NKyTribune staff and the Commonwealth of Kentucky Cabinet of Tourism, Arts and Heritage
Governor Matt Bevin today announced the appointment of six new members to the Kentucky Horse Park Commission and a revamped commission structure.
Former Boone County Commissioner Matt Dedden, of Burlington, has been named vice chairman and will serve a three-year term.
Dedden
The reorganization of the Kentucky Horse Park Commission reduces the size of the board from seventeen to fifteen.
It also increases the required number of members involved in the equine industry from two to four and required members involved in the tourism or commerce industry from two to four. The reorganized commission brings in a combination of members with institutional knowledge and those with new ideas.
Dedden said he was proud to be asked to serve on the commission.
“I think you’ll see some changes down the road,” he said.
Dedden is the former vice president of the Kentucky Cutting Horse Association. He is the owner of Dedden Excavation, based in Burlington, and wood product manufacturing company, Primary Pallet in Redding, Ohio. Dedden will serve as the Kentucky Horse Park Vice Chairman.
Governor Bevin reappointed five commissioners along with the two ex-officio cabinet secretaries. Two appointments remain vacant.
Bevin
“This is a new direction for the board,” said Don Parkinson, Secretary of the Cabinet of Tourism, Arts and Heritage, which oversees the Horse Park. “The new commissioners will work with members of the Horse Park Foundation and will build upon the groundwork previous commissions developed over the last 30 years. We look forward to partnering with everyone who has a stake in the future of the Horse Park.”
Others appointed to serve a three-year term include:
- Bennie Sargent, of Georgetown. Sargent is a former AQHA Horseman-of-the-Year and a longtime member of the Quarter Horse Association.
- Rebecca “Becky” Jordan, of Georgetown. Jordan has served on the Horse Park Foundation Board for over 20 years, has been a member of the National Reining Horse Sports Foundation since 2010, and previously served on the World Games Advisory Commission from 2006-2010.
- Lisa Ball, of Lexington. Ball is the sales and marketing executive of Ball Homes. Ball is the secretary of the Homebuilders Association of Lexington and a member of the Affordable Housing Board of Lexington.
Those appointed to serve a two-year term include:
- Tandy Patrick, of Louisville. Patrick is an attorney with Bingham, Greenebaum & Doll LLC in Louisville and Lexington. Patrick will continue to serve as the Kentucky Horse Park Chairwoman.
- Nancy Cox, of Lexington. Cox is the Dean of the University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment.
- Larry Bisig, of Louisville. Bisig is CEO of Bisig Impact Group. Bisig was a founding member of the Greater Louisville Sports Commission and Louisville Arena Authority.
- Porter Peeples, Sr., of Lexington. Peeples serves as President/CEO of the Lexington Urban League. Peeples is active in a variety of civic initiatives and programs throughout the Commonwealth.
The following were selected for a four-year term:
- William “Bill” Ferko, of Prospect. Ferko is Interim Chief Financial Officer of CRS Processing Services and owner of Turning Leaf Farm. Ferko is the chairman of Dismas Charities.
- R. Paul Feemster, of Smithfield. Feemster is the retired Vice President and General Manager of United States Fidelity and Guaranty and an active Sport Horse breeder.
- Richard “Happy” Broadbent IV, of Lexington. Broadbent is Vice President of Churchill Downs, Incorporated. Broadbent is the past president of the Thoroughbred Club of America.
Don Parkinson, Secretary of the Cabinet of Tourism, Arts and Heritage and Eric Dunnigan, Secretary of the Cabinet of Economic Development, will serve as ex-officio members.
The Kentucky Horse Park, located in Lexington, is a 1,224 acre equestrian facility dedicated to “man’s relationship with the horse.” Each year the park is host to a number of high profile events and horse shows.
The park is home to the International Museum of the Horse, the most comprehensive museum in the world dedicated to exploring the important history of all horses and their impact on human civilization.
