46Solutions team members, from left, Alex Blanton, Crystal Newton, and Wil Winstead
PHOTO BY KENI PARKS
MARKET REVIEW 2025
Introducing Business Lexington’s Regional Market Review
Business Lexington and Smiley Pete Publishing are thrilled to announce the inaugural Business Lexington Regional Market Review—a premier annual publication covering the economic landscape of Central Kentucky.
Launching in October 2025, table-top edition will provide in-depth insights into the region’s economic developments, challenges, and successes.
The NEW Regional Market Review will spotlight key market trends and analysis across Fayette, Franklin, Clark, Scott, Bourbon, Woodford, Montgomery, Madison, and Jessamine counties, delivering essential information for business leaders, investors, and policymakers.
Stay ahead with expert reporting, datadriven insights, and a comprehensive look at Central Kentucky’s evolving market.
For more information, email advertise@smileypete.com
BusinessLexington
Chris Eddie
PVAStatistics The latest statistics on local residential properties PAGE 4
EconomicAnalysis
A monthly look at economic indicators compiled by the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Kentucky PAGE 5
WriteStu Tips for writing pieces with multiple contributors PAGE 5
CraveWorthy Here's The Ketch: Popular restaurant returns with new owners and a fresh look, but with familiar flavors and feel PAGE 6
IndependentBusiness
A Savory Sanctuary: Luna’s Co ee, Wine & Butterfly Cafe o ers healthy eats, cocktails, co ee — and butterflies — in a vibrant, nature-themed space PAGE 8
SMILEY PETE PUBLISHING
BizLists Engineering Firms PAGE 12 Sta ng Agencies PAGE 14 Audio/Visual Companies PAGE 15
Who’s Who Employment updates and notable achievements from around the Bluegrass PAGE 16
QuickBites
Melting Pot Plots local comeback PAGE 7
Driving Success: Lower permit age boosts driving school enrollment PAGE 9
Reinventing the Conference Room:
Hybrid meeting spaces blend technology, security, and convenience to enable seamless collaboration PAGE 10
BizLex Q&A with Crinda Francke: ExecuTrain’s president and CEO on winning national recognition, integrating AI into your workflow, and growing from a local franchise into a national brand
18
MELTING POT FONDUE PHOTO FURNISHED
PHOTO BY LAUB MULTIMEDIA
PVAStatistics
These statistics on local residential and commercial property are compiled by the o ce of the Fayette County Property Valuation Administrator. The data reflect the most up-to-date information available at the time of printing for this publication, but monthly figures may be revised as additional public records of property transactions are submitted and become available.
Top Commercial Transactions for May 2025
5/15/25
5/15/25
5/15/25
Ste. 100 $137,000,000* Retail Fritz Farm Owner LLC
5/15/25 151 Larue Unit 2 $137,000,000* Fritz Farm Owner LLC
5/15/25 4174 Rowan Ste 150 $137,000,000* Retail Fritz Farm Owner LLC
5/15/25 4100 Nicholasville Road $137,000,000* Retail Fritz Farm Owner LLC
5/14/25 4176 Todds Road $19,750,000 Avenue Living US Operating LP No. 14
5/16/25 1849 Alysheba Way $2,470,000 KYCRE Investment Group LLC
5/2/25 2899 Richmond Road $2,144,007 CS Properties LLC
5/7/25 400 Dabney Drive $1,900,000* Summerlin Ridge LLC
5/7/25 450 Dabney Drive $1,900,000* Summerlin Ridge LLC
5/13/25
5/6/25 128 Southland Drive $840,000 JDAL Properties LLC
5/15/25 1524 Parkers Mill Road $550,000 Synergy V LLC
5/1/25 500 Southland Drive $436,500 Fox South LLC
5/20/25 1412 N. Broadway $125,000 Net Worth Holdings LLC
Residential Sales Data for May 2025
The chart below shows the monthly residential sales activity in Fayette County for the previous 24 months. The data for the most recent month reflects a projected estimate from the o ce of the Fayette County Property Valuation
and is
to change.
EconomicAnalysis
A monthly look at economic indicators compiled by the Center for Business and Economic Research (CBER) at the University of Kentucky. For more on CBER, visit www.cber.uky.edu.
Payroll emp. MSA****
Manufacturing Employment Durable Goods (KY) **** Manufacturing: Lexington-Fayette MSA Total Employees**** Unemployment Rate MSA****
Payroll Employment, US
Manufacturing Payroll Employment US Unemployment Rate, US
Consumer Price Index, Southern Region Consumer Price Index, US Producer Price Index, US
Index of Leading Indicators** Fed’s Index of Industrial Production**
3-Month Treasury Yield*** 10-Year Treasury Yield***
Real GDP (millions $)
Note: In some cases 1 mo. And 1 yr. changes are based on revised data from previous mo./yr/
* Source: The Conference Board Research Group; http://www.conference-board.org/
** Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release, http://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/G17/
*** Source: Federal Reserve Statistical Release; https://www.federalreserve.gov/releases/h15/
**** Source: St. Louis Federal Reserve; https://research.stlouisfed.org/fred2/
***** GDP is reported as Real Gross Domestic Product, Chained Dollars [Millions of chained (2012) dollars] Seasonally adjusted at annual rates (Updated numbers as of Jan. 27, 2023); https://apps.bea.gov/histdata/histChildLevels.cfm?HMI=7
WriteStu
Tips for Writing Pieces with Multiple Contributors
Whether you’re writing a work document with one or more people or co-authoring a book, these tips will make the process smoother:
Decide on your software. If you access a Microsoft Word document in a shared folder or email it, have others “track changes” and make comments. In a shared Google Doc file accessed by a link or via Google Drive, multiple writers can type directly into one document or “make suggestions” and leave comments. Other software programs, such as Microsoft OneDrive, also have sharing and collaboration options.
Assign who will write what. One person can do the writing and others provide feedback to tweak it, or multiple people can each write a section towards the document and all provide feedback afterwards. In some cases, separate documents go to one person who incorporates them into a single, cohesive piece.
Determine who makes final decisions on content and wording. Will you each get equal say and be able to edit, or will one person decide the final wording and content? If multiple people can revise, have one person do a final check for consistent spellings, wording, formatting, and style — or use a style guide like MLA or the Chicago Manual of Styleo — among other considerations.
By Jennifer Mattox
Set deadlines. Multiple deadlines work best, such as one for all doc contributors to draft their section and one for feedback. Allow enough time for revisions and further reviews.
Decide contributor recognition (if applicable). Work documents don’t always include the name(s) of who wrote them, or may include only one contact person, such as with a funding or partnership proposal. Co-author bylines may include all or some names, or only one name, depending on the situation.
Once you begin writing your collaborative piece, you can refine your process as you learn what works best for you and your cowriters. BL
Jennifer Mattox is the Executive Director of the Carnegie Center for Literacy & Learning and a professional writer. The Carnegie Center, 251 W. Second St., is a nonprofit educational center o ering seasonal writing, publishing and language classes, among other community programming. For more information, visit CarnegieCenterLex.org.
