(FRANKFORT, Ky.) -- Jimmy Higdon, a state representative and owner of Higdon's Foodtown in Lebanon, is the recipient of the fourth annual Joseph W. Kelly Award.
The award was presented to Higdon today by the Kentucky Board of Education at its regular meeting in Frankfort.
Higdon has been active in the Marion County school system, raising funds, developing classroom activities and helping revamp the Marion County High School athletic facilities. He also created an entrepreneurial class at the high school and helped students set up a retail grocery store in the school building. As part of the class, Higdon provides examples of his own experiences in the retail field, sharing his knowledge of bookkeeping, marketing strategies and finance.
Tom Lund, executive director of the Lebanon/Marion County Industrial Foundation, nominated Higdon for the award, saying, "He has committed time, money and other resources to the development of the school system and the development of the area's youth. I feel Jimmy Higdon would be an ideal recipient of the award."
Higdon has operated the Foodtown grocery store in Lebanon for 35 years. He represents House District 24, which includes Casey, Marion and Pulaski Counties.
The award was created in honor of Joseph W. Kelly, a respected
businessman and chair of the Kentucky Board of Education from 1989 to
1998. Kelly's efforts and expertise were crucial to the implementation and
nurturing of Kentucky's school improvement efforts.
The annual award is given by the Kentucky Board of Education to businesspeople who have offered outstanding leadership and service toward promoting school improvement and equitable educational opportunities for all Kentucky children.
Previous Winners of the Joseph Kelly Award
2002 -- Frank and Mattie Justice, founders of the Frank and Mattie Justice Charitable Foundation in Pikeville
2001 -- Billy Harper, president of Harper Industries, Inc., in Paducah
2000 -- Vince and Valorie Tanner, owners of the Beaver Dam McDonald's restaurant
##
Back to main 2003 News Release/Advisory page