Staff

Being responsive to industry needs, whether for existing companies or new prospects, is the most important aspect of our work. We believe in excellent service before, during, and after the sale. We are here to help guide you through any questions you might have about our program.

 


 

   
   

 

            

 

Carter Hendricks

Executive Director

chendricks@southwesternky.com
Phone 270-885-1499

Cell Phone (270) 348-6226

 

 

Carter M. Hendricks has served as the Executive Director of the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council since February 1, 2020. Prior to this role, Carter served as Hopkinsville, Kentucky’s second youngest Mayor from January 1, 2015 to January 31, 2020. 


In these roles, Carter has helped to lead the region during the 2017 Total Solar Eclipse Festival and to earning All American City Finalist status and the highest TVA Livability Score in 2020.  In addition, the region has enjoyed a variety of community recognitions such as Tree City, USA, Most Patriotic City, Great American Defense Community, TVA Sustainable Community, and State of Kentucky Work Ready Certified Community.

 

Carter has also served as the President/CEO of the Christian County Chamber of Commerce from 2010-2014.  During his tenure at the Christian County Chamber of Commerce, the Chamber earned 5-star accreditation and was a 2013 National Chamber of the Year Finalist.  Prior to his tenure as President/CEO, Hendricks served as the Senior Vice President and Military Affairs Director at the Chamber from 2005-2009.

 

Carter’s previous professional experiences include teacher, coach, after school supervisor, grant coordinator, college instructor, and AmeriCorps member.

 

Carter recently received his certificate for completing the Kentucky Association for Economic Development’s certification program.  In 2011, Carter graduated from the US Chamber’s prestigious Institute on Organizational Management.  Additionally, Carter earned an undergraduate degree, as a Political Science and History major, from Western Kentucky University and a graduate degree, emphasis on education, from Concordia University-Saint Paul, MN. 

 

Carter has been the recipient of the KRPS Public Official of the Year (2018), City of Hopkinsville Mayor’s Make Your Mark Award, the Sherry Jeffers Leadership Award through Leadership Hopkinsville, the Kiwanian of the Year Award through Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, the Pennyrile Area Development District’s William B. Bryan Leadership Award, and the National Area Development Organization’s Innovation Award.  Carter, a graduate of Leadership Fort Campbell, is also the recipient of various military recognitions and commendations including the recent designation of Honorary Member of the 187th Infantry Regiment.  

 

Carter currently serves on the Murray State University Economic Development Advisory Board, the Pennyrile Allied Community Services, Fort Campbell Strong Defense Alliance, and as an active Kiwanian.  Carter has been active on a variety of local and regional boards and commissions including serving as the Past President of the Hoptown Hoppers, Past President and Advisor to the President of the Hopkinsville Kiwanis Club, Past President and board member for the Kentucky/Tennessee Chapter of the Association of the United States Army, and Deacon and Sunday School Director at Olivet Baptist Church in Herndon, Kentucky.

 

Carter is married to Faye Eleanor Hendricks and is the proud dad of Lily Kaye (19) and Chase (17).    When Carter’s not recruiting a company or coaching track and field, he enjoys time with his family, hiking, exercising, and travel.

 


 

   
photo of sharon butts  


 

Sharon Butts
Associate Director 
sbutts@southwesternky.com   
Phone (270) 885-1499  
Cell Phone (270) 350-2014
 

Sharon Butts has served as the Associate Director for the South Western Kentucky Economic Development Council regional organization since October 1, 2013.  Sharon previously served as Director for the Cadiz-Trigg County Economic Development organization for over 10 years. Sharon is a graduate from Murray State University, Murray, Kentucky with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration. Sharon works with our regional industries in business retention, recruitment of new industries, community development, and certification programs as well as has cultivated a great relationship with community leaders, state and regional economic development partners and TVA to foster and sustain job growth during her 18 year career in economic development.

 

As part of the regional effort Sharon led the team that was awarded the prestigious TVA TaP program certification that was awarded to the first regional economic development organization in the TVA Valley in 2009.  Sharon also steered the TVA Sustainability Programs for both Trigg and Christian Counties which led to Silver and Gold designations as well as lead the Work Ready Initiative Certification for Trigg County. Sharon was part of the regional economic development team that participated in the TVA Livability Program for the SWK Region in which the region received the highest TVA Livability Score in 2020.

 

Sharon serves on the Trigg County Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, the Southern Pennyrile Chamber Alliance Board, the West Kentucky Regional Chamber Alliance Board, the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Board & the Pennyrile Electric Manufacturing Advisory Committee and is a member of the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED) Sharon is a member of the State of Kentucky marketing organization - Kentucky United, the International Council of Shopping Centers, International Economic Development Council, and the Southern Economic Development Council.  Sharon volunteers for Power for Life Mentoring Program as well as volunteers at Trigg County School System for various programs. Sharon is an active Rotarian and member of the Cadiz Rotary Club and serves as Secretary to the club and previously served as Foundation Chairman to the Cadiz Rotary Club. Sharon is a member of Cerulean Baptist Church in Cerulean, Kentucky and serves as the church organist.

 

Sharon is the coordinator for the Pennyrile Industrial Managers Association (PIMA) which brings together our regional industry plant managers for networking opportunity to collaborate and share concerns, issues and successes about their companies.  Sharon is a graduate of the first annual Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) Leadership Institute Class of 2012, a graduate of the Kentucky Institute for Economic Development in 2005, a graduate of the Trigg County Leadership Class of 2012-2013, and a graduate of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Leadership Class of 2014-2015.

 

Sharon received the Cadiz Chamber of Commerce Ambassador Award in 2007, the Cadiz Chamber of Commerce Presidents Award in 2010, and the Heritage Bank 2013 Scholarship Honoree Recipient and awarded The Cadiz Rotarian of the Year 2013 and Rotary Paul Harris Fellow Award 2015. Sharon was the Rotary Auction Chair in 2016 which raised over $316,000 for the Youth and Seniors of Trigg County.

 

Sharon is married to Steve Butts and has two children Samantha and Jeremy and a daughter in-law Chelsea Butts.  Sharon is a proud grandmother to her grandson and enjoys spending time with him.  Outside of work Sharon enjoys the lakes at Lake Barkley boating and spending time with family and friends as well as is a Braves Baseball and Kentucky Basketball fan!

 


 

Tony Prim

Associate Director
270-484-0000
tprim@southwesternky.com

   

 

     


Add to Report View Report

As you navigate our website, you can use the “Add to Report” button to add any page or property to a custom report that you can print out or save.