Kentucky FAME - Cumberlands Chapter

The Cumberlands Chapter newest Cohort 12 recently attended the sponsoring employer's orientation. They heard from President Jeremy Brown with UGN, Inc., Vice President Jordan Hicks with American Woodmark Monticello Plant, and Success Coach Lori Carrender with Somerset Community College. They were joined by Cohort 11 who helped teach portions of the agenda and shared their experiences in the program.

They learned about work safety, culture, and expectations. Many have already started work with their sponsored employer and they will start classes in August.

Congratulations Cohort 12 and Good luck on your FAME journey!

A few weeks ago, we not only celebrated Cohort #10 graduating, but Cohort #11 progressing to second year students.

Graduates presented the Cohort #11 students with their second year black polos. This signifies their success and transition to upper classmen in the program.

Cohort #11 students (sponsoring company)
Braxton Whitman - Toyotetsu America Inc.
Eliot Carter - Camtech Manufacturing Solutions LLC
Alex Ramirez - American Woodmark
Jonas Gallagher - East Kentucky Power Cooperative
Michael Whitaker - Chism Automation
Drew Bell - UGN, Inc. (not pictured)
Chris Glover - Duraflame (not pictured)

Chapter President Michael Morgan with Toyotetsu America Inc., Vice President Jeremy Brown with UGN, Inc., and Hub Administrator Jessica Carlton with SPEDA, attended the The Manufacturing Institute's FAME USA National Conference May 12th-14th in Jacksonville, Florida. They heard from other chapter leaders, hub representatives and college partners for valuable learning opportunities, professional involvement, supportive connections and growth opportunities.

Morgan was part of a 4 person panel discussion "Engage to Recruit: Building a Community Pipeline". Carlton and Brown also participated in a panel discussion titled "Building a FAME Chapter Brand: Best Practices for Promotion". Carlton collaborated on another panel "At the Helm: Mastering the Hub Model for Employer-Led Excellence".

Brad Hall representative/mentor with TTAI, and student Braxton Whitman also attended representing the chapter.

If you would like more information about furthering your education with the chapter or becoming a sponsor, reach out to Carlton at (606) 425-5409 or email [email protected].

We are very proud of all the graduates of the FAME program. When one of them is doing great work and leaving their mark on the community, we want to share their success.

Winston Crawford a graduate in Cohort #4, started his business Limestone Manufacturing soon after graduating from the FAME program. Congratulations on your continued success.

Read more here: https://www.somerset-kentucky.com/community/turning-skills-into-success-the-rise-of-limestone-manufacturing/article_5fcbfa47-5eee-4b29-a7d1-c70faa7b0cb0.html

We would like to thank Mike Morgan for his years of dedication to the KYFAME Cumberlands Chapter. Mike became involved with FAME in 2019 and then named President of the Board of Directors in 2021. Though his time on the board of directors has come to an end, his efforts to his efforts to transform our chapter ​into one of the strongest and most grounded in both Kentucky and the nation, will be felt for many years to come.

We celebrated our graduating Cohort #10 this week, These 11 students earned an associates degrees in applied science: industrial maintenance technology- advanced manufacturing technician (AMT), two years of work experience and many additional certificates at Somerset Community College. Many will go on and work full-time with their employer sponsor.

The FAME program not only provides them with the skills needed in the field, but also teaches them communication, diligence, team work, interpersonal relations and initiative.

Each year one student is awarded for their excellence in their gpa, competency on the job and leadership through the years. This year's award went to Wyatt Smith. He will be recognized at the FAMEUSA National Conference next week in Jacksonville, FL.

We would like to thank you to our Board of Directors, Sponsoring Employers, Somerset Community College and SPEDA for making the FAME program a success.

Congratulations to the Class of 2026!
(list is with sponsoring companies)
Austin Barron - Toyotetsu America Inc.
Kaleb Bentley - Tyson Foods (not pictured)
Denny Britt III - UGN, Inc.
Jerrett Couch - Toyotetsu America, Inc. (TTAI)
Jeff Dixon - Toyotetsu America, Inc. (TTAI) (not pictured)
Waylon Jesse - UGN, Inc.
William King - American Woodmark Monticello Plant
Alex Martinez - Jones Plastic & Engineering, LLC
Stephen Phillips - Toyotetsu America, Inc. (TTAI) (not pictured)
Wyatt Smith - Camtech Manufacturing Solutions LLC
Shannon York - Tyson Foods

Today, Somerset Community College held their annual Going Pro signing day where they recognize distinguished students who are signing a letter of intent with a sponsoring employer to accept a full-time job in their field of study.

Pictured are:

American Woodmark Monticello Plant - William King and Jordan Hicks, KY FAME Cumberlands Chapter Vice President

UGN, Inc. - Denny Britt III and Jeremy Brown, KY FAME Cumberlands Chapter President

Meet the Graduates!

This week's Cumberlands Chapter Graduate Spotlight is Stephen Phillips.

Stephen is a second-year student and will graduate in May 2026. He is currently sponsored by Toyotetsu America Inc. in Somerset, KY. He enjoys enjoys riding motorcycles and spending time with family. His favorite thing about KYFAME is getting on-the-job experience while graduating debt free. His advise for first year students in the FAME program is to stay on top of all your school work so you don't fall behind.

The Cumberlands Chapter congratulates Stephen on his upcoming graduation and his success in the program.