Gov. Andy Beshear, D-Kentucky, has appointed Lon Lafferty Martin County Judge Executive through the end of the year.
Previous Judge Executive Colby Kirk resigned from the job to take over as the President/CEO for One East Kentucky, according to WYMT. Lafferty, a doctor from the region, is running as a write-in candidate for the seat in Tuesday’s election.
Here are the other appointments to boards and commissions Beshear has made.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Fr. Matthew Young and Dr. Irvin Smith as members of the Kentucky Fire Commission.
- Matthew Young of Newport is the rector at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church and the chaplain at the Newport Fire/EMS Department. He replaces Dustin Isaacs, who has resigned, and shall serve for the remainder of the term expiring Nov. 30, 2023.
- Irvin Smith of Paducah is a physician at Healthworks LLC. He replaces Fadi Al Akhrass, who has resigned, and shall serve for the remainder of the term expiring Nov. 30, 2023.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Jessica Coleman Hastings as a member of the State Advisory Council for Gifted and Talented Education.
- Jessica Coleman Hastings of Lexington is the owner of Coleman Hastings Advancement Consulting. She replaces Emily Lawson, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 20, 2025.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Susan Guess and James Thompson as members of the Financial Institutions Board.
- Susan Guess of Paducah is senior vice president and chief marketing officer at Paducah Bank. She replaces David Stockton, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2026.
- James Thompson of Louisville is CEO of Autotruck Financial Credit Union. He replaces Karen Harbin, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2026
Gov. Beshear has appointed Leigh Van Hooser and Darrell Mattingly as members of the Commonwealth Council on Developmental Disabilities. The Governor has also reappointed Jacob Cruz, Mark Rothel and Regina Watts.
- Leigh Van Hooser of Simpsonville is executive assistant to the Office of the Governor. She replaces Kathy Salazar, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2025.
- Darrell Mattingly of Lexington is a web designer at the University of Kentucky. He replaces Norbert Ryan, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Oct. 26, 2025.
- Jacob Cruz of Lexington is the custodian at St. Peter Catholic Church and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
- Mark Rothel of Lexington is an advocate for individuals with disabilities and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
- Regina Watts of Covington is the IT manager and activities director at The Point/Arc of Kentucky and shall serve for a term expiring July 16, 2025.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Marc Farris as a member of the Personnel Board.
- Marc Farris of Lexington is an attorney at Tachau Meek PLC. He replaces Josh Hicks, who was not confirmed by the Senate, and shall serve for a term expiring Jan. 1, 2024.
Gov. Beshear has appointed Lamont Collins as a member of the Kentucky African American Heritage Commission. The Governor has also appointed Betty Dobson as chair.
- Lamont Collins of Louisville is CEO of Roots-101 African American Museum. He replaces Angela Crenshaw, whose term has expired, and shall serve for a term expiring Nov. 1, 2026.
