THREE KENTUCKIANS RECEIVE THE 2004 GOVERNOR'S ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LEADERSHIP AWARDS

Frankfort, Ky. - Tonight three distinguished Kentuckians received the Governor's Economic Development Leadership Awards. The awards were presented during the Ninth Annual Governor's Economic Development Leadership Conference and Awards Dinner held in conjunction with the Kentucky Industrial Development Council’s annual meeting in Northern Kentucky.

"Encouraging the best and brightest Kentuckians to stay in the Commonwealth, rather than move out of state to pursue economic prosperity, is a top goal of my administration,  said Governor Ernie Fletcher.  The three recipients of these awards have done just that, and I commend them for their success and leadership. These three individuals can serve as role models for others who are working to become successful Kentucky business leaders. 

"Success in economic development depends on forging effective partnerships with local, county, regional, state and private sector leaders,  added Gene Strong, Secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development.  Effective leaders are a key ingredient. Tonight, we honor three of the best. 

The recipients of the 2004 Governor's Economic Development Leadership Awards are as follows:

• Jonathan S. Blue - Louisville; Jonathan is currently Co-Managing Director for Cobalt Ventures, LLC where he is responsible for continuing to build Cobalt Ventures by identifying and investing in numerous ventures and diversified opportunities. He is also responsible for management of several of the underlying portfolio companies and investment strategies. Currently, Jonathan Blue serves on numerous boards including Actors Theatre of Loisville, Jewish Hospital HealthCare Services, the Cardiovascular Innovation Institute and the Main Street Association. In addition, he serves as a University of Pennsylvania Alumni Career Advisor and is a graduate of Leadership Louisville (2002) and the 2003 Bingham Fellows.
• Todd L. Blue - Louisville; As Co-Managing Director, Todd Blue oversees the business development and strategic direction of Cobalt Ventures, LLC, a globally minded organization that actively invests in operating businesses and develops urban-inspired real estate. He is responsible for partnership and brand development as well as leading the development, management and leasing of Cobalt's real estate portfolio. Todd Blue currently serves his community through director positions on the Jewish Community Federation of Louisville, and the Cathedral Heritage Foundation. In addition, he is an active member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and serves on the Kentucky Economic Development Finance Authority Board of Directors. Mr. Blue is also a graduate (2001) and former board director of Leadership Louisville.
• Kenneth A. Wheeler - Paducah; Ken Wheeler recently retired from a career spanning nearly 50 years in the maritime industry. During his career, Mr. Wheeler was involved in a broad variety of management activities, ranging from construction of nuclear submarines to operation of inland towing companies. Mr. Wheeler has been active in a number of efforts involving economic development in Western Kentucky. These include recruiting of the Center for Maritime Education, development of the UK Paducah School of Engineering, the Challenger Learning Center and downtown redevelopment. Mr. Wheeler currently serves as Chairman of the Greater Paducah Economic Development Council in addition to being active in numerous other civic and professional affairs.

Since 1996, thirty-two Kentuckians have received the Governor's Economic Development Leadership awards, which were designed to recognize those individuals in Kentucky whose vision and leadership have been instrumental in improving our state's local, regional and statewide economy.

Also during the program, the Kentucky Industrial Development Council (KIDC) presented several awards including:

• 2004 Founders' Award for Service to KIDC - presented to 17 KIDC members;
• The James Norris Gray Award for Professional Development;
• East Kentucky Power Community Professional of the Year; and
• Delta Air Lines Allied Professional of the Year.

The Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency in Kentucky responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in the state. New business investment in Kentucky in 2003 totaled more than $1.56 billion with the creation of just over 13,800 new jobs. Information on available development sites, workforce training, incentive programs, community profiles, small business development and other resources is available at http://www.thinkkentucky.com/.

(NOTE: KIDC is now the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), and can be reached at www.kaedonline.org --webmaster, 04/20/05)