Issuu

C E L E B RAT I N G 2 0 Y E A R S

BizLex

Q&A

Stoll Keenon Ogden’s Managing Director and Chairman Doug Barr

A Decade in the Books for The Burl

Kentucky’s Expanding Space Economy

The Lexington Opera House and 50 Seasons of Broadway Live

A coalition of businesses, universities, and state leaders aims to position Central Kentucky as a hub for commercial space research, manufacturing, and innovation

AUGUST 2026 | VOL 22 ISSUE 8

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AUG 2026 VOL 22 ISSUE 8

IS HI

Y ILE PE

Business Lexington is a production of Smiley Pete Publishing PUBLISHER

Chris Eddie

chris@bizlex.com ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

Donna Hodsdon donna@bizlex.com EDITOR

Tom Wilmes

tomw@bizlex.com ART DIRECTOR

Drew Purcell

drew@bizlex.com COPY EDITOR

Nikole Christensen

mail@nikolechristensen.com BIZLIST EDITOR

Tanzi Merritt

bizlists@bizlex.com

Contents Real Estate

PAGE 4

A monthly look at economic indicators compiled by the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Kentucky

Write Stuff

PAGE 5

How to decrease word and character counts

Crave Worthy

PAGE 6

A new game plan: Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and KSBar are partnering to create a sports-dining destination

Quick Bites

PAGE 8

Rising together: Lexington Baking Collective headed to Southland Dr.

Behind the Curtain As the Lexington Opera House celebrates 50 seasons of Broadway Live, here’s what it takes to ensure the shows go on

PAGE 18

SALES MANAGER

Emily Marks

emily@smileypete.com ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE

Amy Eddie

amy@bizlex.com

Independent Business

PAGE 10

A sound strategy: Ten years on, The Burl has evolved into one of Central Kentucky’s premier entertainment destinations

BizLex Q&A

PAGE 14

Stoll Keenon Ogden’s managing director and chairman Doug Barr on measured growth, artificial intelligence, and his 40 years with the firm SMILEY PETE PUBLISHING www.smileypete.com

For advertising information contact (859) 266-6537 advertise@smileypete.com info@smileypete.com

BizLists Intellectual Property Law Firms Manufacturing Employers Information Technology Firms

PAGE 24 PAGE 26 PAGE 30

Who’s Who

PAGE 32

Local employment news and awards

BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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Kentucky’s Expanding Space Economy A coalition of businesses, universities, and state leaders aims to position Central Kentucky as a hub for commercial space research, manufacturing, and innovation

PAGE 20

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REAL ESTATE

BusinessLexington

PVA REPORTS Statistics on local residential and commercial property are compiled by the office of the Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator. The data reflect the most up-to-date information available at the time of printing for this publication, but monthly figures may be revised as additional public records of property transactions are submitted and become available. Top Commercial Transactions for June 2026 DATE

ADDRESS

PRICE

STRUCTURE

NEW OWNER

6/1/26 6/16/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/8/26 6/11/26 6/11/26 6/11/26 6/8/26 6/15/26

245 Lexington Green Circle 2220 Devonport Drive 636 Blue Sky Parkway 632 Blue Sky Parkway 360 Cutters Hill Court 350 Cutters Hill Court 340 Cutters Hill Court 380 Cutters Hill Court 371 Cutters Hill Court 370 Cutters Hill Court 646 Blue Sky Parkway 624 Blue Sky Parkway 620 Blue Sky Parkway 140 Prosperous Place 2245 Gulfstream Drive 3501 Beaver Place Road 100-102 S Hanover Avenue 3271 Georgetown Road

$15,850,000 $6,400,000 $3,678,660* $3,678,660* $3,678,660* $3,678,660* $3,678,660* $2,985,250* $2,985,250* $2,985,250* $2,261,090* $2,261,090* $2,261,090* $2,173,783 $2,173,782 $1,443,248 $1,400,000* $1,200,000**

Hotel/Motel Multifamily Office/Warehouse Auto Service Garage Warehouse Warehouse Manufacturing/Processing Office/Warehouse Auto Service Garage Warehouse Office/Warehouse Manufacturing/Processing Manufacturing/Processing Day Care Day Care Day Care Multifamily Warehouse

Somera Lexington Owner 1 LLC OI 2220 LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EMT C LLC EPRT Tennessee Properties LLC EPRT Tennessee Properties LLC EPRT Tennessee Properties LLC SGD LLC 3271 Georgetown Rd. LLC

*Sale Price Based on a Multiple-Parcel Transaction ** Parcel includes multiple improvements, see property record for details

Residential Sales Data for June 2026

600

The chart below shows the monthly residential sales activity in Fayette County for the previous 24 months. The data for the most recent month reflects a projected estimate from the office of the Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator and is subject to change.

500

2026 RESIDENTIAL SALES 2025 RESIDENTIAL SALES 2024 RESIDENTIAL SALES

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400 300 200 100 JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

MAY

JUN

JUL

AUG

SEP

OCT

NOV

DEC

14%

-2%

20%

-9%

13%

-13%

-6%

20%

MONTHLY PERCENTAGE CHANGE OVER PREVIOUS YEAR

BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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WRITE STUFF

How to Decrease Word and Character Counts

BY JENNIFER MATTOX

emember when written pieces were limited by page count? Back then, you could adjust margins or font size to reach the desired length. Today, most writing assignments are defined by word or character counts. Since those old formatting tricks no longer work, how can you meet text limits without sacrificing important content? Here are a few strategies to help. Avoid throat clearing. Do you really need that introduction, backstory, or opening summary that eventually leads to your main point? Often you don't, or you can scale it back. Author Elmore Leonard famously said, "Try to leave out the part that readers tend to skip," meaning wordy sentences, long paragraphs, and unnecessary explanations. Condense your writing and include only what readers need. Further tighten your wording by removing phrases such as starting to, tried to, was able to, or was going to. More often than not (ahem), you can do without them. As Thomas Jefferson advised, "Never use two words when one will do." Look for explanations or side topics that don't advance the overall message of your piece, and cut them. Eliminate trite language — overused phrases or descriptive words that add little value. If you've heard it said before, consider whether you can express the same idea in fewer words. Watch for filler words such as that, very, and just. They often contribute little to a sentence's meaning. Finally, look for opportunities to simplify verb constructions. In many cases, was walking, had walked, or would walk can simply become walked. As you work toward a maximum character count, be sure to determine whether spaces are included — they often are. And remember, whether you're writing to a strict limit or not, revising to reduce word and character count almost always results in stronger, clearer writing. ■ Jennifer Mattox is executive director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning and a professional writer. The Carnegie Center, 251 W. Second St., is a nonprofit educational center offering seasonal writing, publishing, and language classes, among other community programs. For more information, visit CarnegieCenterLex.org.

