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.
 

Stephen Hunt

Manager, Training & Development, Gray Construction

Passionate and strategic learning leader driven to help people become better. Diverse public and private sector experience across the United States. Drives business objectives, solves complex problems, builds strong relationships, and leaves lasting impact on organizational performance.

Darren Kidd

Plant Manager, Outdoor Venture Corporation

 

Jim Lyons

VP - Accounting and Finance at Creative Packaging Company

 

Tim Rice

President, RT Welding & Fabrication, Inc.

 

Stuart Steinbock

VP of Corporate Business Development, ODL Orthodontic Lab

 

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