IMAGE FURNISHED
CraveWorthy
Here's The Ketch
Popular restaurant returns with new owners and a fresh look, but with familiar flavors and feel
BY SHANNON CLINTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Comments on The Ketch Seafood Grill’s Facebook page have resembled a shark feeding frenzy, as each tantalizing post hinting at a reopening is met with a flood of questions.
“When’s the opening date?” one respondent asks. “Waiting impatiently for opening!” said another. “Menu? Opening when? We have been waiting sooooo long!” said a third questioner, out of many others.
The beloved restaurant first opened in 1987, then closed in July 2023 after owner Art Howard retired and sold the business. Howard had run The Ketch since 1995, and the restaurant remained on the market for nearly a year before an investment group purchased it.
Ryan Foster, one of the new co-owners of The Ketch, revealed a few more details about the highly anticipated reopening of the restaurant, with its motto, “When the Beach is Out of Reach.”
At long last, the big day is scheduled for July 7.
“Several of the other partners and I frequented The Ketch for many years prior to hearing that Art was contemplating selling the business,” Foster said. “We were regulars first and interested owners second.”
Over the past two years, the new partners have overseen extensive renovations. Some walls were removed, but cubby spaces were preserved for intimate table settings. A larger flexible space now accommodates private events and special occasions. The patio is also set to be expanded, with new furniture, plants, and fencing, as well as a water feature.
The renovation also included a full interior remodel and significant exterior updates. The team remodeled the bathrooms, installed a second bar with access to the patio, upgraded much of the kitchen equipment, and added a dedicated sushi-making room. All-new furniture was brought in, the original bar was refurbished, and a small stage was built to host acoustic music performances.
Foster says they’ve also tailored offerings for evening crowds, with live music and a streamlined late-night menu featuring appetizers and sushi.
Despite all the changes, indoor seating will still accommodate about 90 guests, with space for 40–50 on the patio. The restaurant’s former chef is returning, along with some other staff members.
Signature dishes including cornbread salad, hush puppies, crab, and summer salads will all make a comeback, as will weekly events like Oyster Mondays and Shrimp Wednesdays. Weekend brunch service will also resume, in time.
Why did the process take so long?
Foster explained that along with a few “starts and stops” to work on other projects, more modifications and needs were unearthed that kept extending the team’s to-do list.
“Every time we finished one project, we had to make a decision whether it made sense to expand and improve another area of the restaurant we hadn’t originally thought about improving” to avoid having to do it later, he said.
In the leadup to its early July opening, The Ketch will host a series of ticketed soft-opening events in partnership with local nonprofits.
Foster is excited to rejoin the roster of independently-owned eateries along the Southland Drive corridor, which includes Winchell’s, PieTana, Rosemont Station, and South of Wrigley, among others.
“We all go to those places, too,” he said.
Foster grew up around the Southland Drive area and recalls eating many meals at The Ketch. He’s already dreaming of enjoying his favorite crab benedict once brunch is back on the menu.
“I never missed a brunch at The Ketch for many years,” he said. BL
Favorites like steamed crab leg buckets and mussels are back on the menu at the newly revamped Ketch restaurant at 2012 Regency Road.
PHOTOS FURNISHED
Melting Pot Plots Local Comeback QuickBites
BY SHANNON CLINTON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
After identifying Lexington as a favorable market, Tampa-based fondue chain Melting Pot is seeking entrepreneurs to open a new franchise location in town.
Using SiteZeus, a location-intelligence platform also headquartered in Tampa, the company identified Lexington as “the type of city that we need to grow in,” according to franchise growth strategist Collin Benyo.
“We need to find the right markets and the right people,” Benyo said. “We know Lexington is the right market at this point.”
While some franchisees bring prior hospitality experience, Benyo said that passion for the brand matters most in a prospective owner.
Lexington’s original Melting Pot closed about ten years ago, leaving the Louisville restaurant as the state’s sole location.
“Melting Pot is such a unique brand,” Benyo said. “We don’t necessarily have people coming to visit us 10 to 20 times a year. It happens, but it's not consistent with what we see in patterns of people dining with us.”
Rather, the restaurants are typically a special-occasion destination to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, and other milestones. Benyo adds that a new Lexington franchisee would enjoy the distinction of being the only operator in town — and essentially host a fondue party every night.
In other local food- and beverageindustry news:
A new location of Bella Café & Grille is coming to the Hamburg area this fall. Set to open at 2200 War Admiral Way in a former Norwalk furniture store, the new café will be the third Bella Café location in Lexington and will sit next door to another Bella Notte Restaurant Group concept, Smashing Tomato, according to Marketing Director Jillian Richards.
"We are hitting the ground running with renovations with the hope to open before the Keeneland Fall Meet begins," Richards said. "Hamburg is such a fast growing area of town! It just felt right to bring a Bella Cafe & Grille to this area."
She said diners will experience the same ambiance and signature dishes as the concepts other locations, along with some new menu items and an enclosed patio.
Carson's Back Porch is set to become the latest addition to the Palate Restaurant Group, opening at 321 E. Vine St. in the space behind Carson’s Food & Drink
“We are looking to remodel the space in the rear entrance of our Main Street location at 362 E. Main St. beginning in September,” said Jayme Jackson Fichtner, president and co-owner of Carson’s and the Palate Restaurant Group. “This will be a new menu and restaurant concept that will also serve some of Carson’s ‘greatest hits.’”
The space, most recently home to Gus’s World Famous Fried Chicken, is expected to seat 110 and include a full bar, according to multiple media outlets. Construction is slated to begin this fall, and Fichtner noted the group is currently working with Lexington-based architect CMW on a remodel.
Umami Ramen and Grill has opened at 836 Euclid Ave., serving ramen, grilled teriyaki, fried chicken, and other dishes, along with boba drinks and fruit teas.
O erings range from edamame, crab rangoon, and gyoza appetizers to tru e shoyu ramen with tru e-infused pork bone broth, chashu pork, minced pork, marinated egg, scallions, bok choy, and seaweed. The menu also features umami chicken and yuzu salmon salads, plus desserts such as tempura ice cream and cheesecake.
Pollo Azul has opened at 503 S. Upper St., specializing in Latin-style rotisserie chicken. Diners can choose dine-in, takeout or delivery. Entrée options include quarter or half chickens, boneless grilled chicken breast, roasted pork and churrasco steak.
Guests can build custom “Chop Bowls” on white or yellow rice or romaine lettuce, topped with chicken, pork, or steak and a choice of black beans, corn, or jalapeños. Family meals, combos, and wraps round out the menu, with sides like sweet plantains, chicken salad, and black beans.
The Old Fish House retail seafood market is open at 224 Yellow Jacket Dr., Versailles, o ering caviar, breaded frozen oysters, crab cakes, clam strips, whole cooked and frozen crawfish, frog legs, crab surimi, popcorn shrimp, mussels, and more.