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CRAVE WORTHY

BusinessLexington

A New Game Plan Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux and KSBar are partnering to create a sports-dining destination BY SHANNON CLINTON

wners of a new sports bar coming to South Broadway are betting that Lexington’s appetite for University of Kentucky sports, Louisiana-inspired food, and live events can support a unique restaurant partnership. Walk-On’s Sports Bistreaux is expected to open just in time for football season at 1030 S. Broadway, the former home of Tilted Kilt. But the project is more than just a new restaurant. Walk-On’s is partnering with neighboring KSBar and Grille to create a game-day destination near the University of Kentucky campus. Walk-On’s, founded in Baton Rouge in 2003 by LSU basketball walk-ons Brandon Landry and Jack Warner, has grown to more than 80 locations. The brand counts former New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees, former NFL players Dak Prescott and Derrick Brooks, and Clemson football coach Dabo Swinney among its partners. Under the arrangement, Walk-On’s will operate as the full-service restaurant, while the KSBar space will operate as an event venue that also serves Walk-On’s food on UK game days, Kentucky Sports Radio broadcasts, and other special events. Kentucky Sports Radio Founder, KSBar Co-owner and Lexington’s soon-to-be Walk-On’s co-Owner Matt Jones said he was ready to leave the day-to-day

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Matt Jones, founder of Kentucky Sports Radio, co-owner of KSBar and soon-to-be co-owner of Walk-On’s. Photo furnished

decisions of operating a sports bar like KSBar to the career professionals who have the staffing, menu and other facets down to a science. Business partner Jamie Daniel will run the dayto-day operations, while Jones can continue focusing on KSR along with marketing the new venture. Daniel, a former owner of Tilted Kilt, which closed in May after seven years in operation, also helped launch and create the original menu for KSBar. He’s involved with the new concept as food and beverage lead and co-owner of Daniel Hospitality, along with his father and brother.

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CRAVE WORTHY

BusinessLexington

Daniel first became interested in Walk-On’s after visiting one of its restaurants during a 2012 trip to New Orleans. “It was a great place,” he said. “It was close to the Superdome, and we had a great time down there, and I’ve been following them ever since.” Daniel said menu items such as redfish, shrimp, jambalaya, and étouffée — prepared from scratch in Walk-On’s kitchens — were among the reasons he believed the concept would resonate in Lexington. “It’s one of my favorite types of food,” Daniel said. “I love to fish. I love the coast. I think a lot of people in the Lexington area also like to visit the Gulf area.” This will be the first Kentucky location for WalkOn’s. The closest existing restaurants are currently in Clarksville, Indiana, and Knoxville, Tennessee. A few years ago, Daniel contacted Walk-On’s CEO Brandon Landry about bringing the concept closer to home. That conversation eventually led to the Lexington franchise and the partnership with Jones and KSBar. Daniel is also working with country music artist Cole Swindell on a future WalkOn’s location in Nashville.

WalkOn’s Sports Bistreaux features a scratch-made menu that includes an ahi tuna salad and a chicken, bacon and avocado sandwich. Photos furnished

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Rather than replacing KSBar with a new concept, the two brands will operate side by side. WalkOn’s will handle day-to-day restaurant operations, while KSBar will continue to serve as a gathering place for Kentucky fans during games, broadcasts, and other special events. Jones said KSBar was actually modeled after the Walk-On’s concept after he, too, was impressed during a visit in 2012 following the Cats to New Orleans. “The idea of kind of a team-themed bar came to me, so when they approached us about this and being able to keep the branding and the game day experience that I think KSBar was always really good with,” this collaboration seemed a perfect fit, he said. “Walk-On’s does it better than anybody in the country,” he said. ■

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QUICK BITES

BusinessLexington

Rising Together

t Expected to open this fall, Magee’s bakery will operate on a “drop model,” releasing fresh batches of doughnuts, Mallow Squares, and crème horns at designated times when demand is highest. Photo furnished

Lexington Baking Collective headed to Southland Dr. BY SHANNON CLINTON

ike an artisan loaf of bread or a time-tested recipe, a new baking collective has been taking shape ahead of its opening later this year at 468 Southland Drive. Lexington Baking Collective is a partnership among Dahlhaus Fudge owner Adam Dahl, Hound & Horse Bakery owner Erika Pike, and

Futile Bakery owner Joe Kuehner. Expected to open in late summer or early fall, the business will feature a bakery retail area, café, and shared commercial kitchen designed to support multiple local baking businesses under one roof. “The cafe will have full coffee service and bakery cases filled with treats all made in-house by the local bakers in the back, supporting small bakers while also giving the customer a variety of treats and snacks,” Dahl said. “The concept came about as a way to help create a community of talented bakers in Lexington while trying to pool resources to help combat rising costs, rising rent, and give local bakers an opportunity to take a chance on themselves without as much of a risk.” Dahl said The Leaky Momma, which specializes in baked goods for nursing mothers, has already signed on as a member, and additional bakers will be invited to apply through an online application process as membership opens closer to launch. “Membership can and will rotate over time as bakers grow in their business over the years,” he said.

In other local food and beverage news: Magee’s owner Greg Higgins is working to revive the popular bakery at 726 E. Main St., which closed in May 2023 after being operated by his family since 1969. Originally founded by Leslie Magee in 1956, Higgins has worked at the bakery since 1988. He has been collaborating with Fausto Sarmiento of the University of Kentucky’s Small Business Development Center at the Gatton College of Business and others to develop a new business plan, renovate the building, and secure financing. Higgins is targeting an October reopening. The new concept will operate on what he calls a “drop model,” offering doughnuts only on weekends, for example, when demand is highest. Mallow squares and crème horns may be offered in limited quantities weekly or monthly and announced in advance to loyal customers. “It will be the freshest version of it that you’ve ever had in your life,” he said. Coffee news has also been percolating. 7 Brew has opened its third Lexington location, on Remington Drive, while Sookie

The Leaky Momma will be one of the local bakeries with it’s goods available at the Lexington Baking Collective. Photo furnished

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PHOTO BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026 FURNISHED

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QUICK BITES

BusinessLexington

King, owner of Muggles Traveling Café, announced the Harry Potter-themed coffee shop’s closure in early July. “I don’t know what the future holds,” she said in the social media announcement. “Maybe this is goodbye forever… or maybe it’s simply, ‘See you later.’” Serving Southern comfort food and all-day breakfast, Charming Magnolia Eatery has opened in Greyline Station in the former Chocolate Holler space. Sunrise Donut has opened at 565 E. New Circle Road, while Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery Café has opened at 3801 Dylan Place, featuring croissants, pastries, Asian buns, milk tea, specialty coffee, signature drinks, and more. Louisville-based Con Huevos announced on social media that it is expanding to Lexington, and multiple media outlets report it will open at Pleasant Ridge Commons this fall. The restaurant is known for chilaquiles, breakfast tacos, and other breakfast favorites. ■

t Sweet Cottage Asian Bakery recently opened at 3801 Dylan Place. Photo furnished

Dine-in or carry-out at participating BHG restaurants through August 31. Terms and conditions apply. Scan code or visit bluegrasshospitality.com for details.

