Leadership

FOUNDATION MEMBERS

The dedicated professionals behind the official support foundation for SkillsUSA Kentucky.

Board of Directors

* Foundation members are not compensated and serve strictly on a voluntary basis.

Ray Genet

Industry Representative

Retired from BOYD Cat (formerly Whayne Supply & Walker Machinery Companies) with 40 years of technical training and technician recruitment experience. Former State SkillsUSA KY Diesel Tech Contest Chairman for 20+ years.

John Marks

Board Member

Retired KY Tech State Director. Former KY ATC Electronics Instructor.

Wayne King

Board Member

Retired KY Tech Consultant and Local Tech Center Aviation Instructor. Served as Kentucky state chair for the SkillsUSA aviation maintenance contest from 1990–2020. Served on the SkillsUSA Aviation National Technical Committee for over 35 years and as National Technical Committee Co-chair for 18 years. Filled the position of Kentucky SkillsUSA State Director in 2018–2019.

Charlene Baxter

Board Member

KY Office of Career & Technical Education - Administrative Specialist Senior.

James Hodge

Legal Advisor

Provides legal counsel to the Foundation.

Ruth Gray

Board Member

Former SkillsUSA local advisor and Culinary Arts Instructor for Caldwell County Area Technology Center. Served on SkillsUSA KY Board of Directors and Advisory Board. Served as SkillsUSA KY State Officer Advisor from 1994–2024. Attended SkillsUSA National Conference for over 30 years. Retired as Principal at Caldwell County Area Technology Center.

Faye Campbell

Board Member

Retired from Meade County Area Technology Center with 40+ years of experience with SkillsUSA (formerly VICA) as an advisor, coach, contest chairperson, judge, state officer advisor, and volunteer. She has attended more than 40 state conferences and more than 30 national conferences.

Jermaine Poynter

Jermaine Poynter

Ad Hoc Foundation Member

SkillsUSA Kentucky State Director

Former Henderson County Police Supervisor, Henderson County ATC Law Enforcement Instructor, and High School SkillsUSA Kentucky advisor.

About

WHO WE ARE

The KY SkillsUSA Foundation, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, tax-exempt organization established to support SkillsUSA Kentucky and its mission of preparing students for careers in skilled trades.

While SkillsUSA Kentucky delivers programs, competitions, and leadership development directly to students, the Foundation serves as a separate entity that can receive tax-deductible donations and provide flexible financial support where it's needed most.

Career and technical education workshop classroom

Advancing SkillsUSA KY Activities

KY Tech Student

Leadership Training

KY Tech Student

Career Exploration

SkillsUSA KY

Alumni

KY Industry

Partnerships

KY SKILLSUSA FOUNDATION

What We Support

FOUR PILLARS OF
THE FOUNDATION

Everything we do is built on four key focus areas that support SkillsUSA Kentucky students and programs across the state.

01
Leadership Training — Building tomorrow's industry leaders
02
Career Exploration — Hands-on experience in skilled trades
03
Alumni Network — Connecting generations of skilled professionals
04
Industry Partnerships — Bridging education and employment

Why We Exist

501(c)(3) STATUS

While SkillsUSA Kentucky delivers programs directly to students, the Foundation serves as a separate entity that can receive tax-deductible donations and provide flexible financial support.

Corporate Donors — Companies requiring 501(c)(3) status for giving
Individual Giving — Tax-deductible donations from supporters
Estate Planning — Planned giving and legacy donations
Grant Funding — Foundation and institutional grants

Tax Information

Legal Name
KY SkillsUSA Foundation, Inc.
Tax Status
501(c)(3) Non-Profit
State
Kentucky

All donations are tax-deductible to the extent allowed by law.