Gov. Matt Bevin has made the following appointments to Kentucky boards and commissions:
Robert William Heckel and James A. Huber have been appointed to the Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Commission.
• Robert William Heckel, of Florence, is a rider coach. Mr. Heckel will represent instructors in the motorcycle safety education program and serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020.
• James A. Huber, of Independence, is a teacher. Mr. Huber will represent the Kentucky Motorcycle Association and serve for a term expiring June 30, 2020.
The Motorcycle Safety Education Advisory Commission is made up of seven gubernatorial appointees. The commission is charged with fostering the growth and development of the motorcycle safety and education program in the Commonwealth.
Erica Lynn Vice Pristas and Joe Michael Dickhaus have been appointed to the Kentucky Board of Examiners of Psychology.
• Erica Lynn Vice Pristas, of Georgetown, is a psychologist. Dr. Pristas will represent licensed psychologists and serve for a term expiring July 15, 2020.
• Joe Michael Dickhaus, of Winchester, is a mental health therapist. Mr. Dickhaus will represent certified psychologists and serve for a term expiring July 15, 2020.
The purpose of the State Board of Psychology is to administer and enforce the statutory authority and to monitor the needs of the consuming public. The Board examines and licenses all eligible candidates for entry into the profession of Psychology. It recommends appropriate changes in the law to assure fairness and equality.
Steven G. Dale has been reappointed to the Center for Pollution Prevention Board of Directors and designated as Chair of the Board.
• Steven G. Dale, of Bagdad, is retired and currently a farmer. Mr. Dale will represent the environmental protection community and serve for a term expiring July 15, 2019.
The Center for Pollution Prevention Board of Directors consists of 10 members, seven of which are appointed by the governor, and are charged with overseeing the Center for Pollution Prevention.
Michael R. Ziegler, Johnny Mac Smith, James Morehead, Damon Thayer, Andrew M. Roberts, Arthur B. Zubrod and Michael W. Kilgore have been appointed to the Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council.
• Michael R. Ziegler, of Louisville, is the Executive Director of Racing for Churchill Downs. Mr. Zieglar will represent licensed racing associations and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• Johnny Mac Smith, of Versailles, is a veterinarian. Dr. Smith will represent Thoroughbred breeders and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• James Morehead, of Lexington, is a veterinarian. Dr. Morehead will represent veterinarians and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• Damon Thayer, of Georgetown, is the Majority Floor Leader, State Senate District 17. Senator Thayer will represent legislators and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• Andrew M. Roberts, of Lexington, is a veterinarian. Dr. Roberts will represent the Kentucky Harness Horseman’s Association and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• Arthur B. Zubrod, of Versailles, is the General Manager of Brittany Farms. Mr. Zubrod will represent the harness racing industry and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
• Michael W. Kilgore, of Lexington, is a professor. Dr. Kilgore will represent pharmacologists and serve for a term expiring August 1, 2020.
The Kentucky Equine Drug Research Council was created to advise the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission on research and testing of equine drugs. By law, the council reviews testing research conducted at the University of Kentucky or conducted elsewhere with state funds.
George Jeffrey Fisk has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the Racing Health and Welfare Fund, Inc.
• George Jeffrey Fisk, of Independence, is active in the equine business and serves on the Executive Board of the Kentucky Horse Council and the Executive Committee of the National Cutting Horse Association. He is also a former Kentucky Horse Park Commission member. Mr. Fisk will serve a one-year term expiring June 8, 2017.
The Kentucky Racing Health and Welfare Fund is a charitable, non-profit organization that helps certain eligible individuals in the Kentucky thoroughbred racing industry who demonstrate need. It was founded in 1978 by an act of the Kentucky General Assembly, and provides benevolent funding toward the payment of medical, hospital, vision and funeral expenses. The Fund provides benefits for off-the-job injuries and illnesses which are not covered by union health and welfare plans, worker’s compensation, social security, public welfare, military benefits, veteran benefits or any other type of health, medical, dental or accident insurance.