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INDEPENDENDENT BUSINESS

BusinessLexington

A SOUND STRATEGY Ten years on, The Burl has evolved into one of Central Kentucky’s premier entertainment destinations

BY MATT WICKSTROM

ince opening in July 2016, The Burl has become a cornerstone of Central Kentucky’s music and arts scene, hosting nearly 300 shows each year. But the Distillery District destination has also evolved into much more than a music venue, steadily expanding to include a vintage arcade, an outdoor concert space, and, most recently, a craft brewery. According to co-owner Cannon Armstrong, who oversees the property alongside Will Harvey and former UK cheerleading coach Jomo Thompson, that evolution was intentional. While not every addition happened according to plan, the long-term vision was always to create a destination that offered visitors more than just live music.

u The Burl owners, left to right, Will Harvey, Jomo Thompson, and Cannon Armstrong.. Photo by Luke Francis

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INDEPENDENDENT BUSINESS

BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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BusinessLexington

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INDEPENDENDENT BUSINESS

BusinessLexington

The Burl’s outdoor venue has allowed the business to host larger crowds, book higher-profile artists and continue working with bands that have outgrown its indoor stage. Photo by Allie Barger

“When we bought the property, we acquired not just the old Texaco train loading station that is now the music venue, but also the storage units across from it that have since become the arcade,” Armstrong said. “We also had plans early on to create an outdoor listening space, but that didn’t come to fruition until COVID came around and we had no other choice but to adapt and survive.” What began as a response to the pandemic ultimately became one of The Burl’s biggest assets. The outdoor venue has allowed it to host larger crowds, book higher-profile artists — including a sold-out Wilco concert in July celebrating the venue’s 10th anniversary — and continue working with bands that have outgrown the indoor stage. “It’s a festival atmosphere without all the headache that comes with going to a festival,” Armstrong said. The experience also reinforced an important business lesson. “We also knew that if we wanted this thing to last that we needed to offer more,” he said. Photo by Luke Francis

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INDEPENDENDENT BUSINESS

BusinessLexington

u Over the past 10 years, The Burl has “become synonymous with the Kentucky music scene,” says co-owner Cannon Armstrong. Photos by Luke Francis (top) and Allie Barger (bottom)

That willingness to adapt and to listen to its customers has been central to The Burl’s growth. In its early years, people primarily visited the property for evening concerts. Today, the arcade, brewery, food offerings, and outdoor spaces give visitors reasons to spend an afternoon or evening there, often bringing the whole family. Location has also played a role. Although The Burl is part of the Distillery District, its positioning across Manchester Street from many of the area’s other attractions has given the owners room to experiment and develop an identity distinct from neighboring businesses. The latest addition came in 2024 with the opening of Burl Brew, designed not only to serve concertgoers but also to attract sports fans and broaden The Burl’s customer base. “We had the idea for a brewery focused on sports because that was the one thing we weren’t doing down here yet,” Armstrong said. “That was a group of people we weren’t getting down here, so we wanted to provide something for them and so far it’s turned out to be a big hit. We usually get a big draw there for UK games and just had some of our biggest crowds here yet during the recent USA World Cup matches.” Led by head brewer and former Blue Stallion brewer JR Redmon, Burl Brew features classic styles including Fadeaway Kentucky Kölsch, Kildare Nitro Irish Stout, and Lite American Lager, along with hop-forward beers such as Drifter West Coast IPA and Nexus Double Hazy IPA. The brewery also produces occasional music-inspired collaborations. “JR has a really clean brewing style and does a great job at finding hops and other ingredients from all over to incorporate into recipes,” Thompson said. “He puts that artist’s love into everything he does and has a wide range of expertise with the beers that he makes that has been a huge benefit for us.” As The Burl marks its 10th anniversary, Armstrong believes the business has reached a point where continued success is less about adding new attractions and more about preserving what has made it unique. “We’re in a really good place right now,” he said. “If we added more here or opened another Burl somewhere else, it would lose some of the mystique, prestige and charm that comes with just having one. The Burl has become synonymous with the Kentucky music scene, so trying to do more than that just wouldn’t feel right.” ■

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BizLex Q&A

Doug Barr Stoll Keenon Ogden’s managing director and chairman on measured growth, artificial intelligence, and his 40 years with the firm

BY DAN DICKSON

ounded in Lexington in 1897, Stoll Keenon Ogden (SKO) is one of the region’s oldest and largest law firms, providing legal counsel across 40 practice areas with offices in Kentucky and Indiana. This year marks Managing Director P. Douglas Barr’s 40th anniversary with the firm and his 10th year leading it. During Barr’s tenure, SKO has grown from fewer than 50 attorneys to more than 150, expanding beyond Kentucky through a series of carefully selected mergers while emphasizing a consistent culture and client service. Business Lexington spoke with Barr about the firm’s measured approach to growth, maintaining culture across multiple offices, and the lessons he’s learned over four decades. SKO has grown significantly over the past decade, largely through mergers and acquisitions. What has guided that growth? Next year will be our firm’s 130th year — a really long time. In my 40 years here, we have seen a lot of growth. When

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I arrived in 1986, I was attorney No. 49. Now we have more than 100 additional attorneys, and we are much larger in Indiana as well. During the merger process, we found a group of Evansville lawyers who were significantly younger than we were used to. You could describe them as the “young Turks of Evansville.” We felt they were excellent, up-and-coming lawyers, so we expanded there. There was also a three-partner, all-female law firm in Louisville that impressed us. We came to view them as great litigators. The same could be said for a small Jeffersonville firm that shared our outlook and our approach to serving clients. In Indianapolis, we looked closely at many firms and ultimately chose one not because we needed them or they needed us, but because it was the right fit. Why has Indiana become such an important part of SKO’s growth strategy? We have grown in markets where we have demand from our current clients. The first merger I did was in Evansville. We have energy clients there and in Western Kentucky, so there was a demand for lawyers to be there and on the ground. That merger eventually gave us an office in Indianapolis.

