West Kentucky mayor named KCADD chairman
- 4 days ago
- 2 min read
FRANKFORT, Ky. (Feb. 13, 2026) – Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton has been named chairman of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts (KCADD) Executive Board.
Cotton represents the Pennyrile Area Development District (PeADD), which includes Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd and Trigg counties. He succeeds former Magoffin County Judge/Executive Matt Wireman of the Big Sandy Area Development District.
Cotton has devoted his career to serving the City of Madisonville in roles including EMT, firefighter, fire marshal, business owner and now mayor. A lifelong advocate for his community, he co-founded Breaking Bread Ministries and owns Brothers Bar-B-Que LLC.
He also serves on multiple state and regional boards, including the Kentucky League of Cities (KLC) and the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation. In 2025, KLC named Cotton its Elected Official of the Year in recognition of his innovative leadership and his strong advocacy for the Western Kentucky Police Academy.
“On behalf of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts, I am honored to congratulate Mayor Kevin Cotton on being named chairman of our Executive Board,” said KCADD Executive Director Casey Ellis. “His extensive local government experience, strategic vision and proven collaborative leadership will be tremendous assets to KCADD and the districts we serve across the commonwealth.”
PeADD Executive Director Jason Vincent echoed Ellis’ statement.
“PeADD is incredibly proud to see Mayor Kevin Cotton step into the role of chair for the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts. His years of dedicated public service, strong leadership across our region, and deep commitment to collaborative community development have consistently advanced meaningful progress for western Kentucky. I am confident his leadership at the state level will help strengthen partnerships and amplify the voice of local governments and communities across Kentucky.”
The 2026-2027 KCADD complete slate of officers is as follows:
Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton (Pennyrile ADD), chairman
Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton (Bluegrass ADD), first vice chair
Clay County citizen member Penny Robinson (Cumberland Valley ADD), second vice chair
Louisa Mayor Harold Slone (FIVCO ADD), secretary
Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry (Green River ADD), treasurer
City of Franklin citizen member Steve Thurmond (Barren River ADD), past chairman
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About the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts
Since 1971, the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts has coordinated Kentucky’s 15 Area Development Districts and their work with state government, helping keep regional planning and development priorities consistent. It serves as a liaison for sharing key plans and policies, advises state leaders on statewide proposals, and provides a forum to address shared policy issues so local, regional and state goals stay aligned.