Ben joined Glean Kentucky’s staff in the spring of 2016, working first as the organization’s Development Director before moving into his current role as Program Director in 2018, and then becoming Executive Director in 2022. In his free time, Ben enjoys reading, playing disc golf, and serves on the Board of Directors at Good Foods Co-Op in Lexington. As a graduate of the University of Kentucky’s Arts Administration program, and having spent portions of his life working for a produce farm, Ben is grateful to work in a way that combines his love for food, agriculture, and nonprofit work.

Ben can be reached at [email protected] and 859-444-4769 x 1002.

Bekah has been the Development Director for Glean Kentucky since February 2018. She has worked alongside the staff to grow Glean Kentucky to reach more food insecure Kentuckians through their work, securing funding for expansions into new regions. Bekah is an active volunteer for Big Brothers Big Sisters, a member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (serving on their board from 2021-2022). She also owns a bustling photography business. As a UK Alumni, she is an avid UK fan and challenges the staff for the best bracket in March. When she isn’t working, Bekah is spending time with her husband, son, and her small zoo of animals.

Bekah can be reached at [email protected] and 859-444-4769 x 1003.

Jimmy grew up in Central Kentucky and before becoming Glean Kentucky’s Program Director, spent time as an Owner and Production Coordinator of a Fair Trade coffee roasting cooperative in Madison, WI, General Manager of a farmer-owned local food distributor here in Kentucky, Farm-To-Kitchen Coordinator for FoodChain and Glean Kentucky, and then went on to become Central Kentucky Field Coordinator for Glean Kentucky.  On any given evening, Jimmy can be found spending time with his sweetheart and their lovely toddler cuddle monster, turning knobs on synthesizers, strumming guitars, treating drums poorly or being the oldest person at the skate park.

Jimmy can be reached at [email protected] and 859-444-4769 x 1001.

Madison became a full-time team member at Glean Kentucky in 2022. Madison has been affiliated with Glean Kentucky since 2018 – serving as an undergraduate social work intern and an AmeriCorps VISTA. Previously, she has worked in disaster recovery, community mental health, and refugee resettlement. In her free time, she enjoys cooking, container gardening, spending time with friends, and hanging out with her 19-year-old cat, Callie.

Madison can be reached at [email protected] and 859-444-4769 x 1004.

Jerilyn is passionate about food.  She spent 25 years working in the Natural Health industry and learned the value of fruits and vegetables as a solid foundation for nutrition.  Being able to bring fresh fruits and vegetables to the agencies feeding Kentucky’s food insecure population is a perfect fit.

Jerilyn can be reached at [email protected] and 859-444-4769 x 1005.

Elaine supports Glean Kentucky’s social media and communications activities in a part-time capacity.  She holds a B.S. in Agriculture from Western Kentucky University and is currently working towards a M.S. degree in Entomology at University of Kentucky.  She previously worked on small-scale farms in South Central Kentucky (Top Crops Garden and Need More Acres Farm), managed the Community Farmers Market in Bowling Green, and served as South Central Kentucky Field Coordinator for Glean Kentucky from 2020-2021.  She has an avid interest in food systems and is proud to support Glean Kentucky’s work to reduce food waste and food insecurity.

Elaine can be reached at [email protected].