BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GREG COKER
President/CEO
In the Fall of 2023 soon after Greg Coker joined the board, he was asked to facilitate a strategic planning session for the organization. The location was the cabin of fellow board member John Ridley and what has now become known as the “Camp David” of the Kentucky Center for Leadership. During this off-site retreat, board members revisited KC4L’s mission, vision, values while reflecting on strengths and growth areas. Our “Moonshot” was drafted and the board asked Greg Coker to put the finishing touches on the plan and report back to the board. After months of additional planning, the board officially asked Greg Coker to be their President & CEO in May of 2024. His bio can be found under the Leadership Tab.
JIM FLYNN
Chair
A veteran educator and leader with over 30 years of experience, Dr. Jim Flynn serves as Executive Director of the Kentucky Association of School Superintendents where he provides professional assistance and leadership for the 171 superintendents in Kentucky, supports their professional learning, and leads the advocacy efforts of KASS.
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Dr. Flynn served 16 years as superintendent of Simpson County Schools where he instilled a common vision for empowering all students to graduate life ready – prepared both academically and socially for college and careers. Recipient of the 2015 Kentucky Superintendent of the Year Award, Dr. Flynn is a statewide leader having served as President of the KASS and appointed by Kentucky General Assembly to the Local Superintendents Advisory Council (LSAC). Dr. Flynn’s national leadership experiences include AASA, NSBA, the National Superintendents Leadership Institute and the BellSouth Superintendents Leadership Network to name a few. Additionally, he has presented to international audiences in Finland and China where he shared Kentucky’s educational achievements and benchmarked best practices.
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At Western Kentucky University, Dr. Flynn continues to serve in the Department of Educational Administration, Research and Leadership in the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences.
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He is a graduate of Bowling Green High School, where he was inducted into the BGHS Hall of Honor in 2014. He earned his Bachelor of Science degree along with his Rank I in School Administration and superintendent certification from Western Kentucky University. He received his Master of Science degree from Texas A&M University at Corpus Christi and his Doctoral degree from Northern Kentucky University.
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He is married to Natalie, who is a teacher at Briarwood Elementary. They have three children, Bracken (Rice University graduate), Hunter (Western Kentucky University graduate), and Bretton (12th grade). He resides in Franklin, Kentucky with his wife and daughter.
GARY RANSDELL
Vice Chair
Gary A. Ransdell spent a 45-year career in various leadership roles in Higher Education. Most recently, he served as President/CEO of the Institute for Shipboard Education (2018-2020) which operates Semester at Sea, a global study abroad program. From 1997 to 2017, Ransdell served as President of Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green, Ky. Over his 20 year tenure, he led a transformation of WKU with two successful capital campaigns ($304 million in new gifts), $972 million in capital construction, significant enrollment growth (14,500 to 21,000 students), creation of an Honors College, new Engineering degrees, new doctoral programs, and an internationalization of the undergraduate and graduate experience. Ransdell served as Vice President for Administration and Advancement (1993-1997) and Vice President for Advancement (1987-1993) at Clemson University. From 1981 to 1987 he was the Director of Alumni Relations at Southern Methodist University, and was the Associate Director of Alumni Affairs at WKU from 1978 to 1981. He received a Doctorate of Education degree from Indiana University in 1978, a Master of Public Administration degree from WKU in 1974, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Mass Communication from WKU in 1973.
Gary Ransdell is currently serving as Chair of the Board for the Arts of Southern Kentucky which operates the Southern Kentucky Performing Arts Center (SKyPAC), Orchestra Kentucky, the Ramsey Theatre Company and BG on Stage. He has also served on the Board of the Louisville Branch of the St. Louis 8th District Federal Reserve Bank (2007-2013, Chair from 2010-2012) Ransdell has been married for 51 years to Julie Bush Ransdell (WKU, 1975).
KRISTEN BALE
Secretary
A native of Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Kristen T. Bale graduated from University of Wisconsin,
Madison, with a BS in Special Education. Upon moving to Lexington, Fayette County,
Kentucky, Kristen taught for 3 ½ years in the Fayette County Public Schools. While raising 4
children along with her husband, Phillip W. Bale, MD, and residing in Glasgow, Barren County, Kristen became a local volunteer participating in Glasgow Public Schools – Special Needs Program, teaching adult non-readers to read at Barren County’s Mary Wood Weldon Library, serving on the Foundation Board of the South-Central Kentucky Cultural Center and on the First Christian Church Board of Glasgow, Barren County. Statewide, Kristen has served on The Prichard Committee, Leadership Kentucky Board, Western Kentucky University Board of Regents, the Lexington Theological Seminary Board of Trustees, the Kentucky Humanities Council, Inc. Board and presently serves on the Western Kentucky University Student Life Foundation and the Kentucky Center for Leadership Board.
CRAIG BROWNING
Treasurer/Immediate Past Chair
Craig serves as Managing Principal of The Glenview Trust Company’s Bowling Green office and the Western Kentucky market. Craig has worked in the financial services industry for 37 years. Prior to joining Glenview Trust, he served as regional president of U.S. Bank where he retired after 26 years of service.
