Who We Are

Steven Lycans is the President and CEO of Lycom Communications, an independent provider of internet, television, and phone services in Eastern Kentucky. With over 28 years of experience in the telecommunications industry, Steven has built a strong foundation in leadership and community-focused service. Prior to his career in telecommunications, Steven served as a Firefighter and Paramedic with the Lexington Fire Department, where he developed his skills in service and leadership.

Steven holds an Associate’s Degree in Applied Sciences with honors from the Kentucky Community and Technical College, along with certificates in fire science and fire department administration. He is happily married to Bianca, and together they are proud parents to Sarah and SJ.

Outside of his professional career, Steven is passionate about community service. He is an avid sailor, holding multiple American Sailing Association certifications for chartering coastal waterways. He is also a dedicated advocate for the beauty and potential of Appalachia and works tirelessly to foster growth in Eastern Kentucky communities.

Steven is an active member of the Rotary Club of Louisa, having previously served as its president, and he is also a board member of the Louisa Utilities Board. His commitment to youth development is evident in his ongoing role with the Kentucky 4-H Foundation, where he continues his passion for supporting youth programs, a commitment he has carried since being a 4-H member in Southern Ohio during his youth.

Additionally, Steven has served as CEO for multiple companies and started a media company to spotlight local sports in Eastern Kentucky, further deepening his impact on his community. His leadership, both in the professional and civic arenas, reflects his dedication to improving the lives of those around him.

Matt Comer resides in Maysville, KY with his wife, Eleanor, and their daughter, Hope, who is a student at St. Patrick School. His older daughter, Faith, attends Thomas More University in northern Kentucky. Matt and his nephew, Kenton Comer, manage a cow-calf operation across two farms, one of which has been in his family for over 106 years. Since the fall of 2023, he has also served on the board of the Kentucky 4-H Foundation.

Professionally, Matt is the Vice President at Tenkoz Group, Inc., which he has been with for nine years. Prior to his current role, he and his family worked with Gowan Company, where he spent 11 years managing Gowan International from Abingdon, UK, and Barcelona, Spain. Matt’s career also includes over 16 years with Syngenta and its legacy companies, Zeneca and ICI.

Tara Miller is the Vice President of Annual Programs for the Bon Secours Mercy Health Foundation. She leads a team responsible for donor communications, annual giving, website and digital platforms, employee giving, event planning logistics, and impact story and video production. Tara and her team support local fundraising efforts across five states and 12 communities.

She grew up in Carlisle County, one of four counties on the Mississippi River in far western Kentucky. She was nine years old when the 4-H agent spoke to their class about 4-H camp. Tara was hooked after her first camp experience, participating as a camper and then as a teen volunteer every summer. She was involved in local 4-H clubs, speeches and demonstrations, and sewing. A few mint julep cups won at State 4-H Fashion Revue can be spotted in her house today!

A delegate to both National 4-H Congress and National 4-H Conference, Tara was also president of her local 4-H teen club and a member of the Purchase Area Teen Council and State Teen Council in the early 1990s.

She credits the skills and confidence gained through 4-H with many of her college and career successes. A 1997 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in journalism, she is a Certified Fund Raising Executive and was honored as the 2014 Young Leader of the Year by the Four Rivers Business Journal. She lives in Paducah with her husband and two sons.

Tara is proud to serve on the board and as a Leadership Circle annual donor. She says it’s an honor to give back because every 4-H award, trip, and conference opportunity she was given can be credited to the generosity of many donors and sponsors. She sees it as her duty to support the Kentucky 4-H Foundation’s fundraising efforts so every youth in Kentucky has opportunities to learn, grow, and achieve through 4-H.

Glen S. Kinder IV currently serves as the Departmental Program Manager for the USDA supporting the department’s Government Purchase Card Program, leading a team responsible for the oversight of approximately 15000 program participants and over $480 million in expenditures.

