Wondering why we’ve been poo-pooing this Greg Fischer-Jim Gray “Bluegrass Economic Advancement Movement” bit?

Here’s the board, named today:

• Jim Campbell, President & CEO, GE Appliances & Lighting
• Dr. Eli Capilouto, President, University of Kentucky
• Scott Casey, Vice President, UPS Air Group Legal and Public Affairs
• Jim Host, Chairman
• Wil James, President, Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc.
• Jim Lancaster, CEO and Owner, Lantech.com LLC
• Stephen Lewis, Director Strategic Planning, Ford Motor Company
• Porter G. Peeples, Sr., President & CEO, Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County
• Robert L. Quick, CCE, President & CEO, Commerce Lexington Inc. (ex officio member)
• Dr. Jim Ramsey, President, University of Louisville (ex officio member)
• Joe Reagan, President & CEO, Greater Louisville Inc.
• Mary Pat Regan, President, AT&T Kentucky
• Paul Rooke, Chairman & CEO, Lexmark International, Inc.
• Vivek Sarin, President & CEO, Shelby Industries, LLC
• Mark Sarvary, Chief Executive Officer and President, Tempur-Pedic International
• Rena Sharpe, Vice President of North American Operations, Westport Axle Corp.
• Al Smith, Journalist, Retired Host of KET’s Comment on Kentucky
• Keith Stewart, Director of Operations/Site Manager of the Raytheon Missile Systems
• Jody Wassmer, President and CEO, One Southern Indiana (ex officio member)

How many of those people have a clue about actual small business in Kentucky? How many know anything about the region outside of the beltways in both Louisville and Lexington? How many aren’t even from Kentucky?

The Golden Triangle is fine. It’s developing industry in neglected areas of the state where attention needs to be focused.

Head – desk.