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An Edmonson County native and life-long resident of the Bowling Green area, Craig is an active alumnus of Western Kentucky University’s College of Business. He is a graduate of Leadership Kentucky and a U.S. Bank graduate of the Leadership Excellence program at the Carlson School of Management, University of Minnesota. Craig is an Adjunct Professor at WKU and serves on the Gordon Ford College of Business Advisory Council. Craig has been an active community advocate and volunteer for many non-profits including past chairman of: United Way of Southern Kentucky, Junior Achievement of South Central Kentucky, Scottsville Rotary Club, and the Kentucky Center for Leadership. He served two terms on the board of directors for the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce and is a past board member of the United Way of Kentucky and the South Central Workforce Development Board. He chaired the WKU Foundation Board of Trustees and is past president of the WKU Hilltopper Athletic Foundation where he still currently serves on the executive committee and board. He has also served on the boards of Warren County DARE, WKU Kentucky Museum, and the BG Area Chamber of Commerce. He currently serves on the boards of Red Towel Trust, People Opportunity Program for Underserved Populations (POP-UP) and Arts of Southern Kentucky in addition to his work with the Kentucky Center for Leadership and Hilltopper Athletic Foundation.
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Craig is well known for his leadership acumen, and for being a servant leader. He is the recipient of numerous volunteers of the year award by the BG Area Chamber, United Way, Junior Achievement, and WKU. He was recognized as a WKU Distinguished Service Medal recipient in 2014 and is a member of the WKU Legacy of Spirit Society of 1906. Craig, and wife Deborah, have been recognized by United Way of Southern Kentucky with a Lifetime Giving Award and as members of the Tocqueville Society. Craig’s most joyous duties in life have been to serve as husband to Deborah, father to Summer, and “Pops” to Dorothy.
TERRY DANIELS
Dr. Terry Daniels has a passion to inspire executives and entrepreneurs to become their most authentic selves. He has a proven track record of leading successful human resource teams, coaching leaders, and building sustainable workplace cultures that produce exceptional business results. Dr. Daniels began his career in manufacturing and starting on the production floor. In his career, he worked his way through various leadership roles, during which he completed his undergraduate education.
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Dr. Daniels is a graduate of Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in
Psychology and a minor in Business Administration. He obtained his master’s degree in
organizational psychology and development from Walden University in 2011 and his Ph.D. in
Industrial/Organizational Psychology from Walden University in July 2018.
After spending more than 25 years working in Fortune 500 companies, most recently Illinois Tool Works (ITW), Dr. Daniels knows what truly drives strategic organizational growth and exceptional employee engagement. Dr. Daniels supported manufacturing locations across the country. He also supported and traveled extensively to facilities in China, Japan, Germany, France, and Spain.
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Dr. Daniels is the founder and owner of Competitive Edge Business Solutions, Inc. He does
business as FocalPoint Coaching as a Master-Certified Business and Executive Coach. He
coaches leaders from the c-suite to the frontline and across many differing business segments from corporations to law enforcement. He recently served as Executive Director of the Foundry Christian Community Center. He also serves on many boards in the city of Bowling Green. In addition, Dr. Daniels served as Pastor of the Loving Chapel Baptist Church in Franklin, KY for over 25 years. In May 2017, he planted and established a new church, The Transformation Christian Center.
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Dr. Daniels is a contributing–author of a best-selling book “Building Cathedrals – The Power of Purpose. He also authored, “The Bullpen – Battle-Tested to be a Game Changer” in 2020.
PAMELA DECKER
Pam is an executive officer and the Chief Operating Officer at Franklin Bank & Trust and has spent most of her career as a community banker in South Central Kentucky. Prior to joining Franklin Bank in 2023, she was an Assistant Professor of Business at Lindsey Wilson College where she taught Finance, Management, International Business, and Ethics courses. She has been an Adjunct Professor at WKU since 2017 teaching online courses for the School of Leadership and Professional Studies.
Pam serves and has served on numerous boards and local committees, including Warren Rural Electric Cooperative, the Edmonson County Industrial Authority, BRADD, American Red Cross, and as a volunteer providing credit counseling for the Bowling Green Housing Authority’s People’s Opportunity for Underserved Populations. She holds an MBA and an EdD in Organizational Leadership from WKU.
MERCEDES LOPEZ
Mercedes Lopez was named Vice President Corporate Social Responsibility for Fruit of the Loom in January of 2014. In this role, she oversees the social compliance and supply chain sustainability efforts for the Company. Mercedes is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to monitor and improve adherence to the company’s working standards throughout the supply chain. She frequently travels internationally visiting factories and conducting responsible sourcing and compliance educational workshops for suppliers, licensees and internal business managers. Prior to this role, Mercedes served in several positions throughout her 30+ year career with the company, including Plant Manager and Director of Process Engineering of Apparel Manufacturing.
She directed the continuous process improvement roadmap for the apparel division along with leading, managing and supervising all process improvement projects. Mercedes is a Six Sigma Black Belt and Lean Manufacturing Specialist, and she received a BS in Industrial Engineering from Texas A&M University. She is from Honduras, but now lives in Bowling Green, Kentucky where the Fruit of the Loom Global Headquarters is based.