Mr. Kinder joined as a 4-H’er in Illinois where he grew up near McLeansboro, IL in the Clever Clovers and Piopolis Busy Bees 4-H clubs. Following his youth involvement in 4-H he became a chaperone for youth trips and volunteered as a Kentucky 4-H camp chaperone in 2004 with Marshall County. He earned a Bachelor’s in economics and finance at McKendree University and a Master’s in business administration at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. While in college, Mr. Kinder was selected for the Abraham Lincoln Civic Engagement Award. Student Laureates are honored for their leadership and service in the pursuit of the betterment of humanity and for overall excellence in curricular and extracurricular activities and became part of the Student Laureate of The Lincoln Academy of Illinois. In 2015, Mr. Kinder was inducted into the Illinois 4-H Hall of Fame for his continued service in various 4-H programs. McKendree University included Glen into the Academy of Excellence in 2022 for Business for distinguished accomplishments.

He has previously served on the National Board of Directors for Alpha Phi Omega in the program areas of Service and Finance & Operations. In addition, he currently serves as the President of Lyon County Farm Bureau, Treasurer for the Eddyville Riverport & Industrial Development Authority, President of the Marshall County 4-H Council, member of Marshall County Extension Council, and member of the West KY 4-H Camp Improvement Committee.

The Kentucky 4-H Foundation has benefited from Glen’s generosity along with friends and family who have initiated three memorial scholarships. The Kinders have been Leadership Circle donors for more than five years and are members of the Clover Heritage Society at the Bronze Level since 2021.

He resides in Eddyville, KY with his wife Becky, son Quin, and daughter Finley.

Pam began her 4-H journey at 9 years old in Barren County. There were very few youth program opportunities in her community, so she became very involved in 4-H at the club and county level. She participated in numerous projects such as clothing, food, and electrical but her real interest was in speech, demonstrations and leadership.

She attended the Older Youth Conference in Washington DC where she met 4-Hers from around Ky and realized that she wanted to get involved on the area and state level. In 1978 she was elected state 4-H Vice President along with Steve Whitaker, Beth Lee, and Jill Conrad Hall. Pam has been a lifelong entrepreneur and currently has an insurance agency where she primarily represents Aflac. She is the previous owner of Lexington Woman Magazine and PR Enterprises where she owned a business coaching and mentoring company.

She has represented Aflac for the past 20 years and during that time has served in multiple roles. She has been an 8-time Presidents Club qualifier and has twice won the Amos Award which is the top associate in each territory. In 2019 she was in the top 10 agents with Aflac in the entire US of over 60,000 agents.

Pam’s passion for 4-H is evident not only in her involvement as a 4-H member but she served on the Foundation Board of Directors for 11 years. She chaired the homecoming committee, served on the development committee, and was Chairman of the Board for 5 years. Under her leadership,p the Foundation held its first Emerald Gala, hired new staff, and increased the board’s involvement through developing an active committee structure. Her current 4-H passion project is the Achievement Awards including her involvement in the Emerald Award selection process. In 2022 Pam was recognized as the Honorary Emerald Award Winner.

She says that her best 4-H memories include the deep lifelong friendships as well as the skills that she uses daily as a successful businesswoman. She continues to be active with the 4-H Foundation serving as the chairman of the Personnel Committee and as a member of the Clover Heritage Society.

Melanie W. Kelley is an attorney in Bardwell, KY, and has served as Carlisle County Trial Commissioner, County Attorney, and, most recently, Master Commissioner. She belongs to a three-generation 4-H family, as her mother was in 4-H, she and her husband were in 4-H, and her two children were very active in 4-H. To this day, she has been a 4-H leader and volunteer for more than 20 years.

Melanie grew up in Ballard County and especially enjoyed horse, foods, and beef 4-H programs. The skills she developed in 4-H remained with her as she started her career in law and local government and settled with her husband, Steve, in Carlisle County.

Melanie received her juris doctorate from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Her commitment to 4-H led to her receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award in 2008 and inspired her to serve on the 4-H Foundation Board.

Fran McCall began serving as Commodity Specialist for the Kentucky Farm Bureau Federation in April of 2012. She works with various commodity groups and organizations throughout Kentucky. In 2014, she took on the responsibility of coordinating the Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market Program. Fran also is the coordinator for Freddy Farm Bureau and the KFB Livestock Program Depredation Program.

Prior to coming to Kentucky Farm Bureau, Fran was the 4-H Youth Development Agent in McLean County, KY, and the Livestock Judging Coach and Teaching Assistant at the University of Kentucky.

