Featuring Jim Musser
Patton Leadership Holds Third Session in Martin County
Patton Leadership Institute (PLI) held its third session for the Class of 2025 in Martin County on Thursday, December 5, 2024. The cohort visits a different county for each session. PLI will visit Floyd County on January 9, 2025.
The Class of 2025 began the day with a tour at United States Penitentiary Big Sandy, a maximum-security prison with a minimum-security camp. The cohort learned all about the different programs the prison offers to help rehabilitate inmates and prepare them to reenter society after serving their sentence. Their focus is to give inmates the tools necessary to reduce recidivism such as substance abuse recovery programs and GED courses in partnership with Big Sandy Community & Technical College.
The cohort then travelled to AppleAtcha apple orchard where manager Ryan Wilson gave a presentation on the orchard and how it operates. The orchard spans 1,000 acres with 60 acres currently planted with 120,000 Honeycrisp apple trees.
The group ended the day at The Collier Center in Inez and held a discussion on the book, Monday Morning Leadership, followed by a talk from Angie Reynolds, founder and president of TEK Center. Angie gave a history
of the college and talked about TEK Center’s future in moving to Magoffin County to expand the number of pathways offered and increase the number of students who can be trained at one time. The final speaker of the day was Nita Collier, Inez City Commissioner, who spoke on the work the City of Inez and Martin County Fiscal Court are doing to boost tourism such as building walking trails and renovating the old courthouse in downtown Inez.
“I really enjoyed our session in beautiful Martin County,” said Ezalee Pigman, clinic administrator for Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH) and PLI Class of 2025 participant. “We met leaders who are energetic and working toward not only a better future for Martin County but the whole region.”
“Thank you to our incredible hosts and inspiring speakers for making the Patton Leadership trip to Martin County an unforgettable experience,” said Katie Belt, Patton Leadership Institute program coordinator for the Southeast Kentucky Chamber. “Your hospitality and insights will leave a lasting impression on our group, and we are truly grateful for your support in fostering leadership and growth in our region.”
The best word to describe Helena Racin Jackson, founder of H.R. Jackson Law, PLLC, is dynamic. She’s a friendly, driven “girl’s girl” whose values are deeply rooted in Christ. As a mother, wife, business owner, and community leader, Helena seamlessly balances her roles with grace. She channels her competitive spirit to achieve results for her clients and then turns around to lead worship at her church, Faith Baptist Church of Myra. Helena is always on the move, driven by her passion for serving others and her community.
When Helena and I met for lunch at Joyce’s Place, I quickly saw what makes her so special. Over hamburgers and fries, the conversation flowed as she asked about me and as she shared stories about her career and her commitment to giving back.
Helena’s journey began with her graduating summa cum laude from West Virginia University, followed by earning her law degree from the University of Pittsburgh. In 2004, she moved to Lexington to work for Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, a large law firm where she spent the next five
years honing her skills. From there, Helena relocated to Corbin, where she discovered her passion for coal mining law, a focus that has shaped much of her career. Her path took her back to Pittsburgh during the oil and gas boom, and as the coal industry experienced its natural ebbs and flows, Helena returned to Lexington in 2012 to work with James River Coal Company. Over the years, she collaborated with several coal companies, building a reputation for excellence and dedication. In 2021, encouraged by a client, Helena took a leap of faith and launched H.R. Jackson Law. On November 21, 2021, the law firm was born! Business took off quickly, so she hired two employees to keep up with demand.
“Coal is my first love,” Helena says, reflecting on her firm’s primary focus. At the same time, she is diversifying her work to support other industries and strengthen her connection to the community.
Helena’s work ethic is nothing short of incredible. In the firm’s early days, she worked tirelessly—seven days a week for nearly two years—to build a strong foundation.
Month: H.R. Jackson Law, PLLC
Only recently has she been able to enjoy an occasional weekend off.
Faith plays a central role in Helena’s life and work. As a worship leader at her church, she combines music with ministry, and she strives to operate her business with Christian values. “There aren’t a lot of Christian lawyers,” she jokes, “but I do my best to honor my faith in everything I do.”
Helena’s commitment to giving back is equally inspiring. She reinvests her firm’s success into local organizations, supporting pregnancy centers, homeless shelters, and rehabilitation programs. She is also passionate about empowering women, prioritizing female-owned businesses whenever possible. Helena’s dedication to community service includes her role in making the Pikeville 200 Gala a success and her involvement with the Main Street Board.
