LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Gov. Andy Beshear announced several appointments to the Kentucky State Fair Board on Friday, including his former senior adviser.
Rocky Adkins, a former Kentucky state representative from Elliott County, was appointed to serve out the remainder of Mike Berry's term, which ends in June 2029. Berry was tapped to take over as interim president and CEO of the board following the removal of David Beck.Â
Beshear announced Monday that Adkins served his last day with the governor's administration July 10.
This comes about two weeks after Beshear removed Beck as the president and CEO of Kentucky Venues, the organization that manages the Kentucky Exposition Center and other state-owned venues. Beck had served in the role since 2018.
Earlier this week, a group of constitutional leaders asked the Kentucky Supreme Court to revisit the ruling that led to that shakeup on the board. The high court ruled in Beshear vs. Coleman a GOP-backed law changing control of fair board appointments was unconstitutional. That law, House Bill 518, moved appointment power away from the governor and to Jonathan Shell, Kentucky's agriculture commissioner. The court ruled that violated separation of powers, giving the authority back to Beshear.
Other fair board appointments include Brent Tolle, a cattle farmer from Taylorsville who will serve until July 2028. Jimmy England, of Hardyville, will also serve until July 2028. England is the current president of the Hart County Fair Board.
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