FRANKFORT, Ky. (June 11, 2020) – The Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission (KFEC) voted to approve Joshua T. Barrett as Executive Director of the Commission in a meeting Tuesday. Barrett will become the first Executive Director of the newly formed commission, which was created by the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Bill that passed unanimously in both chambers of the 2019 General Assembly. State Treasurer Allison Ball, who championed the bill, serves as Chair of the Commission.
“I take great pride in working to expand financial literacy throughout the Commonwealth. Every Kentuckian should have the resources and tools to lead a financially empowered life. The Commission is leading the charge in making this goal a reality,” Treasurer Ball said. “I am thrilled to welcome Josh as the new Executive Director of the Commission. I am confident Josh’s leadership and passion for serving Kentucky will drive effective implementation of financial resources for our state and lead to greater financial education in our schools.”
The Commission evaluates and develops plans to improve the financial literacy of Kentuckians and provide support to educators teaching financial literacy in Kentucky.
A Madison County native, Barrett most recently served as a legislative liaison for the Kentucky Personnel Cabinet. Prior to his work at the Personnel Cabinet, Barrett was a business owner focusing on real estate properties and home construction. Barrett attended Eastern Kentucky University.
“I am excited to join the Kentucky Financial Empowerment Commission and lead the mission to bring critical financial tools to every corner of Kentucky. Every Kentuckian should have the confidence and knowledge to budget, save, and plan for the future,” Barrett said. “I am excited to work with the Commission members, who each have a passion for financial literacy and wellness.”
The Commission has six target categories: Kentuckians with disabilities, aging Kentuckians, state employees, low-income families, students, and veterans and military personnel.
Other commission members include:
- Interim Commissioner Kevin C. Brown, Kentucky Department of Education
- Commissioner Charles Vice, Kentucky Department of Financial Institutions
- Dr. Abdullah Al-Bahrani, Director of the Northern Kentucky University Center for Economic Education, Associate Professor of Economics at Northern Kentucky University
- Daniel Douglas, President of Junior Achievement of West Kentucky
- Edward King, Attorney whose practice areas include bankruptcy, digital currency, lending, and finance, Kentucky Bar Association’s Credit Abuse Resistance Education Executive Committee member
- David Sandlin, Walton-Verona High School business teacher, formerly served on Kentucky Standards Revision and Writing Committee for Financial Literacy
- Carolyn Wheeler, Human Development Institute at the University of Kentucky
- Debbie Painter, Kentucky Credit Union League
- April Perry, Kentucky Bankers Association
- Dr. David Perkis, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis—Louisville Branch
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