BOARD MEMBERS

Helen Carroll is Manager of Community Relations for Toyota Motor Engineering and Manufacturing, North America, Inc. (TEMA) in Erlanger, Kentucky. Helen’s direct areas of responsibility for Toyota include community relations programs and activities, community issues management and corporate contributions.

After 13 years in Community Relations at Toyota’s Georgetown, Kentucky plant, Helen joined the management team at TEMA, Toyota’s North American manufacturing headquarters office, in 2000. During her years with Toyota, she has represented the automaker on many local, regional and state boards and organizations. 

Helen served as the Chairman of the Board for the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in 2006. Her experience also includes Chairman of the Board for the Georgetown/Scott County Chamber of Commerce. She is currently a member of the Gateway Community and Technical College Foundation Board, the United Way of Kentucky Board of Directors, the Kentucky Press Association Board of Directors, and she currently serves as chairman of the Governor’s School for the Arts Advisory Council. Helen is member to the Regional Stewardship Council for Northern Kentucky’s Vision 2015 and is chair of the Vision 2015 Educational Excellence Implementation Team.

Helen is a graduate of both Leadership Kentucky and Leadership Northern Kentucky. In celebration of Leadership Northern Kentucky’s 25th Anniversary, Helen was named one of 10 community “Leaders of Distinction”.

Prior to joining Toyota in July, 1987, Helen was director of public relations for St. Luke Hospital in Ft. Thomas, Kentucky. Her experience also includes public relations positions at Appalachian Regional Hospitals, Lexington, and St. Francis-St. George Hospital in Cincinnati.

Helen is a native of Georgetown, Kentucky. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications from the University of Kentucky in 1978. Helen has one son, Stephen, and she resides in Walton, Ky. with her husband, Mike Burton.

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Millie joined Toyota in 1991 and initially worked at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Kentucky, Inc., in Information Systems, supporting manufacturing and Electronic Data Interface projects. In 1997, she moved to Toyota’s manufacturing headquarters in Erlanger, Kentucky, as manager in Information Systems. In 2000, she was named Assistant General Manager, supporting manufacturing and quality systems related to supply chain management on a local, regional, and global level. In 2003, she joined the Human Resources department as an Assistant General Manager, where she was responsible for projects related to benefits and workforce planning, as well as Toyota’s North American manufacturing diversity strategy. Prior to her career at Toyota, Ms. Marshall worked for Parker Hannifin Corporation and Square D Company in Information Systems. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Organizational Management from Midway College in Midway, Kentucky, and an Associate Degree in Applied Science from Lexington Community College in Lexington, Kentucky. Ms. Marshall is on the HP Cross Industries Board of Advisors, Oracle CIO Advisory Board, and past board of director for the Alabama Automotive Manufacturing Association.

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Kelli Gilbert is the Public Affairs Director for Fidelity Investments. Her direct areas of responsibility include the Fidelity Foundation, government relations, business development, community relations and college relations. Kelli is a board member of the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, and currently sits on the Business Advocacy Council and the Education Policy Committee. Kelli holds a B.A. degree in Business Administration from Thomas More College. She is married and has two children and two stepchildren. Born and raised in Northern Kentucky, Kelli and her family currently reside in Anderson Township, Ohio.

Duke Energy career history: Joined Cinergy/PSI, 1992; helped to create and manage the PSI Foundation; following the merger, helped to create and manage the Cinergy Foundation (3.5 years overall with the Foundation, although involved in the grant recommendation process for the Foundation for a total of 13.5 years); managed CG&E (ULH&P) Community Affairs department for 3.5 years; dual role as manager of new Strategic Planning initiative and Investor Relations/Shareholder Services 1.5 years; managed economic/community development activities for Butler/Warren Counties 1 year; appointed Area Manager, Cinergy/Union Light Heat & Power (Northern KY, including former Lawrenceburg Gas service area) October 2001. 2007, added East Ohio service territory to responsibilities (and large commercial/industrial accounts for NKY and East Ohio) as Area Manager (Manager, Business Relations). (Prior to joining Duke Energy, Rhonda was employed in retail management, marketing and office management.)

