Laurie Mays

Laurie Mays joined the Chamber as the Agriculture and Equine Talent Pipeline Project Manager in September of 2018 and works cooperatively with the equine and agriculture industries to bridge the skilled workforce gap in those industries in Kentucky. Before her time there, she held the roles of Operations Manager and Director of Youth and Community Education at the Kentucky Horse Park, where she was instrumental in developing and implementing countless programs. Most recently, Mays developed a nationally recognized equine program in conjunction with the United States Pony Clubs at Locust Trace AgriScience Center, a world-renowned agricultural high school. By understanding the industry through these endeavors, Mays is working statewide with employers, educators, and other agriculture stakeholders to develop a talent pipeline to ensure a consistent, skilled labor pool. 

Growing up in the local saddle clubs, Mays converted to eventing in high school, had a short stint with roping in Texas, and now enjoys working cattle on her family farm while competing in agility with her Standard Poodle. She earned a B.S. in Animal Science from Clemson University, an M.S. in Agriculture from West Texas A&M, and an M.A. in Teaching from Eastern Kentucky University. With their children, she and her husband reside on a beef cattle and hair sheep farm in Bourbon Co, KY.

Industries of Interest: Agriculture, Education/Training, Equine

Other Specialty Areas: Rural Settings, Partnership with Alternative Talent Sources, Career and Technical Education Pathways, Youth Career Pathways, Opportunity Youth, Re-entry Populations