On Richmond Road, a “coming soon” sign marks the future home of Playa Bowls in the former Panera space near Miyako. According to social-media posts, the second Lexington location is slated to open in late summer or early fall. “We are also working on more locations, and we are purchasing trucks/trailers so we can make Playa Bowls Lexington as accessible as possible for all of you!” the announcement stated.
KSBar and Grille announced on Facebook that it will close temporarily in June and July for renovations and repairs, with plans to reopen in August featuring new menu items and upgrades.
Wingstop has opened at 384 Woodland Ave., joining existing Lexington locations on Richmond Road and at Tates Creek Centre Drive.
The Chick-Fil-A at Hamburg Place is closed temporarily for a planned rebuild and upgrade.
Black Soil: Our Better Nature launched two Neighborhood Farmacy Markets, at 820 Lane Allen Rd. and 760 Florence Ave., in mid-June. These markets operate from 2 to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Friday and from 1 to 6 p.m. Saturdays, o ering locally grown produce year-round at prices below many retailers. Recent selections have included tomatoes, carrots, beets, cucumbers, lettuce, potatoes, squash, and more. BL
Have a food and beverage-related update to share with readers?
Please email info@smileypete.com.
COOKING UP DELICIOUS BUSINESS FOR KENTUCKY.
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MELTING POT FONDUE PHOTO FURNISHED
IndependentBusiness
A Savory Sanctuary
Luna’s Coffee, Wine & Butterfly Cafe offers healthy eats, cocktails, coffee — and butterflies — in a vibrant, naturethemed space.
BY LYNN CELDRAN
Stepping through the door at Luna’s Coffee, Wine and Butterfly Cafe is like finding a slice of calm and harmony you didn’t know your body needed. Located at 109 Springdale Drive in Nicholasville, the charming, eclectically decorated bistro is filled with rich colors, textured furniture, and butterfly-themed murals and décor. A small merchandising section includes everything from sassy greeting cards and quirky socks to nature-themed T-shirts, games, and even dangling insect earrings.
Luna’s ambiance is a welcoming invitation for patrons to slow down and savor being present. Folks of all ages regularly gather to sip coffee, engage in conversation, and share mutual interests, from book clubs to puzzle competitions. Regularly scheduled events include trivia on Monday evenings and karaoke sessions once a month on Friday evenings.
It’s the kind of fun, funky, creative sanctuary and community space owner Alison Davis envisioned when she and her partners opened the business in early 2021.
“We try to [offer] things that you cannot find in other places,” she said. “We try to be eclectic and, as much as possible, true to what we care about, which are dogs, butterflies, and nature.”
Davis, a professor of agricultural economics at the University of Kentucky, is also the executive director of Blueprint Kentucky, a community and economic development program housed within University of Kentucky’s Martin-Gatton College of
Agriculture, Food and Environment. While it may seem like a lot to juggle, Davis appreciates Luna’s unique atmosphere as much as her customers. “It is two full-time jobs, but they work nicely next to each other,” she said. And, at both UK and at Luna’s, “I have great teams who work with me.”
Davis credits her husband, Web Barney, with running day-to-day operations at the café, including “handling all the shopping and getting through the breakfast and lunch rush,” she said.
Barney, an entomologist, is also responsible for Luna’s greenhouse, which is located behind the cafè and is open to guests and filled with fluttering butterflies and moths during the summer season.
According to Luna’s website, they exclusively raise Kentucky native species, so they are beholden to the migration and hibernation patterns of those moths and butterflies. That typically means they will have live species mid-April to mid-September, “depending on Mother Nature and the cycles of mating.”
Luna’s menu likewise takes a seasonal, farm-to-table approach, offering an array of flavors and fresh ingredients. Davis and kitchen manager Eli Gruver curate a limited
menu at reasonable prices without compromising quality or nutritional value. Exploring and experimenting with ideas and textures, the duo prioritizes fresh and healthy options.
“I don’t want people to feel bad about themselves when they leave,” Davis said, noting that they grow some of their own vegetables and also endeavor to source locally grown produce.
Like Gruver, many of Luna’s staff have been with the café since it opened and have become like family, Davis said. Recalling the heart-wrenching news of losing one of their team members last summer, Davis describes how staff and community came together in solidarity and support. They organized a mental health awareness event in Louisville — the former peer’s hometown — a powerful indication of how deeply they value their employees.
That sense of connection extends to customers as well.
“Customers become family,” Davis said. “We get a lot of regulars, so we can tell if someone is not here. If we don’t see customers here for a while, we’ll check in to see if they’re okay.”
Davis and Barney also support the community’s youth by offering meaningful
opportunities for them to learn service skills and build a strong work ethic, including a co-op program with Dunbar High School, allowing students to work during the week and get school credit for it.
While there are no butterflies free-flying around the café, butterflies, moths, and their cocoons are often on display in specially built cages, where Barney loves to engage eager learners.
“He gets so much joy out of it,” Davis said. Apparently, Barney’s enthusiasm for his hobby runs deep. Davis laughs as she recalls times when she’d find caterpillar eggs tucked into the family fridge. These days, though, Barney has upgraded his recreational zone. “We now have butterfly cocoons … all over our brand-new quartz countertops,” she said, laughing.
Despite juggling full-time jobs and early café hours — opening at 7:30 a.m. on weekdays and 9 a.m. on weekends — Davis and Barney remain committed to their original mission of fostering community and celebrating nature.
“Our focus is here locally,” Davis said. Our goal is to keep on keeping on; to make people happy; celebrate good things and band together during trying times.” BL
A greenhouse behind the café allows for an ideal space for a butterfly chrysalis to develop.
At right, the Cecropia moth is the largest moth native to North America.
PHOTOS BY MADYLIN GOINS
Husbandand-wife Web Barney and Alison Davis have turned their passion for entomology, healthy eating, and community into a unique gathering space.
PHOTOS BY MADYLIN GOINS
Driving Success
Lower permit age boosts driving school enrollment
BY LIZ CAREY CONTRIBUTING WRITER
In March, Gov. Andy Beshear signed legislation to lower the driving permit age in Kentucky, a move that has local driving schools seeing a jump in enrollment. House Bill 15 lowered the age teens can get a drivers’ permit from 16 to 15. However, the requirements to get a permanent license remain the same. Teenagers must complete 60 hours of driving practice, including at least 10 nighttime hours, and wait at least six months for an intermediate license and another six months for a graduated license, with no infractions on their driving record.
Kentucky was one of eight states that required drivers to be at least 16 to get a learner’s permit. Now, it joins the majority of states across the country that allow teens to get their permits at 15. Neighboring states Indiana allows learner’s permits at 15 and Ohio requires drivers to be at least 15 and a half. Some states — including Alaska, Arkansas, Iowa, Kansas, North Dakota, and South Dakota — allow kids as young as 14 to get a learner’s permit.
