Directory

Our board is made up of educators in several different capacities. There are P-12 educators, educators at the collegiate level, and educators of alternative instruction. Each member is representative of our STEM forward mission. Their specializations include Engineering, Math, Science, Technical and Cultural Innovations, Communications, Marketing and Branding, Gaming, Music and Writing, Sociology, Service, and Citizenship. The board strive to provide a hands on and problem based learning experience to promote excellence in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math.

Board and Directors

Gary’s entrepreneurial pursuits have included real estate, marketing, and financial advising.  Gary studied at the University of Louisville... 

Email: garystratton1965@gmail.com

 Kelley joined TH in June 2017.  She is the 9th Executive Director of Thorn Hill.  She graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a ... 

Email: kelley.anderson@ffclc.com

Currently working As Secretary/Treasurer of Alton Christian Church, as well as offering financial services to assist entrepreneurs... 

Email: JamieRUe@rocketmail.com

President and Founder of the Cyclones Foundation, Coach Malik is a graduate of Sullivan University. 

Email: cyclones40601@gmail.com

Allen has a unique background of technical and cultural innovation centered on the creation ... 

Email: contact@fcfi.space

Tisa Monique Conway-Cunningham, daughter of Clara M. Cunningham and stepdaughter of James Samuel ...

Email: evejusme@gmail.com

Mrs. Krystal Conway-Cunningham is a high school math and science teacher at FIS.

Email: klconway34@gmail.com

Advisory Board

Krystal Conway-Cunningham

Board Co-ChairCommunity Ties and Education
Life:
  • Krystal Conway-Cunningham is from Birmingham, Alabama.
  • She is married to her partner, Tisa Conway-Cunningham.
  • Krystal and Tisa live in Frankfort, Kentucky with Krystal's mother Shana Conway and their pet Kane. 
  • They are co-owners of C-Squared Creations 502, LLC.

Bryan Parker

Board Co-ChairEngineering and Tech
Life:
  • Bryan, a native of Frankfort, has a passion for empowering people from all walks of life and is a licensed civil engineer with experience in environmental remediation and design.
  • His wife Natasha is an experienced US Army Reservist and they share an appreciation for science. 

Avery Young

Music and Writing
Life:
  • Born and Raised in Detroit, MI 
  • DJ, Emcee & Music Producer 
  • A&R for Rise the Mag 
  • Lover of Music, Pop Culture & Aquatic Animals  

Tish Shade

President/CEO Frankfort AreaChamber of Commerce Life:
  • Wife, mother of 8, grandmother of 8
  • Love to travel and see new places
  • Love to be on the water
  • Love to help others
Email: klconway34@gmail.com
Email: uk.bryan.parker@gmail.com
Email: asyoung10@protonmail.com
Email: tish@frankfortky.info
Learn More
Education:
  • Krystal earned an Associate Degree in Liberal Studies from Kentucky State University.
  • She went on to earn a Bachelor's Degree in Chemistry with a minor in Mathematics from the same university.
  • Subsequently, she obtained a Master's Degree in Environmental Studies from Kentucky State University.
  • Krystal also has a Master’s Degree in Education and is working towards her Doctorate in P-12 Administration at Morehead State University.

Career:
  • Krystal is a math and science teacher at Frankfort High School and an ambassador for GoTeach Ky.
  • She is a member of the Black Female Artists of Frankfort.
  • Krystal is a board member of Josephine Sculpture Park and on the advisory council for the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation.
  • She is also a published author.
Learn More
Education:
  • Bryan is nearly finished with his Master of Science in Civil Engineering degree from the University of Louisville and hopes to use it at the Center to foster a love of science and guide future engineers.

