PADUCAH, Ky. – The Delta Regional Authority (DRA) congratulates five new Kentucky graduates of the Delta Leadership Institute (DLI) Executive Academy who now have the tools to support DRA’s efforts to create jobs, build communities, and improve lives across western Kentucky and the Delta region.
The five graduates completed the year-long DLI Executive Academy, a training program that brings together public, private, and nonprofit-sector leaders from each of the eight states served by DRA. The program equips participants with the tools, experiences and networks that will help them create new economic opportunities in Delta communities as well as support the growth of the region’s economy.
“DLI is an important tool to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of economic development efforts in the Delta region,” DRA Chairman Chris Caldwell said. “We are investing in these Kentucky leaders who are ready to help us and our partners contribute to job growth for Delta residents.”
The graduates participated in six training sessions over the past year to educate them on the regional and local economic and community development tools that are working for Delta communities to spark ideas that can be implemented in their own communities.
“I am proud of the five Kentucky leaders who completed the Delta Leadership Institute program,” said Gov. Matt Bevin. “I look forward to seeing how each of these leaders put the skills they have learned from the program into action in their local communities, and I am confident that their success as DLI graduates will benefit the state’s local communities and will promote economic development opportunities both in Kentucky and across the Delta region.”
“It was an honor and privilege to participate in the Delta Leadership Institute Class of 2018 and represent the Commonwealth of Kentucky,” said Brad Warning, 2018 DLI Graduate and Marshall County Deputy Judge/Executive. “Working with leaders throughout the Delta Region through this program has equipped me
with the skills and resources to further promote economic development in Marshall County and enhance the quality of place for our community. I’m optimistic and excited about the future of our county.”
The Kentucky graduates are:
• Bill Bartleman, Paducah | Director of Special Projects, West Kentucky and Tennessee Telecommunications Cooperative
• Ron Burkins, Henderson | Assistant VP-Western Kentucky, Community Ventures Corporation
• Cynthia Elder, Fancy Farm | Director, Mayfield Graves Tourism Commission
• Brad Warning, Calvert City | Deputy Judge Executive, Marshall County Fiscal Court
• Angie Yu, Wickliffe | President, Two Rivers Fisheries
DLI fellows learn from local, regional and national experts in infrastructure and transportation, small business and entrepreneurship, workforce training, public health and other fields necessary for economic growth in the Delta region.
Since 2005, DLI’s Executive Academy has enhanced the leadership skills, policy knowledge and networks of community members in the Delta region. After graduation, the Kentucky graduates become members of the Delta Leadership Network, which includes more than 500 community leaders who understand the importance of regional collaboration, resource sharing and innovative thinking.
DLI is a program of DRA in partnership with three institutions of higher education in the Delta region: The University of Alabama, Arkansas State University Jonesboro and the University of Louisiana Monroe.
About the Delta Regional Authority
The Delta Regional Authority is a federal-state partnership created by Congress in 2000 to help create jobs, build communities, and improve lives through strategic investments in economic development in 252 counties and parishes across eight states. DRA has invested more than $185 million into more than 1,100 projects. Overall, DRA investments have helped create and retain more than 55,000 jobs, train nearly 45,000 workers to advance in the 21st Century, and deliver sewer and water improvements to more than 238,000 residents and businesses.