A lower driving age means more teens learning how to drive. According to the Business Research Company, the driving school market has seen steady growth recently. Estimates put the industry’s growth from $98.7 billion in 2024 to $103.8 billion in 2025, the company said, with projections to grow to as much as $125.8 billion in 2029. An increasing population of young drivers is just one of the driving factors.
Amber Wedding, owner of Central Kentucky Driving School, said another reason is the sense of anxiety parents feel when faced with the prospect of teaching their child to drive.
“There’s already a sense of anxiety about being behind the wheel,” she said. “Parents just aren’t as ready to teach their kids to drive.”
Add to that the family dynamics and sometimes handing the training to someone else is more e ective, she said.
“One of the things driving schools do is to preserve the parent-teen relationship,” she said. “Students often say to me, ‘You don’t yell at me like my mom or dad does.’ I tell them ‘It’s easier for me because I have a brake on my side of the car, and you and I didn’t get into an argument about dishes last night.’”
Wedding said she focuses on teaching students to not just be in control of the car, but to also be aware of their surroundings and other drivers.
“I teach them to think about the ‘what ifs,’” she said. “We want them to focus on giving other drivers space, so they have the ability to make adjustments. One of the things I tell my students is that if they see someone driving aggressively, they’ve already told us what kind of a driver they are. We need to adjust for that.”
Research from AAA Foundation for Tra c Safety has found in 2019 that nearly 80 percent of drivers experienced significant anger, aggression, or road rage while driving at least once in the previous 30 days. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, the National Transportation Safety Board said there has been an uptick in tra c accidents and fatalities across the country. And nearly half of all drivers (49 percent) said they felt like people in their area were driving more dangerously than before the pandemic, according to research from the Pew Research Center in 2024.
Driving schools are also seeing older drivers, said Tanya Peters who owns APEX Driving School with her husband, Jim Peters. In some cases, older adults are coming to the school to get a refresher course, she said, but in others the adult children of senior drivers are asking the school to make assessments of whether their parents are still safe enough to be on the road.
“One of our oldest clients was 92 and still driving,” she said. “His son was concerned about his father’s abilities behind the wheel.”
Whatever the age of the driver, students start with learning about the car and how it functions before moving on to driving, Peters said. Once students have had experience with the fundamentals, they are moved on to harder things.
“We go into neighborhoods, then city driving and roundabouts — if there are any in the area — and it keeps building from there,” she said. “We move on to lane changes in higher volume tra c, highway merging, lane maintenance, higher speeds, and some test prep to cover what’s on the exam.”
Instructors are required to not only be certified by the state, but to pass background checks and both the written and driving tests, and to spend and additional 20 hours training with Peters on what to expect as an instructor. Instructors also use specially equipped cars with passenger-side brakes and kill switches, Peters said.
APEX also uses dashcams that can see what is going on inside the car remotely, she said.
Central Ky Driving School’s Wedding said she works hard to make sure that her instructors are prepared for whatever the students may need and spends another three months with her instructors teaching them how to handle various situations that may come up as they train driving students. Additionally, she said, her driving instructors continue their training through other resources on and o the road.
The length of time it takes to train instructors makes it challenging to bring on new people and add more students to her client list, she said. Currently, her driving school has about a two month wait.
Because of that, the change in the driving age hasn’t necessarily meant an increase in business, Wedding said, because their school was already busy. It has however, created more of a buzz amongst the teen drivers coming to the school, and has increased the number of 15-year-old students.
Now that teens are getting behind the wheel earlier however, it’s bound to increase auto insurance rates for parents. Having driving lessons can result in discounts, however.
“It depends on the insurance company, so we recommend that everybody asks their insurance what is required for them to be able to get a discount,” Peters said. BL
Reinventing the Conference Room
Hybrid meeting spaces blend technology, security and convenience to enable seamless collaboration
BY DAN DICKSON CONTRIBUTING WRITER
As remote work and cross-time-zone collaboration become the norm, conference rooms have evolved from static meeting spots into dynamic, purpose-built hubs for communication and teamwork.
Modern meeting spaces are equipped with high-definition cameras, microphones, speakers, large interactive touchscreens and high-resolution monitors, and are designed to support seamless, secure collaboration. Strong Wi-Fi and Bluetooth capabilities make it easy for participants to connect devices and share content in a setting that balances functionality with appealing design.
The shift to remote interaction during the pandemic only accelerated demand for these versatile, connected spaces, which continue to evolve with the introduction of new technology and a continued demand for hybrid work capabilities.
“2020-21 is when we started to see an explosion of hybrid conferencing because companies saw they could not bring employees back to the office,” said Alex Blanton, manager of audio and video services for 46Solutions, a Lexington-based company specializing in business IT services. “That sentiment has slowed a bit, but we see that companies want to be prepared for anything and to allow greater flexibility for their employees.”
A recent visit to 46Solutions’ showroom included a look at a 108-inch direct-view LED display, a standard piece of equipment for many businesses. “You have more brightness, more flexibility in size and you don’t have to dim lights in the room or have window coverings for the projector to reflect back,” explained Blanton. “This is where many of our installs are trending for boardrooms and conference rooms.”
Also on display was an ultrawide interactive screen with a built-in Windows 11 PC. “There is a camera above it and an in-ceiling
microphone array. This can act as an all-inone conference room solution,” Blanton said. The extra-wide format fits more content horizontally, say for displaying Excel documents on one side and with a video call on the other. The screen can also display three portraitstyle panels. All necessary IT infrastructure, including security patches, can be built in.
46Solutions includes Alltech and the University of Kentucky Federal Credit Union among its clients, as well as AssuredPartners, a large insurance broker and independent agency with offices in the Hamburg area of Lexington. AssuredPartners needed an expert to design and implement a modern, userfriendly setup that supports both inperson and virtual collaboration.
“Technology is a big part of what we do,” said Bryan Raisor, agency president, in an online comment. “We wanted reliability and simplicity and to be able to ‘plug and play’ with a system. That was important to us and that is what 46Solutions implemented.”
While high prices initially deterred some companies, costs are becoming more competitive, Blanton said. Full deployment of the base system starts around $50,000, with the price increasing for larger display sizes and higherresolution image quality. “We customize every display to each room to best fit the needs,” he said. “Two of our people can install this in a day. A larger display, such as 136-inches, takes two days to install. The biggest delay is getting product ordered and shipped.”
All boards are made in China and air freight shipping currently takes 30 to 40 days, said Blanton, with shipping by boat adding a couple of extra weeks. Blanton adds that so far tariffs are manageable, with manufacturers absorbing much of the cost.
AssuredPartners also included digital room schedulers outside each conference room so employees can quickly check availability. To reduce unwanted ambient noise in open cubicles, they also installed “pink noise” emitters, which distribute energy evenly across frequencies with a slight emphasis on lower tones for a deeper, more balanced sound than traditional white noise.
Barney Miller’s, located on Main Street in downtown Lexington, is known for building lavish home entertainment systems, but also has technology solutions that help upgrade business environments. “If a customer can imagine a tech scenario we’ve probably done it and can adapt to any need,” said owner Barney Miller, grandson of the company’s namesake founder. “As for conference rooms, we want to make sure they are easy to work in. That’s the key,” he said. In other words, if an IT person needs to be present to operate equipment in a conference room, then it’s overly complicated.
