Board of Regents

 Mr. James Lee Stevens, lives in Madisonville, Kentucky. He is a retired Superintendent of Hopkins County Schools having served 45 years in public education, 42 years of which were served in Hopkins County, and thirteen of which were served as the Superintendent. Mr. Stevens also served 24 years in the U.S. Army Reserve and retired as a Lt. Colonel. He has been active in community and service organizations, including serving as a member of the School Facilities Construction Commission (past chairman) until December 2020, Urban Superintendent Association, Kentucky and National School Boards Associations, Kentucky Association of School Administrators, the Kentucky Association of Fairs and Horse Shows (past-Chair), the Kentucky Education Association (over 30 years) the Kentucky Parent Teacher Association (life-time member), and Phi Delta Kappa. Mr. Stevens received a Bachelor of Arts in Health and Physical Education, a Master's in Political Science, and Rank I in School Administration from Murray State University. Mr. Stevens has been married to his wife Kaye, for 59 years. He has two children John Aaron Stevens, who lives in Louisville and Ann Kaye Stevens who lives in Lexington. In June 2021, he was re-elected as KCTCS Board Vice Chair for a Board Officer term that ends June 30, 2023. Mr. Stevens was elected as the KCTCS Board of Regents Chair in a special election held August 30, 2022. He will serve a Board Officer term that ends June 30, 2023. Mr. Stevens was reappointed to the Board in July 2021. He will serve a six-year term that expires in 2027. 

Barry Martin lives in Lexington, Kentucky. Bio coming soon. 

Dr. Wendy Fletcher, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, FAANP lives in Morehead, KY. Dr. Fletcher is a Principal of the CheráWen Group, LLC and owner of Main Street Medical Associates, LLC. A small business entrepreneur since 2005, she was the founder of Health Plus, PSC, a multi-faceted family practice clinic which served over 5,000 patients in the Northeast KY area. A recognized state and national leader in healthcare, she currently serves the KY Association of Nurse Practitioners and Nurse Midwives as Past President after completing her third term as that organization’s President. She was recently re-appointed to the KY Board of Nursing as a member of the Advanced Practice Council and has served on the state’s prescription drug management program committee, displaced opioid patient taskforce, and KY Medicaid Nursing Technical Advisory Committee. Dr. Fletcher has provided graduate and post-graduate nursing education, as well as continuing education for healthcare professionals in the realm of medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder for over 2 decades. A published author, Dr. Fletcher recently contributed a chapter and epilogue to a new nursing textbook, Rural Health Nursing: Benefits and Barriers. Dr. Fletcher earned a bachelor's degree from Morehead State University, a master's degree in nursing from the University of Kentucky, and a doctorate in nursing practice from Texas Christian University. She currently resides in Morehead with her husband Richard, and is the mother of two daughters, Allison and Reagan. Dr. Fletcher was recently re-elected by the KCTCS Board of Regents to serve a third term as Board Secretary, Dr. Fletcher was originally appointed in 2018 to replace Karen Finan, who resigned, and will serve out the remainder of that term, which expires in 2023. 

Ms. Brittanie Bogard lives in Hopkinsville Kentucky, and she has three children: Bre’Anna, Brooklyn, and Bry’Leigh. Ms. Bogard is currently a student at Hopkinsville Community College (HCC) and is pursuing an Associates in Arts. Upon graduation, she will further her education in Nonprofit and Human Services. During her time at HCC, she has spearheaded donation drives and events for HCC and the community. Ms. Bogard is a member of the National Leadership and Success, Lions International, Titus 2 Mentor Group at Hillcrest Baptist Church, Christian County Weather Spotter, The Music & History Club at HCC. She is also the Vice-President of the Writers’ Round Table Group. Ms. Bogard is currently in the 4th Diplomat Class hosted by the Mayor of Hopkinsville and is a supporter of the Child Advocacy Center. Ms. Bogard advocates for the Goodwill Expungement Program and has helped over 100 people get their records expunged. In September 2022, Ms. Bogard was elected as a KCTCS Student Regent. She will serve a one-year term that expires in September of 2023. 

