Karen Foley has nearly 25 years of community development experience, working to help neighbors create more vital neighborhoods in Bowling Green, KY. She administers an award-winning, locally funded mini-grant program that has invested more than $1M in small projects in neighborhoods all across the city and serves as a liaison between community organizations and all City departments. She founded Bowling Green Coalition of Active Neighborhoods (BGCAN), a networking organization for neighborhood groups and individuals interested in community development work, and collaborated with WKU, AARP Kentucky and neighborhood volunteers to launch the City of Bowling Green’s Over 50 Citizens Academy (OFCA) and Age Friendly Bowling Green initiative. The academy celebrated its 10th graduating cohort in March. Because of her close work with neighborhoods, Karen played a key supporting role in disaster response and recovery following the December 2021 tornadoes, helping to establish Warren County’s Long Term Recovery Group (LTRG), now known as Bowling Green-Warren County Disaster Recovery, and continues to serve as Communications Chair. She is a WKU alum and holds a professional certificate in neighborhood revitalization from NeighborWorks America.

Alecia Johnson is the Associate Director of Aging Services at BRADD. She has been with the agency since 2008, working in various roles within the department. Alecia is a 2008 graduate of Western Kentucky University. She graduated Magna Cum Laude with a major in Psychology and a minor in Criminology. During her employment at BRADD, Alecia has helped to foster the growth and expansion of aging programs within our region. This includes involvement in various community groups, including the Barren River Mental Health and Aging Coalition, the Barren River Elder Abuse Prevention Council, the Kentucky Association of Area Agencies on Aging, and many others. She graduated high school from Butler County High and currently resides in Butler County, where she enjoys spending time with her daughter and life on their farm.

Eric Sexton is the Executive Director at the Barren River Area Development District (BRADD) working with individuals and local governments in south central Kentucky to better the communities in which they work and live. Eric came to BRADD in July of 2017 and has submerged himself into the agency’s mission of improving the quality of life in the region. His current role provides the opportunity to work with all populations in areas of health & human services; community & economic development, including grant assistance and infrastructure planning; as well as a variety of other essential services to individuals and local units of government. Sexton is the current Chair of the KY Association of District Directors and Treasurer for SERDI, the Southeast Regional Directors Institute. Eric holds a Bachelor’s degree and Graduate Certificate from Western KY University. He also maintains a real estate license with Elmore Realty & Auction Company in Glasgow, KY. Eric resides in Edmonton, KY and serves on his local Foster Care Review Board. He is also an active member of the Edmonton-Metcalfe Chamber of Commerce and the Bowling Green Running Club. Sexton was the recipient of the Kentucky 2018 Outstanding Civic Education Leadership Award.