FRANKFORT, Ky. – Hardin County Chamber of Commerce President and Chief Executive Officer Brad Richardson was named the Chamber Executive of the Year by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Executives, a statewide association of chamber of commerce professionals.

Receiving the award Thursday at KCCE’s spring conference in Frankfort, Richardson was recognized for outstanding achievements, program development and implementation and his involvement in KCCE and other professional organizations.

“Under Brad’s leadership, the chamber has transformed into an organization with a clear and strengthened focus to support the business community,” said Ray Springsteen, Chamber Board Chairman and Fort Knox Federal Credit Union Executive Vice President. “That’s providing value to our local businesses and we’re proud to see Brad’s accomplishments celebrated.”

That value is based on four pillars of support – Network, Promote, Develop and Advocate. With this focus, the chamber has implemented more opportunities for members to grow their network, promote their business and develop professionally. These include lunch mobs, cash mobs, professional development seminars, the Business at Breakfast program and upgraded digital communications tools. The chamber also has worked to give members of the local business community a voice with their elected representatives.

In an effort to further member support, Richardson recently led the chamber to hire a relationship manager who provides greater personalized support to members. Additionally, he led the chamber to partner with Hardin County Schools and Junior Achievement on the school system’s Work Ethic Certification program.

“I’m honored to receive the award and am equally honored to serve the chamber and the Hardin County business community,” Richardson said. “But this is a team award. The chamber is fortunate to have a top-notch staff and a wide network of talented volunteers who are passionate about Hardin County’s growth and quality of life.”

“The award puts another spotlight on Hardin County for audiences throughout the state and beyond,” said Marilyn Ford, Chamber Board Chairwoman Elect and President/COO of First Citizens Bank. “People considering Hardin County as a place to start or grow their business will be pleased to find community leaders who are standouts within their professions.”

Richardson joins a long list of Hardin Countians who have been recognized as statewide leaders in their professions in the last year including Superintendent of the Year Nanette Johnston of Hardin County Schools; Community Professional of the Year Rick Games of the Elizabethtown-Hardin County Industrial Foundation; 2013 Outstanding County Attorney Jenny Oldham; and Police Chief of the Year Tracy Schiller of the Elizabethtown Police Department.

Richardson, who joined the chamber as president and CEO in 2011, serves a number of community organizations, boards and committees including the Hardin County YMCA Steering Committee, the Lincoln Trail Workforce Investment Board, the Elizabethtown-Fort Knox Business Roundtable, the CORE Committee, a group that works to protect and grow operations at Fort Knox, and the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors.