Elizabethtown Community and Technical College (ECTC) is recognizing the executive director of Grayson County Alliance (GCA) for her “exemplary work in and outside the community” with its annual Profiles of Excellence celebration.
GCA Executive Director Debbie Childress will be recognized and celebrated via a series of videos posted on ECTC’s social media pages during April and May. The premier video will be posted on Monday.
“Now in its 16th year, the Distinguished Alumni program has recognized academic, professional and humanitarian endeavors of 130 former students,” officials said.
ECTC’s announcement on Childress being honored:
Debbie Childress, of Leitchfield, serves as Executive Director of the Grayson County Alliance.
Through her role, Childress oversees all Grayson County Alliance programs, including the food pantry, classroom, tax assistance program and resource referrals. She is responsible for the development and implementation of fundraising and grant writing.
Childress attended ECTC in 1987, but left to work and raise her family. In 2017, she returned to earn her Associate in Arts degree at ECTC’s Leitchfield campus. She was recognized as a Kentucky Colonel in 2019 and has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate for Tri-County CASA for the past seven years.
The Grayson County Alliance of course serves thousands of Grayson County residents through the food pantry alone, ensuring those less fortunate or undergoing difficult circumstances are able to eat healthy meals.
Childress is roundly considered a tireless advocate for families who need a helping hand, and is respected in the community as one of Grayson County’s beacons of light.
Other ECTC alumni will also be celebrated during April and May, those are:
- Diane Medley, of Louisville, co-founded accounting firms Chilton & Medley in 1988 and Mountjoy Chilton Medley LLP (MCM) in 2010.
- Jon Kimberlain, of Elizabethtown, serves as Senior TS&D Scientist at Dow Performance Silicones.
- Kenny Rambo, of Cecilia, serves as President and CEO of the Elizabethtown-based marketing and communications firm Heartland Communications Consultants.
- Kimberly Scarborough, of Elizabethtown, serves as an Obstetrical Educator at Baptist Health Hardin.
- Leroy Keeling, of Bardstown, is a retired dairy farmer and U.S. Army veteran. Keeling was among the very first class of students who attended ECTC when the college opened its doors in 1964.
- Makoto Abe, of Saitama, Japan, serves as Employee Experience and Productivity Manager for Apple Japan Inc.
- Timothy Wells, of Huntsville, Alabama, works with the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Command, where he currently provides analysis for integrated air and missile defense flight testing.
By Ken Howlett, News Director
Contact Ken at ken@k105.com