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t Stoll Keenon Ogden’s

managing director and chairman Doug Barr. Photo furnished

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BIZLEX Q&A

BusinessLexington

Barr, center, with members of Stoll Keenon Ogden’s leadership team. Photo furnished

We call it “controlled growth.” Many of our banking and business clients are already located in central and southern Indiana. We only want to grow to serve our clients, so they continue receiving the same level of service they have come to expect in Lexington and Louisville. No matter how or where we grow, we are still one firm. Culture is often cited as one of the biggest challenges when organizations expand. How has SKO maintained its culture across multiple offices? Culture is a product of the things you do every day that are based on your values. Every organization has a few key values, whether it’s treating people with fairness or doing your best in your business dealings. Our North Star is that we value being great lawyers — in other words, the everyday pursuit of excellence. In the legal profession, you will never achieve perfection because the law and the conditions it functions in change every day. Years ago, one of my mentors shared a quote that has stayed with

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“Our North Star is that we value being great lawyers — in other words, the everyday pursuit of excellence.” DOUG BARR SKO MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHAIRMAN

me: “It’s not the will to win that matters — everyone has that. It’s the will to prepare to win that matters.” Looking back over 40 years with SKO, what are some of the most valuable lessons you’ve learned? There is no substitute for preparation. Just none. There is no shortcut to being prepared for whatever the situation is. Most of my career has been in litigation involving businesses and intellectual property. You have to be prepared on behalf of your clients. The methods by which we communicate have changed significantly. But I have learned there is still no substitute for face-to-face communication. While we can all be together from a lot of places at the same time through technology, face-to-face contact is still the best option. You also oversaw the development of SKO Government Relations. Why did the firm decide to create that practice?

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BIZLEX Q&A We started it because we have clients who need those services — not just legislative services, but executive branch services as well. We had long maintained an office in Frankfort to help clients without actually being lobbyists. Eventually, we decided that instead of referring clients somewhere else, we should provide those services ourselves. We brought in two lobbyists, including Bill Lear, and split our Frankfort office into SKO Law and SKO Government Relations. We’re not looking to become the biggest government relations shop in Frankfort. We want to be the most effective. What do you see as the biggest challenge currently facing your clients and the legal profession overall? One of the biggest challenges is getting a handle on artificial intelligence. We’ve invested in AI platforms and spend a lot of time training our lawyers to understand the AI-assisted practice of law. Everybody thinks it’s going to fundamentally change everything, and it certainly has that potential. I’ve spent countless hours trying to understand the different platforms and how they affect both the practice of law and the business of practicing law. If you embrace it, AI can make you a much better lawyer, which is what interests me most. But I don’t trust it. That’s the lesson. It’s called artificial intelligence — not artificial experience, judgment, or creativity. That’s what our clients pay us for. Our training is to make sure that any artificial intelligence-assisted output includes proper skepticism, testing, and intellectual rigor. ■

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Keeneland. Stoll Keenon Ogden was founded in Lexington in 1897. Photo furnished

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The last contractor you’ll ever need Residential & Commercial Repairs Remodeling Services www.myoldkyhomerepair.com 859-940-3376 BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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MILESTONES

Behind the Curtain As the Lexington Opera House celebrates 50 seasons of Broadway Live, here’s what it takes to ensure the shows go on BY JUDY BRUMLEY

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BusinessLexington

he 2026-27 Broadway Live Season marks 50 years of Broadway performances at the Lexington Opera House, a milestone that reflects not only the growth of touring theater in Central Kentucky but also one of the historic venue’s largest annual programming investments and revenue generators. What began in 1976 with productions of “The Taming of the Shrew” and “The Sisters Rosensweig” has, over the past five decades, evolved into multi-night runs that require months of planning, six-figure booking fees, and careful market analysis before a show ever reaches the stage. “We began doing shows during the middle of the week because it was such a small market [for touring productions],” said Edd MacKey, manager of national and local arts arts with the Opera House. “Now, we do five-show weekend runs.” Today, Broadway Live seasons typically feature five productions with five performances each — one on Friday and two each on Saturday and Sunday. The 2026-2027 lineup includes “Beetlejuice,” “The Wiz,” “Shucked,” “Legally Blonde The Musical” and “Six.” In celebration of the milestone season, two additional special presentations will be announced at a later date.

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MILESTONES t In addition to Broadway Live touring productions, the Lexington Opera House hosts a variety of concerts and other live performances. Photo furnished

Bringing Broadway to Lexington requires a significant financial investment. Brian Sipe, general manager for Central Bank Center, Rupp Arena, and the Lexington Opera House, said it typically costs between $150,000 and $250,000 to book a five-performance run. Sipe is part of Oak View Group, which has managed the three venues since late 2021. Earlier that year, the Lexington Center Corporation board approved a multi-year management agreement with the company to oversee the facilities and day-to-day event programming. That fee covers the performances themselves, including the actors, singers, scenery and transportation. It does not include local expenses such as stagehands, custodial staff and marketing, although some of those costs are offset through the Opera House Fund. “It’s definitely a little more expensive than some of the other shows we do,” Sipe said. “But that’s also because you have things like a major set and multiple tractor trailers and buses on the road.” Because every production represents such a substantial investment, selecting each Broadway Live season is as much a business decision as an artistic one. Booking begins about a year in advance, and Sipe and his team are already planning the 20272028 season. The process starts by contacting New Yorkbased booking agencies to determine which productions are offering split weeks. While larger markets such as Cincinnati may host a show for an entire week, Lexington typically books weekend engagements, with touring companies performing elsewhere Monday through Thursday before arriving in Lexington Friday.

BusinessLexington

From there, the Opera House evaluates how productions performed on Broadway, how they’re selling on tour and, if they’ve already played comparable markets such as Louisville or Cincinnati, how audiences responded there. While the venue prioritizes bringing new productions to Lexington, it also revisits proven favorites. “There are some shows that we’ll repeat every couple of years just because fans love them and they sell really well, but we also want to make sure we’re not bringing the same shows back year after year or every two or three years,” Sipe said. “Legally Blonde The Musical,” for example, returns after previously appearing during the 2017-2018 Broadway Live Season. Once the Opera House identifies the productions it wants, booking agencies provide pricing information. Sipe and his team compare those costs with local operating expenses before finalizing the season. Despite the size of touring Broadway productions, the logistics are remarkably efficient. Productions can arrive Friday morning with as many as four tractor-trailers of scenery and equipment, complete load-in and rehearsals throughout the day, perform that evening, and be packed up and back on the road shortly after the last performance wraps on Sunday. “It’s pretty quick,” Sipe said. “The crews on the road are very efficient. They know how to get in and get out so they can get to the next town.” The Opera House also works with IATSE Local 346, Lexington’s chapter of the International Alliance of Theatrical Stage Employees, to provide additional on-the-ground support for the technical and operational staff that travel with the tour. Fifty years of Broadway Live isn’t the Opera House’s only milestone this year. The venue, which opened in 1887, is also celebrating its 140th anniversary. For those interested in its history, MacKey recommends “At the Lexington Opera House: A Scrapbook 1887-2026” by local author Kevin Lane Dearinger. “It’s a great resource,” MacKey says. “It provided some surprising facts that I didn’t even know about the Opera House.” ■

u Actor and singer Darren Criss, best known for his role as Blaine Anderson on “Glee,” performed at the Lexington Opera House in 2023. Photo furnished

