OUR TEam
The Chamber is a volunteer organization composed of individuals, businesses, industries, educators, and professionals who work together to advance the business, financial, industrial and civic interests of our community. It is an action agency designed to meet your needs! The organization is operated by a Board of Directors elected by the Chamber’s members. Annually the Board nominates the President, Vice Presidents, and Directors. The administrative head of the Chamber is the Executive Director.

The Executive Officers
JD Mechem
President
JD has been an employee of WesBanco and a resident of Kentucky since July of 2017. He has been working in the Georgetown WesBanco Main office since August, 2018. JD has 28 years of experience in mortgage lending. He is also a Veteran of the United States Army.
JD not only serves on Chamber committees and Boards, but also on is a graduate of the 2018-2019 Leadership Scott County Class (LSC) and a graduate of the 2021/2022 Leadership Central KY Class. JD is also a board member of Leadership Scott County and a board member of the Amen House.
He is the recipient of the 2019 Ambassador of the year award for the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce.
Tom Ramsey
President Elect
Tom Ramsey is the owner and founder of CK Tactical Security Inc. CK Tactical Security currently employs over 250 seasonal, full, and part time employees. CK Tactical Security currently serves as on-site security for University of KY football, The Land Rover KY Three Day event at the world renowned KY Horse Park, The Barbasol Championship for the PGA, and also provides security for many other businesses in Central KY.
Tom also is very active in the community and with the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce. Tom sits on the Young Professionals committee. He is very proud to support the community through scholarships for both high schools in Scott County. Tom is also involved in several projects to aid veterans in their transition from military life. Tom is an 8 year veteran of the United States Marine Corps. Where he was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
Tom's goals are to " Leave the community in a better spot then when I arrived ". Tom and his family reside in Stamping Ground and have been in Scott County since 2005.
Kris Castle
Past President
Kris is the owner of Castle Insurance and has been in business for more than five years in Georgetown. She enjoys hosting a cars and caffeine meetup annually at the insurance agency for the local car enthusiast community. She is married, with three daughters, two bonus kids, and a standard poodle named Alaska.
In addition to serving on the Board of Directors for the Chamber, she also is on the fund raising committee for The Gathering Place Mission. She loves learning about Central Kentucky and businesses in the area. She is a graduate of the 2018/2019 Leadership Scott County Class and a graduate of the 2019/2020 Leadership Central Kentucky.
She is the oldest of 5 kids, so some would say bossy and others would say a natural-born leader. She was born in Oklahoma City, and was raised in central North Carolina.
Kris’s passions are sewing, traveling, reading and drinking wine with her book club, and community involvement.
Denice Leamer
Treasurer
Denice has worked in the financial institution industry for over nineteen years. She currently works for Commonwealth Credit Union as the Commercial Account Manager in Frankfort, Kentucky, where she has been bettering lives for seven years. She is involved in CCU Mentor and Advanced Team 1 Leader programs. Graduate of The Southeast CUNA Management School in 2021.
She has a passion for serving the Scott County Community and is a graduate of Leadership Scott County class of 2017, is on the Board of Directors for Leadership Scott County, and treasurer for Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce in 2019 and continuing to serve in 2023.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE OFFICERS
Kristine Cassata
Chair Women in Business
Kristine Cassata is a top producer and proven real estate professional. With a degree in Business Administration, a professional background in sales and marketing, strong ethics, and a strong focus on repeat business and referrals she has built a reputation as a highly regarded and successful realtor.
In 2020 Kristine launched Indigo & Co Realty, a boutique brokerage serving Georgetown and the surrounding areas. Whether working with buyers or sellers, Kristine and her team will put the clients first with good communication, attention to detail and an overall real estate experience worth sharing.
Kristine is passionate about her community and sharing it with others. She is a board member of the Georgetown Scott County Chamber of Commerce, a founding member of the Women in Business committee, and is proud to continue as Chair for the Georgetown Scott County Women in Business for 2023. She is also the recipient of the 2022 Woman of the Year Award.
Lynn Godsey
Chair Economic and Education Affairs
Lynn Godsey joined Bluegrass Community and Technical College in 2018 as the Campus Director for the Georgetown-Scott County Campus, home to the Advanced Manufacturing Center.
Lynn works to increase student access to educational opportunities that lead to high quality careers or prepare students for transfer to 4-year institutions. She has been a strong advocate for expanding dual credit opportunities for high school students and, in partnership with Scott County Schools, launched the Scott County Middle College.
She grew up in Buffalo, NY, earned a BS in Business Administration from SUNY at Buffalo and an MBA from Indiana University. Before settling in Kentucky in 1999, Lynn had the opportunity to live and work in Anchorage, Alaska; Tucson, Arizona; and Washington DC.
Lynn and her husband, David, live in Georgetown with their rescue puppy, Buddy.
Mark Manuel
Chair Governmental Affairs
Mark is the Vice President for Bluegrass Community and Technical College. Advancement is made up of Resource Development and Governmental Affairs. He also serves as the Executive Director of the Bluegrass Community and Technical College Foundation, Inc.