MICHAEL D'ERAMO
Michael D’Eramo, DHA, is the Chief Executive Officer of The Graves-Gilbert Clinic. This involves coordinating a team of physician management experts to lead and manage a large multispecialty physician group in Kentucky.
Mike is responsible for the strategic direction of The Graves-Gilbert Clinic and oversees the function and performance of a 10-member Executive Management team. Mike also leads the dialogue and relationship management with area hospitals and other strategic partners.
Much of Mike’s work is inclusive of provider-based management service organizations (MSO), risk-bearing/retention groups (CIN) for insurance products, and other platforms to assist physician engagement. Mike’s focus is the strategic and operational services to Graves-Gilbert Clinic clients. Dr. D’Eramo has been active in health care and physician practice management for more than 30 years. His background has included executive leadership positions in large hospital systems, health and medical liability risks retentions, medical group and MSO operations, Physician and Insurance Co-operatives and collaborations.
TONY PELASKI
Tony has had an extensive career in the apparel industry, with 38 years at Fruit of the Loom,
Inc., He held various leadership roles at the company in HR, IT, executive vice president, and
chief operating officer. He retired from Fruit of the Loom in 2019 and continues to pursue his passion for leadership development as principal of AP Leadership Solutions, LLC.
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Tony graduated from Western Kentucky University with a BA in Management. He and his wife Jayne resided in Bowling Green until 2020. They currently reside in Floyds Knobs, Indiana. Tony is active in his new community and recently became a mentor at The Indiana Christian Academy in New Albany.
JOHN RIDLEY
John serves as Managing Director/Investments at the Ridley and Hull Wealth Management Group of Stifel. His business focus is to provide every client with targeted, comprehensive financial guidance and wealth management – delivered with a high level of personal service and professional integrity. John and his partner, Derek Hull, CFP®, Managing Director/Investments, manage more than $600 million in client assets, serving a variety of individuals, foundations, and corporate retirement accounts.
Beginning in 1987, John was Branch Manager for a regional securities firm for seven years. He then worked for Wells Fargo Advisors for 26 consecutive years and transitioned to Stifel in 2021. Before making a career change to the financial services industry more than 35 years ago, he worked for several years as a small business owner.
John earned a B.S. in Bio-Physics and Biology from Western Kentucky University and holds Series 7, 8, 63, and 65 securities licenses. He has also attained the Accredited Investor Fiduciary® designation. Most recently John has been recognized by Forbes’ Best-in-State Wealth Advisors, 2023 and 2024.
John believes strongly in giving back to the community and does so by serving in a number of different capacities. He was a member of the Board of Regents at Western Kentucky University from 2012 through 2018. He is a member of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity Alumni, a member of WKU Beta Gama Sigma and the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.
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John is a past member of the Bowling Green Country Club board of directors, a former board member of the WKU Libraries Advisory Council, and board of advisors for the Shaker Museum, South Union, Kentucky. He is a certified lay speaker for the United Methodist Church and is previous chairman of State Street United Methodist Church board of trustees, and former member of the United Methodist Church Conference Council of Finance and Administration and the Investment Committee of the Kentucky Council of Churches. John was also a member of the WKU Alumni Association board of directors from 1977 to 1981, the 2001 recipient of the WKU Student Government Association “Citizen’s Award,” the 2003 recipient of the Volunteer of the Year Award from the WKU President’s Circle Advisory Council, and the 2012 Recipient of the Summit Award for the WKU President board of advisors. John is also a 2009 graduate of Leadership Kentucky.
MICHAEL TRIVIZADAKIS
Michael is a founding member of the Kentucky Center for Leadership (KC4L), a non profit organization formed with civic leadership in mind; empowering people to engage, mobilize, and lead their communities.
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Michael is the Managing Partner and CEO of Leadership Strategies Group. His career is dedicated to enhancing individual and organizational potential through leadership. With an international background, he excels in navigating cultural diversity's impact on leadership and team dynamics. In the business consulting field he works with a diverse clientele focusing on strategy and leadership development, empowering organizations to build strong teams and helping individuals unlock their full potential. He has also extensive experience in the academic field, collaborating with institutions in Europe and the United States, teaching Leadership, Management, and Consulting.
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Working in the areas of strategy and leadership development for several years across the US, he realized that something was missing from this region. Kentucky has a very diverse population, both ethnically and socially, with unique qualities and needs. Every community deserves access to real-life leadership programs and Michael is involved with different organizations to fulfil that need. Holding a leadership position is not an accomplishment but a duty. It is a responsibility to improve civic leadership that leads to a better society.
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Born and raised in Greece, Michael studied Chemical Engineering and completed his PhD. Following that, he moved to the US and worked in the academic field as a post-doctoral researcher at UPenn and Drexel, in Philadelphia, PA. He holds an MBA from Western Kentucky University and has completed additional specialized courses and certifications in leadership. Since 2008 he lives with his family in Bowling Green and calls this wonderful place “home”.