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INNOVATION

BusinessLexington

u Space Tango oversees its space-related research projects from its mission operations center in Lexington. Thanks in part to a recent $7.4 million investment, the company is expanding and relocating its headquarters to Greyline Station. Photo courtesy of Space Tango PHOTO FURNSIHED

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BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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INNOVATION

BusinessLexington

Kentucky’s Expanding Space Economy A coalition of businesses, universities, and state leaders aims to position Central Kentucky as a hub for commercial space research, manufacturing, and innovation

BY DAN DICKSON

nder the newly formed Kentucky Space Futures Initiative, a Central Kentucky-led coalition is working to position the region as a hub for the fast-growing commercial space economy. By combining strengths in life sciences, advanced manufacturing, logistics, artificial intelligence, and university research, state leaders believe Kentucky can compete for a share of an industry projected to reach $1.8 trillion by the mid-2030s, according to analysis from McKinsey & Company. With support from the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, investors, several layers of state government, researchers at the University of Kentucky, Morehead State, and other state universities, plus the emergence of Lexington-based manufacturer Space Tango, Kentucky is pushing into the zero-gravity space landscape. “We want to inform people about the very large ecosystem here, and to bring awareness to this rapidly emerging economic and marketing opportunity, including the research,” said Kris Kimel, founder of the think-tank Humanity in Deep Space, former president of KSTC, and a co-founder of Space Tango.

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INNOVATION

Space Tango facilitates experiments and initiatives that explore the unique possibilities of manufacturing, pharmaceuticals, and other processes in a zerogravity environment. Photo courtesty of Space Tango

Much of the economic value of space will not come from Kentucky launching rockets. Rather, it will come from companies designing software, autonomous systems, sensors, robotics, and manufacturing processes. These same technologies can have immediate applications in health care and pharmaceuticals, agriculture, defense, and energy. Kentucky wants to become the place where technologies developed for space become profitable on Earth. “When you go into space, which is zero gravity, a lot of things are possible that you cannot do on Earth,” Kimel said. “There may be opportunities to create pharmaceuticals in space for Earth. Space Tango, for example, is involved in work with tiny retinal implants that could help greatly improve the treatment of retinal diseases. But it must be manufactured in space. On Earth, gravity would distort the processes.” Space Tango has emerged as one of Kentucky’s leading commercial space companies. The company has supported more than 40 space missions and over 300 research experiments, including being the only biomedical company aboard Artemis II, whose crew traveled around the moon and back this past April. Space Tango’s president and co-founder is Twyman Clements.

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“We enable researching and manufacturing in micro-space,” Clements said. “Many space flights involve exploring space or observing planets. What we do is help researchers, who have matured into businesses, to utilize zero-gravity for their needs. In space you don’t have gravity, buoyancy in liquids, conductive heat flow, density settling, certain pressures, and so on. Our customers are trying to see if they can create a better product up there. It’s about making things and processes that you cannot make on Earth.” Among the projects supported by Space Tango are studies of human aging, stem-cell manufacturing, cancer biology, and astronaut health. “You are regularly flying raw materials to space, running a process in zero gravity, and bringing back an end product or process that hopefully is worth considerably more than before it went into space,” Clements said. As a sign of its success so far, Space Tango is moving into new headquarters at Greyline Station on Louden Avenue in Lexington, where it will lease space and develop more projects. The phased expansion includes mission operations space, engineering offices, machine shops, biological and electrical laboratories, testing facilities, and collaborative work areas.

t Much of the economic

value of space will not come from Kentucky launching rockets, officials say, but rather from companies designing software, autonomous systems, sensors, robotics and manufacturing processes. Photo courtesty of Space Tango

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INNOVATION

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t Space Tango has supported more than 40 space missions and over 300 research experiments, including serving as the only biomedical company aboard Artemis II. Photo courtesty of Space Tango

The $7.4 million investment, approved by the state legislature, will create at least 25 jobs, according to Gov. Andy Beshear. “Kentucky’s technology and aerospace industries have seen tremendous growth in recent years because of our highly skilled workforce, access to resources, and local and state collaboration,” Beshear said. “Kentucky-based companies like Space Tango are driving investment and creating good-paying jobs in our communities.” Lexington mayor Linda Gorton says the city has long supported Space Tango. “Lexington saw the potential of Space Tango many years ago and supported it through our local incentive Jobs Funds program,” she said. “As the space economy continues to commercialize, we are building Space Tango to further our leadership position in enabling research and manufacturing in microgravity,” added Clements. Kimel agrees that university research for the space economy is “exploding right now.” Kimel points to the rapid growth of SpaceX, increasing number of rocket launches, and long-term NASA and commercial plans for lunar infrastructure as evidence that demand for space-based research and manufacturing will continue to expand. Kentucky’s strategy increasingly focuses on commercial in-

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space manufacturing, and this area could expand significantly as commercial space stations replace the International Space Station during the 2030s. Kentucky already has a sizable aerospace manufacturing base producing precision-machined components, electronics, composites, aircraft systems, and defense products. Many of those manufacturers can also serve commercial space companies. As demand grows from companies building satellites, lunar hardware, and commercial space stations, Kentucky manufacturers could become more integrated into national space supply chains. In addition, university-level research — especially from the University of Kentucky and the University of Louisville — will play larger roles in areas like biomedical research, materials science, robotics, autonomous systems, and AI applications for spacecraft. Most are areas where microgravity can produce unique and beneficial scientific results. Space Tango’s Clements thinks there will be acceleration in the state in the areas of space biomedical research, manufacturing and commercialization, all for applications here on Earth and for human health in space. “The space industry here has not exploded. It was 20 years in the making, a slow build. Now we all must create a good environment for new companies, a solid workforce, and industrial base.” ■

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Intellectual Property Law Firms RANKED BY NUMBER OF IP LAWYERS IN CENTRAL OFFICE AUGUST 2026

Rank

Firm Name Address Phone Website

IP Lawyers in Central Office

IP Lawyers in Lexington Office

Top Official/ # of Local Offices

Intellectual Property Law Main Practice Areas

Dentons 300 W. Vine St., Ste. 1300 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 231-8500 dentons.com

148*

Patents; trademarks; copyrights; licensing; privacy and data security; enforcement of IP rights through litigation and administrative proceedings; trade secrets; domain names; name image likeness (NIL); entertainment law; due diligence

Brian W. Chellgren, Ph.D.

