Question 1

Michael Eaves, Chair

Accepted Answer

Michael Eaves was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in April 2021 to serve in an unexpired term, and was voted to serve as Chair beginning July 1, 2022. Eaves retired from the practice of law in 2023 after 42 years. Eaves earned his bachelor of business administration degree from Eastern Kentucky University in 1975 and his Juris Doctorate from the University of Kentucky in 1979. His wife Ava, also an EKU graduate, retired from Baptist Health Richmond as a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator. Mike and Ava have two children; Morgan and Jordan. In addition to his service of the Board of Regents, Mike serves as Chair of the Kentucky Personnel Board.

Question 2

Laura Babbage, Member

Accepted Answer

Laura Babbage, of Lexington, was re-appointed on June 30, 2021, to serve a term that expires on June 30, 2027. Ms. Babbage, a 1981 EKU graduate, is a member of the University’s Hall of Distinguished Alumni, along with her husband, Bob Babbage, class of 1973. After earning a bachelor’s degree in nursing from Eastern, Ms. Babbage added a master’s degree in international business from the Patterson School of Diplomacy and International Business at the University of Kentucky, and a master’s of divinity degree from Lexington Theological Seminary. She went on to serve as chief executive officer for Urgent Treatment Centers of Kentucky Inc., as regional vice president for Women’s Health Partners Inc., and as a chaplain for St. Joseph Hospital and the University of Kentucky Medical Center. In addition, Ms. Babbage is well known throughout the Lexington area for her volunteer efforts, serving on numerous boards, committees and task forces. Since 1994, she has served as a founding member of the Business Advisory Council in EKU’s College of Business and Technology.

Question 3

Aaron Barker, Student Representative

Accepted Answer

Aaron Barker, a native of Greenup County, Kentucky, is a senior pursuing an undergraduate degree in Business Administration with a minor in Public Administration. He was elected by his peers as Student Body President and Student Regent for the 2025-2026 academic year. He has been a member of the Student Government Association for the past three years, previously serving as Associate Justice of the Student Court and then Administrative Vice President. He was awarded the 2025 Begley Award for Most Outstanding General SGA Member. Additionally, Barker has served as the program assistant for marketing at the EKU Campus Recreation Center since 2023.

Question 4

Garth Bustle, Member

Accepted Answer

Garth Bustle was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in October 2024 to serve a term that expires June 30, 2030. He currently serves as Chief Deposit Officer, Chief Security Officer, and Board Director at First National Bank of Manchester, where he has advanced through key roles since 2020. Alongside his banking career, Bustle serves as Vice President at LG Design and provides IT support, court security, and financial fraud consulting as a Special Deputy for the Laurel County Sheriff’s Office. He graduated from the University of the Cumberlands with a master’s in information systems and security. He is dedicated to volunteer work in community security, non-profit initiatives, and tourism events.

Question 5

Lori Cooksey, Member

Accepted Answer

Lori Cooksey was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in October 2024 to serve a term that expires June 30, 2028. She currently serves as Senior Vice President and District Manager with over 30 years of banking experience, currently leading 26 retail branches for City National Bank’s Kentucky District. Known for driving business growth, increasing market share, and fostering client retention, she has successfully led acquisitions, including a community bank in the Lexington/Versailles area. Cooksey holds a BBA from Marshall University by way of Eastern Kentucky University, with additional banking education through ACTC and KBA, and actively contributes to her community through board memberships with organizations such as CASA, Rotary, and the Pathways Bright Future Foundation.

Question 6

Teresa Hail, Member

Accepted Answer

Teresa Hail was appointed by Gov. Andy Beshear in October 2024 to serve a term that expires June 30, 2029. Hail serves as co-owner and President of D.C. Trimble, Inc., a general contracting organization, where she has managed strategic planning and project execution since 2009. Previously, she served as Vice President of Business Development and Online Banking at First & Farmers National Bank, enhancing client relationships and digital services. Hail also brings years of teaching experience, including roles as a District Technology Coordinator and mathematics instructor. She graduated from the University of Kentucky with a master’s in education, and she actively engages in community leadership through organizations like Leadership Kentucky and the Somerset-Pulaski Chamber of Commerce. Hail has also previously served on the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority board.

