 Eastern Kentucky PRIDE is pleased to announce that Jack Keeney and Phil Osborne have joined its Board of Directors. They will volunteer their time and expertise to direct the nonprofit organization, which promotes environmental cleanup and education in 38 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.
“Dedicated, skilled board members are essential to the success of a small nonprofit, and I have no doubt these gentlemen are up to that challenge,” said Karen Engle, PRIDE President/Chief Executive Officer. “Phil is regarded as one of Kentucky’s leading public relations experts, so we look forward to his guidance for our public education efforts. Jack brings experience as an educator and business leader, which means he can make sure our programs match the needs of the communities that we are here to assist.”
Keeney is the Executive Director of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce. In 2001, he retired from a 32-year career in education, serving as a teacher, coach and administrator.
“This is a cause that is important to me,” Keeney said. “I was born and raised here, and I have great pride in our area. I want to do my part in making our community and our region a great place to live, work and play.”
“After attending just one PRIDE board meeting, it is evident to me that this organization is committed to the cause of making our communities clean and healthy,” Keeney said. “I look forward to working with this dedicated group.”
“I encourage all of the citizens and local officials across the entire region to join us in working toward the common goal of a cleaner and safer region,” Keeney added.
Osborne is the Chief Executive Officer of Preston-Osborne, a full-service marketing, communications and research firm based in Lexington. At the company, he helped launch PRIDE’s public education campaign in 1997.
“I’m very excited about coming on the PRIDE board because I want to encourage other parts of Kentucky to use this model to accomplish the same goals,” Osborne said. “With inside knowledge of PRIDE, I can talk about the program as I travel around the state on business and serving on nonprofit boards, such as the United Way of Kentucky.”
Osborne remembers seeing pollution problems first hand while growing up in Carter County. His grandparents' home was affected by a dump on property upstream. "Every time it rained, the trash washed into their yard, and our play area. It’s a very beautiful region, and we need to keep it that way.”
The PRIDE Board of Directors meets monthly to establish guidelines for PRIDE programs, review applications for PRIDE grant programs and approve the organization’s budget. Nine board members are volunteers who bring particular expertise to fulfilling the PRIDE mission. Two PRIDE staff members — the President/Chief Executive Officer and Vice President/Chief Operating Officer — also serve on the board.
PRIDE promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” by encouraging and equipping communities to improve water quality, clean up solid waste problems and promote environmental education. PRIDE was founded by Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5) and the late James Bickford, who was the Kentucky Secretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection. PRIDE is funded primarily by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
For more information, please contact the PRIDE office, which is located at the Center for Rural Development in Somerset. The toll free number is 888-577-4339.
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