Pulaski County native William P. Turpen, who is the Interim Somerset Market President for First & Farmers National Bank, has joined the Board of Directors of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE.

Eastern Kentucky PRIDE announced today that William P. Turpen of Somerset has joined its Board of Directors. He will volunteer his time and expertise to direct PRIDE, a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education in 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.

“I look forward to being a part of an organization that encourages everyone to take pride in promoting the beauty and attractions we have in our part of the world through cleaning up our rivers, lakes and hillsides,” said Mr. Turpen, who co-founded Turpen Builders and Turpen Rentals and currently serves as the Interim Somerset Market President for First & Farmers National Bank.

“We are pleased to welcome Bill to the Board of Directors, and we appreciate his commitment to helping PRIDE succeed,” said Tammie Wilson, PRIDE President/Chief Executive Officer.

“He is a native of the region served by PRIDE, so he understands the value of a clean environment to this area’s overall quality of life,” Wilson said. “Small nonprofit organizations, like PRIDE, rely heavily on the time and skills that are volunteered so generously by our board members, such as Bill.”

The PRIDE Board of Directors meets bimonthly to establish guidelines for PRIDE programs and approve the organization’s budget. Eight board members are volunteers who bring particular expertise to fulfilling the PRIDE mission. One staff member, the President/Chief Executive Officer, also serves on the board.

PRIDE promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” by encouraging and equipping communities to improve water quality, clean up solid waste problems and promote environmental education. PRIDE was founded in 1997 by Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5) and the late James Bickford, who was the Kentucky Secretary for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection.

PRIDE created two popular, region-wide cleanup campaigns that have mobilized more than 400,000 volunteers to pick up litter. The PRIDE Spring Cleanup in held in April, and Roadside PRIDE Month is in October. More information is online at www.kypride.org.

Mr. Turpen was born and raised in Pulaski County. He graduated from Somerset High School and went on to pursue his B. A. and M. A. degrees from Western Kentucky University. His career began in education within the Pulaski County School District with teaching stints at Woodstock Elementary, Nancy High School and Pulaski County High School. In 1985, he and his father, Ralph “Jack” Turpen founded Turpen Builders, Inc. and Turpen Rentals, Inc. He is currently the Interim Somerset Market President for First & Farmers National Bank. Bill and his wife, Janice, are the proud parents of three daughters: Gretchen Turpen Griffin, Emily Turpen Stewart, and Sarah-Ann Turpen Davis. They have been blessed with six grandchildren.

Mr. Turpen enjoys being involved in his local community and has sat on numerous boards, including the Board of Directors for First & Farmers National Bank, the Lake Cumberland Regional Hospital Board, the Southern & Eastern Kentucky Tourism Development Association Board, and the Mill Springs Battlefield Association. He is a member of the Somerset-Pulaski County Chamber of Commerce and the Lake Cumberland Homebuilders Association, and he is an active member of First Baptist Church.

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