Mark’s experience includes process redesign, lean manufacturing implementation, organizational consulting, organizational redesign, strategic planning, fundraising, and workforce development in both the private and public sectors. He serves as a director on the boards of Commerce Lexington, the Georgetown Chamber of Commerce, and Scott County United. He is a member of the Central Kentucky Public Policy Council and is also the immediate past chair of the Business and Education Network, a 501c3 non-profit focused on workforce issues. A former board member of the Central Kentucky Region of the Sports Car Club of America (CKRSCCA), Mark enjoys all levels of sports car and formula car racing.
Mark's educational background includes a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Engineering from West Virginia University and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Kentucky. He is a registered professional engineer in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.
Missy Baker
Co-Chair Membership
Missy is Principal Broker/ Owner of Realty World TNT in Georgetown.
She has resided in Georgetown, KY. for over eight years now. As a transplant from a small town in Eastern KY she is excited to have the same sense of small town in her new community.
Work ethic and determination are high on her list of attributes. She has 2 grown children and is enjoying her ‘empty nest’. She is in a unique position with her profession to be able to give more back to the community and loves the opportunity to do so.
She is currently serving as an active Chamber Board Member, Chamber Membership Committee Chair, Elizabeth’s Village Board Member. She is proud to be listed as a Certified Ky Minority and Women Owned Business. She was a founding member of Women In Business and was voted 2021 Chamber Ambassador of the Year.
Griff Ray
Co-Chair Membership
Griff is the Crossroads Georgetown Community Pastor and brings with him over 30 years of ministry experience. His career ranges from his early years in children’s and student ministry to Senior Pastor at a Cincinnati-based church as well as leading various ministry teams for the Crossroads campus in Lexington, KY. He has a Bachelor's Degree from Cincinnati Christian University in Biblical Studies.
Griff believes one of the primary responsibilities of the Church is to care for those in the community around the church. He believes a strong relationship between business, non-profit, and the church makes the community better.
Griff loves being with people and building relationships. He’s been married to his wife, Kristan, for over 30 years and has two grown children, a bloodhound and a chocolate lab.
Julie Amburgey
Chair Marketing & Events
Julie is the Operations Manager at Pat Juett Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc., a family owned and operated business serving Scott and surrounding areas for 30+ years.
She is married to Ron Amburgey and has two sons and two bonus daughters.
Julie also enjoys volunteering at The Gathering Place Mission and is a district director for the Kentucky Association of Master Contractors.
She loves traveling and experiencing new places and adventures!
Eric Del Valle
Chair Young Professionals
Eric Del Valle is the Business Development Manager for 46Solutions, a local, employee-owned technology company. 46Solutions supports Kentucky businesses with their IT needs, including Managed Services, Cybersecurity, and Audio/Video Integration.
Eric is an active member of the Building Industry Association of Central Kentucky, as well as the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce Membership committee. He was an active participant on the Young Professionals committee for 2022 before taking over as Chair and is excited to plan this year.
He and his wife, Anna, live in Lexington with their two children and two dogs.
2023 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Patti Burnside
Executive Director, Scott County Public Library
Patti and her family moved to Georgetown in 1994, after her husband, Mike, retired from a twenty-year career in the U.S. Air Force. As part of a military family, she learned to be resilient and adaptable to new situations, and continues to espouse the military culture of “service before self.”
Patti has worked at the Scott County Public Library for 28 years, and has served as its Executive Director for the past five years. She holds two masters degrees: from the University of New Hampshire (Education) and the University of Kentucky (Library and Information Science).
Patti considers herself blessed to have two sons and five granddaughters. In addition to her roles as wife, mother, grandmother, and librarian, she has enjoyed serving as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington, and as an adviser to the University of Kentucky collegiate chapter of Alpha Gamma Delta. She and her husband also enjoy being members of Pawsibilties Unleashed with their therapy dog, Dawson.
Locally, she serves on the Boards of the Scott Education & Community Foundation and the Bluegrass Community Action Partnership. She is an active member of Chapter AQ of P.E.O. International, a women’s philanthropic organization that focuses on the promotion of educational opportunities for women, and has enjoyed serving as a deacon at First Presbyterian Church in Lexington.
Patti enjoys being involved in the work of the Chamber, and hopes to identify ways that the public library can better serve the community.
Lee Carter
Executive Director, Kentucky Horse Park
Lee is a graduate of Georgetown College and has lived in Georgetown for 30+ years. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Kentucky Horse Park. Previously he was Executive Director of Equestrian Events, Inc. and organized the Land Rover Kentucky Three-Day Event.
He is past chair of the Georgetown/Scott County Tourism Commission and the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce.
Lee’s family includes his wife, Laura, and sons Eli and Graham.
Stephanie Emmons
Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning, Scott County Schools
Stephanie is Assistant Superintendent of Student Learning for Scott County Schools. She has been in education for 16 years and worked as an elementary and high school special education teacher, as well as elementary and high school principal. She has a passion for Career and Technical Education and building an educational system that prepares students for their futures and to become successful citizens in our community.
Stephanie and her family recently moved to Georgetown. Her husband is an elementary teacher here in Scott County, her oldest son attends Morehead State University, and her youngest sons attend Scott County Middle School. She currently sits on the Economic and Education Affairs Committee.