Dickinson Wright PLLC 300 W. Vine St., Ste. 1700 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 899-8700 dickinson-wright.com

113

Licensing law; copyright; trade secrets; domain names; entertainment law; licensing law; IP litigation; copyright/ patent/trademark/trade secrets litigation; ITC section 337 enforcement proceedings; post-grant proceedings

Andrew Dorisio, Phil Rettig (Firm IP Director working in Ann Arbor, MI)

Dinsmore & Shohl 100 W. Main St., Ste. 900 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 425-1000 dinslaw.com

111

Copyright; intellectual property litigation; trade secrets, patent/trademark procurement and management; entertainment law; intellectual property acquisitions; privacy, data protection and internet technologies; domain names; licensing law

Brian Trent

FBT Gibbons 325 W. Main St., Ste. 301 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 231-0000 fbtgibbons.com

Advertising; entertainment and media; copyright; IP litigation; patents; trademarks

Barry M. Visconte

Stites & Harbison, PLLC 250 W. Main St., Ste. 2300 Lexington, KY 40507 (859-226-2300 stites.com

Patent/trademark/copyright registration service; IP litigation; software/information technology agreements and litigation; privacy and data security agreements and litigation; biotechnology/life sciences; clinical research/trials; franchise offerings; franchise litigation; name image likeness (NIL)

Terry L. Wright

Bricker Graydon Wyatt LLP 250 W. Main St., Ste. 1600 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 233-2012 bricker.com

Stephen C. Hall

Stoll Keenon Ogden LLP 300 W. Vine St., Ste. 2100 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 231-3000 skofirm.com

Copyright; trade secrets; domain names; entertainment law; licensing law; patents; trademarks and copyright; name image likeness (NIL)

P. Douglas Barr

McBrayer PLLC 201 E. Main St., Ste. 900 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 231-8780 mcbrayerfirm.com

Licensing law; copyright; trade secrets; domain names; entertainment law; trademark clearance; trademark registration; trademark infringement; copyright and patent infringement and other IP litigation

Mari-Elise Paul

Stockwell and Smedley PSC 861 Coporate Dr., Ste. 200 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 233-3400 stockwell.us

Christopher Smedley

Montague Law PLLC 110 W. Vine St., Ste. 300 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 423-1100 wmlex.com

Will Montague

6 7 8 9 10

Source: Individual firm websites Key: * = US only, though firm has international offices

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859-312-8900 lwetherby@republicbank.com

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Manufacturing Employers RANKED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AUGUST 2026

Rank

Company Name Address Phone Website

Total Number of Local Employees

Toyota Kentucky 1001 Cherry Blosson Way Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 868-2000 tourtoyota.com/kentucky

Year Established Locally

Business

Top Local Official

10,700

Automobiles: Avalon, Avalon-hybrid, Camry, Camry-hybrid, and the Lexus ES350; engines, axles, steering components, blocks/cylinder heads/crankshafts, dies and North American Production Support Center (NAPSC) Training Facility

Kerry Creech (President)

1988

Hyster-Yale Group, Inc. 220 Menelaus Road Berea, KY 40403 (859) 986-9304 hyster-yale.com

1,661

Lift trucks and component parts

Tim White (Senior Director of Manufacturing)

1973

Hitachi Automotive Systems Americas, Inc. 1150 Mayde Road Berea, KY 40403 (859) 734-6630 hitachi.us

1,325

Electric motor components and suspension systems, machining, plating, welding, painting, and assembly. Shocks, struts, compressors. Electric motor components

Brad Banks (Executive Vice President and Head of North American Operations)

1986

Lockheed Martin 5749 Briar Hill Road Lexington, KY 40516 (859) 566-4778 lockheedmartin.com

1,276

Contractor logistics support - Department Of Defense contract

James D. Taiclet (Chairman, President/ CEO)

1995

Novelis Corporation 302 Mayde Road Berea, KY 40403 (859) 985-6800 novelis.com

1,165

Aluminum rolling and recycling

Mike Sarver (Operations Leader)

2005

Toyota Production, Engineering & Manufacturing Center 151 Engineering Way Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 868-2000 toyota.com/usa/operations/map/pemc

850

Production engineering for Toyota vehicles built in the company’s 14 plants across North America

Takefumi Shiga (Executive Vice President, Production Engineering and Manufacturing Toyota Motor North America

2017

Montaplast of North America 2011 Hoover Blvd. Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 695-7766 montaplast.com

800

Supplier of plastic injection molding automotive exterior trim parts, center caps, cloth interior trim parts, and air intake manifolds

Christian A. Stulz (President)

1993

Adient USA, LCC 824 Lemons Mill Road Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 863-0400 adient.com

785

Automotive seats and interior components; foam pads for automotive industry

Todd Bruno (Executive Director of Operations)

1993

Central Motor Wheel of America 150 Wheat Dr. Paris, KY 40361 (859) 987-0500 cmwa.com

725

Aluminum and steel automotive wheels

Koichi Hayashi (President & CEO)

1986

1 2

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Manufacturing Employers RANKED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AUGUST 2026

Rank

10 TIE

13 14 15 16 17 18

Company Name Address Phone Website

Total Number of Local Employees

Business

Top Local Official

Webasto Roof Systems, Inc. 2201 Innovation Road Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 389-6100 webasto.com

660

Automotive sunroofs

Liz Beatty (Director of People and Organization)

1998

Buffalo Trace Distillery 113 Great Buffalo Trace Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 695-5903 buffalotrace.com

660

Distiller of world class and award winning bourbons and American whiskies

Jake Wenz (President & CEO)

1775

Schneider Electric 1601 Mercer Road Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 243-8000 schneider-electric.com

660

Electrical safety switches and load centers

Aamir Paul (Executive Vice President of North American Operations)

1955

Catalent Pharma Solutions 1100 Enterprise Dr. Winchester, KY 40391 (859) 745-2200 catalent.com

600

Pharmaceutical processing

Chris Rosenbaum (General Manager)

1992

Toyota Tsusho America, Inc. 700 Triport Road Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 868-3355 taiamerica.com

532

Steel processing

Arthur Harrison (Senior Vice President)

1962

EnerSys 761 Eastern Bypass Richmond, KY 40475 (859) 624-7358 enersys.com

520

Lead acid industrial batteries

Micah Meeker (Plant Manager)