Work: 
  • Currently, Bryan works for Frankfort's Sewer Department designing and maintaining infrastructure. 
  • He also serves in the Kentucky National Guard as the state's Preventive Medicine Officer. 
Learn More
Education:
  • KSU: Bachelor of Arts - English, Focus in Creative Writing  
  • KSU: Master of Public Administration; Focus in International Development  

Work: 
  • Academia (Secondary & Post-Secondary) 
  • State Government 
  • Creative Writing Consultant 
  • Music & Entertainment Consultant
Learn More
Education:
  • Colorado State University
  • Villanova University
  • IOM, US Chamber of Commerce
  • Leadership Frankfort
  • Leadership Central Kentucky
 Work:
  • President/CEO of the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce

Chuck Fletcher

Board Member - Education Life:
  • 1- Son “Gaylen”
  • 4- Grandchildren, Whitley, Ashley, Christian, and Sara Kate
  • Tennis/walking/running
  • Meeting People
  • Speaking to groups

Swagata Banerjee, Ph.D.

Eduaction
Life:
  • Academician
  • Musician
  • Award-Winning Artist/Songwriter
  • Lover of Film, Art, Food, Fashion, Kids, Animals/Pets, and Nature 

Andrea Giusti

Marketing and Branding
Life:
  • She is originally from Louisville, Kentucky
  • Her passion lies with building community, education and working with youth; she looks forward to forming new relationships while becoming involved in Franklin County

Arlene Crabtree

Education
Life:
  • Married to Greg Crabtree
  • 3 children
  • 2 grandchildren 
  • Current resident of Woodford County, process of moving to Switzer
Email: chuckfletcherkiwanis@gmail.com
Email: Swagata.Banerjee@kysu.edu
Email: Andrea@expree.org 
Email: arlene.crabtree1378@gmail.com
Learn More
Education:
  • Cumberland University-BA
  • Morehead State University- MA
  • Western Kentucky University- (additional studies)
  • University of Louisville- (additional studies)

Work:
  • August 2012-Present- Kentucky Department of Education, Management Information Consultant
  • 1979-2010- Worked in the Anderson County Schools, Lawrenceburg, Kentucky
  • 2004-Appointed as Frankfort City Commissioner
  • 2004-Retired- Anderson County School Administrator-Pupil Transportation Director
  • 2009-Present-Appointed to serve on Frankfort/Franklin County Board of Adjustment
Learn More
Education:
  • B.S. in Economics (University of Calcutta - Kolkata, India)
  • M.S. in Economics (specialization: International Economics) (University of Calcutta - Kolkata, India)
  • M.S. in Resource and Applied Economics (University of Nevada - Reno, NV)
  • Ph.D. in Agricultural Economics (University of Georgia - Athens, GA)
Work:
  • Academic (Teaching, Research, Service, Outreach, and Policy)
Learn More
Education:
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Communications from Georgetown College

Work:
  • Chief Marketing Officer of Expree Credit Union since Dec 2021
  • She works on forming relationships with credit union members, Franklin County residents and business partners
  • Andrea has been in the marketing and advertising industry for 25+ years, while also being involved in several non-profit organizations such as Georgetown Kiwanis and Relay for Life
  • She actively participates in events at the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce and serves on its Education Committee, Community Development Committee and as a Chamber Ambassador., community theater groups, Parks and Recreation, etc
Learn More
Education:
  • Undergraduate: Secondary Math Education, University of Kentucky
  • Masters: Master of Arts in Education-Teacher Leader, Georgetown College
  • Rank 1: Master of Arts in Education-School Improvement, Georgetown College

Work:
  • Frankfort Independent Schools, 7 years
    • Currently:
      • District Technology Integration Specialist
      • Career Tech Ed Leader
      • Student Council Sponsor
      • E-Sports Coach
    • Previously:
      • Information Technology Teacher
      • Computer Science Teacher
      • Math Teacher
  • Kentucky State University
    • Adjunct Faculty
      • Math

Sarah Booe

Marketing and Social Media Life:
  • Frankfort native
  • Aspiring world traveler
  • Professional coffee drinker

Kevin Jones

IT and Logistics
Life:
  • Married with 2 daughters 
  • Born and raised in Dayton KY.
  • Blackbelt in Taekwondo and instructor 

Sam Saarinen, Ph.D.

