PeADD 54th Annual Dinner Meeting

Connecting the Pennyrile was the theme of the night at the Pennyrile Area Development District’s (PeADD) 54th Annual Dinner Meeting held June 12, 2023, at The Bruce Convention Center in Hopkinsville, KY.  The evening was sponsored by Planters Banks Hopkinsville and under the chairmanship of Crissy Carter, PeADD Board Chair and Citizen Member representing Livingston County.  A crowd of over 400 state and local officials, legislators, business and civic leaders, and others from throughout the Pennyrile filled the room to celebrate the accomplishments in the region from the past year and to honor the late John Walton with the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award.

The PeADD Board Nominating Committee brought before the board three new appointments with Brad Hunter, District 3 Magistrate representing Livingston County, and Mayor Jenny Sewell, of Dawson Springs representing Hopkins County and Wade White representing Lyon County.  Five reappointments were nominated including Bart Frazer representing Crittenden County, Lee Wilson representing Lyon County, and Beth Sumner and Todd Wallace both representing Trigg County. The appointments were unanimously decided.

Outgoing PeADD Board Members were presented with a plaque including Deb Domke , Lyon County Representative (not present) and Terry Stringer, Livingston County Representative.

A PeADD Board Service Award was given to Judge-Executive Todd Mansfield of Todd County for five years of service as a member of board.  

Staff Service Awards were presented to Miranda White (5 years), Cindy Cummings (20 years), and Karen Corbett-Wallace (30 years) for their respective years of employment with PeADD.

Todd County Judge-Executive and PeADD Board Treasurer, Todd Mansfiled, gave a heartfelt presentation while introducing the winner of the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award, which was presented to the family of Mr. John Walton. Videos from Governor Andy Beshear and Senior Advisor to the Governor, Rocky Adkins, were displayed to send their condolences.  Due to Mr. Walton’s sudden and unexpected passing, the Walton family graciously accepted the award on his behalf which was presented by Ms. Crissy Carter, Mr. Scott Marshall, and Judge Todd Mansfield.

Jason Vincent, PeADD Executive Director, cited the theme of the night, “Making Connections,” declaring how PeADD does just that.  He thanked everyone for helping the organization to do so.  He went on to thank Planters Bank for their sponsorship, along with the staff at The Bruce, and Lieutenant Dan for his audio and visual assistance.  Mr. Vincent thanked Melissa Thompson, the Communications Director at PeADD, for her talent and efforts in coordinating the evening.  He also thanked the General Assembly for their contributions in growth of the Pennyrile region.  Mr. Vincent also thanked the PeADD Board members and committee/council members for their continued dedication to PeADD’s efforts.  Lastly, he recognized and thanked the PeADD staff for their accomplishments, declaring his pride in them and their work.

Mr. Vincent offered his condolences to the family of John Walton, stating that his dear friend, whose fingerprint was left on numerous projects and initiatives in the region, would be greatly missed.  He mentioned the Annual Report just before directing everyone to the screens for a video of accomplishments and investments over the past year.  He concluded his dialogue stating, “Let’s keep making connections!” and thanked everyone for attending.

The guest speaker, Lisa Marie Platske, spoke on the importance of connections, providing insight on how making connections in her own life was detrimental, considering she had to make vital connections with her previous federal police officer colleagues if she wanted to gain their trust and acceptance.  She provided seven keys for connection and asked the crowd to participate in engagement activities in order to form connections in the room.