Fran holds a bachelor’s degree in agriculture with emphasis in Animal Science from Western Kentucky University and Master of Science in Ruminant Nutrition and Meat Science from University of Kentucky. Fran currently serves as the secretary of the Kentucky Beef Expo Board and is the past president of the WKU Ag Alumni Chapter.

Fran resides in Shelby County with her husband David and their three sons: Lane, Cooper, and Ryan. They raise purebred beef cattle, corn, soybeans, and hay in both Shelby and Oldham County. Fran is a Shelby County 4-H volunteer and currently helps coach the livestock judging team along with volunteering with other 4-H livestock activities. When Fran is not chasing her kids around, she enjoys helping her husband on the farm, gardening, baking and traveling and showing Shorthorn cattle and Mini Rex rabbits.

Case Shirrell, began his 4-H journey in the fourth grade after being inspired by a teacher he admired to join the Oldham County Shooting Sports Program. Since then, his passion and involvement in 4-H have grown tremendously. Over the years, he has embraced a wide range of opportunities, from serving as a 4-H camp leader and earning his junior archery coach certification to being selected for the prestigious State Teen Council.

Now honored to serve as the 2025–2026 Kentucky 4-H President and state officer, Case is deeply grateful for the opportunity to give back to the organization that has shaped him. He is committed to leading with kindness, serving as a positive role model, and working alongside the dedicated members of the 4-H Foundation Board to strengthen the lasting impact of Kentucky 4-H on youth and communities across the Commonwealth.

Callie Derossett is the 2024-2025 Kentucky 4-H State President. Callie is from Henry County, where she grew up showing livestock through the 4-H program. She is super excited to serve the organization this year. Callie loves 4-H because of the people she has met and the things she has learned. 

John May is the Manager of Administrative Services with Licking Valley Rural Electric
Cooperative located in West Liberty, Ky. Licking Valley RECC was formed in 1940 and was established to provide power to the rural areas of Eastern Kentucky. The utility provides electric service to over 17,000 accounts covering the counties of Breathitt, Lee, Menifee, Rowan, Elliott, Magoffin, Morgan and Wolfe Counties. John earned his Associates degree from Lee’s Junior College in Industrial Electronics and his Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University in Industrial Electronics with a minor in Industrial Education. His prior work experiences include working as a Quality Engineering Manager, Program Manager and a Private Business Owner. John also serves on the Board of Directors for Commercial Bank located in West Liberty and the Wolfe County Tourism Board. He is also passionate about serving as Chief of the Wolfe County Search & Rescue team (responding to rescues in the Red River Gorge area) and teaches Technical Rope
Rescue courses for Kentucky Emergency Management.

John is married to his wife Kathi of 20+ years and they have one daughter (Madison Grace) who was adopted from China. He has fond memories of his 4-H experiences as a youth in Wolfe County and looks forward to serving on the Kentucky 4-H Foundation Board of Directors.

James Rose is a Managing Director with SunHawk Consulting where he leads the governance, risk and compliance practices with a focus on the healthcare industry. Mr. Rose currently serves as an Expert Advisor to the World Health Organization’s Staff Insurance Program as well as Chair of the Audit and Risk Management Advisory Committee of the Jefferson County Public Schools. Previously James served for six years on the Audit Committee of the Rome, Italy based United Nations World Food Programme – the last two as Chair.

James began his career as a Foreign Service Officer with the Office of the Inspector General of the U.S. Agency for International Development, reviewing foreign economic assistance programs in Central and Eastern Europe, Russia, and Central Asia. He also worked as Director of Performance Audits with the Auditor of Public Accounts of the Commonwealth of Kentucky, leading the effort to create the department that now conducts performance and operational reviews of all state programs.

In the private sector, Mr. Rose served for 15 years as Chief Audit Executive of Humana where he established the Enterprise Risk Management program and led the implementation of the organization’s GRC platform. He served as Director at Navigant, a global regulatory consulting firm, leading the disputes and regulatory U.S. healthcare payer practice. During his tenure at Navigant, he worked with some of the largest U.S. health plans, health systems, and pharmaceutical firms – supporting compliance programs, conducting investigations, evaluating billing practices, assessing risk adjustment reporting, and helping with governance organizational design. More recently, at Aperture Credentialing, LLC, Mr. Rose served as the Chief Financial Officer as well as oversaw operations of the organization including development of the information technology strategy. Previously Mr. Rose served as founding co-lead of the Data Analysis and Review Committee of the Healthcare Fraud Prevention Partnership sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and U.S. Department of Justice.

