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The Greater Clark Foundation Receives 2023 Vision Award for Community Enhancement

The 2023 Vision Award for Community Enhancement is awarded to The Greater Clark Foundation.  The Greater Clark Foundation has done an amazing job  in Winchester and Clark County in recent years.

Since its launch in 2013, GCF has provided aspirational leadership and encouraged an Ambition for a Vibrant Community. GCF believes strong citizens build strong communities. But the right conditions — capacity, collaboration, communication, and cohesion — must be healthy and vibrant to stimulate a community identity that is forward-leaning, self-sustaining, engaged, and resilient.

From visualization of North Main Street to ideal racial justice investments, to solving local issues with public innovators, to the wonderful gift of Legacy Park Grove to the Citizens of Winchester and Clark County.   We Congratulate the Greater Clark Foundation, and Executive Director Jen Algire with the 2023 Bluegrass Tomorrow Vision Award for Community Enhancement.

Dr. Nancy Cox Receives 2023 Vision Award for Agriculture & Sustainability

The Agriculture & Sustainability Vision Award is presented to an individual or organization that has made a major impact on our signature industry in the Bluegrass Region, and our recipient this year has been making a remarkable impact on our Agriculture industry for many years.

The College of Agriculture, Food and Environment is one of UK’s largest undergraduate colleges and ranks second among UK colleges in external funding. It is home to the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, which has offices in all 120 counties and serves a critical role in disseminating knowledge to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

Under Dean Cox, the college has seen tremendous growth in support of the state’s signature equine and distilled spirits industries. As a renowned animal physiologist and associate dean, she accelerated the college’s land-grant role as a research and engagement leader in Kentucky agriculture; prioritizing investments in veterinary diagnostics, equine health and safety, and animal and forage production.

Thank you, Dr. Nancy Cox, for your service to the Commonwealth in our signature industries for so many years, we are proud to present you the 2023 Vision Award for Agriculture and Sustainability.

 

 

Dr. Blaine Early Receives 2023 Robert N. Clay Service Award

The Robert N. Clay Award is named after the first President of Bluegrass Tomorrow back in 1989, when he was also President of Three Chimney’s Farm. It is a Board, President’s Award and is really a most valuable player award presented to a board member for outstanding service….who has done the most to improve Bluegrass Tomorrow and promote its mission over the past year or years.

The Award is chosen by the President and Chair of Bluegrass Tomorrow, with the approval of the selection committee and executive committee.

Our Robert Clay Award Winner, Dr. Blaine Early who has practiced environmental law at Stites & Harbison for over 20 years. He has been a very active Board member through his four terms on the Board of Directors. He has served as Vice Chair for two years and Chair in 2009 and 2010.

Blaine has held several other positions as an officer of the board, including secretary for 3 years and is currently in the third year as Vice President of the Bluegrass Forever Green Division, overseeing the Conservation, Preservation, and Sustainability programming and initiatives of Bluegrass Tomorrow.

Last year, Blaine was responsible for the planning and execution of the first ever Bluegrass Forever Green Summer Conference at Transylvainia University. The purpose of the event was to focus on Blugrass Tomorrow’s Vision for a Sustainable Future in the Region, with the preservation of our most productive agricultural land as the centerpiece of Bluegrass Sustainability.

Blaine worked diligently with the committee to help define the four pillars of sustainability according to Bluegrass Tomorrow, based on our Vision and Mission Statements.
1. Land Use, Agriculture
2. Smart Growth/Preservation/Infill
3. Environment, Sustainability, Natural Resources
4. Recreation, Trails, Healthy Living
And the four panel presentations at the event lined up with each of these pillars. So many initiatives and strategies have resulted from this conference. Blaine even wrote, edited, and printed the program for the event himself.

The 2nd Bluegrass Forever Green Conference will take place this August under Blaine’s leadership.

Dr. Early is a former chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Energy & Environment Council and the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Environmental Commission. Before law, he was a professor of biology and chair of the department at Cumberland College.

We are proud and honored to present the 2023 Bluegrass Tomorrow Robert N. Clay Vision Award to Dr. Blaine Early.

 

 

Will Arvin Receives 2023 Vision Award for Preservation & Adaptive Reuse

The 2023 Vision Award for Preservation & Adaptive Reuse is presented to Will Arvin for an outstanding example of an important element of Bluegrass Tomorrow’s vision for the region. Will Arvin was certainly a visionary when he accepted the challenge of preserving and renovating the Castle & Key Distillery located on the Woodford/Franklin County border first built on Glenn’s Creek in 1887 as the Old Taylor Distillery by Colonel Edmund H. Taylor.