Devon Golden
City Attorney, City of Georgetown
Devon Golden serves as City Attorney for the City of Georgetown, where she has been employed since April, 2017.
Devon is a 2016 graduate of Northern Kentucky University's Chase College of Law and a 2013 graduate of Georgetown College, with a double major in Political Science and Business Management. While attending Georgetown College, she was captain of the women's basketball team and participated in a number of other campus and community initiatives.
Devon is an active board member with the AMEN House, Scott County Habitat for Humanity and Kaden's Cause and looks forward to serving another prospering local organization that greatly benefits Georgetown/Scott County.
Bret Halverson
Realtor, Coldwell Banker McMahan
Bret has worked in the Real-Estate industry since 1993 as a realtor and a mortgage loan office. He currently works for Coldwell Banker McMahan as a Realtor. He also owns Georgetown Vacation Rentals which has been open since 2015. He also works with Hero Home Advantage, a program that give 25% of his commission to active, retired and volunteer: Military, Law Enforcement, Fire Fighters, First Responders, Health Care providers and Teachers.
Crystal Miller
Public Health Director, WEDCO District Health Department
Crystal Miller, DrPH, has been the Public Health Director for WEDCO District Health Department for the past 16 years. Crystal is passionate about leadership, training and workforce development. She has served on the Kentucky Health Departments Association (KHDA) Executive Committee and the National Association of County and City Health Officials Board of Directors. She is a 2012 graduate of the National Public Health Leadership Institute. Dr. Miller is also heavily involved in advancing public health initiatives locally in Georgetown/Scott County. In addition to being on the Chamber Board of Directors, she serves on the Women In Business Committee. She also serves on the Scott County United Board of Directors.
She is a Mom of two boys, ages 13 and 8. They are heavily involved in sports so she serves as a bank and taxi. They love the lake and spend as much time on Dale Hollow as possible in the Summer months.
Dr. Miller’s education includes a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education from the University of Kentucky (2003). She also holds a Master’s of Public Health (2006) and a Doctorate of Public Health (2015), both from the University of Kentucky.
Kim Ogle
Senior Manager, Corporate Communications, Toyota Motor North America
Kim Ogle is senior manager, corporate communications for Toyota Motor North America. She is responsible for external communications, media relations, social innovation, and local government affairs for Toyota plants in Kentucky, Mississippi and North Carolina.
Kim joined Toyota in 2013 as the external affairs specialist at Toyota Alabama, working her way to corporate communications manager for all of Toyota’s engine and component plants in North America.
Before joining Toyota, Kim worked as the marketing director for American Sentinel University in Nashville, Tennessee and as the marketing manager for Methodist Healthcare in Memphis, Tennessee.
She is active in the community through company initiatives and volunteer work. Her current and past community involvement and board activities include Women in Manufacturing, Leadership Huntsville, Huntsville Community Foundation, Schools Foundation, Commerce Lexington, and Georgetown Scott County Chamber.
She and her family reside in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
Jonathan Sands Wise
Provost and Executive Vice President, Georgetown College
Dr. Jonathan Sands Wise serves as the Provost and Executive Vice President at Georgetown College, overseeing the Academic Program of the institution. While new to the role of Provost, Jonathan has taught at Georgetown College since 2008 in the Philosophy Department, and has served as Associate Dean for Academic Success, Vice President for Enrollment Management, and Associate Provost for Graduate and New Programs.
Jonathan and his wife and two daughters live in Georgetown and attend Faith Baptist Church. In the past, Jonathan has served on the boards for both Quest Farm and Hospitality House, and he regularly seeks ways to support the community, both through the educational mission of the college and through service.
Cliff Wilson
Chief Executive Officer and Market President, Georgetown Community Hospital
Cliff is the CEO of Georgetown Community Hospital and Lifepoint Health Central Kentucky market, which consists of Bluegrass Community Hospital, Bourbon Community Hospital, Clark Regional Medical Center and Georgetown Community Hospital.
Cliff comes to Central Kentucky from Winchester, Tennessee, where he served as the CEO of Southern Tennessee Regional Health System. He has also previously served as interim CEO for the STRHS-Lawrenceburg campus, as well as several roles at Rockdale Medical Center, a former LifePoint facility in Conyers, Georgia. He also served as director of professional recruitment and development for Southeastern Integrated Medical, PL and market manager for HCA Physician Services, both in Gainesville, Florida.
He earned a Master of Business Administration in Healthcare Management from Western Governors University in Salt Lake City, Utah, and a bachelor’s degree in business administration from the Warrington College of Business at the University of Florida in Gainesville, Florida. He has relocated to Scott County with his wife,
Stephanie. In their free time, Cliff and Stephanie enjoy traveling, supporting small businesses and community organizations, hobby farming, and attending sporting events. They have four children: Lydia, Natalie, Audrey and Camron.

our staff
Executive Director
Jack Conner
jack@gtown.org
Manager
Laura Toole
laura@gtown.org
Communications Administrator
Kellee French
kellee@gtown.org