allen said. “I can’t think of a more rewarding job than to serve the rural residents and the farmers in south Kenton County. And thank you to the family. When I read about Mr. Bailey, I did a little homework on him. Just to think I have a small piece of that kind of leadership. It was amazing.”
Kenton County Commissioner Beth Sewell nominated Allen for the recognition.
“Dan has been the quintessential friend to many farmers in Kent County and beyond,” Sewell said at the meeting. “I know that your scope is not just limited to here because he’s a wealth of knowledge from UK, and the research that they’ve done has been so helpful to so many people in our community, and you’re going to be missed, 20 years.”
Bailey first joined the county as an assistant county administrator and served as county administrator under Judge/Executive Clyde Middleton. In 1999, Bailey was named Special Projects Manager, a role he kept until his retirement in 2021.
Bailey served under six county/judge administrations and contributed to several key projects, including constructing the Kenton County Justice Center and the Kenton County Detention Center.
Beyond his governmental roles, he was involved in the community, taking on roles with the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Rotary International, Kenton County Boys and Girls Club and the YMCA Metropolitan Board of Directors.
Bailey’s family, including his children, grandchildren, and wife, Pat Bailey, attended when Allen received the award.
“He always enjoyed coming out and being with all of you that he worked with,” Pat Bailey said. “I don’t think I ever heard him complain too much about something going wrong or not going right because he knew that you all could fix it some way or another. So, I do want to tell you that he did enjoy coming and being with you and spending the day having the good things or bad things that you had to work with.”
Each member of the fiscal court may nominate one Ralph Bailey honoree a year. Award recipients must have at least 10 years of non-elected public service to Kenton County residents and be fully retired.