James currently serves on the Institute of Internal Auditor’s International Internal Audit Standards Board which is currently resetting the Standards of the Profession.

James is a proud graduate of the University of Kentucky and the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Commerce

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Anita Barnett Fuqua is the Operations Manager for wholesale distribution for Helena Agri-Enterprises, LLC overseeing four warehouses (Warrensburg IL, Greenup IL, Springfield KY, and Owensboro KY) that service the Kentucky, Southern Indiana, and Southern Illinois agricultural market areas. She has had a 30-year career within the ag industry with employment the last 20 years at Helena.

 
Anita was a 10 year 4-H member in Daviess County Kentucky, showing hogs and maintaining a record book for her swine projects. She also participated in livestock judging, and speech and demonstrations. The highlights of her time in 4-H include serving on the KY 4-H State Teen Council, attending the National 4-H Congress in Chicago Illinois and attending American Heritage week in Washington D.C.

A proud Western Kentucky University Hilltopper, Anita obtained a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Business Economics with a minor in Agriculture. While there, Anita was an active member of the WKU Block and Bridle club, serving as the treasurer her junior and senior years and was awarded the Outstanding Block and Bridle Senior award.
Upon graduation from college in 1995, Anita returned home to Sorgho Kentucky, a small farming community outside of Owensboro, to marry Steve Fuqua and begin her career in ag. She also began to volunteer for the 4-H programs she had grown up with, serving as a shooting sports coach and judging various speech and demonstrations competitions and helping with the county fair livestock events even before becoming a parent to her own 4-H kids. Throughout the years, she has chaired and served on the local 4-H council, the Cooperative Extension Council for Daviess County, and been appointed to the Daviess County Extension District board. As part of her contributions to the local Cooperative Extension Service, Anita has continuously served as treasurer of the Grain Day Fund, Inc. which organizes the Ag Expo for Owensboro/Daviess County and the surrounding areas held annually in January.
Currently, Anita and Steve are busy raising their two sons, Evan and Easton. Evan just recently completed his ten years in 4-H and is attending Parkland College in Champaign Illinois with career aspirations in the ag retail industry, and Easton is attending Apollo High School. Both boys enjoy showing purebred cattle and hogs at the county and state levels and are competitive in the 4-H trap shooting programs. Both parents are kept busy as 4-H certified shooting sports coaches and volunteer with the local 4-H livestock programs when needed.

Morelia Falcon Bail is a 23-year-old Kentucky 4-H Alumni who has spent over 17 years in the organization. She is the owner of Panoramic Vintage, a vintage clothing store in Leitchfield, Kentucky, and an online website. She is also a personal stylist and showcases sustainable style on her social media @panoramic.vintage. Her experiences in state-wide 4-H leadership and communication programs led to her creating her business while in high school. Recently married to Kelsey John Bail, they now co-own Bail Creative, a digital content & marketing company. As a Past 4-H State Officer, Emerald award winner, and current National 4-H Alumni Advisory Committee member, she remains an active 4-H volunteer on all levels. Morelia plans to continue utilizing her passion for youth development by creating more opportunities in all levels of her community and business.

Rachel Guidugli is a dedicated advocate for positive youth development, believing that all young people should have the opportunity to thrive through Kentucky 4-H. With a 30-year 4-H journey that began at 4-H Summer Camp, Rachel is proud to be a product of the Kentucky 4-H Program. 4-H wasn’t just camp for Rachel, she served on Kentucky 4-H State Teen Council. spent time as an adult volunteer, then transitioned into the role of Clark County 4-H Agent, then Extension Specialist for 4-H Leadership and International Programs before assuming her role as the Assistant Extension Director for 4-H Youth Development with the University of Kentucky, Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment. She actively serves on national committees, including the National 4-H Program Leaders Working Group, Advancing the 4-H Thriving Model Standing Committee, and is the Chair of the Board of Directors for the States’ 4-H International Exchange Programs. Rachel’s passion for exploration extends beyond her professional life as she loves traveling to learn about new cultures. A native of Richmond, Kentucky, Rachel earned her Bachelor of Arts in Communication from the University of Louisville and completed her Masters and Doctorate Degrees at Eastern Kentucky University. Rachel hopes that her commitment to empowering youth and fostering opportunities continues to inspire and uplift those around her.

