Greater Louisville Inc.’s Board of Directors officially welcomed new leadership and new directors at its first meeting of the year. Purna Veer, president of V-Soft Consulting Group Inc., was appointed 2022 chair of the board. Veer, who is also a member of the executive committee, has served on GLI’s board since 2016, and previously also served as chair-elect and chair of the plan implementation committee in 2021, as well as chair of GLI’s annual GLIDE trip in 2020.

“I am honored to serve as chair of GLI’s Board of Directors,” said Veer. “Through the work of the NOW Louisville strategic plan and top-tier staff leadership, GLI is positioning the 15-county region for accelerated economic growth. I am looking forward to leading the organization this year to ensure GLI can maximize its strategic impact.”

As a private, non-profit 501(c)(6) organization, GLI is governed by a volunteer board of directors consisting of 66 voting members, an executive committee of 11 members that also serve on the board, and four officers.Russ Cox, president and CEO of Norton Healthcare, was named chair-elect. Brad Smith, managing partner of MCM CPAs and Advisors was re-elected treasurer and Theresa Canaday, litigation department chair at Frost Brown Todd LLC, was elected secretary.Members of the 2022 executive committee are:

  • Lonnie Bellar, chief operating officer, LG&E KU
  • Theresa Canaday, litigation department chair, Frost Brown Todd LLC
  • Dr. Gerard Colman, CEO, Baptist Health
  • Russ Cox, president and CEO, Norton Healthcare
  • Condrad Daniels, president, HJI Supply Chain Solutions
  • Les Fugate, vice president and director of state and local public affairs, Brown-Forman Corp.
  • Steve Gault, president, Stephen C. Gault Co.
  • Camilla Schroeder, president, Advance Ready Mix Concrete
  • Brad Smith, managing partner, MCM CPAs and Advisors
  • Purna Veer, president, V-Soft Consulting Group, Inc.
  • Alan Wheatley, retail segment president, Humana

In addition to new leadership, the board also welcomed five new directors from a variety of industries and backgrounds. New directors are:

  • Dennis Heishman, CEO commercial banking, Old National Bank
  • Betsy Janes, vice president of government relations, Churchill Downs Inc.
  • Jeff O’Brien, chief, Louisville Forward
  • Alan Wheatley, retail segment president, Humana
  • Nicole Yates, associate vice president of community engagement, Passport Health Plan by Molina Healthcare

“On behalf of GLI, we are thrilled to welcome new directors and leadership to our board. Having new perspectives from different industries is the best way to ensure our organization is meeting the needs of the entire business community. I am looking forward to working with each of them to use their expertise to propel our mission forward,” said Sarah Davasher-Wisdom, president and CEO of GLI.

View a full list of GLI’s Board of Directors here.