Kentucky Association of Government Communicators

The Kentucky Association of Government Communicators brings together professionals whose primary jobs involve communicating with media, the public, legislatures, stake-holders, and other entities. Our goal is to improve and enhance our own expertise, public image, morale and effectiveness and the work of our federal, state and local government employing agencies.

2008 Board of Directors

KAGC PRESIDENT		Crystal Dempsey-Gillum, Winchester Dempsey-Gillum is in her second year on the KAGC Board. She began her career as a news producer at WKYT-TV in Lexington, KY, and joined KHEAA in February 2002 as an Information Officer. She received a BA in Communications from Morehead State University and an MPA from Kentucky State University.		Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority 100 Airport Road, PO Box 798 Frankfort, KY 40601-0798 cgillum@kheaa.com 502-696-7581

VICE PRESIDENT OF ADMINISTRATION		Laura Risk, Frankfort Currently the Webmaster for the Administrative Office of the Courts, graduate of the University of Kentucky with a BA in Integrated Strategic Communications. This is her first year serving on the board.		Administrative Office of the Courts 100 Millcreek Park Frankfort, KY 40601-9230 laurarisk@kycourts.net 502-573-2350

VICE PRESIDENT OF PROGRAMS		Gil Lawson, Frankfort Gil Lawson of Frankfort is the Commerce Cabinet’s communications director. Lawson previously served as the public information officer for the Department of Parks and held other communications positions in state government at the Cabinet for Health and Family Services and Department of Education. Lawson worked as a reporter for The State Journal in Frankfort, The Associated Press in Louisville and The Courier-Journal at its Somerset and Frankfort bureaus. He is a Louisville native and University of Louisville graduate. He and his wife Cynthia have three children: Sarah, 21, Zack, 18 and Eric, 11.		gil.lawson@ky.gov

SECRETARY		Sandra Gardner Lawrenceburg This is Gardner’s first year on the board as well. She is Commodity Marketing Director for Kentucky Farm Bureau and former outreach coordinator for Kentucky Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy.

TREASURER		Shawn Sparks, Louisville Sparks is the Director of Planning and Constituent Services for Kentucky Retirement Systems, where he is responsible for developing and leading the implementation of a comprehensive Strategic Plan for the $17 billion, 316,000-member public pension system. Prior to joining state government, Shawn worked in the communications field for seven years writing, producing and directing television projects for a Louisville-based independent video production company. He graduated from Western Kentucky University with degrees in Broadcasting and Government, and holds a Master of Business Administration degree from Morehead State University.		Kentucky Retirement Systems Perimeter Park West 1260 Louisville Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601-6124 shawn.sparks@kyret.com 502-696-8450

KAGC DIRECTOR		Angela Blank, Shelbyville In her second year on the board, Blank is Director of Communications for the Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy.		Governor's Office of Agricultural Policy 404 Ann Street Frankfort, KY 40601 angelag.blank@ky.gov 502-564-4627

KAGC DIRECTOR		Scarlett Consalvi, Lexington Consalvi is in her second year on the KAGC board. She is Director of Communications for the Kentucky Retirement System.		Kentucky Retirement Systems Perimeter Park West 1260 Louisville Rd. Frankfort, KY 40601-6124 scarlett.consalvi@kyret.com 502-696-8451

KAGC DIRECTOR		Chris Gilligan, Lexington This is the second year on the KAGC Board for Gilligan. He has been the Executive Director of Communications for the Commerce Cabinet and the Director of Communications for the Justice and Public Safety Cabinet. Gilligan spent 12 years in broadcasting – including the last seven working for WLKY-TV (CBS – Louisville), where he was the state capitol reporter for the station. He has worked at a variety of other television stations including WKRC-TV (Cincinnati), WTVQ-TV (Lexington), WYMT-TV (Hazard), WLEX-TV (Lexington), and WTVW-TV (Evansville). Gilligan is married with two kids and lives with his wife Janet in Lexington. He graduated from Xavier University in 1992 with a degree in Communication Arts

KAGC DIRECTOR		Anya Armes Weber, Frankfort In her first year on the board, Weber is a public information officer for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Office of Legislative and Public Affairs. She is a Lexington native and a 1994 graduate of Western Kentucky University. Weber and her husband, Rob, live in Frankfort with their 4-year-old son, James, and 2-year-old daughter, Emma.

Immediate Past President	Victoria Dempsey	Kentucky Commission on Human Rights	332 W. Braodway, Ste. 700 Louisville, KY 40202	victoria.dempsey@ky.gov 502-595-4024
Victoria is in her fourth year on the Board. She is the Communications Director and Legislative Affairs Officer for the Kentucky Commission on Human Rights

Enjoy as a member of KAGC:

	Several professional development conferences yearly
	Lively monthly meetings where you can "talk shop" and learn about your trade from media and communications professionals
	Member directories
	KAGC newsletter, web site
	Annual state competitions for excellence in government communications work.
	Chance to nominate and recognize communication professionals in annual award ceremonies.
	Networking, Networking, NETWORKING!

Membership Plans
To join KAGC, follow the instructions on the membership application page

Active	A person currently or formerly employed by federal, state or local government in a position whose primary duty is in creating or disseminating information or illustrative materials in any medium to communicate with the agency’s internal or external publics or who directs or manages these activities. This category of membership includes those who are retired, unemployed or students.	$50 per year. First year dues are $25 if application is submitted after July 1
Organization/Agency	Any group of individuals (up to five people in total) who meet the active category requirements. Members must be identified at time of application. Membership is transferable within the organization/agency when designated members leave the agency or take an extended leave of absence.	$200 per year. First year dues are $100 if application is submitted after July 1
Associate	Any person in a position outside of government who partners with or works for government communicators in project or product development.	$50 per year. First year dues are $25 if application is submitted after July 1
Membership Year	January through December

Nominate Communicators for Awards Established in 1999, the Jennifer Schaaf Memorial Award for Excellence in Government Communications recognizes a government communication staffer for excellence in journalism. The Schaaf Award is given in conjunction with the Society of Professional Journalists. Recipients include Brad Hughes of the Kentucky School Boards Association, Lisa Gross of the Kentucky Department of Education, Gil Lawson of the Cabinet for Health Services, Jill Midkiff of the Finance and Administration Cabinet, Vicki Glass of the Attorney General's Office, and Jason Keller, Office of Homeland Security.

Be Recognized for Your Accomplishments KAGC sponsors an annual Awards of Excellence Competition recognizing work performed by government employees in Kentucky within the communication field.

Regular Meetings Monthly meeting schedule of KAGC is presently under discussion. Check Calendar for Dates.