BE NKY Growth Partnership, Northern Kentucky’s primary economic development organization, has expanded its board of directors and made changes to its executive committee.
In August, Kenton County Judge/Executive Kris Knochelmann and the Kenton County Fiscal Court appointed Cara Brooks, Duke Energy senior economic development manager for Ohio and Kentucky, to the board for a three-year term.
In September, Campbell County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery and the Campbell County Fiscal Court appointed Steve Bestard, senior vice president and chief operations officer of Messer Construction, to the board. Bestard will also serve a three-year term.
In May, the board named Adrian Hothem, CEO of Camco Chemical, as treasurer. Hothem has served on the board since March 2020. He replaces Ben Brandstetter, president of Brandstetter Carroll Inc., who assumed the role of vice chair.
The board also voted in May to extend the term of Kimm Lauterbach, president and CEO of REDI Cincinnati.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Cara and Steve to the BE NKY Board of Directors,” said Board Chair Carey Sanders. “As respected regional leaders, their insights and experience will be invaluable in advancing our mission of opportunity and prosperity across Northern Kentucky. I’m also pleased to welcome Adrian to our Executive Committee and to continue building a strong partnership with Kimm and the REDI Cincinnati team.”
BE NKY is governed by a 23-member volunteer board made up of business and community leaders.