About Us

Empowering businesses for a thriving region

Commerce Lexington fosters economic development, job creation, and business growth in Lexington and Central Kentucky by leveraging community collaboration and strategic partnerships.

Business Attraction

Attract and support new industries to invest in the Greater Lexington Region.

Business Retention & Expansion

Support and encourage expansion opportunities by coordinating needs of business and industry.

Business Creation

Foster an environment that encourages new business ventures and entrepreneurial growth.

Our Story

Empowering Economic Growth and Innovation

Commerce Lexington drives economic development, job creation, and business growth in Lexington and Central Kentucky. We leverage the collective power of our business community to influence public policy, support entrepreneurs, and cultivate leaders. Our Economic Development Division offers comprehensive services, including business recruitment, community and minority business development, and workforce initiatives through The Business & Education Network (BEN). Based in Lexington, we collaborate closely with city and state governments, workforce development organizations, and key industries, ensuring Greater Lexington remains a prime destination for living, working, and thriving.

Our Team

Commerce Lexington Economic Development Staff

Robert L. Quick, CCE

President & CEO

Gina Greathouse

Executive Vice President, Economic Development

Tyrone Tyra

Senior Vice President, Community & Minority Business Development

Betsy Dexter

Executive Director, Business & Education Network

Niki Goldey

Director of New Business Development, Economic Development

Cheryl Klever

Director of Business Retention & Expansion, Economic Development

Falon McFarland

Project Manager

Katie Vandegrift

Director of Marketing and Research

Commerce Lexington Inc. Board of Directors

2025 Executive Board

*Executive Board Members also serve on the Full Board of Directors.

Carla Blanton
2025 Board Chair
Owner
Carla Blanton Consulting

Kevin Atkins
City Representative
Chief Development Officer
City of Lexington

Tucker Ballinger
At-Large Member
President & CEO
Forcht Bank

Stephanie Bell
At-Large Member
Vice President,
Government Affairs
Kinetic by Windstream

Keeana Boarman
General Counsel
Member
McBrayer, PLLC

Steve Byars
Immediate Past Chair
Vice President & Chief Investment Officer
Moneywatch Advisors

Jonathan Caldwell
Vice Chair, Communications
Senior Vice President, Chief People Officer
Valvoline

Bishop Carter IV
At-Large Member
Owner
Elaine Allen LLC

Luther Deaton
Vice Chair, Economic Development
Chairman, President & CEO
Central Bank & Trust Co.

Billie Dollins
Vice Chair, Leadership Development
Executive VP, Central Region President
Community Trust Bank

Larry Forester
Vice Chair, Community & Minority Business Development
SVP, Commercial Banking Officer
Forcht Bank

Branden Gross
Vice Chair, Public Policy & Regional Engagement
Partner
Dentons

John Mahan
Regional Representative
Owner
Sodworks

Danny Murphy
Vice Chair, Membership & Engagement
Sr. Assistant Dean of Community Engagement & Operations
UK College of Law

Nick Nicholson
Board Chair-Elect
Member
Stoll Keenon Ogden PLLC

Robert L. Quick, IOM, CCE
Board Secretary
President & CEO
Commerce Lexington

Daryl Smith
Vice Chair, Workforce & Talent
Ombudsman, Advanced Metering Infrastructure
LG&E and KU Energy

Debbie Smith
Treasurer
Partner
Cherry Bekaert LLP

2025 Full Board of Directors

Dennis Anderson
President
Anderson Communities

Wallace Barber
Owner
State Farm Insurance

Dr. Stephen Behnke
CEO
Lexington Clinic

Dr. Eli Capilouto
President
University of Kentucky

Francisco Castro
Principal Agent and Managing Partner
JCC Insurance Group, LLC

Marilyn Clark
Economic Engagement Manager
University of Kentucky

Kimra Cole
President & COO
Columbia Gas

Ray Daniels
President
Equity Solutions Group

Dr. Robert DiPaola
Provost
University of Kentucky

Dr. Greg Feeney
President & CEO
Bluegrass Community & Technical College

Crinda Francke
President and CEO
ExecuTrain

Eric Frankl
President & CEO
Blue Grass Airport

Annissa Franklin
Vice President
Urban League of Lexington – Fayette County

Ken Gish
Member
Stites & Harbison PLLC

Linda Gorton
Mayor
City of Lexington

Toa Green
Owner/Master Ice Cream Crafter
Crank & Boom Craft Ice Cream

Matt Grimshaw
Market President
CHI Saint Joseph Health

Tom Harris
VP, University Relations
University of Kentucky

Melanie Hudson
Senior Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer
Lexmark International

Todd Hyatt
President
Bluegrass REALTORS®

Todd Johnson
Executive Vice President
Building Industry Association of Central Kentucky

Brien Lewis
President
Transylvania University

Demetrus Liggins
Superintendent
Fayette County Public Schools

Jason Luring
Head of HR, BioProducts and Bioanalytical
Catalent Pharma Solutions

Jennifer Miloszewski
Director in Charge, Lexington Office
Blue & Co., LLC

Abdul Muhammad
Central Kentucky Market President
WesBanco

Kathryn Nash
President
Kentucky American Water Co.

Caitlin Neal
Vice President of Sales, North America
Gratnells USA, LLC

Kim Ogle
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications
Toyota Motor North America EA

Manish Patel
Owner
MKP Management (Holiday Inn Express & Suites DTWN Area – Keeneland)

Mary Quinn Ramer
President
VisitLEX

Becky Reinhold
Brokerage Manager
Bluegrass Sotheby’s International Realty

Chris Roty
President
Baptist Health Lexington

Sarah Rowe
CFO
Gray Construction

Robert Ryan
Partner
Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP

Rob Shear
General Manager
SRC of Lexington Inc.

Brian Sipe
General Manager
Central Bank Center

Adam Smith
Director, Electric Distribution Operations
LG&E-KU Energy

Hunter Stout
Chief Financial Officer
Keeneland Association Inc.

Jana Syrcle
Partner
Frost Brown Todd LLP

Mary-Alicha Weldon
City President
Fifth Third Bank

Elizabeth Woodward
Forensic Accounting Director & Lexington Market Leader
Dean Dorton

Preston Worley
Member
McBrayer PLLC

Dan Wu
Vice Mayor
City of Lexington

Todd Ziegler
Central Kentucky Market President
Republic Bank & Trust

Investors

Generously supported by its investors

Commerce Lexington’s investors support the local business community through various programs, sponsorships, and campaigns.

Top Investors

The Top Investor Program at Commerce Lexington includes community leaders who recognize the direct connection between their business success and the economic prosperity of the region. These leaders reinvest in the local business community through Commerce Lexington, believing in its mission to improve the local business climate and quality of life. Top Investors receive enhanced relationship-building and recognition opportunities beyond standard membership benefits. Their support is essential to the organization’s success and the community as a whole.

Contact Lynda Bebrowsky at 859-226-1611 to learn more about participating in the Top Investor Program.

Full Stride Investors

In 1997, the Greater Lexington business community took a leap forward in our economic development efforts by creating and funding Lexington Strides Ahead. Lexington Strides Ahead funds important initiatives of Commerce Lexington’s Economic Development Division and the Business and Education Network. Since the initial campaign in 1997, multiple sequel campaigns have been great successes.

The goal of Lexington Full Stride will always be to focus on enhancing our business climate and competitive position in the region. Commerce Lexington’s Economic Development Division focuses on three ways to create primary jobs and increase the amount of income coming into our community: business attraction, business retention and expansion, and business creation. Today, Full Stride supports these overall economic development efforts including the Community and Minority Business Program and the Business and Education Network.