It is interesting to note that renowned landscape architect Jon Carloftis calls restoring the sunken garden at Castle & Key one of his all-time favorite projects, and the garden and landscape on the entire property is stunning. The time and patience the Castle & Key team has put into their distilled products is evident in their products like Restoration Rye, Roots of Ruin Dry Gin and just released Small Batch Wheated Bourbon.

Mr. Kris Kimel Receives 2023 Bluegrass Legacy Award

Our 2023 Bluegrass Legacy award recipient is a national leader in deep space research and a leader in the Kentucky aerospace industry, Kris Kimel, co-founder of Space Tango and several other entrepreneurial STEM related enterprises.  Let’s go to the video Kyle.

Kris Kimel’s most recent endeavor into space research is the Founder of Humanity in Deep Space in 2019, an initiative that fosters a planetary conversation as humankind continues its transition into space as our minds surround the possibilities and limitations of the future.

Early in his career, Kimel served as the executive assistant for the Kentucky Attorney General and chief administrative assistant for Lieutenant Governor Steve Beshear, who was also secretary of the Bluegrass Tomorrow Board of Directors at that time.

We don’t have Star Wars music to play, but let’s imagine it….. as we congratulate our 2023 Bluegrass Legacy Award for Entrepreneurship in Aerospace Technology, Kris Kimel.

Dr. Eli Capilouto Receives 2023 Vision Award for Excellence in Education

The 2023 Vision Award is for Excellence in Education was presented President Eli Capilouto, who has been a great leader for higher education in the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

Dr. Capilouto hosted the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium’s Presidents’ & Superintendents Summit luncheon at UK in December 2022. When he was introduced by Rob it was noted that President Capilouto is the last remaining President who was signatory of the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium Charter Agreement back in 2012. As  President Capilouto began to address the audience he noted that “he should probably win some kind of award for that, right?”   He was unaware The Vision Awards Committee had already chosen him for this excellence in education honor.

Thank you President Capilouto for your leadership and for your support of the Bluegrass Higher Education Consortium.

Like most great leaders, President Capilouto does not take credit for the University of Kentucky’s recent successes, rather he credits his great leadership team, faculty and staff, calling his team “The Power of We.”

Because of this “Power of We” there has been a transformation of the campus, resulting in historic student success, improved health care of our people, unrivaled ingenuity, greater trust, transparency and accountability; and a more inclusive community. This progress on campus is resulting in a high-quality talented workforce and improved well-being for the Commonwealth.  Thank you Dr. Capilouto for your service!

We are happy to announce that the Excellence in Education Vision Award is presented to Dr. Eli Capilouto, University of Kentucky.

2023 Vision Awards Breakfast
2023 Bluegrass Tomorrow Vision Awards Breakfast
When
Friday, February 24, 2023 from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM EST
Add to Calendar
Where

Hilton Lexington Downtown
369 West Vine Street
Lexington, KY 40507
PRESENTING SPONSOR
 

 
 
 
GOLD SPONSOR
 

SILVER SPONSOR

VIDEO SPONSOR

Prosper Media Group

BLUEGRASS TOMORROW
VISION SOCIETY TRUSTEES
Friday, February 24, 2023
Hilton Lexington Downtown
Vision Award Honorees Released Below
 
Registration Now Open!
 
Presented by:


 
 
Bluegrass Tomorrow has announced that President Eli Capilouto of the University of Kentucky, Kris Kimel founder of Space Tango and the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, and Will Arvin, CEO and owner of Castle & Key Distillery are among the honorees at the 2023 Vision Awards Breakfast on Friday, February 24 at at the Lexington Downtown Hilton.  Registration is now open.
 
Mr. Kris Kimel
Founder, Humanity in Deep Space

 

 

 
Kris Kimel, Bluegrass Legacy Award honoree is most recently is the Founder of Humanity In Deep Space an initiative exploring the challenges and hard problems facing humans as we transition to deep spacefaring species. The prototype capsule pictured is just one of his current projects. He is also the Co-founder and former Chairman of the commercial company Space Tango. Previously Kimel was President of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and founded the IdeaFestival…an event in Louisville Kentucky centering around innovation, discovery, and creative thinking at the intersection of different disciplines. Kimel has served as the Chief Administrative Assistant to Kentucky’s Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. Kimel as a student was the recipient of the University of Kentucky (UK) Sullivan Medallion in 1974 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Of Letters from UK in 2022. He is originally from Miami Florida, and holds bachelor and masters’ degrees from the University of Kentucky. 
 