Mr. Russell F. Cox lives in Louisville, Kentucky. Mr. Cox assumed his current position of CEO of Norton Healthcare on Jan. 1, 2017. He joined Norton Healthcare in September 2000 as vice president of support services. He was appointed senior vice president, operations and development, in October 2002; executive vice president in September 2004; and executive vice president and chief operating officer in September 2005. Mr. Cox has more than 38 years of executive experience in health care. Before joining Norton Healthcare, he spent six years as executive director of resource operations at Caritas Health Services in Louisville. Before that, he worked for Humana Inc., Galen Healthcare and Columbia/HCA Healthcare Corp., in various executive roles, including human resources, development and acquisitions, and operations support.
Mr. Cox is active in the community by serving on various nonprofit and volunteer boards. He currently serves as chair of the Bellarmine University Board of Trustees and is a member of its Executive Committee; Kentucky Chamber Board of Trustees; chair-elect Greater Louisville, Inc. Board of Trustees; Louisville Healthcare CEO Council, LHCC, Inc.; Kentucky Community and Technical College System Board of Regents; and Simmons College of Kentucky’s Kerner Commission 2.0. He previously served on the Downtown Development Corporation Board as treasurer and member of its Executive Committee; Kentucky Country Day School Board of Trustees as board chair and member of its Executive Committee; and as past chair of the Leadership Louisville Foundation Board. In 2018, he was honored by the Girl Scouts of Kentuckiana with the “Man Enough to Be a Girl Scout” award. In 2019, he was named one of the Most Admired CEOs in the Louisville area by Louisville Business First. In 2020, he was inducted into the Kentuckiana Business Hall of Fame; and in 2021, he was named a Health Care Heroes Health Equity Champion by Louisville Business First.
Mr. Cox earned his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Louisville’s College of Education and Human Development. He also attended the Vanderbilt University Owen School of Management in Nashville, Tennessee, and completed the requirements for certification from its Executive Development Institute. Mr. Cox was appointed to replace Dr. Gail Henson, whose term had expired. He will serve a six-year term that expires in 2027.

Ms. Karen A. Finan, lives in Fort Mitchell, Kentucky. She is President & CEO of the Northern Kentucky Regional Alliance, formed in 2017 to focus on strategic initiatives in the areas of regionalism, health, education, job growth and community vibrancy. Finan had been partner at Gilman Partners since September 2013 where she built a talent recruiting practice specializing in real estate, economic development and construction. Fortified with extensive background in a variety of industries, Ms. Finan previously served as SVP for Northern Kentucky Tri-County Economic Development Corporation (Tri-ED) where she led relocations/expansions at the national level accounting for over $250 M in Capital investment in the Northern Kentucky region. She previously directed national marketing and new business efforts at Duke Realty Corporation and Duke Construction. Active in the regional community, Ms. Finan is past chair of the Northern Kentucky Education Council and Aviatra Accelerators, an organization that enables women to start and sustain businesses by providing the resources needed for success. She is past chair of Redwood and serves on the Notre Dame Academy board. Ms. Finan serves as the Vice- Chair for Finance of the KCTCS Board of Regents. Ms. Finan was appointed to replace Mr. Porter Peeples, Sr., whose term had expired. She will serve a six-year term that expires in 2024.

Mr. Chris Girdler lives in Somerset, KY.  Mr. Girdler is the President & CEO of Somerset Pulaski Economic Development Authority, also known as “SPEDA”.  In addition to being elected senator for Kentucky's 15th district in 2012 (a position he decided not to run for a second term), Girdler is a graduate of Pulaski Southwestern High School and Eastern Kentucky University, where he earned a earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree. Mr. Girdler previously served as a CEO in the houseboat manufacturing industry and is the founder and President of Possum Trot Investments LLC, an investment and consulting company.  Mr. Girdler resides in Somerset, KY, with his wife Courtney, and has two daughters, Charleston and Channing. Mr. Girdler was appointed to replace Mr. Donald Tarter, whose term had expired. He will serve a six-year term that expires in 2025.

Ms. Kimberly Greene, lives in Somerset, Kentucky. She is a Human Resources Specialist at Somerset Community College. Ms. Greene received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Integrated Strategic Communication from the University of Kentucky and Master of Science degree in Human Resources and Organization Development from the University of Louisville. In October 2021, Ms. Greene was elected to serve a three-year term as the General Education Staff Regent. Her term ends in October 2024.

Louisville, KY – Bio and photo coming soon. 

Mr. Joe L. Heerdink is the Regional Director of Information Technology providing IT leadership for Henderson & Madisonville Community Colleges. As the IT Director Joe delivers leadership, strategic planning, and direction for each of the colleges Technology Solutions departments. His teams are responsible for the computers, servers, student technology, & network infrastructure on both the HCC & MCC campuses.
In 2013 Joe received his Bachelor of Science in Information and Operations Management at Indiana University Southeast as a non-traditional student with a minor in Computer Science. In 2022 he received his Master of Science in Cybersecurity and Information Assurance at Western Governors University.
Before taking on his roll as Regional Director of Information Technology at KCTCS, Joe has served in many technology roles. From 1997 to 2008 he was the IT Director for F.C. Tucker Emge REALTORS. While obtaining his bachelor’s degree he worked full time for Indiana University as an IT Specialist. Post undergraduate work Joe worked as a Business Operations Support Specialist for Wide Open West, later taking on a brand-new role as a Regional IT Support Specialist for Peabody Energy.
Mr. Heerdink was first elected through a special election to fulfill the Staff Regent vacancy to the KCTCS Board of Regents, in July 2020. In October 2021, Mr. Heerdink was elected to serve a three-year term as the Occupational/Technical Education Staff Regent. His term ends in October 2024.

Dr. Patsy Jackson, EdD, DNP, MSN, BSN, APRN, FNP-C lives in Salyersville, KY and currently serves as Professor of Nursing and Program Administrator/Coordinator for the Associate Degree Nursing Program at Big Sandy Community and Technical College. Dr. Jackson joined the college in 1993 and has served students and colleagues as the Program Administrator/Coordinator for the Associate Degree Nursing Program, the Licensed Practical Nursing Program and the Health Science Technology Program. She also served as the Associate Dean of Academic Affairs for General Education for 7 years. Other pertinent experiences include her practice as a Family Nurse Practitioner and as adjunct faculty for undergraduate nursing programs at Morehead State University and the University of Pikeville and graduate nursing programs at Indiana Wesleyan University.

Dr. Jackson is a committed clinician, educator and leader. She began her professional nursing journey in 1988 when she earned her Associate Degree in Nursing from Prestonsburg Community College. Since that time, she has continued her commitment to lifelong learning by earning her Bachelor of Science in Nursing, Master of Science in Nursing, and Doctor of Nursing Practice from the University of Kentucky. She also earned her Post-masters Certificate as a Rural Family Nurse Practitioner and her educational doctorate in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from Eastern Kentucky University. She has served in multiple roles of community leadership through her service on various Boards for Mountain Comprehensive Care, the Home Place Clinic and the Magoffin County Board of Health. She has also served in various shared governance roles including the BSCTC Faculty Council Co-Chair, BSCTC faculty representative to the Board of Directors, KCTCS Advisory Committee on Appeals, KCTCS Senate Council, KCTCS Advisory Committee on Promotions, and as a KCTCS Rules Senator.

In October 2021, Dr. Jackson was elected to serve a three year term as the Occupational/Technical Education Faculty Regent. Her term ends in October 2024.

photo coming soon.

Ms. Katheen Kelly Rabinowitz lives in Versailles, KY. She is married to Jonathan Rabinowitz with whom she has three children: Caroline, Madelynn, and Charlotte. Kelly presently oversees the day-to-day operations of Rose Hill Rentals and Amsden Properties. Kelly previously taught high school business for 11 years at Ballard High School and Central Hardin High School. During her time as a teacher she served as department chair, on SBDM, grant coordinator and dual credit teacher. Presently, KelIy is a member of the Woodford County Tourism Board and Woodford Forward. She is a graduate of Newberry College with a degree in Business and a graduate of University of Louisville with a Master of Education. She was appointed to replace Ms. Lisa Desmarais, whose term had expired. She will serve a six-year term that expires in 2028.

Mr. Richard Smith lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky and is the Student Government Association President, at Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College (SKYCTC). At SKYCTC, I have the pleasure of serving as the SGA President, as I am honored to be the voice of the students at my school, while also being one of the representatives for all KCTCS students. Previously, I’ve served as President for Phi Beta Lambda, and a member of Phi Theta Kappa, along with being a member of numerous groups and organizations at my school. I am a one hundred percent medically retired veteran from the United States Army, with two combat tours to Iraq. 

Currently, I am working on my AA in Business Administration, and then will be transferring to the University of Denver, to pursue my bachelor’s degree and eventually my Doctorate. I am a highly motivated student, servient leader, and individual that excels in leadership opportunities. While attending SKYCTC, I have kept between a 3.8-4.0 GPA, and completing at least 15 hours per semester. Honestly, being elected to the Board of Regents, and making the Dean’s and President’s List has been one of my proudest accomplishments in my lifetime. In September 2022, Mr. Smith was elected as a KCTCS Student Regent. He will serve a one-year term that expires in September of 2023. 

Brianna Sanders Whitten lives in Mt. Olivet, KY. She teaches English at Maysville Community and Technical College where she is a member of the Liberal Arts & Education Division. Professor Whitten’s leadership experiences include: three terms as Chair of the KCTCS Senate Council, six terms as the Chair of the Maysville Faculty Assembly, Maysville Operations & Oversight Committee, Chair of the KCTCS Senate Advisory Committee on Promotions, and membership on the KCTCS English, Women and Gender Studies, and Anthropology Curriculum Committees. Professor Whitten was in the inaugural class of the KCTCS LEAD Academy. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Kentucky, her Master of Arts from Georgetown College, and is working on her doctoral degree in English Pedagogy from Murray State University. In October 2021, Professor Whitten was elected to serve a three year term as the General Education Faculty Regent. Her term ends in October 2024.