Pamela Smith-Wright was recently appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear to the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) Advisory Board for a two-year term.
Smith-Wright said she was recommended to the board by J.D. Chaney, executive director for the Kentucky League of Cities. Smith-Wright had previously served on the KLC’s 18-member executive board of directors representing communities of all sizes across the state.
“He wanted me to stay in the loop,” Smith-Wright said of Chaney. “He and others want me to run for mayor again. It was very humbling to hear them say that.”
The KTC was established by the Kentucky General Assembly in 1984. The board’s purpose is to assist with policy formation and to provide direction to the Center.
The board consists of nine members appointed by the governor with representatives that include the secretary of the transportation cabinet, the state highway engineer, the dean of the college of engineering, one member each from a list submitted by the Kentucky Association of Counties, the Kentucky County Judge/Executives Association, the Kentucky League of Cities, and three members at large.
However, Smith-Wright said she was “kind of shocked” to learn she’d been recommended and subsequently appointed to the state transportation board by Beshear, who reviewed her resume and approved her for the seat.
A few days after receiving the news, Smith-Wright received an official commission certificate signed by Beshear and Secretary of State Michael Adams.
“J.D. called me and said, ‘The governor would love to have you on this board,’” she said.
The entire process happened quickly. Smith-Wright said she received letters of congratulations from State Senator Matt Castlen and State Representative D.J. Johnson just a day after finding out she’d been appointed.
Smith-Wright said she was excited to be back in government after serving five terms as a City Commissioner for the City of Owensboro.
“Transportation is important in this Commonwealth,” she said. “There are things I can bring to Owensboro as far as highways and other important roadways that are needed here.”
Smith-Wright’s term will expire on Aug. 10, 2022.
