KY-MEP Advisory Board

Tom Jones

Owner, Taper Roller Bearings

I am a native of Danville, Kentucky and grew up on the west coast in the San Francisco Bay area where I’m sure my passion for cars, skiing and tennis first developed. In 1979, I graduated with an Architectural degree from the University of Oregon and found my way back home to Kentucky in 1984 and this is where my wife and I currently reside.  I also conduct my business from Kentucky serving as CEO for Taper Roller Bearings, Evergreen Properties and Hilltop Marine.

Beyond my business activities, I am Co-chair of the Keeneland Concours d’Elegance for 12 years which benefits the Kentucky Children’s Hospital; I also serve on the Lexington region board of Central Bank, The Reefs in Bermuda, and the Vice President of the Classic Car Club of America.  In addition, I have previously served on the boards of the School of Medicine at the University of Arizona, Tucson, Chaired Lexarts fund raising campaign and the Hospice of the Bluegrass in Lexington, Kentucky.

Courtney Campbell

President/CEO, Campbell Plumbing Excavating, Inc.

Courtney Campbell is the President and CEO of Campbell Plumbing Excavating, Inc., a company serving a range of industries including oil and gas, underground utilities, and residential construction. With experience spanning project management, custom home building, and industrial services such as welding and road boring, Courtney brings a hands-on leadership approach to every aspect of the business. Known for her strengths in team building, strategic planning, and customer service, she continues to drive growth and innovation in Kentucky’s construction and infrastructure sectors.

Jim Lyons

VP - Accounting and Finance at Creative Packaging Company

Jim Lyons serves as the Vice President of Accounting and Finance at Creative Packaging Company, where he oversees the financial health and operational efficiency of the organization. With a deep background in strategic planning and financial management, Jim plays a key role in driving informed decision-making and long-term growth.

His responsibilities span financial record keeping and reporting, budgeting and forecasting, inventory control, cost and margin analysis, and productivity and operational assessments. Jim also leads the design and implementation of internal controls and the company’s quality management system, ensuring compliance and consistency across business functions.

 

Stuart Steinbock

VP of Corporate Business Development, ODL Orthodontic Lab  

Stuart Steinbock is a seasoned executive and entrepreneur with a passion for innovation and growth in the digital dentistry space. As the Founder of Bocks Unlimited, Stuart helps companies scale by applying EOS (Entrepreneurial Operating System) principles to unlock new opportunities, improve operational efficiency, and align teams around shared goals.

Previously, Stuart served as Vice President of Corporate Business Development at ODL Orthodontic Lab, where he worked closely with leadership and cross-functional teams to identify and launch new product offerings. His work focused on enhancing orthodontic workflows, driving better clinical outcomes, and advancing the digital transformation of orthodontic practices.

With a strong track record in leadership and a deep understanding of the dental and orthodontic industries, Stuart continues to champion forward-thinking strategies that position companies for sustainable success.
 

Ken Tinnell

President, TIDAS Automation

Ken Tinnell is a growth-driven leader with a proven track record of scaling companies while optimizing both revenue and profitability. As President of TIDAS Automation, he leverages his deep expertise in industrial automation, manufacturing, and operations to drive innovation and efficiency.

With full P&L operational responsibility, Ken specializes in optimizing processes, reducing costs, and increasing productivity. His cross-functional leadership style empowers teams to achieve strategic goals, while his focus on continuous innovation leads to cutting-edge product development and process improvements.

Ken’s international business experience includes managing sales and operations across Europe and Latin America. Fluent in Spanish, he has successfully built and led high-performing teams in diverse markets. His expertise spans material handling, packaging, supply chain management, and industrial engineering, making him a key player in advancing automation solutions for modern manufacturing.

Scott Maxwell

Plant Manager, Kiriu USA Corporation

Hi! I'm Scott Maxwell, and I'm honored and excited to serve on the KY-MEP Board. I'm committed to promoting KY-MEP within the manufacturing community and working to help it reach its full potential.

My wife and I live in Bowling Green with our son, who is graduating from South Warren High School this year. My wife also works in manufacturing as an HSE Manager. I'm a WKU graduate with a BA degree. After three years with the Kentucky Department of Juvenile Justice, I transitioned to automotive manufacturing in 1998 and have worked in the industry ever since, primarily for Japanese-owned companies.

I've worked my way up the ladder and am currently the Plant Manager at Kiriu USA Corporation. I'm passionate about people and excited to leverage my manufacturing experience and communication skills to connect fellow manufacturers with KY-MEP's resources. Thank you for this opportunity; I look forward to contributing to KY-MEP's success in supporting Kentucky's manufacturing community.

Richard Horn

VP of Operations, WireCrafters

Rich Horn is the V.P. of Operations at WireCrafters LLC in Louisville, KY. After serving seven years as a Nuclear Trained Officer in the U.S. Navy, he worked in operations management at both John Deere and Akebono Brake before joining WireCrafters as Plant Manager in 2008.

Rich also serves as Vice President and board member of the Wire Fabricators Association, a trade organization dedicated to advancing knowledge and solving problems for wire fabricating companies.

Established in 1967, WireCrafters LLC has grown to become the nation's leading producer of wire partition products by providing customers with creative solutions for their safety, security, and storage needs.

Debra Dudley

President, Oscarware

Jordan Dick

President, Lincoln Manufacturing

David Fulkerson

Sr Director of Regional Economic Development, BG Chamber

Matthew Zurkuhlen

Sr Mgr - Global Transportation and Logistics, Americas, Brown Forman

Kalle Cole

Strategic Partnerships Manager, CBT

Kalle Cole serves as Strategic Partnerships Manager at CBT Company developing partnerships with organizations and customers by leveraging the company’s broad capabilities to create value and foster collaboration. She actively cultivates industry relationships, raising her company’s visibility and strengthening the region’s manufacturing ecosystem. As a natural connector and people-first leader, she finds both professional purpose and personal joy in aligning resources for the benefit of all parties.

Drawing on her in-depth industry knowledge and more than a decade of experience in manufacturing, Kalle helps organizations identify opportunities, navigate market trends, and drive sustainable growth throughout Kentucky and beyond. She plays an instrumental role in expanding CBT’s regional presence, connecting manufacturers to modernization initiatives that enhance efficiency and enable long-term digital transformation.

Kalle is passionate about championing diversity in manufacturing—emphasizing that a thriving industry is built on teams that reflect a wide array of genders, races, backgrounds, and family situations. She believes everyone has something unique to contribute, and that manufacturing can be even more flexible and inclusive than we often imagine. By working together across the manufacturing community, Kalle aims to ensure the industry welcomes, supports, and elevates people from all walks of life.

Her commitment to advancing the industry is evident in her leadership as Chair of Women in Manufacturing Kentucky and involvement with Women in Manufacturing on a national level. She also serves on the Great Events & Marketing Committee for the Advanced Manufacturing Industry Partnership (AMIP) and has previously served on the Government Relations Committee of the Dayton Region Manufacturers Association (DRMA). In recent years, Kalle has led the successful expansion of the More Than MFG Expo, including the launch of the More Than MFG Student Experience. In its inaugural year, more than 200 students from local schools received a hands-on introduction to the opportunities and innovations in modern manufacturing.