Jennifer Hunter was named Associate Dean for Extension and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service in 2025. A native Kentuckian and proud UK alum, Dr. Hunter brings more than two decades of service to the Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment and to communities across the Commonwealth.

She has served as a county agent, Extension specialist, professor and administrator—including roles as Director of the School of Human Environmental Sciences and Assistant Extension Director for Family and Consumer Sciences. Her work reflects a deep commitment to community-focused solutions, engaged scholarship and translational research. Dr. Hunter’s record includes leading more than 850 Extension educational programs, publishing over 160 scholarly works, and securing more than $75 million in external grants and contracts.

As the Associate Dean for Extension and Director of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service, Dr. Hunter oversees a trusted statewide network that delivers the university’s research, resources and innovative solutions to every county in Kentucky. Extension’s grassroots programs strengthen farms, food systems and natural resources while improving health, well-being and economic outcomes for individuals, families and producers.

Steven Caddell is a third-generation banker, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, Arnold Caddell, the founder of Heritage Bank, and his father, Chris Caddell, former Chairman and CEO of the bank. Heritage Bank operates 19 locations across Kentucky and Ohio.

Steven began his career at Heritage Bank 15 years ago as a teller. Over time, he progressed into mortgage and consumer lending before joining the commercial credit department in 2018. In 2020, he was appointed to the bank’s Board of Directors, and he also works as part of the Commercial Lending team.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Northern Kentucky University and is a graduate of the Kentucky Bankers Association Emerging Leaders Class of 2015. In April 2024, Steven completed the Graduate School of Banking at Colorado’s Executive Development Institute.

Growing up, Steven would attend the local county 4-H Sale of Champions with his father, where he was always impressed by the hard work and effort put into raising livestock. He also admired the important life skills 4-H participants gained from being part of the organization. Heritage Bank supported the students by purchasing animals to provide financial assistance. Steven holds 4-H close to his heart, as his father served as a board member, and he considers it “an honor and privilege to be part of such an accomplished organization.”

Steven is married to his wife, Kristen, and they have two children, Nora and Jack.

Michael is a Senior Financial Officer at Farm Credit Mid-America, where he has dedicated 27 years to the organization, providing expert financial management and strategic leadership. A 1998 graduate of the University of Kentucky with a degree in Agricultural Economics, Michael has always been deeply involved in agriculture. Growing up in 4-H, he competed in exhibiting and judging dairy cattle with his family, a passion he has passed on to his children, Hunter and Tyler. Together, the family continues to be active in 4-H, showcasing dairy cattle at regional, state, and national events.

In addition to his personal involvement, Michael has served for 28 years as the lead in selecting dairy cattle for the National 4-H Dairy Judging Contest at the North American International Livestock Exposition (NAILE). His leadership and commitment have greatly impacted the development of young agricultural enthusiasts, helping shape future generations in the dairy industry. Through his professional career and contributions to agriculture, Michael exemplifies dedication to both his family and the agricultural community.

Dora Webb Centers is a dedicated 4-H Youth Development Agent in Knott County for the University of Kentucky since 2008, where she has worked to empower youth through hands-on learning experiences and community engagement. With a Bachelor of Science degree in Horticulture from Eastern Kentucky University, Dora has a strong foundation in agricultural education, science and environmental stewardship, which she incorporates into her programming and initiatives within the 4-H community. In 2016, Dora furthered her commitment to education by earning a master’s degree in teaching from Morehead State University.

Her journey in 4-H began at the age of 10 when she became member of shooting sports that continued through college. This early involvement ignited her love for the program, fostering skills in teamwork, discipline, and responsibility.

Throughout her career, Dora has focused on providing youth with the skills and opportunities they need to thrive. She is dedicated to fostering leadership, resilience, and a sense of community among the young people she serves.

In addition to her work in youth development, Dora is actively involved in UK Extension Disaster STRIKE team. She has served in various community roles to rebuild and recover after challenging events. She believes in the importance of building strong, supportive communities and actively seeks to involve families in 4-H programs to encourage lifelong learning and active citizenship.