“We want a single control system to overlay the room to handle audio, cameras, video, lighting or whatever,” Miller said. “We need to know how many people will use the room and in what ways. We ask, ‘what do you like best or
46Solutions
Director Wil Winstead in the company’s Lexington Green showroom. The audio/visual firm can design and install modern, tech-enabled meeting spaces that support seamless collaboration.
PHOTO BY KENI PARKS
least about your current setup, and how can we improve it?’”
George Castro, general manager and system programmer at Barney Miller’s, notes that small to midsized firms often use software platforms like Zoom or Microsoft Teams on their own devices, while larger enterprises install dedicated room-based units. Projectors have also largely been replaced by high–definition display monitors that perform well in any lighting.
Castro sees the future as a hybrid of complementary work environments, technology, and platforms. “That’s whether you have a dedicated office or multiple offices across the state or country or people working from home utilizing remote work functionality,” he said. “All this will be tied into some communications platform. It will change. We want to make sure a customer’s platform and base system are expandable and can grow with them.”
Miller’s conference room clients include University of Kentucky Extension offices, Kentucky Eagle, Clark Energy Cooperative and many more, including Alltech. “I worked on AV projects with Miller’s for 20 years,” said David Saier, head of Alltech’s AV services. “When Alltech built a new wing on our headquarters, we added eight beautiful conference rooms. We needed an elegant, reliable and robust custom solution for each room. Fast forward five years, and everything still works perfectly.” BL
John Gardner President,
Kentucky
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Engineering Firms
Stantec
3052 Beaumont Centre Circle Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 422-3000 stantec.com
HDR, Inc.
333 W. Vine St., Ste. 1400 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 629-4800 hdrinc.com
CMTA, Inc.
220 Lexington Green Circle, Ste. 600 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 253-0892 cmta.com
GRW
801 Corporate Drive Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 223-3999 grwinc.com
Denham-Blythe Company, Inc.
100 Trade St. Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 255-7405 denhamblythe.com
Brown + Kubican, PSC
546 E. Main St., Ste. 300 Lexington, KY 40508 (859) 543-0933 brownkubican.com
Bell Engineering
2480 Fortune Drive, Ste. 350 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 278-5412 hkbell.com
THOROUGHBRED
1409 N. Forbes Road, Ste. 110 Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 785-0383 thoroughbredfirm.com
Shrout Tate Wilson Consulting Engineers, PLLC 628 Winchester Road Lexington, KY 40505 (859) 277-8177 stweng.com
EA Partners, PLC 3111 Wall St. Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 296-9889 eapartners.com
KPFF Consulting Engineers
250 W. Main St., Ste. 1910 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 657-1770 kpff.com
SynTerra
170 Turner Commons Way, Ste. 120 Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 233-2103 synterracorp.com
Summit Architects + Engineers 3205 Summit Square Place Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 264-9860 summit-ae.com
Type(s) of Engineering
Civil, Geotechnical, Transportation, Water Resources, Environmental, Structural
Civil, Electrical, Structural, Mechanical, Environmental, Water Resources, Geotechnical, Transportation
Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing Engineering Design, Commissioning Design Services, Zero Energy Design, Performance Contracting Services
Water Resources, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural, Architecture, Civil/Site Development, Transportation, Surveying, Geospatial
Civil, Mechanical, Electrical, Structural
Structural
Civil, Mechanical, Structural, Environmental, Electrical
Civil, Structural, Environmental, Geotechnical, Construction
Mechanical, Electrical, Distillation, Commissioning
Civil, Environmental, Transportation, Water Resources, Development Planning and Site Design
Bridge, Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Structural, Transportation, Waterfront, Project Management, Land Surveying, Fish Passage, Marine Transit Planning, Protective Design
Civil, Environmental, Mining, Litigation and Expert Witness, Surveying, Drone Geothermal, Health, Safety and Risk Management
Architecture, Civil Engineering, Interior Design, Surveying, Laboratory, Mine Permitting
Notable Projects or Clients
Kentucky River Authority Lock and Dam renovations; KYTC's Bridging Kentucky; LFUCG's Sanitary Sewer Capacity Insurance Program; LFUCG's Evaluation of Exactions Program; Greyline Station stormwater improvements and rainwater harvesting system; KYTC statewide bridge inspections; statewide Kentucky flood mapping program; US 68/KY 4 double crossover diamond interchange; KDOW Dam Safety Hazard Mitigation Program
Bluegrass Airport; KYTC; LFUCG; RJ Corman; Kentucky American Water; LG&E and KU; Louisville MSD; Northern Kentucky Water District; Sanitation District No. 1; Berea College, McDonald's
University of Kentucky New Cancer Center, University of Kentucky Health Education Building, University of Kentucky Barnhart Building Addition, Baptist Health Hamburg Campus, FCPS Tates Creek High School, FCPS Frederick Douglass High School, Eastern Kentucky University Student Recreation Center, KCTCS Bluegrass CTC Student Services, Morehead State University New Academic Building, Northern Kentucky University New Residence Hall
Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government; Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; Commonwealth of Kentucky; Fayette County Public Schools; Berea College; McDonald's; Kentucky American Water; Northern Kentucky Water District; Sanitation District No. 1; Louisville MSD; Cincinnati/ Northern Kentucky International Airport; Cities of Nicholasville, Winchester, Versailles, Frankfort, Jeffersontown
Logan Aluminum; Corning, Inc.; Appalachian Regional Hospital; Buffalo Trace Distillery; Catalent; Amfine; Novelis; Veolia; Electrolux; Bluegrass Airport; Toyota; Henkel; Kroger
University of Kentucky; Transylvania University; Eastern Kentucky University; Alltech; Beam Suntory; Baptist Health; University of Louisville Hospital; University of Kentucky Medical Center; Lexington Public Library; Scott County Schools; Madison County Schools
University of Kentucky; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government; Winchester Municipal Utlilties; Richmond Utilities; Berea Municipal Utilities; City of Somerset; City of Hopkinsville; Ale-8-One; Sherwin-Williams; PepsiCo; City of Richmond
AppHarvest (Berea, Somerset, Morehead, Richmond); Alltech; Envision Contractors - Home2 Suites; LFUCG; City of Berea; Thoroughbred Hospitality Group - Hampton Inn Brannon Crossing; Building God's Way; Morning Pointe Senior Living Center
FCPS The Hub for Innovative Learning & Leadership; EKU New Model Laboratory School; UK James B. Beam Institute for Kentucky Spirits; UK CAER Outreach and Education Center; Biltmore Estate Antler Hill Barn Renovation and Distillery; Lexington Public Library Marksbury Family Branch; Appalachian Regional Healthcare; Louisville Slugger Field Development; Louisville Metro Police Headquarters
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet; Commonwealth of Kentucky; Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government; Keeneland; Beaumont; Hamburg/Tuscany; Amazon/Exeter Eqt.; Newmarket/Homeplace; Andover; Ball Development; Whitaker Land Co.
