Kentucky Young Democrats

Leadership

Elected Officers 2011-2012

Liz Fossett, President   |  

Liz is a 2008 graduate of Georgetown University’s School of Foreign Service, where she focused on Australia and New Zealand Studies, and was President of the school’s College Democrats chapter.  While in DC, Liz worked at Hilltop Public Solutions, a strategic public affairs and political consulting firm.  She is an alumni of the Front Line Leaders Academy, as well as several campaigns in Kentucky, including 2008′s Bruce Lunsford for U.S. Senate  and 2006′s Ken Lucas for U.S. House of Representatives.   Liz is a native of Covington, and currently resides in Lexington, where she is a research assistant for  a local company and is an MBA student at the University of Kentucky.

Brendon Rose, Vice President of Recruitment & Expansion   |  

Andrea Ewen, Vice President of Programming   |  

A resident of Lexington, Andrea graduated from the University of Kentucky with a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration.  She is an administrative assistant to David O’Neill, the Fayette County Property Value Administrator.  Andrea has been active in some form of politics for almost her entire life.  She is currently the President of the Fayette County Young Democrats, former KYD Regional Director, and Host Chair of the 2011 Young Democrats of America National Convention.

Laken Gilbert, Secretary   |   

Laken is a senior at Morehead State University where she is double majoring in both Government and Paralegal Studies. She is from Wallingford, KY and works at the Flemingsburg Dairy Queen where Bill Clinton made an appearance and made his very own ice cream cone. She has had an immense passion for community service, public service and  making a difference in general from a very young age. Laken has worked field for Conway for Senate and is currently interning at the KDP working on the Governor’s race. She is very active in her MSU Student Government, Leading Edge, the Paralegal Club, Societas Pro Legibus, and is the President of MSU College Democrats.

Liles Taylor, Treasurer   |   

Liles graduated from Asbury College with a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications, and a minor in Youth Ministry. He is currently attending Morehead State University, studying for his Master in Public Administration. In October of 2009, Liles was appointed by Governor Steve Beshear to serve on the Kentucky Commission on Community Volunteerism and Service.  He is active in his home church and has served with many faith-based and community organizations; some of which include the Versailles Kiwanis Club, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Relay for Life, Christian Service International, Habitat for Humanity, and Ichthus Ministries. In the summer of 2008, Liles interned under Director Colmon Elridge, in the Governor’s Office of Faith-Based and Community Initiatives. He also serves as Community Service Liaison for the 2011 YDA National Convention in Louisville and Vice President of the Woodford County Young Democrats.

Lauren Ingram, National Committeewoman   |  

Lauren Ingram was born and raised in Maysville, Kentucky in Mason County.  She attended the University of Louisville, graduating from that institution in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and again in 2009 with Juris Doctor.  In October of 2009, Lauren was admitted to the practice of law in the Commonwealth of Kentucky after successful completing the Kentucky Bar Exam.  She is currently employed with the Jefferson County Attorney’s Office as a prosecutor in the Child Support Division. Lauren first became involved in politics in 2004 when she joined the University of Louisville College Democrats.  She currently serves as President of the Louisville Young Democrats and on the Executive Committee of the Metro Democratic Club.  She is also a member of the Board of Directors for Planned Parenthood of Kentucky. When not prosecuting or politicking, Lauren enjoys cooking, yoga, and laughter.

Clint Morris, National Committeeman   |  

Clint Morris is a 2005 graduate of Transylvania University with a Bachelor of Arts in History.  More recently, in 2008, Clint received his Master of Arts in History from the University of Kentucky, where he focused on the “Politics of Poverty” in early 20th Century America and Kentucky.

In addition to serving as KYD’s National Committeeman, Clint is currently Vice President of the Fayette County Young Democrats as well as Director of Outreach for YDA Vice President Colmon Elridge.  He was a 2009 delegate to the YDA National Convention in Chicago, serving as Kentucky’s representative on the Credentials Committee.  Clint is also the Senior Advisor for Policy and Programs for the 2011 YDA National Convention Louisville Host Committee.

Clint has held several positions with Democratic organizations, including:  Chairperson of the College Democrats of Kentucky, Vice Chairperson for Finance of the College Democrats of Kentucky, President and Political Affairs Directory of the Transylvania College Democrats, and College Director for the Fayette County Young Democrats.

