3 finalists chosen for economic development secretary
DATELINE: FRANKFORT Ky.
Candidates for state economic development secretary have been narrowed to three.
The Kentucky Economic Development Partnership Board submitted the names to Gov. Ernie Fletcher on Tuesday, the Cabinet for Economic Development said in a release. The candidates were chosen with the help of a national consultant group, the release said.
The finalists were identified as Richard A. Anderson, a former vice chairman and president at BellSouth; John Hindman, a retired vice president of strategic communications and public affairs for UPS Airlines; and Patrick T. Murphy Jr., a real estate sales and development agent at the Hart Corp., in Marietta, Ga.
Fletcher has the option of giving the job to one of the three or asking for a new list of candidates.
The position has been vacant since the end of January, when former Economic Development Secretary Gene Strong retired. Gene Fuqua has been serving as acting secretary since Strong left.
The Cabinet for Economic Development is the primary state agency responsible for creating new jobs and new investment in Kentucky.
Anderson is a native of Kentucky, but currently lives in Alpharetta, Ga., according to the release.
Murphy has worked in the Georgia Department of Economic Development and was the director of operations for PGA tour events, the release said.
Hindman, who is currently doing work with Greater Louisville Inc., is the only one of the three candidates who has contributed political donations to Fletcher, according to the Kentucky Registry of Election Finance. Hindman gave Fletcher $500 during the governor's 2003 campaign, according to records.
Fletcher spokeswoman Jodi Whitaker said he had not yet made a decision on the candidates.