Dr. Michelle Chappell graduated from Henderson County High School in 1991. She stands as a distinguished figure in the realms of education, leadership, and mentorship. She has dedicated her career to the Kentucky Community and Technical College System for the past 17 years, with 13 of those years spent at Henderson Community College, where she is currently a professor and serves as the Computer and Information Technologies Program Coordinator. Dr. Chappell brings an innovative approach to professional and personal development within today’s dynamic employment landscape. Her vision and strategies are invaluable to organizations aiming to secure a competitive edge by cultivating a diverse, high-performing workforce.

She is a seasoned Information Technology professional with a background encompassing significant contributions to higher education and industry.

Dr. Chappell excels in peer mentoring, guiding individuals toward remarkable academic achievements. She has been instrumental in bridging the achievement gap and fostering leadership and mentoring qualities among underrepresented minority students. In 2021, she established a mentoring program called “Transition to Beyond” at Henderson County High School, working with underrepresented minority juniors and seniors. This program provides them with a safe space and encouragement, aiming to offer resources to help students transition after high school. Some of the activities include goal setting, career exploration, guest speakers, and exploring post-secondary plans.

Dr. Chappell has extended her leadership in the Henderson community and throughout Kentucky by serving on several boards, such as the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, Kentucky United We Learn, Henderson Juneteenth Celebration, KY-Center of Academic Excellence (KY-CAE), and Kentucky Cybersecurity and Forensics. She is also a past member of the Human Rights Commission Board.

Holding a doctoral degree from Morehead State University in Educational Leadership, with a focus on Adult and Higher Education Leadership, Dr. Chappell is dedicated to enhancing adult learning experiences and guiding individuals through their career trajectories. Her leadership seamlessly aligns with the strategic goals of organizations committed to academic excellence and workforce development.

In essence, Dr. Michelle Chappell is not just an educator, leader, and mentor; she is a transformative figure who has received several awards, including:

• 2024 Junior League of Evansville Top 20 Woman Leaders

• 2023 Henderson Rotary Hometown Hero Award

• 2021 32nd Annual Julian E. Duffy Faculty Award

• 2018 Henderson Community College Distinguished Alumni

• 2018 Kentucky Community and Technical College System Innovative Educator

Lastly, she is a mother of two beautiful souls, Keileen Chappell and NiYa Davis, with a new addition to the family, her loving granddaughter, Santana Chappell. She believes in building a strong foundation for her family and paving the way for others. Dr. Chappell credits her success to God, her family, extended family, children, mentors, mentees, and her sorority sisters of Delta Sigma Theta. She also cherishes a quote from her late grandmother: “Education is something no one can take from you; get as much of it as you can.”

Missy Vanderpool, a proud member of the Henderson County High School Class of 1993, has exemplified leadership and service throughout her career. During her time at HCHS, Missy served as president of DECA, earned first place at the state conference, and represented her school at the National DECA competition. She pursued higher education at Henderson Community College and the University of Alabama, later graduating from the Ward Elliot School of Real Estate.

Dedicated to leadership development, Missy is a Henderson Leadership Fellow and a graduate of the Delta Regional Authority's Leadership Institute. She was also recently accepted into Harvard’s Effective Leadership Across Sectors program, which she will complete in November.

Her professional journey began as a REALTOR® at Collier and Company, where she was elected President of the Henderson Audubon Board of REALTORS® in 2010 and honored as REALTOR® of the Year. She went on to serve as Executive Director of the Henderson Audubon Board of REALTORS®, earning her designation as a REALTOR® Certified Executive.

Currently, Missy serves as the Executive Director of Henderson Economic Development. In this role, she has overseen nearly $700 million in capital investment and facilitated the creation of 869 new full-time jobs with an average wage of $35 per hour over the past four years. A key milestone in her work was partnering with community leaders to announce a 300-home housing development aimed at addressing local housing needs—an initiative where her real estate expertise and economic development efforts came together to make a lasting impact. She has also collaborated with Henderson County Career and Technical Education (CTE) to align educational pathways with workforce needs, ensuring students are prepared for local career opportunities. Under her leadership, Henderson Economic Development was named the Economic Development Organization of the Year by the International Economic Development Council in 2023.

Missy’s community involvement extends far beyond her professional duties. She serves on the boards of Deaconess Henderson Hospital, Healing Reins, the Murray State Economic Development Advisory Board, the HCHS CTE Advisory Committee, and the Chamber of Commerce. In 2019, the Downtown Henderson Partnership recognized her as Volunteer of the Year, and in 2023, she was named the Linda E. White Woman of the Year.