Education andNext Generation Technology
Life:
  • Published author
  • award-winning instructor
  • doting husband
  • semi-professional rapper

Bill Klier

Community Ties and Funding
Life:
  • My wife and I are five year residents of Frankfort and love it here
  • Currently I volunteer at the Franklin County Humane Society, Together Frankfort, and the Franklin Center for Innovation
  • My passions are the outdoors, gardening, animal welfare, environmental concerns, and all things that benefit children. 
Email: sbooe@rebeccaruth.com
Email: Blackcat.jones69@gmail.com
Email: sam@edapt.app
Email: wmklier@gmail.com
Learn More
Education:
  • BBA, Marketing & Management, University of Kentucky

Work:
  • Operations Manager at Rebecca Ruth Candy
Learn More
Education:
  • Bachelor of Science,  Computer Science, Kentucky State University 

Work:
  • 30yr Army Veteran
  • Currently Lieutenant Colonel Kentucky Army National Guard in Logistics.
  • Deployed to Afghanistan in 2009
Learn More
Education:
  • Ph.D. from Brown University

Work:
  • Applying AI to education at scale
Learn More
Education:
  • Degree in Organizational Management from Midway University.

Career:
  • I am retired from Community Trust Bank, Inc.
  • I worked as a lender and branch manager in Versailles and am grateful to that community and to Community Trust Bank for a full and wonderful career.
  • As a community banker I held numerous positions in the community including, President of the local Chamber of Commerce, Scoutmaster, treasurer of a local church, and others as time required.

Community Outreach Committee

Tisa Conway-Cunningham

Community Ties and EducationCommittee Chair
Life:
  • Tisa Conway-Cunningham is from Frankfort, Kentucky.
  • She is married to her partner, Krystal Conway-Cunningham.
  • They live in Frankfort with Tisa's mother-in-law Shana Conway and their pet "fur baby" Kane. 
  • Both are co-owners of C-Squared Creations 502, LLC.

Anthony "Roni" Robinson

Community Ties
Life:
  • He is a native of Frankfort and Franklin County, the husband of Amber Robinson and father to Anthony, Amyah and Aliyana Robinson. 

Edward "Eddie" Fowler

Community Garden
Life:
  • Life long resident of Frankfort
  • 12 years volunteering with community garden organization
  • Constant tinker and maker of things from woodcraft to cooking and everything in-between

Diana Peters

Community Relations
 Life:
  • Current volunteer at the Paul Sawyier Library bookstore
  • Kiwanis member
  • Serve on Friends of the Library Board
  • Art lover
Email: evejusme@gmail.com
Email: bridgingthegap1024@gmail.com 
Email: edbfowler@gmail.com
Email: dianapeters107@gmail.com
Learn More
Education:
  • Tisa has two Bachelor's Degrees in Business Administration (Management) and Mass Communications (Print Journalism). 
  • She is pursuing a Master's in Environmental Studies at Kentucky State University. 
  • Tisa is also completing her Culinary Arts Degree.

Career:
  • Tisa is an instructional Assistant at Frankfort High School.
  • She is a member of the Black Female Artists of Frankfort.
  • Tisa is on the Advisory Council for the Wanda Joyce Robinson Foundation.
  • She is a published author.
Learn More
Education:
  • In 1997 he graduated from Franklin county high school, having earned impressive stats in football (5,000 yards rushing) and basketball (2,300 points).
  • He furthered his education at Kentucky State University where he played for all four years. He is currently second at KSU in rushing all time. 

Work:
  • He is the founder of Bridging The Gap and Just Grind Performance LLC, which seek to activate individual performance through sports training, event planning and philanthropy.
Learn More
Education:
  • Ph.D. from Brown University

Work:
  • Applying AI to education at scale
Learn More
Education:
  • BS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisville
  • MS, Mechanical Engineering, University of Louisville

Work:
  • Part owner of Singing Whale Farm
  • Currently developing a commercial mushroom growing operation
Learn More
Education:
  • Western Kentucky University  B.A. degree
  • Kentucky State University  Master's Degree in Public Administration   

Work:
  • Taught 8th grade CORE at Waggoner Junior High, Louisville, Kentucky
  • Worked in state government for 34 years
  • Sold advertising for Capital Living