 
Dr. Eli Capilouto
President, University of Kentucky

 

 
 
Capilouto who has been responsible for over $3 billion in construction and improvements to the campus and U.K. Health Care will receive the Vision Award for Education.

 

 
Castle & Key Distillery Partner Will Arvin, Master Distiller Marianne Eaves and Partner Wes Murry.

 

Will Arvin who has transformed the Castle & Key Distillery in Franklin County into a major tourism destination, will receive the Vision Award for Preservation and Adaptive Reuse.
 
 
 
Dr. W. Blaine Early, III
Attorney, Stites & Harbison

 

 
The Robern N. Clay Presidents Award for most valuable board member will be presented to Blaine Early of Stites & Harbison.

 

The annual Vision Awards Breakfast is a time-honored tradition paying tribute to the best of the 18-county Bluegrass Region each year, related to improving quality of life and place, Bluegrass Tomorrow’s mission.

 

More Vision Awards to be presented on February 24 include: Ray Daniels (Vision Award for Diversity), CentreWorks (Spirit of the Bluegrass Vision Award), Dr. Nancy Cox, University  of Kentucky (Vision Award for Agriculture and Sustainability), Clark Foundation (Vision Award for Community Enhancement), Chenault Winery-Madison County (Vision Award for Agricultural Entrepreneurship).
Registration Now Open!

 

Friday, February 24, 2023
Hilton Lexington Downtown
7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Vision Awards Program, Videos & Presentations
$50 Individual Breakfast
$75 Individual Breakfast & One Year Membership
$500 Table Sponsorship- Table of 8 
(see sponsorship opportunities below) 

 

 
 
 
More information contact Rob Rumpke 
Please send checks to:
Bluegrass Tomorrow
P.O. Box 34185
Lexington, KY  40588
Bluegrass Tomorrow (Tax ID #61-1160137) is a 501(c)(3) Organization and provides no goods or services, in whole or in part, in consideration of this contribution. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.
2023 Bluegrass Tomorrow Vision Awards Breakfast
When
Friday, February 24, 2023 from 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM EST
Add to Calendar
Where

Hilton Lexington Downtown
369 West Vine Street
Lexington, KY 40507
PRESENTING SPONSOR
 

 
 
 
GOLD SPONSOR
 

SILVER SPONSOR

VIDEO SPONSOR

Prosper Media Group

BLUEGRASS TOMORROW
VISION SOCIETY TRUSTEES
Friday, February 24, 2023
Hilton Lexington Downtown
Vision Award Honorees Released Below
 
Registration Now Open!
 
Presented by:


 
 
Bluegrass Tomorrow has announced that President Eli Capilouto of the University of Kentucky, Kris Kimel founder of Space Tango and the Kentucky Science & Technology Corporation, and Will Arvin, CEO and owner of Castle & Key Distillery are among the honorees at the 2023 Vision Awards Breakfast on Friday January 24 at at the Lexington Downtown Hilton.  Registration is now open.
 
Mr. Kris Kimel
Founder, Humanity in Deep Space


 

 
Kris Kimel, Bluegrass Legacy Award honoree is most recently is the Founder of Humanity In Deep Space an initiative exploring the challenges and hard problems facing humans as we transition to deep spacefaring species. The prototype capsule pictured is just one of his current projects. He is also the Co-founder and former Chairman of the commercial company Space Tango. Previously Kimel was President of the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation and founded the IdeaFestival…an event in Louisville Kentucky centering around innovation, discovery, and creative thinking at the intersection of different disciplines. Kimel has served as the Chief Administrative Assistant to Kentucky’s Attorney General and Lieutenant Governor. Kimel as a student was the recipient of the University of Kentucky (UK) Sullivan Medallion in 1974 and was awarded an Honorary Doctorate Of Letters from UK in 2022. He is originally from Miami Florida, and holds bachelor and masters’ degrees from the University of Kentucky. 
 
 
Dr. Eli Capilouto
President, University of Kentucky


 
 
Capilouto who has been responsible for over $3 billion in construction and improvements to the campus and U.K. Health Care will receive the Vision Award for Education.


