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.

Ron Bunch

President and CEO, Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce

Ron Bunch leads the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce, a five-star accredited chamber consistently recognized for excellence. Under his leadership, the chamber has been invited to apply for Chamber of the Year by ACCE nine out of the last ten years, reaching the finalist stage five times.

Since joining the chamber, Ron has played a key role in driving over $6.5 billion in capital investment and creating more than 12,050 new jobs in the region. Bowling Green has ranked among the top six nationally for new and expanding facilities in metros under 200,000 for ten consecutive years, earning the No. 1 spot in 2018. His team has also won three consecutive Mac Conway Awards, recognizing them as a top 20 economic development organization in the country. In 2022, Bowling Green announced the second-largest project in Kentucky’s history—a $2 billion investment creating 2,000 jobs.

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.

Stephen Hunt

Manager, Training & Development, Gray Construction

Stephen Hunt is a passionate and strategic learning leader dedicated to helping individuals grow and thrive within their organizations. As Manager of Training & Development at Gray Construction, he brings a deep understanding of organizational psychology and human resource strategy to create impactful learning experiences that align with business goals.

With a broad background spanning both public and private sectors across the United States, Stephen excels in solving complex challenges, driving cultural change, and fostering high-performance teams. His expertise includes performance management, leadership development, succession planning, and employee engagement. He has successfully implemented career frameworks and talent development strategies that elevate organizational effectiveness and empower emerging leaders.

Stephen’s work is grounded in a genuine commitment to building strong relationships and leaving a lasting impact on both people and performance.

Darren Kidd

Plant Manager, Outdoor Venture Corporation

Darren Kidd is a highly organized and self-motivated Plant Manager at Outdoor Venture Corporation, known for his structured approach and dedication to building strong, high-performing teams. He brings a wealth of experience in leadership development, operations, and systems management, having mentored numerous supervisors in effective planning and organizational strategies.

At Outdoor Venture Corporation, Darren manages all inbound and outbound inventory, packaging, shipping, cycle counts, and physical inventory across three warehouse facilities, overseeing three warehouse supervisors. He also leads operations at the company’s largest plant, managing five production lines and two production supervisors. In addition, Darren spearheads the company’s Innovation Engineering Process, guiding its implementation to enhance efficiency and product quality. He is responsible for planning, organizing, and directing the daily functions of the Academy Production Team, ensuring seamless execution from raw materials to final delivery.

 

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.

 

Tim Rice

President, RT Welding & Fabrication, Inc.

Tim Rice is the President of RT Welding & Fabrication, Inc., a trusted provider of industrial fabrication, machine shop manufacturing and repair, as well as on-site industrial maintenance services. Under Tim’s leadership, the company has built a reputation for quality craftsmanship, fast turnaround times, and dependable service across a range of industrial sectors.

With years of experience in fabrication and industrial operations, Tim oversees a skilled team dedicated to solving complex manufacturing challenges. He brings hands-on expertise and a commitment to continuous improvement, helping RT Welding deliver tailored solutions that keep their clients’ operations running smoothly and efficiently.

 

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.

Matt Zurkuhlen

Sr. Manager, Global Transportation & Logistics, Americas Brown-Forman

With over 22 years of experience in supply chain management, Matt Zurkuhlen is a results-driven leader dedicated to optimizing logistics, improving supply chain processes, and building strategic partnerships. As Sr. Manager of Global Transportation & Logistics for the Americas at Brown-Forman, he plays a critical role in ensuring efficiency and performance across the organization’s supply chain operations.

Matt’s expertise spans global supply chain leadership, customer solutions, trade compliance, and distribution network design. He has successfully led large-scale transportation and logistics planning, capital projects, and new product launches while managing both salaried and union teams. His background includes key leadership roles in the spirits, consumer goods, and automotive industries, with companies such as Toyota and Procter & Gamble.

A licensed Customs Broker and Certified U.S. Export Compliance Officer, Matt brings deep knowledge in global trade regulations and continuous improvement strategies, including Toyota Way methodologies. He is also a board member of KY-MEP, where he helps develop supply chain initiatives to support manufacturers across Kentucky.

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.

David Brock

Interim Executive Director, Kentucky Cabinet

David Brock is an accomplished public sector leader with over seven years of experience at the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, currently serving as the Interim Executive Director of KY Innovation. His work focuses on driving innovation, strengthening external relations, and shaping policies that foster a thriving entrepreneurial ecosystem in Kentucky.

Throughout his career, David has held several key leadership roles, including Deputy Executive Director and Director of Operations for KY Innovation. In these positions, he has led initiatives related to technology trends, legislative relations, public and crisis communications, and nonprofit collaboration. His strengths lie in policy advocacy, governmental affairs, executive-level communication, and the strategic promotion of innovation-driven economic development.

With a background in communications and a forward-thinking mindset, David continues to be a vital connector between state initiatives, emerging technologies, and the businesses that power Kentucky’s economic future.