The 2026-27 Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts Executive Board, from left, Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry, treasurer; City of Franklin citizen member Steve Thurmond, past chair; Clay County citizen member Penny Robinson, second vice chair; Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton, chairman; and KCADD Executive Director Casey Ellis. Not pictured are Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton, first vice chair, and Louisa Mayor Harold Slone, secretary. (Picture Credit: KCADD/Facebook)
Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton has been appointed as chairman of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts Executive Board.
According to a release, Cotton represents the Pennyrile Area Development District, which covers Caldwell, Christian, Crittenden, Hopkins, Livingston, Lyon, Muhlenberg, Todd, and Trigg counties. He takes over the chairman role from former Magoffin County Judge Executive Matt Wireman, who represented the Big Sandy Area Development District.
Cotton has dedicated his career to serving Madisonville in a variety of roles, including EMT, firefighter, fire marshal, business owner, and now mayor. Officials said Cotton is a lifelong advocate for his community and co-founded Breaking Bread Ministries and owns Brothers Bar-B-Que LLC.
Additionally, Cotton serves on several state and regional boards, such as the Kentucky League of Cities and the Madisonville-Hopkins County Economic Development Corporation. In 2025, he was honored as the Elected Official of the Year by the Kentucky League of Cities for his innovative leadership and strong support of the Western Kentucky Police Academy.
Board Executive Director Casey Ellis said in a written statement that Cotton’s extensive local government experience, strategic vision, and proven collaborative leadership will be tremendous assets to the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts and the districts they serve across the commonwealth.
PeADD Executive Director Jason Vincent echoed Ellis’s statement and said he is confident Mayor Cotton’s leadership at the state level will strengthen partnerships and amplify the voice of local governments and communities across Kentucky.
In addition, Webster County Judge-Executive Steven Henry, representing the Green River Area Development District, was appointed as treasurer of the Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts.
The 2026-2027 Kentucky Council of Area Development Districts’ complete slate of officers is as follows:
Madisonville Mayor Kevin Cotton (Pennyrile ADD), chairman
Anderson County Judge/Executive Orbrey Gritton (Bluegrass ADD), first vice chair
Clay County citizen member Penny Robinson (Cumberland Valley ADD), second vice chair
Louisa Mayor Harold Slone (FIVCO ADD), secretary
Webster County Judge/Executive Steve Henry (Green River ADD), treasurer
City of Franklin citizen member Steve Thurmond (Barren River ADD), past chairman