"The Legacy" Event Center at Log Still Distillery; Buffalo Trace Distillery Mash House; Zeochem laboratory and office building; Denny Crum Residence Hall at Universith of Louisville; Eminence High School Gymnasium; Grocers Ice Lofts; Norton Brownsboro Hospital
Stormwater projects; phase I and II environmental assessments; coal and aggregate mining plans and permits; Cumulative Impact Assessments; DOE projects; subsidence investigations; Seal Constructions Certification; industrial environmental compliance
Harrison County High School; Community Trust Bank; Harlan County Public Schools; Knox County Public Schools; City of Elsmere Police Station/City Hall; Sanitation District 4; Southeast Community and Technical College
Please email questions regarding our BizLists email bizlists@smileypete.com.
Sta ng Agencies
Kelly Services 2358 Nicholasville Road, Ste. 165 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 373-0422 kellyservices.com
Alliance Medical & Home Care
3716 Willow Ridge Road Lexington, KY 40514 (859) 296-9525 alliancelexington.com
Remedy Intelligent Sta ng 1030 Monarch St., Ste. 300 Lexington, KY 40513 (859) 224-4455 remedysta .com
Precision Sta ng, Inc. 2350 Sterlington Road Lexington, KY 40517 (859) 272-2030 precisionsta ng.net
Sta mark 1510 Newtown Pike, Ste. 134 Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 254-4011 sta mark.com
BJM Sta ng and BRM
Medical Sta ng 190 W. Lowry Lane Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 223-3000 bjmsta ng.com bjm-medical.com
Vaco
201 E. Main St., Suite 720 Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 296-4021 vaco.com
People Plus, Inc. 2551 Richmond Road, Ste. 8 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 246-1400 peopleplusinc.com
Express Employment Professionals 154 Patchen Dr., Ste. 89 Lexington, KY 40517 (859) 971-1011 expresspros.com/lexingtonky
Manpower of Central Kentucky 162 Old Todds Road, Ste. 280 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 268-1331 manpowerlexington.com
Metro Sta ng Services 851 Corporate Drive, Ste. 122 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 296-0181
Snelling Sta ng Services 1025 Dove Run Road, Ste. 310 Lexington, KY 40502 (859) 233-0583 snelling.com
TEKsystems – Lexington 1792 Alysheba Way, Ste. 370 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 519-2300 TEKsystems.com
Disciplines, Skills Placed
O ce, professional, call center, finance, light industrial, warehouse, manufacturing, customer service, forklift, material handling, production
NP, PA, CNA, KMA, LPN, SRNA, RN, Specialty RN, private duty caregivers
Accounting, administrative, warehouse, forklift, assembly, machine operation, maintenance, engineering, management, information technology
Light industrial including manufacturing, warehouse, administrative o ce sta , skilled industrial, IT, professional
Light industrial, manufacturing, skilled labor, administrative, professional placement, direct hire placement, drivers
Medical (o ce and clinical) and professional o ce sta (legal, administrative, accounting, financial/banking, customer service, technical and IT)
Accounting, finance, supply chain, HR and operations, manufacturing, media and entertainment, education, healthcare and life sciences, transportation and logistics, retail, energy and utilities, and general administration, technology and digital solutions
Administrative, accounting, human resources, legal, manufacturing, skilled labor, light industrial, warehouse, drivers
Light industrial, o ce, skilled trades, professional
Manufacturing, picking/packing, call center, forklift, warehouse
Skilled, semi-skilled, management, engineers
Administrative, warehouse, production
Information technology jobs, Applications: application architects and developers, business intelligence analysts, reporting analysts, data architects, ERO analysts and developers, project managers, business analysts, QA testers, etc. Network: cloud engineers, virtualization engineers, cabling technicians, network architects, network engineers and administrators, system/server engineers and administrators, network and security monitors, storage administrators, etc. IT support: desktop and helpdesk support, IT technician, asset inventory specialists, IT trainers, technical writers, etc.
Direct hire, temp-to-hire, temporary, seasonal, project-based direct hire, payroll services, RPO, BPO, medical, industrial, seasonal, etc.
Medical sta ng
Clerical, warehouse, industrial, professional
Direct hire placement, temp-to-hire, temporary, seasonal, payrioll services, pre-employment services, strategic workforce analysis, remote work
Short-term, long-term, part-time, seasonal, direct hire
Direct-hire, temp-to-hire, and temporary (short-term and long-term)
Direct hire, contract
Seasonal, temp-to-hire, direct hire, payrolling, pre-screening services, PEO services
Temporary placement, evaluation hire, direct hire
Seasonal, industrial, o ce
Manufacturing services, temp-to-hire, direct placement
Industrial and professional
IT sta ng, managed/co-managed services and complete outsourced solutions across all industries, including state/local government, health care, financial services, higher education, retail, technology
Wes Bradley (Market Director)/ Troy, MI/ 1959
Jackie Arnewtt Howard (CEO & Owner)/ Lexington, KY/ 2007
Lynn and Tom Braker (Owners)/ Atlanta, GA/ 1994
Kathy O’Daniel/ Lexington, KY/ 1981
Jaime Shutt, CSP (Regional Vice President)/ Cincinnati, OH/ 1995
Barbara Jane Moores (President & CEO)/ Lexington, KY/ 52+ years
Brandi Fister (Managing Director)/ Brentwood, TN/ 2013
Amanda Huddleston, SHRM-CP, CSP (President)/ Madisonville, KY/ 2004
Laura Mobley (Owner)/ Oklahoma City, OK/ 2003
Lynn Rothermund (Branch Manager), Tom Maher (President)/ Dayton, OH/ 1975
Gregory S. Pierson (Manager)/ Atlanta, GA/ 2013
Leela Von Behren (President)/ Dallas, TX/ 1964
Morgan Newton, Lexington, KY; Travis Rickards, Louisville, KY/ Baltimore, MD/ 2013
Please email questions regarding our BizLists email bizlists@smileypete.com.
