PeADD Celebrates 57th Annual Dinner

The Pennyrile Area Development District (PeADD) celebrated 57 years of regional partnership and service during its 2026 Annual Dinner on Monday, September 14, at Mahr Park Arboretum in Madisonville.

Held under the theme “Breaking Ground on New Horizons,” the evening brought together local elected officials, board members, staff, community leaders, and regional partners to celebrate the people and partnerships helping move the Pennyrile region forward.

The annual gathering reflected on PeADD’s work to strengthen infrastructure, expand economic opportunities, support local governments, serve individuals and families, and improve quality of life throughout the nine-county Pennyrile region. The evening included dinner catered by The Joint of Eddyville and music by Madisonville-based A Barber, a Baker and a Heartbreaker.

A highlight of the evening was the presentation of the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award to Sheila Clark, Executive Director of the West Kentucky Workforce Board (WKWB). The award recognizes individuals, groups, or organizations that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to regional cooperation and advancing the Pennyrile as a whole.

Clark's recognition coincides with an extraordinary professional milestone. She began her career with PeADD on August 3, 1981, and is celebrating 45 years of service in 2026.

Over those four and a half decades, Clark has dedicated her career to strengthening Western Kentucky's workforce and connecting people, employers, communities, and resources across county and organizational boundaries. Today, she coordinates workforce activities for the West Kentucky Workforce Board across Kentucky's 17 westernmost counties, encompassing both the Pennyrile and Purchase regions.

Her career has spanned tremendous changes in the workforce development system, from earlier federal employment and training programs to today's Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act system. Through those changes, Clark has helped maintain a regional approach focused on preparing individuals for employment while ensuring businesses have access to the workforce resources they need.

Under Clark's leadership, WKWB has coordinated workforce development with economic development, education, training providers, employers, and government partners. Her leadership has been particularly important during periods ranging from business creation and manufacturing expansion to devastating economic disruption and natural disasters.

Clark's 45-year career embodies the regional cooperation at the heart of the John C. Mahre Regionalism Award. Her work has consistently brought together local governments, workforce agencies, economic developers, educational institutions, employers and community partners around a shared goal: creating opportunities for western Kentucky residents and building a stronger regional economy.

In addition to honoring Clark, PeADD recognized several employees for significant service milestones. Tammy Hyde, Workforce Training/Data Specialist, and Mary Anne Medlock, Business Liaison, were recognized for 25 years of service; Amanda Stokes, Director of Aging and Independent Living, for 20 years; Cindy Tabor, Long Term Care Ombudsman, for 15 years; and Pat Lee, GIS Specialist, for five years of part-time service since her retirement.

PeADD also recognized Board members reaching service milestones. Judge Perry Newcom and Mayor Jenny Sewell were recognized for 15 years of service; Wade White for 15 years; Judge Stan Humphries for 10 years; and Mayor Jim Seibert and Mayor Martha Jo Ray for five years.

The celebration concluded with a look back at PeADD's accomplishments over the past year and recognition of the partnerships that make the organization's work possible.

PeADD's 2026 theme, “Breaking Ground on New Horizons,” reflects the organization's belief that strong communities are built when people are willing to develop a plan, bring partners together, secure resources, and turn ideas into meaningful action. Across the Pennyrile, those partnerships continue to create new opportunities and lay the foundation for the region's future.

Planters Bank of Hopkinsville generously sponsored the event.  Their continued commitment to regional development helps PeADD break ground on new horizons across the Pennyrile.