What is your role with Traditional Bank?
Commercial Loan Officer, AVP

How did you become involved with United Way and Young Leaders Society?
YLS attracted me because of its involvement with children in need.  It allows a first-hand experience in helping these children that desperately need it.  The United Way continues to serve the Bluegrass Region’s most at-risk individuals.  It is a fantastic vehicle for finding those in need and helping them.

How has your involvement with this organization changed you and made you a better leader?
I was aware of the challenges facing our youth before joining YLS and United Way, but I was not aware of the extent of these challenges.  It opened my eyes to so many other areas in our community that need guidance and assistance in many areas of everyday life.

What impact has YLS had on our community(s)?
Servicing as the VP and then President of YLS forced me to think about things from all angles.  This has been especially poignant in 2020 for obvious reasons.  A core strategy of YLS in getting others engaged is group projects and events.  We haven’t been able to do any of that this year so we have had to find other avenues to get people involved.

What have you learned through your service to this organization?
I have learned that there are so many people in our communities that want and do help.  We very often only hear about the negatives in our world, but there are thousands of individuals that, every day, quietly support children and adults that need a little propping up.

United Way of the Bluegrass Young Leaders Society (YLS) is a social group with a cause.  Learn more about how you can make an impact across the Bluegrass!

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Meet Nicole Ware

What is your role with Traditional Bank?

Business Development
How did you become involved with The Nest?

I became acquainted with The Nest years ago and fell in love with their mission from afar.   When I began working at Traditional Bank I got to know the organization even better since Traditional has always been huge supporters of The Nest.  After attending many of their events and volunteering, Jeffrey White (Executive Director) reached out about joining the board.  

How has your involvement with this organization changed you and made you a better leader?

Currently I serve as Chair of the Donor Development Committee.  Through chairing this committee, I have been able to take a larger role as a board member by steering these efforts.  Being responsible for this committee has also helped me fine-tuned my strategic thinking and communication skills.

What impact has The Nest had on our community(s)?

Last year The Nest provided services to 5,000 families including.

• 2,400 received counseling, advocacy and/or attorney services through the domestic violence program. 
• 20,000 hours of free, full time or respite child care services were provided.
• 139 people graduated from the Parenting Education classes, a program designed to support families recovering from violence, abuse and neglect.
• 400+ families a month received personal hygiene items including 44,300 diapers annually.

Long term, The Nest’s 4 core programs have the power of changing lives and future generations by building strong, self-sufficient community members and providing a safe and nurturing place for support and growth. 

What have you learned through your service to this organization?

I have learned so much! Most importantly, I have learned about the amazing network of nonprofits in Lexington that all support each other through social programs.  If there is a need outside The Nest’s scope of services, one of the amazing Nest staff members know exactly who to call to fulfill that need.  This is incredibly important because as a nonprofit you are constantly fundraising and any overlap in services means less efficiency and overall success.

Tell us about The Nest’s Reindeer Express.

The Nest will be hosted their annual Reindeer Express Holiday Event on Friday, December 11, 2020.  This event assists families with children five years-of-age and younger who have received services from The Nest in 2020. These families are provided with new toys, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, art supplies, and books which will be given to their children as gifts for the holiday season.  This year, we provided new gifts and winter wear for approximately 1,000 children in need. To learn more about The Nest and the services they provide visit https://www.thenestlexington.org/

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Meet Bradlee Rawlins

What is your role with Traditional Bank?
My role within Traditional Bank is a consumer lender.

How did you become involved with the AccuTran Industries?
I became involved with AccuTran Industries in 2013. I was asked to fill the role of a retiring board member, and I graciously accepted. For the past two years I have served as the President of the Board.  

How has your involvement with this organization changed you and made you a better leader? 
My participation on the board of AccuTran Industries has been an extremely rewarding experience. Through AccuTran I have been given an opportunity to impact the lives of others who may need additional support on their path to living a more fulfilling life. I have been able to witness the positive impact that AccuTran Industries provides our clients.  At AccuTran I am surrounded by knowledgeable board members and a staff that works together to solve problems that arise.  When faced with difficulties, even as large as COVID, our team formulates plans and then executes those plans to continually move us in the correct direction.  