Audio/Visual Companies
46Solutions
657 Blue Sky Parkway Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 237-7621
46Solutions.com
Audio Visual Techniques
905 Georgetown St. Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 254-8954 avtav.com
Barney Miller's 232 E. Main St. Lexington, KY 40507 (859) 252-2216 barneymillers.com
BlueGrass Home Entertainment 1047 Contract St. Lexington, KY 40505 (859) 253-3454 bghe.com
Hammond Communications Group, Inc. 2321 Maggard Drive Lexington, KY 40511 (859) 254-1878 hammondcg.com
MSI Production Services 2330 Fortune Drive, Ste. 180 Lexington, KY 40509 (859) 264-9496 msiproductions.com
Pinnacle Productions
620 W. Main St. Lexington, KY 40508 (859) 358-7370 pinnacleproductions.com
Pyramid Productions 817 Winchester Road Lexington, KY 40505 (859) 263-4977 pyramidusa.com
Rely Technology 2532 Regency Road, Ste. 102 Lexington, KY 40503 (859) 402-1413 relytechnology.com
Rockstar Home Systems 524 Lagonda Ave. Lexington, KY 40505 (859) 983-0836 rockstarhs.com
Corporate A/V: lighting control, wireless microphones, motorized window shades, video conferencing systems, projection systems, video walls, digital signage; home A/V: outdoor A/V, surround sound installation, smart home automation, lighting control systems, home theater systems, television and projector installation, home audio systems, motorized shades
A/V equipment rental; event audio, video, lighting and staging; event production and technical coordination; audio and video production; audio and video duplication; media transfers, PowerPoint-on-Demand
Corporate A/V: audio/video conferencing systems, projection systems, display systems, digital whiteboards, sound masking, multi-room music; Home A/V: home theater systems, television and projector installation, multi-room music systems, lighting control systems, motorized shades, outdoor A/V, home theater and media room furnishings
Corporate A/V: Bar and restaurant audio systems, retail audio systems, digital signage, lighting control, video projection, audio/video conferensing systems, house of worship A/V and lighting; Home A/V: home audio systems, television and projector installation, mirror televisions, home theater systems, motorized shades, smart home systems, outdoor A/V, home theater and media room furnishings, acoustic panels
Full-service event production; content delivery via streaming, broadcast, FTP, and satellite; digital signage; interactive touchscreen kiosks; responsive website and user interface design; custom graphics and animation
Turnkey A/V production for events, including audio, video, and lighting; venue staging and production; live web casting; teleprompters; set design; special e ects; equipment rental
On-location video production and event live streaming; professional lighting and audio support; commercial video production; video editing; audio recording, mixing, and mastering; sound design; voiceover services; digital audio restoration
Full-service event audio, video, and lighting production
Home theater and media room systems; television and projector installation; multi-room music systems; multi-room video; lighting control systems; motorized shades; outdoor A/V; hidden audio and video; smart home automation; acoustics;
Home theater and media room systems; smart home automation; television and projector installation; home audio systems; lighting control systems; motorized shades
Managed IT; cybersecurity; network consulting; cloud services; access control systems; auditing and risk assessment; phone systems; Wi-Fi installation; email migration
N/A
Home networking, cell phone boosting, security and surveillance systems,
Wireless networks, security and surveillance systems
Content management systems; custom programming
Facility site survey; AutoCAD/3D-rendered floor plans; event décor; entertainment booking; event furniture; tents
N/A
Mobile and conventional staging; event roofing; power generation; equipment transportation
Networking; climate control; pool and spa control; security and survelliance; remote access; automated door locks
Networking and wifi; landscape lighting; security and surveillance; fiberoptic wiring
Who’sWho
New Hires & Board Selections
Olivia Graham recently graduated from the University of Kentucky class of 2025 and has been named marketing coordinator at Kismet Marketing.
Truist Financial Corporation has appointed Jonathan Pruzan to its board of directors. Pruzan will also serve on the board's risk committee.
Michelle Trawick, Ph.D., a Logan County native and former Western Kentucky University administrator, has been selected as the new president of Southcentral Kentucky Community and Technical College.
Kentucky American Water has named Alicia Jacobs manager of its water quality and environmental compliance.
Valvoline Inc. weclomed its new chief financial o cer, Kevin Willis
In advance of the opening of Gatton Park on the Town Branch, it has hired Donald Miller as park director.
The Kentucky Association of School Administrators has selected Scott Hawkins as its new executive director of coaching and mentoring.
Equestrian Events, Inc., a non-profit,
charitable organization that supports the development of equestrian sports recently named Vanessa Coleman to the position of chief competition and operating o cer.
alt32 architecture has welcomed Joe Cavallo, AIA as senior architect to its team.
Attorney Matthew T. Roddy has joined Stites & Harbison, PLLC in Lexington.
Kudos
Commerce Lexington recently recognized Lynda Bebrowsky for her 25 years of service to Commerce Lexington and the community.
Three Asbury University alumni (Rosie Gary ’20, Kevin Maldonado ’24, and D.T. Slou man ’97) earned national recognition by winning Emmy Awards for their contributions to NBC’s coverage of the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad. Their work helped secure multiple Emmy Awards at the 2025 Sports Emmy ceremony. These wins highlight the continued success of Asbury’s Media Communication graduates in national broadcast media.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC again ranked in the Top 10 “Best Places to Work in Kentucky” for 2025 in the medium company category. The firm has made the list 19 times — 11 of those in the Top 10. Benchmark
Litigation has also named Stites & Harbison, PLLC as Litigation Firm of the Year for Kentucky at its 2025 Benchmark US Awards Gala. This is the fifth time Stites & Harbison has received the honor. Chambers USA also selected 23 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys in Kentucky and Tennessee for inclusion in their 2025 guide. The Chambers USA guide ranks the top law firms and leading attorneys in the United States.
Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Mandy Wilson Decker has been honored on the 2025 “Top 250 Women in IP” list for the 11th time. Decker is the only attorney honored in Kentucky.
Managing Intellectual Property magazine has named 10 Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorneys to the 2025 “IP Stars” list. Lexington attorneys honored included: Michael S. Hargis Mandy Wilson Decker, and Warren D. Schickli
McBrayer PLLC announce that two of its members, Mark Fenzel and Jack Wheat, ranked as Band 1 Attorneys in the 2025 edition of Chambers and Partners USA Guide. This elite recognition places them among the top attorneys in the nation within their respective practice areas.
Golden Apple Fruit Market - Lexington, Mom-Mom’s Lavender and Peyton Plant Farm, all located in
Fayette County, have been accepted into the 2025 Kentucky Farm Bureau Certified Farm Market Program, which is celebrating its 30th year.
The Kentucky Small Business Development Center (SBDC) has selected Michelle Spriggs, center director of the Kentucky SBDC in Eastern Kentucky, as the 2025 Kentucky SBDC State Star.
The Kentucky Bourbon Hall of Fame has welcomed the following as its 2025 inductees: Master distiller, civic leader, and philanthropist Craig Beam; pioneering Prohibition-era distiller the late Mary Dowling; Larry Ebersold, a key architect of the craft distillery boom; retired Kentucky State Senate majority leader Damon Thayer; and Chris Morris, Woodford Reserve master distiller emeritus. Morris will also receive the prestigious Parker Beam Lifetime Achievement Award for his illustrious career in Kentucky’s signature spirits industry dating back to 1976.
The Lexington Freedom Train, in partnership with LexArts, announced the unveiling of Towards Freedom, a powerful new monument by internationally renowned sculptor Basil Watson. The sculpture honors Lewis and Harriet Hayden — two formerly enslaved Lexingtonians who became nationally recognized abolitionists — and commemorates the bravery of
those who journeyed to freedom via Kentucky’s Underground Railroad.
Central Kentucky Cancer Care at Georgetown Community Hospital recently celebrated the opening of a new infusion center to expand comprehensive cancer care to patients in Scott County and surrounding communities.