After lunch, Helena and I walked back to her office on Hambley Boulevard, a space that reflects her personality. With a plush white rug, comfy couches, and even a
massage chair, the office feels welcoming and unique. In her office is a large desk with multiple computer screens and laptops, a framed family tree, a shelf full of books, and artwork.
Helena looked completely in her element as she sat behind her desk so I could snap a couple photos. It was evident that for her, practicing law is not just a career, it’s a calling. Helena Racin Jackson exemplifies what it means to serve with integrity, faith, and a deep love for her community. We are proud to have her as a member of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber.
For more information about H.R. Jackson Law Firm, please visit www.hrjacksonlaw.com or call 859.533.4901.
If your business is interested in being featured for Chamber Member of the Month as a free promotion, please contact Katie Belt at 606.432.5504 or katie@ sekchamber.com
December Lunch & Learn: Kentucky Hospital Association’s Jim Musser
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce held a Lunch & Learn event on Tuesday, December 10, 2024, which featured guest speaker, Jim Musser, Senior Vice President for Policy and Government Relations for the Kentucky Hospital Association (KHA).
The event was attended by representatives from Pikeville Medical Center, American Red Cross, Bluegrass Care Navigators, and Appalachian Regional Healthcare (ARH).
Lunch was generously sponsored by ARH. Musser’s presentation focused on the economic impact hospitals have on local economies. He explained that there are two facets to a local hospital: 1) it is a place of healing and 2) it is an economic engine that benefits the community. Musser explained that hospitals in the state of Kentucky employ 84,000 people and add $14 billion in revenue to the economy, which is more than the dominating industries of the state, bourbon and horses, combined. Hospitals not only create jobs for communities, but through payroll tax, also adds tax revenue to support infrastructure, schools, and more. Payroll distribution in Southeast Kentucky adds $346 million to the local economy.
Musser also talked about KHA’s Food is Medicine initiative to bring greater access to better quality foods like fresh produce and locally grown proteins to our hospitals and grocery stores. By partnering with local hospitals and farmers markets, KHA seeks to provide people with
healthier options because improved nutrition promotes a healthier lifestyle, better health, and long-term positive results for individuals and communities.
To conclude the presentation, Musser explained that Medicare reimbursement rates in the state of Kentucky are lower than the national average. He stated that our hospitals are challenged with caring for older, sicker, and poorer patients than other states, yet we receive lower reimbursement compared to states like New York or Oregon. To combat this, Musser announced that KHA is partnering with Senater Mitch McConnell and Congressman Hal Rogers to create the Appalachian Investment Project, which is an initiative focused on raising the Medicare reimbursement rate for Kentucky hospitals up to the national average. They will also work toward alleviating food insecurity, while making sure there is access to fresh, healthy food options. Musser stated, “If we can get this investment in our human capital, we can move the needle and we can move it in a serious way…we think this will be a real game changer in Southeast Kentucky and across the state.”
“We appreciate Jim Musser and the Kentucky Hospital Association for the work they do to provide Kentuckians with access to quality healthcare,” said Jordan Gibson, President & CEO of the Southeast Kentucky Chamber. “We look forward to supporting their initiatives and programs which will benefit our local communities and economy.”
Suprise Patrol: Signs of Appalachia & Overhead Door of Eastern Kentucky
The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce recently visited Overhead Door of Eastern Kentucky and Signs of Appalachia as part of its Surprise Patrol initiative. Both businesses were surprised with balloons and cupcakes to honor their outstanding contributions and dedication to the community.
Overhead Door of Eastern Kentucky, a valued Chamber member since 2016, is known for providing reliable and high-quality garage door solutions that enhance safety and functionality for homes and businesses across the region. Signs of Appalachia, renowned for its exceptional
craftsmanship, creates custom-designed awards used by the Chamber for its prestigious Annual Awards Night, as well as innovative signage that helps businesses shine. The Chamber celebrates the positive impact these businesses have made, recognizing their vital roles in driving economic growth and community development. Initiatives like the Surprise Patrol highlight the Chamber’s dedication to supporting its members, and it looks forward to honoring more businesses in future visits, fostering continued local engagement and prosperity.