What impact has AccuTran Industries had on our community(s)? 
Through employment at AccuTran Industries, adults with disabilities and other barriers to employment find a place where they can be comfortable, accepted, learn life and work skills and earn a paycheck. Each Fall, AccuTran Industries hosts an event called the Pumpkin Festival. During this event, the streets of downtown Paris are shut down and a large variety of vendors set up their wares.  We invite our community as well as all surrounding communities to spend the day with us. Throughout the day, we have local talents perform on the courthouse steps, with the main acts set for later in the evening. Last year’s event was one of the biggest crowds we have ever had!  The Pumpkin Festival is the largest fundraiser AccuTran hosts throughout the year.  Unfortunately, due to COVID-19, we had to cancel this year's plans for the Pumpkin Festival.  

What have you learned through your service to this organization?
Each day I am fortunate to see that the work done through AccuTran is bigger than the board and me.  We are blessed to be able to help our clients. I find it very rewarding to be able to give back to the community that I grew up in, and my work with AccuTran has helped shape the person I am today.

AccuTran Industries Inc. has a vision to assist exceptional people obtain training and life skills in safe environment, facilitate growth, community involvement and mutual acceptance.  To learn more about their story and mission in Bourbon, Harrison and Nicholas Counties and how you can support visit them online or on Facebook.

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Meet Cherie and Trish

Ladies, what are your roles at Traditional Bank?
Cherie Colvin, Vice President Loan Operations Director and I've been employed at Traditional Bank for 38 years. Trish McClain, Vice President Loan Operations Officer and I've been with the bank for 33 years.

How did you both become involved with Montgomery County Relay for Life?
Cherie and I were already Relay team members and had been since the bank started its participation with Relay for Life Montgomery County back in the early 90's.  We decided to take on the role of co-captains in 2013 after Cherie’s dad passed away in 2012 from lung cancer. Fighting for a cure for cancer and helping provide needs and services for those that battle the horrible disease is close and dear to our hearts. Cancer has affected many members of each of our families, friends, and even co-workers here at the bank. We continue to serve each year to try to make a difference for everyone touched by cancer. 

What impact has Traditional Bank's Relay team had on Montgomery County Relay for Life?
In the past 8 years, under mine and Trish’s leadership, we have raised a little over $103,000 for the Montgomery County Relay for Life. Traditional Bank has been the top fundraising team for the past 7 years consecutively.

How is the 2020 Relay for Life event going to be different from previous years?
Unfortunately like most events planned for 2020 the pandemic and social distancing requirements will prevent us from having an annual public event filled with activities, luminary service, special laps for survivors and caregivers, and tents set up surrounding a walking track. The Montgomery County Team Captains, along with our Event Chairman, will be having a virtual luminary service later this fall. We do plan on the traditional event returning in 2021 being even bigger and better than in the past.   

What have you learned through your service and volunteering?
We have learned a great deal about the American Cancer Society and all the ground-breaking research, prevention and support programs provided by the organization for those battling cancer. I wish I had known about these when we were providing care for my Dad, particularly the great service of the Hope Lodge facilities across the U.S. that our Relay donations support. Hope Lodges provide cancer patients and their caregivers free lodging when having to travel for treatments. 

How has being a part of Relay for Life changed you both?
It’s been a truly humbling experience working with the American Cancer Society, the Relay for Life organization and volunteering to provide meals for the residents at the Hope Lodge. Hearing the stories of those who have lost their loved ones, those that are battling and those that have survived this horrible disease is what motivates us to press on and do all that we can do to help raise monies that will hopefully fund the cure. 

​Relay for Life is the signature fundraiser for the American Cancer Society. Relay is staffed and coordinated by volunteers in thousands of communities and 27 countries. A portion of the funds raised in Montgomery County help fund the Hope Lodge in Lexington, KY. To learn more or find out how you can support visit Relay for Life or Relay for Life Montgomery County .

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Meet Buddy Schneider

What is your role with Traditional Bank?
I am the Chief Lending Officer.

How did you become involved with The Hearing & Speech Center? 
All three of my girls attended HSC.  They went through the daycare program before moving on to “big kid school.”  I was asked to join the board 6 years ago and today I am the Board Chair.

How has your involvement with this organization changed you and made you a better leader?
Many of us take our senses for granted.  I didn’t realize how many people have some form of hearing loss and how important it is to take action once you realize you have an issue.  Being a part of the Executive Committee the last few years has been very rewarding.  I have seen first-hand the results of the decisions we have made and the hard work of the management team and the staff as a whole.  Working through a pandemic has been difficult, but the team at the Center has been up to the challenge every day.

