Tammie Wilson, PRIDE President/Chief Executive Officer

Tammie Wilson now leads the effort to clean up the environment and promote good stewardship across more than one-third of Kentucky counties.Wilson was selected to serve as the President/Chief Executive Officer of Eastern Kentucky PRIDE, Inc., a nonprofit organization that promotes environmental cleanup and education across 42 counties of southern and eastern Kentucky.

She had been filling the position on an interim basis since mid-April, when Karen Kelly left the job to serve as the District Director for Congressman Hal Rogers (KY-5). Previously, Wilson had been the PRIDE Vice President/Chief Operating Officer.

On Wednesday, the PRIDE Board of Directors met to promote Wilson to the presidency permanently.

“We were fortunate that someone of Tammie’s caliber was ready to take over the reigns at PRIDE,” said Sandy Gay, who chairs the PRIDE Board of Directors. “Tammie has a degree in organizational management, and she has impressed us with her dedication and skills over the eight years she has been second in command at PRIDE.”

“PRIDE is a powerful engine of change in our region, so it was important to us to pick the right person to build on that momentum,” Gay said. “With almost 400,000 volunteers since 1997, it’s clear that PRIDE motivates people to take care of this region’s environment. Tammie and her staff, which is beyond compare, will keep us moving in the right direction.”

“I am grateful for the confidence my board has in me,” Wilson said. “I’ve managed day-to-day operations at PRIDE for several years now, so I feel like this will be an easier transition for me, the staff and all our partners in the region’s communities.”

“I’m especially thankful for the wonderful team we have here,” Wilson said. “Our staff members work very long hours and travel hundreds of miles across this vast region to support anyone who is trying to do the right thing for the environment. We have the privilege of working side by side with so many incredible people who want the best for their communities — from local officials and PRIDE Coordinators to teachers and students to nonprofits and volunteers.”

“I’m proud to say I’m a small part of such a great organization,” Wilson concluded.

Wilson became the PRIDE Vice President/COO in 2005. Prior to that, she administered grants for PRIDE and other nonprofit organizations in her position at The Center for Rural Development, where she began working in 2001.

Wilson earned her Bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Midway College and her Associate’s degree in Business Administration from Somerset Community College. Through Management Concepts, she has completed Grants Management Certifications for grant recipients and for entities that pass-through grant funds to other recipients. Wilson is a 2006 graduate of Leadership East Kentucky and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Kentucky.

Wilson is a native of McCreary County and graduate of McCreary Central High School. She and her son, Codi Duncan, have resided in Pulaski County for 12 years.

Eastern Kentucky PRIDE is a grassroots initiative that promotes “Personal Responsibility In a Desirable Environment” in its service area. Citizens, local officials, schools, businesses and other groups cooperate to achieve the PRIDE goals of cleaning waterways, reducing trash problems and promoting environmental education.

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