A Lifetime of Leadership

The old saying goes “behind every great man is a great woman,” but UPIKE Trustee and Community Trust Bancorp, Inc., (CTBI) Chairman and CEO Jean Hale ’68 believes that behind a great, determined woman is a supportive man who did not hold her back.

After graduating from then Pikeville College, majoring in business and minoring in mathematics, Hale spent one year as a math teacher. She then immediately went to work in her planned career in the banking industry, where she spent the next few decades rising through the ranks and conquering her goals. Throughout the years, Hale broke down many barriers for women as she successfully competed in a male-dominated industry. Under her leadership, CTBI saw 152 percent growth in assets and became a $5.5 billion company.

Hale says she is fortunate that the management of CTBI was always more focused on the quality of the work rather than the gender of the person doing the work, but there were still challenges with often being the only woman in the room.

“I chose to focus on what my contributions were and not worry about anything else, and I have believed throughout my career that the only competition I have is with myself, doing the best job I could do,” Hale explained. “Upper management was very good at recognizing individual contributions and not looking at gender, which was very progressive for the time.”

Hale is the youngest of four children in a coal mining family. Her parents were determined for their children to receive a college education, which proved very difficult on a coal miner’s pay in the ʼ60s. Somehow, they managed, and Hale and her siblings completed their education without the burden of student loan debt.

“I have been blessed by wonderful parents who made such sacrifices to educate their children,” said Hale. “I truly am a coal minerʼs daughter. I vowed to make the most of the blessings and opportunities God has put before me and pay it forward. I want to give back to the communities and the people that have been so good to me.”

Throughout Hale’s impressive career she has not only made her mark, but has made a difference in the community and commonwealth she loves. She proudly serves on many boards where her volunteer work is focused on economic development and education.

“At a speaking engagement several years ago, I made the comment that the relationship between education and economic development is like the proverbial chicken and egg,” said Hale. “You need an educated workforce in order to attract business, but you need business opportunities and jobs to motivate the workforce to become educated.”

Hale is proud of CTBI’s growth and how many stable jobs the company has been able to provide for the past 118 years. The biggest driving force behind her work with CTBI has been the opportunity to play a part in creating jobs for individuals and offering products and services to help people achieve their dreams.

“Good jobs change people’s lives. They provide an opportunity for them to fulfill their dreams for the future,” said Hale. “In my 52 years with Community Trust, we have employed thousands of people. Currently, CTBI has almost a thousand employees, so we are touching their lives and the lives of their families.”

The Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce awarded Hale with the 2021 Lon B. and Mary Evelyn Rogers Lifetime Achievement Award, named for two former UPIKE trustees. As a young person, Hale remembers admiring them and other community leaders, watching them give through their work and service to make the community better.

“For the future of Eastern Kentucky, I hope that we can continue to grow in our cooperation and work as a region so we can create the jobs necessary to retain the young people in our communities who are our future leaders,” said Hale in her acceptance speech.

Hale credits her time on “the hill” with preparing her for a lifetime of leadership.

“Throughout my career, I have interacted with many individuals with advanced degrees from Ivy League colleges and universities,” said Hale. “I realized I received a very good education from Pikeville College because I have had no difficulties communicating and doing business with them. I believe education is very personal in what you make of it and you can get a quality education anywhere just by applying yourself.”

Hale and her late husband Jack instilled in their son Michael the same value for higher education. With a degree in mechanical engineering and minor in management technology from Vanderbilt University, Hale is most proud of her son, calling him her greatest accomplishment.

“Not only is he a successful businessperson, but he is also a good Christian father. He and his wife, Heather, are raising my granddaughters, Rachel and Claire, with the same values he was raised with,” said Hale. “They are amazing girls! God continues to bless me with a wonderful family. I couldnʼt ask for better.”

Even though Hale plans to continue her volunteer work after her retirement from CTBI in February 2022, she is looking forward to splitting her time between Pikeville and Nashville where she will be able to attend her granddaughters’ sporting, singing and acting events.

Hale’s example redefining the role of women in business and showing the way for others will continue to inspire women and girls for decades to come.

By Amy Charles