ASHLAND, Ky., Oct. 26, 2023 – At the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s (KAED) Kentucky Economic Forum held this week at the Northern Kentucky Convention Center in Covington, a Kentucky Power employee was named a 2023 Allied Professional of the Year.
Daryl Smith, Amanda Clark and Haley McCoy, who is the current KAED president and CEO.
Amanda Clark, external affairs manager, was presented the award for her previous and ongoing role in economic growth in the state.
The forum is the annual meeting of the KAED during which the state’s economic developers, job creators and policy makers celebrate economic development wins and discuss new statewide job creation and growth strategies.
Daryl Smith, economic development project manager for Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, and previous KAED chair, presented the award saying that recipients of the Allied Professional award “play an invaluable role in a community’s economic development efforts.”
Smith shared many of Clark’s qualifications, including her support of local and regional economic development partners by assisting with site visits, recruitment trips and data gathering for requests for information (RFI).
“She works closely with critical partners, such as the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, One East Kentucky, Ashland Alliance and KAED; she manages the Kentucky Power Economic Growth Grant (K-PEGG) program; and she’s a powerful advocate for advancing streams and strengthening the profession for all Kentuckians,” Smith said.
Kentucky Power’s vice president of external affairs and customer service, Amy Elliott, was also in attendance. She said, Kentucky Power is leading the way in economic development, thanks to the hard work and dedication of the company’s external affairs team.
“We are very fortunate to have Amanda Clark and Bob Shurtleff leading our external affairs efforts,” Elliott said. “They are both passionate about building a better future for all Kentuckians through successful economic development strategies. This recognition by KAED for Amanda’s work is a proud moment for all of us at Kentucky Power.”