Julie serves as Duke Energy’s Vice President of Government Affairs & Foundation Relations. Prior to this, Julie served as General Manager of Indiana Government Affairs and Community and Economic Development. She has spent the vast majority of her career in the energy industry, including working for PSI on the Marble Hill Nuclear Project, in the Energy Policy Division of the Indiana Department of Commerce, and most recently, Duke Energy. Her experience in these various positions includes marketing, business development, and government and regulatory affairs.
Julie is committed to her community by serving on the Advisory Board of the St. Vincent Women’s Hospital, and the Dean’s Advisory Council for Ball State University’s College of Sciences and Humanities, and the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Series. She also serves on the Board of the Indiana Society of Washington (DC), Community Action of Greater Indianapolis, SOAR, Peer Exchange Network, and the Board of Directors for the Capital Campaign Cabinet for Behavior Corp. Julie is the immediate past-chairman of the Board of Directors for Indianapolis Opera. 

In her past community efforts, Julie served on the Boards of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Central Indiana, the Ruth Lilly Health Education Center, the Indiana University School of Medicine, the Indiana Economic Development Association, the Indiana Community Development Society, and the Community Affairs Discussion Group.

Prior to becoming Senior Vice President of The St. Luke Hospitals, Nancy Barone, B.S.N., M.S.N., M.B.A. served the hospitals in various capacities. During her tenure there, she held such positions as vice president of patient services, director of nursing, assistant director of nursing, clinical coordinator, shift supervisor and staff nurse. Ms. Barone received her M.B.A. from Thomas More College, her M.S.N. from Bellarmine University, her M.S. post-graduate certificate in nursing education from Bellarmine University, and her B.S.N. from Northern Kentucky University. She holds Fellow status in the American College of Health Care Executives. Ms. Barone has been nominated for and has received multiple awards. In 2003, the Cincinnati Business Courier named her a Health Care Hero finalist. In 2004, the Cincinnati Enquirer named her one of the ten “Women of the Year”. Most recently, she was named “Visionary of the Year” by the Northern Kentucky Recorder newspapers, and one of Northern Kentucky’s Most Influential People by the Challenger NKY Newspaper. In September 2006 Nancy was awarded the 2006 Gallery of Distinguished Graduates from Bellarmine University.
Ashland Inc.

Susan B. Esler, vice president, human resources and communications, holds responsibility for all human resource and communications functions across Ashland. Human resource responsibilities include strategy and governance, business operations support, training and development, human resources shared services, and compensation and benefits programs. Communications responsibilities include global business marketing communications, public relations, employee and financial communications, and community relations functions.
Esler joined Ashland in 1999 as manager, executive compensation. In 2001, she was promoted to director, corporate human resources. Esler became vice president, human resources, in 2002, serving until she was appointed to her present position in 2006. 

Prior to joining Ashland, she was the senior director of compensation, benefits and human resources information systems at AmeriServe Food Distribution in Dallas, Texas. She also held positions of increasing responsibility in human resources with the Pizza Hut and PFS divisions of PepsiCo, Inc., from 1990 to 1997. Esler began her career as a human resource specialist with Dow Chemical in Cleveland, Ohio.

A native of Pittsburgh, Pa., Esler is a 1983 graduate of Miami University, with a Bachelor of Science degree in economics. She holds a master’s degree in business administration from the Weatherhead School of Management at Case Western University.

Esler is a member of the Children’s Museum Advisory Board of the Cincinnati Museum Center a Steering Committee member for 100 Wise Women and on the Advisory Board of S.O.A.R.

Esler and her husband, Steve Skibo, reside in Cincinnati, Ohio, with their son, Benjamin.

Tara Myers is a Design Architect and Project Manager with Earl Swensson Associates, Inc. Originally from Ohio, she attended the University of Cincinnati School of Architecture, graduating with a Bachelor’s of Architecture degree in 1994. Including two years of internship at the firm while still in school, Tara has been with ESa for 14 years and is a registered architect as well as a LEED accredited professional. She specializes in corporate and hospitality design and has worked on local projects such as Caterpillar Financial Center, BMI Corporate Office Headquarters and The Delta at the Opryland Hotel as well as numerous projects across the country and in Canada. 

