Adkisson to close 2010 Boyle County Chamber Public Policy Series Nov. 18

Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President Dave Adkisson will close out the 2010 Danville-Boyle CountyChamber of Commerce presented by AT&T with a speaking engagement at noon, Nov. 18 at the Danville Country Club.
Adkisson is president and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, the largest business organization in Kentucky.
The Kentucky Chamber represents businesses large and small, from Paducah to Pikeville, and works to advocate a strong business climate in Kentucky. The organization’s slogan is “Uniting Business. Advancing Kentucky.”
With a staff of 30 professionals, Adkisson works with the Kentucky legislature, the Governor, the state’s Congressional delegation in Washington, D.C., and in the court system to advance Kentucky.
During his five years at the Kentucky Chamber, the organization has grown substantially, increased its professional staff to include six lobbyists, expanded its headquarters in Frankfort and placed a major emphasis on its governmental relations. Reaching out to hundreds of citizens across Kentucky, the chamber created a strategic plan for the state called the “New Agenda for Kentucky” and in 2007, the chamber assembled a panel of Kentucky’s top CEO’s to conduct a major study of higher education in the state.
Adkisson also is serving as the 2010 chairman of the board of the American Chamber of Commerce Executives, headquartered in Washington, D.C. ACCE represents more than 7,000 chamber of commerce professionals across the country. In addition, he serves on the board of directors of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the nation’s largest business association.
Adkisson originally is from Owensboro, where he began his career working for the local chamber of commerce. Later, at age 34, he was elected mayor of Owensboro and re-elected without opposition four years later. He was recruited in 1999 to become president of the Birmingham, Alabama Chamber of Commerce and served nearly six years in that post.
Adkisson has held several statewide leadership posts in Kentucky, including chairman of the Kentucky Advocates for Higher Education, co-founder of Leadership Kentucky and chairman of the Kentucky Center for Public Issues. He serves on the board of the World Equestrian Games.
He is a graduate of Georgetown College and holds a master’s from Harvard University. He resides in Lexington with his wife Bonnie. They have two grown children. In his pastime, he enjoys running, reading, travel and spending time with his three grandchildren who live in Lexington.
Reservations, which include lunch, are $15 for everyone and are available by calling (859) 236-2361.