Former Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KCADD) Executive Director Tony Wilder has received the Development District Association of Appalachia’s (DDAA) John Whisman “Vision” Award.
The “Vision” Award is presented to an individual who has contributed to making the region a better place. The purpose of the award is to “honor efforts made by an individual to relieve the deep-seated problems of Appalachia, promote systems of federal, state, and local cooperation, and further the mission of the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) and the local development districts.” It recognizes an individual who best supports intergovernmental cooperation, as exemplified in the (ARC)/State/Local Development Districts partnership.
Wilder, who retired from the KCADD in 2022, after serving four and a half years as executive director, received the award Sunday, March 10, during the annual NADO & DDAA Washington Conference.
A number of Kentucky’s ADD Executive Directors were on hand for the presentation: Eric Sexton (Barren River Area Development District), Michelle Allen (Kentucky River Area Development District), Jarrett Haley (KIPDA), Joshua Farrow (Gateway Area Development District), Waylon Wright (Lake Cumberland Area Development District), and Casey Ellis (KCADD Executive Director).