1976

Qualex Manufacturing, LLC 261 Triport Road Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 863-6348 qualexmanufacturing.com

450

Sheet metal fabrication

Dave Blackburn (President)

1995

Infiltrator Water Technologies 2600 Corporate Dr. Winchester, KY 40391 (800) 221-4436 infiltratorwater.com

440

Wastewater and water management solutions

Cosmin Batrin (Vice President of Manufacturing)

1987

International Crankshaft, Inc. 101 Carley Ct. Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 868-0003 internationalcrankshaft.com

351

Automotive crankshaft forging

Hiroaki (Andy) Andatsu (President & CEO)

1992

Year Established Locally

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BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Manufacturing Employers RANKED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF EMPLOYEES AUGUST 2026 Company Name Address Phone Website

Total Number of Local Employees

Business

Top Local Official

Alltech, Inc. 3031 Catnip Hill Pike Nicholasville, KY 40356 (859) 885-9613 alltech.com

349

Natural animal feed additives; corporate headquarters

Mark Lyons (President & CEO)

1980

Avantor Performance Materials 7001 MLK Jr., Blvd. Paris, KY 40361 (859) 987-7000 avantorsciences.com

342

High purity chemicals

Brian Blyth (Site Director)

1978

Georgia-Pacific 451 Harbison Road Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 259-9126 gp.com

340

Plastic lids, plates, bowls, and paper cups

Patty Lovejoy (Plant Director)

1957

Suntory Global Spirits 568 Happy Hollow Road Clermont, KY 40110 (502) 543-9877 suntoryglobalspirits.com

315

Producer of premium spirits

Greg Hughes (President & CEO)

1901

Aichi Forge USA, Inc. 596 Triport Road Georgetown, KY 40324 (502) 863-7575 aichiforge.com

310

Custom precision steel forgings

Glenn Voss (Vice President of Manufacturing Engineering and Quality Assurance)

1985

Hiyashi Telempu North America 116 Lane View Dr. Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 605-9998 htnanorthamerica.com

310

Automotive interiors, acoustics, fabrics, carpet, and accessories

Shawn Butler (Plant Manager)

2013

NSG - Pilkington North America 102 Industry Dr. Versailles, KY 40383 (859) 873-2800 pilkington.com

300

Automotive glass and glazing

Wes Ritchie (Plant Manager)

1987

Yokohama Industries Americas, Inc./Div 1 103 Industry Dr. Versailles, KY 40383 (859) 873-2188 yokohamaia.com

300

Fluid conveying products for the automotive industry

Page Lewis (Plant Manager)

1989

Rank

TIE

23 TIE

25 TIE

Year Established Locally

Source: Greater LEX (an initiative of Commerce Lexington) list of Major Regional Employers on locateinlexington.com; Cabinet for Economic Development 2020 Kentucky Directory of Manufacturers; individual company websites. Note: Ranking by total of local employees 300 and above. Includes the following counties: Bourbon, Clark, Fayette, Jessamine, Madison, Mercer, Scott, and Woodford.

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Information Technology Firms RANKED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF LEXINGTON MARKET EMPLOYEES AUGUST 2026

Rank

Firm Name Address Phone Website

Number of Lexington Market Employees/ Tech/ Other Staff

Key Services

Top Local Official(s)

NetGain Technologies 2031 Georgetown Road Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 255-0155 netgainit.com

135/ 111/ 24

Managed IT Services, IT security services/cybersecurity, infrastructure and cloud services, IT projects and consulting

Hank Dallam (CEO)

46Solutions 430 Blue Sky Parkway Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 788-4600 46solutions.com

90/ 48/ 42

Managed IT services, cybersecurity, cloud services, network consulting, VoIP, corporate AV/conference room design, compliance consulting, network cable installation, VCID services, vendor management

Wil Winstead (Director)

The AME Group 3080 Harrodsburg Road, Ste. 104 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 253-4284 theamegroup.com

49/ 40/ 9

Information security, network security, backup and disaster recovery, managed IT, managed security, healthcare IT, cloud consulting, software development, ERP, strategic planning, IT support, IT staffing

Phil Miller (Regional Manager), Daniel Terrell (Service Manager)

Volta, Inc. 112 E. Main St. Frankfort, KY 40601 (859) 296-5780 voltainc.com

36/ 25/ 11

Managed IT services, cybersecurity services and solutions, data center infrastructure solutions (cloud, compute, network, and storage)

Marshall Butler (President)

eLink Design, Inc. 400 E. Vine St., Ste. 301 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 422-9165 elinkdesign.com

*25/ 22/ 3

App development, website development, search engine optimization

Andrew Chiles (CEO)

Exact IT Consulting 2000 Vince Road Nicholasville, KY 40356 (859) 272-0080 exactitconsulting.com

25/ 22/ 3

Managed IT, cybersecurity, data center infrastructure, cloud hosting solutions, network support, help desk support, backups and disaster recovery, VoIP phone systems

Chris Thomson (VP, Sales)

PhishingBox, LLC 400 E. Vine St., Ste. 301 Lexington, KY 40507 (877) 634-6847 phishingbox.com

*21/ 14/ 7

Security awareness training, phishing simulation

Thomas Chase Cullett (CEO)

Box Lake Networks 400 Shoppers Drive Winchester, KY 40391 (859) 737-4400 boxlake.com

20/ 16/ 4

Managed IT services, cybersecurity, local help desk, network services and support, cloud services, backup and disaster recovery, outsourced IT for small and medium businesses

Kevin Hale (President and CEO)

Hensley/Elam LLC 136 E. Main St. Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 389-8182 hea.biz

*18/ 13/ 5

Managed IT services, managed cybersecurity, hourly IT support, network support, hardware sales, hosted VoIP telephone solutions and consulting in all of these areas with a focus on IT security

Russ Hensley, CISSP

TIE

7 8 9

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BUSINESS LEXINGTON AUGUST 2026

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BIZLIST

BusinessLexington

Information Technology Firms RANKED BY TOTAL NUMBER OF LEXINGTON MARKET EMPLOYEES AUGUST 2026

Rank

Firm Name Address Phone Website

Number of Lexington Market Employees/ Tech/ Other Staff

Key Services

Top Local Official(s)

(CEO) Ganesh Sivagurunathan (President)

SITEK, Inc. 1040 Monarch St., Ste. 205 Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 327-3331 siteksolutions.com

*14/ 13/ 1

Mobile app development, web development, cloud hosting, application support, systems integration, technical staffing

Tactical IT Group 201 E. Main St., Ste. 760 Lexington, KY 40507 (888) 223-6781 tactical-it.com

11/ 10/ 1

Managed IT and support, cybersecurity protection, business continuity and disaster recovery, infrastructure implementation and support, information security services for financial institutions, vCIO services, VoIP platform installation and support, supplemental IT services