Through donations from Colonels in Kentucky and around the world, the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonels announced it will award $2.5 million to support 333 charities throughout the commonwealth. This year’s Good Works Program will positively impact more than 4 million Kentuckians.
GALLS®, the nation's leading uniform and tactical gear supplier serving America's public safety and military professionals, announced its acquisition of Pittsburgh Public Safety Supply, Inc., a regional provider of public safety uniforms and gear. BL
TRAWICK JACOBS PRUZAN GRAHAM
DECKER HARGIS
SLOUFFMAN MALDONADO
HAWKINS COLEMAN MILLER WILLIS
WHEAT SPRIGGS
FENZEL SCHICKLI
RODDY
GARY
BEBROWSKY
EBERSOL BEAM
CAVALLO
MORRIS THAYER
The Chevy Chase Street Fair
presented by
AUG. 23, 4-10pm @ 800 BLOCK OF EUCLID
Chevy Chase Street Fair returns thanks to our presenting sponsor, Kroger! 30+ local vendors will be showcasing what they do best, with live music, kids activities, street food, craft beer and cocktails throughout the evening. Bring the whole family for this great community event. Full list of vendors, sponsors and bands coming soon.
Another great event produced by Smiley Pete Publishing, in partnership with Chevy Chase Merchants Association.
SPONSORED BY
BizLexQ&A
Crinda Francke
ExecuTrain’s president and CEO on winning national recognition, integrating AI into your workflow, and growing from a local franchise into a national brand
BY ABBY LAUB CONTRIBUTING WRITER
Crinda Francke, Lexington-based president and CEO of ExecuTrain, was named Kentucky’s Small Business Person of the Year for 2025 and honored during a spring ceremony in Washington, D.C., alongside winners from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam.
Francke called the recognition an “incredible honor” and a “testament to the strength of our team, our commitment to client success, and the value of lifelong learning. As a small business, we’re proud to play a part in strengthening Kentucky’s workforce. Participating in the awards ceremony was one of the proudest accomplishments of my career.”
In its 31st year in business, ExecuTrain provides customized corporate training, IT certification, learning management systems and workforce development solutions to organizations across Kentucky and throughout the United States. Francke and her husband, Kenny Francke, have owned the business for 28 years, evolving it to meet the changing needs of companies through both in-person and virtual training that helps close skills gaps and empower employees.
“I kind of ‘fell’ into it — and then fell in love,” she said. “The previous owner of the Lexington franchise hired me to open the office and lead the sales effort. I had no background in corporate training, but I’ve always loved helping people and building relationships, so it clicked quickly. Two years later, my husband Kenny and I bought the Lexington franchise. That was the beginning of our journey as business owners. Three years after that, we acquired the Louisville location, and in 2020, we took a leap and bought out the franchisor — making us the sole owners of ExecuTrain U.S. It’s been incredibly rewarding to grow from a local franchise to a national leader in workforce development.”
What’s something people might not know about your journey? Not everyone realizes that Kenny and I have worked together since day one. I’m often the one out front — speaking, networking, handling client relationships — but he’s always been right there behind the scenes. He’s the steady force that keeps things running and keeps me grounded. I honestly couldn’t have done this without him. He’s believed in me at times when I didn’t believe in myself. We’re a true partnership — in life and in business — and that’s something I deeply treasure.
I know you as “Gym Crinda” from teaching at the Lexington Athletic Club. How has coaching at the gym shaped your business journey? I love that nickname! I tell people — especially women — you can have it all … just not all at once.
Balance is a moving target, but teaching at the gym has truly saved me at times. Fitness keeps me grounded, focused and energized. It gives me an outlet and it’s something that brings me joy. I also love encouraging others. There’s something deeply rewarding about helping someone push through a barrier, whether it’s in the gym or in business. Plus, the community I’ve found through fitness has led to lifelong friendships and valuable professional connections. For me, staying physically fit isn’t just a personal goal — it’s a business strategy.
What keeps you motivated? I always laugh and say, “It was fear!” when people ask this. But in all seriousness, there’s some
truth to that. The responsibility of leading a company and providing stability for our team is a powerful motivator. When people depend on you, failure just isn’t an option. I’m driven by purpose. I want to make a difference in people’s lives, and I want our business to be a source of growth and opportunity for others.
Some might see executive coaching as a luxury. How is ExecuTrain a necessity for the bottom line? That’s a common misconception. What we do goes far beyond executive coaching. We provide skills-based training for employees at every level. When you invest in training, you’re investing in efficiency, accuracy, and confidence. It leads to
better performance, fewer mistakes, higher employee satisfaction and stronger customer relationships. Ultimately, training reduces costly errors and turnover; two of the biggest hits to any company’s bottom line. In today’s fast-paced world, continuous learning is no longer optional. It’s essential.
What business advice would you give to someone who’s starting out? First, never give up. There will be plenty of moments when quitting seems like the easiest route. But if you believe in what you’re building, and you know it matters, keep going. Second, understand that it won’t be easy, but it will be worth it. You’ll have to pivot, course-correct and reinvent. That’s part of the journey. Always stay curious. Look for the learning in every setback and surround yourself with people who challenge and support you.
You’ve won the SBA Award, and Lexington officially observed Crinda Francke Day on June 4. What’s next for ExecuTrain? It’s been a surreal and humbling year, and I’m beyond grateful. But I’m not done yet! With the rise of AI, growing cybersecurity concerns, and increased demand for regulatory compliance training, we’re evolving to meet the changing needs of today’s workforce. We’re helping organizations navigate these shifts and stay ahead of the curve. We also have some exciting projects in the pipeline — new programs, new partnerships, maybe even a new city or two. I believe in dreaming big and staying open to what’s next. As I like to say, “onward and upward.”
Speaking of artificial intelligence, how are you building AI literacy into your work, and do you see it as a help or a threat to business executives right now? We’re actively integrating AI literacy into our training programs because we believe it’s not just the future — it’s the present. Our goal is to help businesses and their leaders understand AI in practical, accessible ways. We offer targeted training to demystify AI tools and show how they can be used to streamline operations, support decision-making and boost productivity. From frontline employees to executives, we help people see where AI fits into their roles and how to use it responsibly and effectively.
Internally, we also use AI to accelerate course development and tailor content more precisely to learner needs. It allows us to work more efficiently and deliver higherimpact training experiences.
To me, AI is absolutely a help — when approached with the right mindset. It’s a tool, not a threat. For business executives, the real risk isn’t AI itself but being left behind by it. Leaders who embrace AI thoughtfully and build organizational knowledge around it will be better positioned to innovate, adapt and lead in this next phase of business transformation. BL
PHOTO BY LAUB MULTIMEDIA
Crinda Francke, president and CEO of ExecuTrain, was honored as Kentucky’s 2025 Small Business Person of the Year for her leadership in workforce development.
and Anthany Beatty, with sons Embry (left) and Anthany Jr.