Young Democrats of America Officers

Colmon Elridge, Vice President of YDA   |  

A native of Harrison County, Colmon attended Transylvania University and while there held numerous leadership positions, including president of College Democrats of Kentucky.  He also earned a graduate degree at Eastern Kentucky University, where he served as executive vice president for the EKU Student Government Association, president of EKU College Democrats, and vice president of Madison County Young Democrats.  Elected in 2006 as president of Fayette County Young Democrats, Colmon had the distinct honor of introducing then-Senator Barack Obama at a campaign event the following year in Lexington.  He was appointed in 2007 as Executive Assistant to Governor Steve Beshear and in 2008 as Director of the White House Faith Based Initiatives – at 26 years old, the youngest in the nation to hold that position.  Colmon previously served as KYD’s national committeeman.  He lives in Lexington with his wife, Victoria.

Travis Scott, Chair of the YDA Rural Caucus   |  

Travis Scott, 27, is a native of Paintsville and 2004 graduate of Morehead State University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in government and communications (journalism). While in college, Travis served as vice president of the MSU Student Government Association and state secretary of Kentucky 4-H. He has worked as an AmeriCorps volunteer with Lexington Habitat for Humanity and was also a member of the Morehead Area Habitat for Humanity board of directors. Travis has previously served as County Programs Director for the Kentucky Democratic Party, as well as having worked for the Democratic National Committee and the campaigns of Governor Steve Beshear, State Representative Sannie Overly, and State Senate candidates Kathy Groob and Scott Alexander.

Nikki Turner, Secretary/Treasurer of YDA College Caucus   |  

A native of Graves County, Nikki got an early start in politics by serving on her high school’s Young Democrats Club Executive Board for three consecutive years. Nikki is a student at the University of Louisville double majoring in Political Science and Economics, where she serves as the College Democrats President.  She also serves as the Membership Director for the Kentucky College Democrats and is a Finance Committee member of the College Democrats of America. Nikki is also active within the UofL Student Government Association by serving as a lobbyist. In addition to being a full-time student and these leadership roles, Nikki is a student manager at the “Fund for UofL”, where she fundraises for student scholarships and other academic programs. Nikki aspires to attend graduate school to obtain Juris Doctorate and Master of Business Administration degrees.

Abby Woehrle, Secretary of YDA Women’s Caucus   |  

Victoria Elridge, Vice Chair of YDA Disabilities Caucus; Deputy Community Service   | 

Colene Elridge, Diversity and Outreach Director   | 

Jessica Martin, Deputy Chief of Staff for Internal Affairs   | 

Walker Mattox, Deputy Meetings Director   | 

Appointed Directors

Alumni Director   |  

Faith and Community Outreach Director   |   

Communications Director   |  

Emily Gallt, Finance Director |

A native of Lexington, Emily Gallt developed her passion for Kentucky politics after her mom forced her to watch “The West Wing.”  And that’s a true story.  Emily graduated from Centre College in Danville, KY, where she received a BA in Government.  Emily spent the years immediately following her graduation working in finance on various statewide and local races, including Mongiardo for U.S. Senate, Jim Gray for Mayor campaign in Lexington, B.D. Wilson for Agriculture Commissioner and most recently, Alison Lundergan Grimes for Secretary of State.  Emily is an avid supporter of the only publicly owned team in the National Football League, the Green Bay Packers, of which she is a stockholder. Emily currently lives and works in Lexington as a Research Assistant for the National Association of State Chief Information Officers, through the association management company AMR Management Services.

Lee Boyd, Finance Director  |

Lee is a classic Kentucky gentleman. He developed a passion for its citizens and culture after spending his life living and working across the Commonwealth. Orgininally a Danville native He now live in works in Louisville, KY.  Lee earned his MBA from Bellarmine University and BA in Philosophy from Centre College.  He is an Eagle Scout and Elder in the Presbyterian Church.  In the past has served as Regional Finance Director for the Kentucky Democratic Party, Precint Director For the Dine In Danville PAC, Development Consultant Groob for State Senate, Krey for State House, and O’Connell for Jefferson County Attorney.  He is currently serves as Finance Director and Region 6 Director for the Kentucky Young Democrats and Social Activities Director for the Louisville Young Democrats.

Minority Outreach Director   | 

Will Emmons, Political Director   |  

A Yellow Dog Democrat from birth, Madison County native Will Emmons recently returned from an extended adventure in New England that involved an honors degree in Africana Studies from Brown University, running a dark horse progressive for Patrick Kennedy’s old congressional seat, and some stories that can’t be repeated here.  Will is a veteran of the labor and immigrants’ rights movements and has a strong commitment to the values of the Democratic Party.  These days he makes a living working for the family political consulting firm.  He was recently admitted to the University of Kentucky College of Law.

Regional Directors

We also have a number of regional directors supporting the hard work of our county, regional, college, and high school chapters across the Commonwealth.  Find your regional director!