Next Century Technologies 1795 Alysheba Way, Ste. 5104 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 245-0582 nextcenturytechnologies.com

8/ 6/ 2

Managed IT and support including companies with existing IT staff, cybersecurity services including pentests, Microsoft 365 Security, vulnerability scans, compliance challenges such as HIPAA/bank/FTC, phones, servers, virtualization, disaster recovery planning, 24/7 support

SimplifIT 101 Enterprise Drive, Ste. 8 Frankfort, KY 40601 (502) 793-6630 wesimplifit.com

*3/ 3/ 0

No-contract managed IT services, cybersecurity-as-a-service, co-managed IT, vCIO, compliance consulting (CMMC, HIPAA, FTC), cloud services, IT projects and consulting for construction, engineering, CPA, financial, healthcare, non-profit, and startup organizations

12 13

Jeff Propps (CEO)

Tracy Hardin (President)

Craig Willard (CEO)

Source: Business Lexington questionnaire, Commerce Lexington Business DIrectory, and individual company websites. Other companies may be eligible but did not respond by deadline. Key: * = Previous figures

Coming in September. The September BizLex will focus on finance and law, while featuring the following BizLists: SBA Lenders; Commercial Lenders; and Family Law Firms. Ad space deadline: AUG 19 Ad materials deadline: AUG 21 FOR MORE ADVERTISING INFO CONTACT SMILEY PETE PUBLISHING AT 859.266.6537 OR EMAIL ADVERTISE@SMILEYPETE.COM.

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WHO’S WHO

BRUNET

BLANTON

JOHNSON

HANCOCK

SINGER

SMITH

MULLINS

MARCUM

DAVIS

BLACK

HAMILTON

HORN

OUDEH

JACKSON

ANGELUCCI

HAWKINS

NEW HIRES, PROMOTIONS & APPOINTMENTS The Lexington Philharmonic announced the renewal of Music Director & Conductor Mélisse Brunet’s contract. This renewal extends Brunet’s leadership through the 2030–2031 season and carries the orchestra into its 65th season and beyond. Morgan Blanton, DO, has been named vice president and chief medical officer at Baptist Health Richmond. Dr. Blanton originally joined the hospital in 2019 as a hospitalist and has served as the medical director since 2022. The American Health Law Association has appointed Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Elizabeth “Betsy” Johnson to serve as vice chair of its Post-Acute Long Term Services Practice Group. Johnson will serve a three-year term.

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BusinessLexington

The University of Kentucky Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment has named Dennis W. Hancock executive director of the UK Research and Education Center and the Grain and Forage Center of Excellence in Princeton, Ky. Hancock will provide managerial and strategic leadership for the 1,600acre research and education center. City National Bank recently promoted Missy Singer and Rodes Smith to assistant vice president. Central Bank announced the promotion of Becky Mullins to senior vice president, special assets and loan workout manager, and Sherry Marcum to deposit services supervisor, officer. Lexington CPA Olivia N. Davis has been elected as the public director of the National Council of Architectural Boards. The organiza-

tion facilitates licensure and credentialing for architects in the United States. Saint Joseph Health announced that Emma Black, PA-C, has joined Saint Joseph Medical Group – Family Medicine; David Hamilton, MD, has joined Saint Joseph Medical Group – Orthopedics; and Todd Horn, MD, has joined Saint Joseph Medical Group – Gastroenterology, all offices in Lexington. Mike Oudeh has joined Traditional Bank as part of its commercial lending team at the Palumbo Banking Center in Lexington. The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Airport Board announced the appointment of Tonya Jackson as new chair. The board also appointed Clay Angelucci as vice chair. Marc Mathews will continue to serve as treasurer, and Shirie Hawkins will continue to serve as secretary. Additional

Board members include Todd Ziegler, Tony Bonner, Angela Coleman, Bangaly “Sav” Savané, Dave Sevigny and Mary-Alicha Weldon. McBrayer announced that member Mitchel Denham has been appointed by Governor Andy Beshear to the University of Kentucky Board of Trustees.

KUDOS Legal 500 has recently recognized 11 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in its inaugural US City Elite 2026 rankings for Kentucky. Lexington attorneys Walter S. Robertson and Alison M. Zeitlin were among those honored. Legal 500 US City Elite is a city-focused ranking series that recognizes exceptional attorneys practicing in local and regional US markets. Beechwood High School counselor Megan Minton

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Adam Lesshafft

Assistant Vice President NMLO #1796492

Hunter Stewart

Assistant Vice President NMLO #1826052

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WHO’S WHO

ZIEGLER

BusinessLexington

BONNER

COLEMAN

SAVANE´

SEVIGNY

WELDON

DENHAM

ZEITLIN

MINTON

BUNNELL

POSEY

QUERY

SETTLE

has been named this year’s Kentucky Community and Technical College System’s Pathfinder of the Year. Minton’s recognition includes a $1,000 scholarship for a Beechwood student to attend any of the 16 colleges within the Kentucky Community and Technical College System. The Kentucky Chamber has launched its inaugural Next Generation Leadership Council, bringing together rising

leaders to help shape the future of Kentucky’s business community. The Next Generation Leadership Council for the 2026-2028 term includes: Danna Barnett, Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Louisa; Jake Boswell, Independence Bank, Owensboro; Cara Brooks, Duke Energy, Cincinnati/NKY; Kyle R. Bunnell, Dinsmore & Shohl, LLP, Lexington; Dalton Hatfield, Kentucky Power, Ashland; Kavonte Jones, Brown-For-

man, Louisville; Austin Maggard, Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Hazard; Chair: Maegan Mansfield, Bacon Farmer Workman / Marcum Engineering, Paducah; Aaron Marcus, Dentons, Louisville; Jamaka Martin, PNC, Louisville; Paul Newcomb, Michelin American Synthetic Rubber Company, Louisville; Vice Chair: Nick Peak, University of Louisville, Louisville; Justin Posey, Toyota Kentucky, Georgetown; Kaelyn

Who’s Who for You? Submit your company’s recent hirings, promotions, and awards for listing in the Who’s Who section of Business Lexington. Email a press release and photo to info@bizlex.com.

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ROBERTSON

Query, Kentucky Event Company, Lexington; Tanelle Sawyer, Kentucky Community and Technical College System, Louisville/Versailles; Elizabeth Settle, Charter Communications, Lexington; Dr. Karan Shah, Physicians Care Coordination Consultants, Louisville; Landan Stallons, Planters Bank, Hopkinsville; Vanessa Vargo, Dean Dorton, Louisville; and Sarah Veazey, North American Stainless, Ghent. ■

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