John Chowning and Lindy Casebier to Lead Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center Board

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John Chowning

FRANKFORT, KY (11/17/2009)(readMedia)-- NOTE: An election version of this press release is available at the Center's Web site:

www.kltprc.net/pressreleases/pr_2010leadership.htm

John Chowning of Campbellsville has been elected to serve as the 2010 Chair of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center's Board of Directors. "These are very challenging times for the Commonwealth of Kentucky," Chowning notes. "There has never been greater need for long-term public policy research to help decision makers understand the complexities of the issues facing our state."

He serves as Vice President for Church and External Relations and Executive Assistant to the President at Campbellsville University (CU). Mr. Chowning is the founding director of CU's Kentucky Heartland Institute on Public Policy and has taught part-time in the institution's political science program. He has served on a number of boards, including serving as Chair of the University's Board of Trustees, Kentucky State Board of Elections, The Center for Rural Development, Campbellsville-Taylor County Economic Development Authority, Southern Kentucky Economic Development Corporation, the Heartland Parkway Foundation board, the Heartland regional heritage tourism advisory committee, and Greater Campbellsville United which works to promote racial and ethnic harmony in the community and region.

Chowning observes that, "The Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center has been at this work for the past 16 years, and we will endeavor to provide meaningful analysis in the year ahead. It is a great privilege to be asked to serve as chair in 2010." He is an ordained Baptist minister having served as senior pastor for several years of Saloma Baptist Church. Mr. Chowning is active in Kentucky Baptist Convention life and has been recognized for his leadership in racial and ethnic reconciliation ministry. He has a master of public administration (planning emphasis) from Eastern Kentucky University; a bachelor's of arts in political science for Transylvania University; and an associate of arts from Lindsey Wilson College. He has completed several courses in the program of alternate studies at Memphis Theological Seminary and has completed additional graduate hours in education at EKU. Mr. Chowning's professional career has included serving as a public school teacher, public sector grant writing and planning, vice president and partner in a Lexington-based consulting firm, and director of economic development for former U.S. Representative Ron Lewis. Mr. Chowning is a member of several professional and civic organizations and has received a number of awards, including Governor's Economic Development Leadership Award in 1999; local Citizen of the Year in 1998 and 2001; local Man of the Year by the local BPW Club in 1999; CU's Faculty Challenger Award two years; and the 2007 Martin Luther King. Jr. Humanitarian Award by the Talyor County Civic League. His wife, Cathy, is a licensed physical therapist, and they are the parents of four children and have four grandchildren. Mr. Chowning is the head of a family farm operation in his native Cumberland County, Kentucky. The Chownings have lived in Campbellsville for the past 32 years.

Lindy Casebier has been elected to serve as the board's 2010 Vice Chair. He currently serves as the Deputy Secretary of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. He is a former member of the Kentucky General Assembly, having served in both the House of Representatives from 1987-1993 and the Senate from 1993-2005. While a senator, Mr. Casebier chaired the Senate Education Committee from 1997-2005 and served as the Commissioner of the Education Commission of the States from 1998-2005. Mr. Casebier was a Music Educator and Band Director at Valley High School, a Music Specialist/Supervisor at Gheens Academy, and Community Development Specialist for Jefferson County Public Schools. He later served as Assistant to the Superintendent of Oldham County Public Schools. Prior to being appointed Deputy Secretary, Mr. Casebier served as the Executive Director of the Office of Arts & Cultural Heritage in the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. He also previously served on the Board of Directors of the Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center while a legislator. Mr. Casebier is a member of Highland Baptist Church, the University of Louisville Board of Overseers, and the Advisory Board of the University of Kentucky Art Museum. He served as a Delegate to Hungary and Poland in 2001 with the American Council of Young Political Leaders, and was named an Alumni Fellow at the University of Louisville in 2003. Mr. Casebier holds both a Bachelor's and a Master's Degree in Education from the University of Louisville.

The Kentucky Long-Term Policy Research Center is a state agency dedicated to research into trends and issues that are likely to influence the future of the state. Created by the General Assembly in 1992, the Center is governed by a 21-member board and has a mandate to increase knowledge about issues on Kentucky's horizon, guide planning efforts throughout state government and engage citizens in policymakers in preparing for the future.