Missy is married to her high school sweetheart, Matt, and together they have two sons, Dylan and Luke, as well as a daughter-in-law, Taylor.

In the heart of the vibrant small town of Henderson, KY, 2008 Henderson County High School graduate Casey Todd has built a career as both a restaurateur and real estate developer, focusing on revitalizing the downtown area. His journey began at the age of fourteen with a small shaved ice business, where his passion for food and commitment to excellence led to the opening of three successful restaurants. Each establishment brought something unique to the table, becoming local favorites and essential gathering spots. From the farm-to-table freshness of Hometown Roots to the locally roasted coffee at Roast Coffee Bar and the slow-smoked meats at Homer’s Barbecue, these restaurants have delighted the community and attracted visitors from near and far.

Alongside Casey’s work in the restaurant industry, he ventured into real estate development, driven by a vision to rejuvenate the central business district. Recognizing the potential in transforming underutilized spaces into vibrant mixed-use properties, the projects ranged from historic renovations to a large mixed-use development featuring first-floor commercial and second- and third-floor residential units with riverfront views. Throughout this work, Casey has maintained a keen eye on preserving the town’s charm while fostering growth.

The real estate developments and restaurants have played a key role in revitalizing the downtown area. By blending the old with the new, they have enhanced the town’s aesthetic appeal, stimulated local businesses, and increased foot traffic. This revitalization has attracted new enterprises and residents, creating a dynamic community environment that balances tradition with a big-town feel.

Though Casey’s work as both a restaurateur and real estate developer is quite impressive, he also has a heart for service. Often seen leading by example, he can be found serving on numerous non-profit boards and community organizations. Whether it be committing his time to cleaning up trash after a downtown festival or philanthropic giving to a worthy cause, Casey’s community impact is hard to measure.

Casey resides in Henderson with his loving wife, Tori, and their two daughters, Presley and Hilton, and two beloved pets, Ollie and Oscar.

Holli Blanford is a 2014 graduate of Henderson County High School. During her time at HCHS, she served as a class officer and was active in the Student Ambassador program. Following her high school graduation, Holli continued her education, graduating from Henderson Community College in 2016 and earning a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and Public Administration from the University of Southern Indiana in 2019.

Her professional journey began at Field & Main Bank where she served as the Brand Experience and Community Relations Specialist. During this time, Holli handled the organization’s community involvement endeavors and led marketing efforts across three markets that included six banking centers, two insurance offices, and a wealth management office. Next, Holli joined the team at Henderson Community College as the Public Relations Coordinator where her efforts focused on growing the college’s footprint in the Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana areas.

Currently, Holli serves as the Public Relations Director for the City of Henderson, KY. In this role, Holli is responsible for communicating City affairs to a population of nearly 30,000 residents and acts as a key resource for media outlets across newspaper, television, and radio. Holli manages the City’s Vision Plan, Inner-City Improvement Plan, and handles the organization of all City events. She recently created the first City of Henderson Junior Ambassador program – an initiative that introduces high school juniors and seniors to the internal workings of their local government. Drawing from her own experience as a former City of Henderson intern, she is passionate about introducing younger generations to opportunities for success in their community.

Holli demonstrates an unwavering dedication to her community through her extensive involvement with local organizations. She serves on several boards and committees, including:

• Rotary Colonels 2 College Advisory Board

• United Way of Henderson County Community Impact Team

• Henderson, KY Chamber of Commerce Agriculture Committee

• Henderson, KY Chamber of Commerce Downtown Committee

• Henderson, KY Chamber of Commerce Ambassador

• Henderson Economic Development Marketing Peer Team

• Kentucky Association of Government Communicators

• Rotary Club of Henderson Board of Directors

• University of Southern Indiana Alumni Council

• Former Ohio Valley Art League Board of Director

• Former Women’s Honor Court Board of Director

While she is proud to be involved with many organizations, the Rotary Club of Henderson is most special to Holli. In 2023, she served as the Club’s youngest President and is only one of a few females to hold the role over the 108-year history of the Club. Currently, she serves on the Rotary Board of Directors as Immediate Past-President.

Holli credits all her achievements to the support she receives from her family, friends, and community. A few of her most recent achievements include:

• Henderson Leadership Initiative Fellow

• Kentucky Colonel commission from Governor Andy Beshear

• Henderson, KY Chamber of Commerce “Top 20 Under 40” Honoree

• My Rotary Story Award

• Outstanding Community Partner Award from Henderson County Schools

A lifelong Henderson resident, Holli has been married to her best friend, Paul Blanford, for two years. She is the proud daughter of Ron and Angie Melton and sister to Hannah Troutman.