Question 7

Alan Long, Vice Chair

Accepted Answer

Alan Long, CPA, CITP, CGMA, managing member of Baldwin CPAs, PLLC, in Richmond, was reappointed in September 2020 to serve a six-year term that expires in 2026. The 1979 EKU graduate (bachelor’s degree in accounting) was named a Distinguished Alumnus of the University’s College of Business & Technology in 2005. In 2012, he was named by Accounting Today as one of 10 managing partner elite in its inaugural selection. For more than 30 years, Mr. Long has actively served the Kentucky Society of Certified Public Accountants, including a term as president, and received the Outstanding Committee Chair Award in 2003 for his work with the Peer Review Program. He also has been actively involved with the American Institute of CPAs Peer Review Program, twice receiving the AICPA’s Outstanding Discussion Leader Award. Mr. Long was appointed in 2010 to a four-year term on the Kentucky State Board of Accountancy.

Question 8

Lynnette Noblitt, Faculty Representative

Accepted Answer

Lynnette Noblitt, J.D., is chair of the Department of Government and a professor of government, political science, and paralegal science at EKU, where she has taught for over 20 years. She also serves as a coach for EKU’s nationally recognized, award-winning Mock Trial program and helps coordinate the Colonels at the Capitol Internship Program, which pairs students with Kentucky legislators for hands-on experience in the state’s political process at the Kentucky State Capitol in Frankfort. In addition to her university responsibilities, Professor Noblitt teaches honors courses at Model Laboratory School. Noblitt holds a bachelor’s degree in molecular biophysics and biochemistry from Yale University, a master’s degree in biological chemistry from the University of Michigan Medical School, and a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School. Before joining EKU, she practiced as an attorney in the Intellectual Property Group at Ropes & Gray in New York City, specializing in patent litigation, trademark prosecution, and intellectual property licensing.

Question 9

Edwin Orange, Member

Accepted Answer

Edwin Orange is the owner of Three Poplars LLC, a health care regulatory and revenue cycle consulting firm. He was appointed in July 2022 to serve a term ending in June 2028. Edwin graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor's of Arts degree in Political Science, where he served a two-year term as chair of the Student Senate. He began his career working in the Office of the Governor in 2004, advising the Governor on the appointment of Kentuckians to the Commonwealth's boards and commissions. Subsequently, he worked for the nation's ninth largest cable telecommunications company, Insight Communications as a manager for regulatory affairs. After Insight was acquired by Time Warner Cable in 2012, Edwin founded Three Poplars. Edwin and his wife Lindsay reside in Frankfort, and they have two children.

Question 10

Ashley W. Ward, Member & Board Secretary

Accepted Answer

Ashley Ward was appointed to a six-year term on Eastern Kentucky University’s Board of Regents on June 30, 2021. Ward is a partner at Stites & Harbison, PLLC and is co-chairman of the firm’s torts and insurance practice group. He is a fellow in the American College of Trial Lawyers and has been named Lexington’s Appellate Lawyer of the Year several times. Ward is a native of Fort Thomas, Kentucky. He graduated Phi Beta Kappa with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science (‘81) and Juris Doctorate (‘84) from the University of Kentucky. His family ties to both Richmond and EKU led to his interest in serving on the Board. His wife, Julie West, is a native of Richmond and graduate of Model Laboratory school and her mother is an EKU graduate with a degree in Chemistry. Ashley and Julie’s son Christopher graduated from EKU in December 2019 with a degree in Computer Science and their daughter Chloe is currently enrolled at EKU working toward her principal certification, while teaching high school Social Studies in Lexington. His mother also attended EKU. Ward has previously served as a board member with the Urban League of Lexington-Fayette County and is president of his neighborhood association.

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