What impact has The Hearing & Speech Center had on Kentucky communities? 
The HSC helps people of all ages learn to hear and speak.  This is not just here in Lexington.  In 2019, the Center provided services to individuals from 65 different counties in Kentucky.  It is one of the few places that provides the full range of speech and audiology services under one roof.  We are the only listening and spoken language center for children with hearing loss in the Commonwealth.

What have you learned through your service to this organization? 
Anything is possible when your organization believes in and lives your mission.  We moved from 3 houses on Ashland to 70,000 square feet on Henry Clay Blvd in 2011.  There were many obstacles along the way, but the Center is thriving today and still has that same sense of family and community.

As the Board Chair and a member of the Executive team at The Hearing & Speech Center, what has this year been like responding to the Covid-19 pandemic?
Challenging, like it has been for most.  We had to figure out how to operate and fundraise during a pandemic while providing a safe environment for our students, clients and employees.  The management team at HSC really deserves all the credit.  They have been on top of this since day one and have been running solutions by the board much more so than asking for help.  It goes back to having a team that cares about the organization and truly believes in the mission. 

To learn more about the private nonprofit organization, The Hearing & Speech Center and how you can volunteer or support their mission for a “sound beginning” visit https://hscky.org/support/#support and follow them on Facebook.

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Meet Anna Beth Bobbitt

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Meet Andy Baker

What is your role with Traditional Bank?
I’m proud to be Traditional Bank’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO).

How did you become involved with Habitat for Humanity?
I initially became involved with Habitat in 1993 through our local Leadership Montgomery County program. Each class is required to complete a community project in order to graduate. Our local Habitat affiliate was chartered in 1992 and had built one house and then went stagnate pretty quickly. Our LMC class raised enough money to start a second house and helped form and pour the foundation. I was immediately hooked and have been involved ever since.  I’ve now served over 20 years as the President for Habitat for Humanity in Mount Sterling, Kentucky.

What do you like most about working with this organization?
It is very humbling to work with so many people who are willing to dedicated their time and talent to help others. My favorite part is “Dedication Day”, when I get the privilege of handing over the keys to the new homeowner who is surrounded by all the people that made it possible.

What impact has Habitat for Humanity had on the Mt. Sterling-Montgomery County community?
To date our affiliate has built 11 houses and a community shelter for the Montgomery County Homeless Coalition. Through our relationship with the Montgomery County Area Technology Center, carpentry students are bused to the building site and provide a majority of the labor to complete our houses. So, in addition to providing quality housing for 11 families, we are teaching young people in our school system the benefits of giving back to your community.

What have you learned through your service to Habitat for Humanity?
My two biggest takeaways from working with Habitat are: Having a decent place to live should not be taken for granted. It is life changing for our partner families. And there are a lot of caring and generous people in our community working for the greater good of all our neighbors.

Visit www.habitat.org to learn more about how you can volunteer and support Habitat for Humanity or Habitat for Humanity Montgomery County.  Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization that helps families build and improve places to call home. Affordable housing plays a critical role in strong and stable communities. Every gift helps a family build a foundation.

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Meet Elizabeth Hobbs

What is your role with Traditional Bank?
I’ve been with Traditional Bank since April 2019 as a Commercial Loan Officer.

Why did you become involved with All God’s Children?
I first became aware of All God’s Children at a Nicholasville Rotary meeting back in 2012.  In 2016 I was approached by one of the Board members to join the Board and was welcomed as a Board member in March of that year.  All God’s Children provides a unique experience for a pregnant/parenting teen mom.  With a residential treatment facility, independent living, foster care, onsite daycare and recently added professional counseling services we are able to provide many outlets of support for mother, baby and families.

How has being a part of the organization changed you?
Seeing and hearing the stories of these young mothers – some as young as 12 years old – only babies themselves – birthing and learning to parent their young babies is inspiring.  We are all faced with difficult situations and AGC provides support and options for these teens in hard times.  As a mother of a young daughter, it is really eye opening to see how these girls can overcome adversity and challenges and become successful mothers at such a young age.

How has serving this organization made you a better leader?
Taking the role as Chair of the Board two years ago has certainly shown me how important your team is to make an organization work effectively. Listening is so important to be an effective leader. The best leaders put together strong teams with people they trust.

What have you learned through your service to this organization?
Things are always changing and you have to learn to navigate change. You have to learn to adapt to change and understand not everyone is going to always be on the same page. But never forget the why - and in the case of service to AGC it is to empower and support mothers and nurture and protect new babies. All Children deserve a chance.

To learn more about All God’s Children and how you can support, visit www.kyagc.org