 
Castle & Key Distillery Partner Will Arvin, Master Distiller Marianne Eaves and Partner Wes Murry.


Will Arvin who has transformed the Castle & Key Distillery in Franklin County into a major tourism destination, will receive the Vision Award for Preservation and Adaptive Reuse.
 
 
 
Dr. W. Blaine Early, III
Attorney, Stites & Harbison


 
The Robern N. Clay Presidents Award for most valuable board member will be presented to Blaine Early of Stites & Harbison.


The annual Vision Awards Breakfast is a time-honored tradition paying tribute to the best of the 18-county Bluegrass Region each year, related to improving quality of life and place, Bluegrass Tomorrow’s mission.


More Vision Awards to be presented on February 24 include: Ray Daniels (Vision Award for Diversity), CentreWorks (Spirit of the Bluegrass Vision Award), Dr. Nancy Cox, University  of Kentucky (Vision Award for Agriculture and Sustainability), Clark Foundation (Vision Award for Community Enhancement), Chenault Winery-Madison County (Vision Award for Agricultural Entrepreneurship).
Registration Now Open!


Friday, February 24, 2023
Hilton Lexington Downtown

7:30 a.m. Registration
8:00 a.m. Breakfast
8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Vision Awards Program, Videos & Presentations
$50 Individual Breakfast
$75 Individual Breakfast & One Year Membership
$500 Table Sponsorship- Table of 8 
(see sponsorship opportunities below) 
 
 
SPONSORSHIP OPORTUNITIES
Vision Awards Gold Sponsor & Vision Society Status 
$2,500
– All of the privileges accorded to a Bluegrass Tomorrow Trustee
– Logo on invitations, e-mails, social media, website and all other collateral materials
– Logo on PowerPoint & Event Signage
– Preferred Table for 8 at Vision Awards Breakfast
– Full Page in Vision Report Magazine Distributed at Breakfast & Throughout The Year
-All Vision Society membership benefits for the year, including logo on all Bluegrass Tomorrow events!
Vision Awards Silver Sponsor
$1,250
– Logo on, invitations, e-mails, social media, website and all other collateral materials
– Logo on PowerPoint & Event Signage
– Table for 8 at Vision Awards Breakfast
– ½ page ad in the Vision Report Magazine
Vision Awards Bronze Sponsor
$900
– listing on invitations e-mails, website, social media and all other collateral materials, listing in PowerPoint and event signage
– reserved table for 8 at Vision Awards Breakfast
– ½ page ad in the Vision Report Magazine
Vision Awards Breakfast Table Sponsor
$500 
– Reserved Table for 8
– option to purchase half page ad in Vision Report Magazine (additional $100)
– listing in Vision Report, PowerPoint and event signage
Vision Report Magazine Advertising Only
Half Page – $350
Quarter Page – $175
Eighth Page- $100
More information contact Rob Rumpke 
Please send checks to:
Bluegrass Tomorrow
P.O. Box 34185
Lexington, KY  40588
Bluegrass Tomorrow (Tax ID #61-1160137) is a 501(c)(3) Organization and provides no goods or services, in whole or in part, in consideration of this contribution. All contributions are tax deductible to the full extent permitted by law.

Ron Mack Receives 2022 Vision Award for Diversity

Congratulations to our 2022 Vision Award for Diversity recipient, Ron Mack & Legacy Equine Academy.
The Vision Award for Diversity recognizes a unique and transformational approach to bringing diversity and the equine industry together.
The Legacy Equine Academy is meeting the needs of the Business and Equine Industry in partnership with Fayette County Public Schools, by identifying and overseeing a structured pathway for students that promotes entrepreneur, equine, and agricultural career related pathways.
We are honored to present this year’s Vision Award for Diversity to Ron Mack and the Legacy Equine Academy.

Y-Academy & YMCA of Central Kentucky Receive 2022 Vision Award for Human Services

Congratulations to our 2022 Vision Award for Human Services recipient, Y-Academy & YMCA of Central Kentucky.
The Vision Award for Human Services recognizes those who respond to community needs, and in this case did so during a global pandemic.
The Y-Academy enabled staff to be present to assist each student in the program to complete both virtual meetings and in-person assignments, communication with teachers virtually about learning objectivies, and manage up to 10-12 schedules per room daily because each school developed their own virtual schedules. This was all a truly remarkable collaboration between University of Kentucky and the YMCA, and an amazing and wonderful service to working parents and their children of this community.