The Hall of Fame award recognizes an individual or local business for their long-term contributions to our economy and community. This year’s award was given to Ronnie Pence, who passed away in November of 2017. Pence’s family was on hand at the Annual Awards Dinner on Thursday, July 11 to accept the award.
Ronnie Pence graduated from West Hardin High School in 1973, the University of Kentucky with a B.S. in accounting in 1977, the Kentucky School of Banking in 1992, and the Graduate School of Banking at Louisiana State University in 2007.
He was a founding member of Kentucky Neighborhood Bank where he served as President/CEO, director and major stockholder until the bank was sold to South Central Bank in 2016. Upon the sale of the bank, he remained as regional president and a director of South Central Bank.
Ronnie was past president of the Association of United States Army local chapter, was a Board of directors member of the Chamber for many years serving on numerous committees and was the 2009 Chairman of the Board. He was a past Board member of the United Way of Central Kentucky….a long-time member of the noon-time Rotary and recognized as a Paul Harris Fellow…and served as President of the club.
He was a graduate of Leadership Elizabethtown in 1997 and was recognized by Elizabethtown Community and Technical College in 2007 as a Distinguished Alumni.
A man of deep faith, Ronnie was a charter member of Crossroads Baptist Church where he served as one of the Elders and gave significant time and talent to numerous committees.
He was an avid golfer, beach lover, die hard University of Kentucky fan and loved to travel the world with his wife, the love of his life and best friend, Nancy, where they visited many different countries.
And…He liked to have more fun, too. Many years ago, Ronnie and a group of employees participated in a Metro United Way Lip Sync Contest at the Heartland Festival. They won 1st place in the Up & Comers category and the Tops with Props Division award… the theme song was “Best Dressed Man.” There is some speculation that is when he got his nickname “The Silver Fox”.
