OWL ANNOUNCES NEW BOARD CHAIR, NANCY BROWN, AND NEW BOARD MEMBERS

LEXINGTON (October 17, 2024) – Opportunity for Work & Learning is pleased to announce the appointment of Nancy Brown as Chair of the OWL Board of Directors. Nancy receives the reins from Karen Hawkins who has served on the board since 2022. OWL also welcomes two new board members: Gordon Garrett and August “Gus” Johannsen.

Nancy Brown

Nancy Brown currently works at the Kentucky Science and Technology Corporation (KSTC) and serves as the Executive Director of the Kentucky APEX Accelerator, the primary program for government contracting assistance in Kentucky. There, she oversees seven offices across the commonwealth that help businesses with government contracting readiness.

Before entering government contracting, Nancy supported disadvantaged women by leading a program focused on workforce development and self-sufficiency. Additionally, Nancy facilitated multi-million-dollar communications and marketing initiatives for Valvoline Headquarters and the University of Kentucky HealthCare.

Early in her career, Nancy worked at Queen Rania of Jordan’s Public Relations office, where she played a pivotal role in establishing new press and communications processes for the queen. In this role, Nancy communicated with the queen daily and researched microloan programs for women-owned startups in the Middle East.

Nancy’s academic and training achievements are a testament to her expertise. She holds a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies from the University of Kentucky, a Leadership Principals Certificate from Harvard Business School, a Financial Management Certificate from Cornell University, and a Project Management Professional (PMP) certificate from the Project Management Institute. Nancy is also fluent in written and spoken Arabic.

Gordon Garrett has over forty years of experience in technical and business leadership roles. He has excelled at both business starts and business turn-around endeavors. Gordon formed, grew and sold three high-tech related businesses serving the health care sector.

Gordon has served as interim CEO for multiple start-up and existing business clients. Additionally, Gordon has served as a management consultant to notable clients such as Phillip-Morris Corporation, MCI, Seaton Medical Center, Greater Baltimore Medical Center, Florence (SC) Medical Center, Kentucky Housing Corporation, Clark Material Handling Corporation, the State of West Virginia Economic Development Office & Office of Health and Human Services, and Raytheon – Navy Mentor Protégé program.

He has immersed himself in the study of information technology and its implications for management. With undergraduate degrees in Computer Science and Business, he also earned an MBA in Finance. Additionally, he is a certified technology commercialization consultant and certified turnaround professional.

Gordon joined the University of Kentucky Commercialization and Economic Development in 2006, and has consulted with hundreds of companies, performed over 80 turnarounds and is responsible for over $150M in capital investments.

Gordon was recently Business Development Platform Manager with Advantage Kentucky Alliance (AKA), the NIST, MEP affiliate in Kentucky. Gordon and his team provided business development services as well as cyber security services for AKA’s clientele.

August “Gus” Johannsen is an employment litigation attorney in Lexington, with the law firm Littler Mendelson. Originally from southern California, he also lived in Virginia and Washington DC before finally settling down in Kentucky seven years ago. Gus is committed to community engagement and maintains an active pro bono practice focused on access to justice issues.

As a dedicated volunteer, Gus has served as a Court Appointed Special Advocate with CASA of Lexington, has championed animal rescue efforts by fostering over 100 kittens for the Scott County Humane Society, and contributed to the Central Kentucky Youth Orchestra as a Board member.

Gus’ volunteerism also features an impressive history of pro bono legal work, including providing free legal information and representation on a variety of topics such as expungement and assistance for non-citizens unconstitutionally detained in jail through partnerships with Fayette County Legal Help Center, Legal Aid of the Bluegrass, and National Immigrant Justice Center. After the floods in Eastern Kentucky in August 2022, Gus organized a group of colleagues from his law firm to travel to Letcher County to help local residents appeal FEMA denials.

Aside from his legal practice, Gus is a casual “foodie” who is always excited to try a new restaurant or cook a new dish at home. He is also kept busy chasing his daredevil toddler daughter and “her” pets (4 cats and 1 dog).

“We are proud to welcome these accomplished leaders to our board,” says Tony Higgins, President & CEO of OWL. “Their talent and commitment will be invaluable as we continue to advance our mission of assisting people requiring support in obtaining and maintaining employment.”

The 2025 OWL Board of Directors are: chair, Nancy Brown (Kentucky APEX Accelerator); vice chair, Phil Blandford (Cintas); secretary, Cassie Carter (Dinsmore); treasurer, Tyrone Tyra (Commerce Lexington); Tom Miller (Building Industry Association of Central Kentucky); Mark Manuel (BCTC); Gordon Garrett (Montrose Business Development Services); and August “Gus” Johannsen (Littler Mendelson P.C.).

OWL thanks outgoing board members Karen Hawkins (Hawkins HR Consulting) and Sam Reinhardt (Horseracing Integrity and Safety Authority) for their years of service and dedication.