Lee Howard, Chairperson

Meet Lee: Lee Howard has been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years. He joined H&W Management in 2016 as the Director of Operations and oversees the operation of the Holiday Inn Express Versailles along with other hotels in the H&W Management portfolio. Lee is responsible for month financial performance for each hotel and assists the Human Resources department with daily encounters. Lee’s responsibilities include diversity management, hiring, development, and training of manager and staff.

Christie Eckerline

Meet Christie: Christie is a native Lexingtonian who grew up with a love for her community and the landscape it inhabits. She attended Centre College where she obtained a degree in Economics. After graduating, she began working in marketing and events at Alltech. She continued to build her events, marketing and business experience over the next few years prior to joining the team at The Kentucky Castle, where she now serves as their Chief Operating Officer. Through Christie’s job at TKC, she enjoys showcasing Central Kentucky’s unmatched level of hospitality, beautiful landscapes and once in a lifetime experiences for anyone who visits. Christie enjoys serving on the Woodford County Tourism Commision to continue to promote and share the best of what Woodford County has to offer. When she is not busy working in or promoting Woodford County, Christie enjoys spending time with her two young daughters (Rosie & Bell) and her dog, Charlie.

Elisha Holt

Meet Elisha: Elisha Holt is a native Kentuckian and lives in Versailles. She attended Eastern Kentucky University where she received her degree in Communication Studies.  She founded Charismatic Media 14 years ago which provides event coordination and social media marketing for various small businesses and nonprofits.  This includes the Midway Fall Festival and the Midway Bourbon & Blues Festival. She also co-owns Wildside Winery.  Elisha has served on many boards in Woodford County and now focuses on the Woodford County Tourism Commission. In her free time, she loves traveling the world, boating, reading books and spending time with her son Axel on the farm.  

Cortney Neikirk

Meet Cortney: Cortney was born and raised in Richmond, Kentucky, but has been a resident of Woodford County for 17 years.  Started in Woodford as the opening Manager of Railheads Restaurant.  She has worked in several Woodford County restaurants including Grey Goose Midway and Mezzos.  She currently is the Midway Merchants President and manages five buildings in Midway, 3 of which have Airbnb’s.  She is the co-owner of 2 Ladies and a Kettle serving kettle corn and root beer and bartends one night a week at Gibson’s in Midway (if your bored come play trivia with us, every Tuesday) and she helps out at Wildside Winery.  As the merchant president, she is responsible for most of the events in Midway including the Bourbon and Blues Festival and Midway Fall Festival. 

Kelly Rabinowitz, Treasurer

Meet Kelly: Ms. Katheen Kelly Rabinowitz lives in Versailles, KY. She is married to Jonathan Rabinowitz with whom she has three children: Caroline, Madelynn, and Charlotte. Kelly presently oversees the day-to-day operations of Rose Hill Rentals and Amsden Properties. Kelly previously taught high school business for 11 years at Ballard High School and Central Hardin High School. During her time as a teacher she served as department chair, on SBDM, grant coordinator and dual credit teacher. Presently, KelIy is a member of the Woodford County Tourism Board and Woodford Forward. She is a graduate of Newberry College with a degree in Business and a graduate of University of Louisville with a Master of Education. 

Gary Jones

Meet Gary: Gary Jones has lived and worked in Versailles, KY for over 20 years.  He is a Co-Owner of Versailles Brewing Company, where he oversees the daily operations of the restaurant and the brewery. He coordinates with local farmers to use the spent grains from the brewery and then purchases their meats for use in the restaurant. Gary is also a realtor with Rector Hayden and works hard to sell families their forever homes. Gary is on the Versailles City Council where he tries to represent the people’s best interest in City projects. He volunteers with the Woodford County Ministerial Association to organize their weekly community dinners. And lastly, Gary works with Mentors and Meals, providing the food for the tutoring program.

Rich Pictor

Meet Rich: Rich is the Executive Director of Versailles Woodford County Parks and Recreation since November 2002. Rich previously worked at Host Communications Media, was the General Manager at Purdue Sports Marketing, championed National radio and print sales for men’s and women’s NCAA Final Fours, has overseen Local advertising sales coordinator for the NCAA Championship publications and St. Louis Cardinals National Baseball team, led Marketing and game day promotions and player appearance. Rich holds a Bachelor’s degree in Sports Administration University of Evansville and lives in Versailles, KY with wife Kelly of which they have two children Camryn 24 and Noah 21.