She enjoys work with several non-profit organizations in Nashville including AIA (American Institute of Architects), serving on the local Middle Tennessee AIA Chapter Board of Directors since 2001 in various capacities, including President (2006). Also served on the AIA Tennessee Board (2005-200

 

Susan Hardwick was named vice president, controller and assistant treasurer of Vectren Corporation effective March 31, 2000. Prior to joining Vectren, Hardwick’s most recent experience was with Cinergy Corporation, a utility holding company based in Cincinnati, Ohio, in numerous financial roles, including assistant corporate controller. Hardwick also has extensive public accounting experience and has spent the majority of her career involved in the regulated utility industry. 

Hardwick received a B.S. in accounting from Indiana University and is a certified public accountant. She serves on the board of trustees and is president-elect of the Evansville Museum and has served on the boards of directors of many not-for-profit organizations. She is also on the audit committee of St. Mary’s Hospital. Further, she has held numerous leadership and committee roles in the American Gas Association and the Edison Electric Institute. She also was a 2005 finalist for the Athena award in Evansville, an award recognizing women in leadership and has just completed the Richard G. Lugar Excellence in Public Service Leadership Series. Hardwick, an Indiana native, resides in Newburgh, Indiana.

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Tracy E. Williams joined Norton Healthcare in May 2005 as Vice President and System Chief Nursing Officer before being promoted in November 2006 to Senior Vice President and System Chief Nursing Officer. As such, she has oversight of all nursing, care management, quality, patient care, service excellence, women’s services, emergency services and clinical capital replacement functions for Norton Healthcare’s four hospitals. 

Williams’ background includes 15 years as Vice President and Senior Nurse Executive for Baptist Health, a four-hospital system in Jacksonville, Fla. A native of Virginia, Williams began her career as a staff nurse and educator in the Pediatric ICU of Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, and later held several nursing management positions culminating in the Nurse Administrator role at HCA Henrico Doctors’ Hospital in Richmond. Williams received a bachelor’s degree from Old Dominion University and a master’s degree in nursing from Medical College of Virginia/Virginia Commonwealth University.

Williams is active in many professional organizations including the American College of Healthcare Executives, the American Organization of Nurse Executives, Women Business Leaders of the US Health Care Industry Foundation, Health Management Academy’s CNO Forum and the Women Executive Peer Exchange Network. Active in her community, Williams is a member of the Board of Directors of The Housing Partnership, Louisville, KY and is a member of the class of 2008 for Leadership Louisville.

Lisa Kranc has 15 years experience in an executive capacity. Prior to coming to AutoZone in 2001 where she serves as Senior Vice President, Marketing, Lisa also held officer positions at Hannaford Brothers, Bruno’s, Inc. and Giant Eagle, Inc. in the area of Marketing. Lisa holds an MBA in Marketing and Finance from Columbia University in New York and an undergraduate degree in American Studies from Brandeis University in Massachusetts. Lisa sits on a number of boards and councils, including: Greater Memphis Arts Council Board of Directors, Be Car Care Aware Executive Council Member and Brandeis University Alumni Board of Directors. Lisa has a passion for developing future female leaders.

Amelia (Amy) N. Armstrong is the Assistant Vice President of Human Resources for the Metropolitan Nashville Airport Authority in Nashville, Tennessee. Part of her daily duties include the planning, organization and strategic direction of the human resource management program, administration of the health and welfare benefits, employee compensation and administrative services. Prior to Amy assuming the position as the head of human resources at the Nashville International Airport in 1995, she retired from the U.S. Army as a lieutenant colonel, serving more than 21 years as a military intelligence officer, serving in the continental U.S. as well as in Korea, Germany and Turkey. One of her most rewarding assignments in the military was when she served as an Assistant Professor of Military Science at the College of William and Mary. Amy also worked for the F.B.I. in Washington, D.C. and a telecommunications consulting firm in Bethesda, Maryland. 

Amy founded the Airport Human Resources Consortium and has been instrumental in having it recognized as a subcommittee under ACI. She currently serves as the Chairman.

She has a Bachelor of Arts in Geopolitics from Austin Peay University in Clarksville, Tennessee and a Master’s in Public Administration from the University of Oklahoma at Norman.

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