Leadership
Board of Directors
This partnership is focused on attracting agtech companies to Lexington and all of Kentucky. Lexington and Kentucky have all of the ingredients to become a major hub for high-tech innovation in agriculture, attracting good jobs and new companies to our city.
Mayor Linda Gorton
Board President
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government
Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp. is a powerful investment in Kentucky’s future — bringing innovation to our farms, creating new opportunities for rural communities, and keeping our agriculture industry competitive in a rapidly changing world.
Dr. Kyle McKinney
Board Vice President
Vice President of Innovation, Alltech
A thriving AgTech hub will open doors for new research partnerships, innovative solution and meaningful career pathways—helping more of our graduates stay in Kentucky and contribute to the future of agriculture right here at home.
Dr. Laura Stephenson
Board Secretary
Vice President for Land-Grant Engagement and Dean of the UK Martin-Gatton College of Agriculture, Food and Environment
Making Kentucky the center for agriculture technology and innovation in the United States, only furthers our ability to step up to the challenges facing our agriculture communities, thus impacting our influence on our country and our world. We hold firm in the belief that this will create positive impacts for all.
Jonathan Shell
Board Treasurer
Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner
Executive Leadership
It’s an honor to lead this work alongside our founding partners, who bring the institutional weight and vision to make Kentucky a real launchpad for agtech innovation. Together, we’re building the ecosystem that gives innovative companies the footing they need to grow and puts Kentucky farmers at the forefront of what’s possible.
Jacob Ball
Executive Director
Bluegrass AgTech Development Corp
