Barren Inc. announces award recipients at Sybil Leamon Volunteer Awards

GLASGOW, Ky. –  On Thursday morning, the Barren County Chamber of Commerce, hosted the annual Sybil Leamon Volunteer Awards to recognize the efforts of community members.

According to a release by Barren Inc., the event highlighted the Ambassador of the Year, Board Member of the Year and The Sybil Leamon Volunteer of the Year.

The Ambassador of the Year award honors an individual who consistently surpasses expectations in their role as a chamber ambassador.

This year’s recipient, Tyler Travis of Comparion Insurance Agency, has been a dedicated Ambassador since 2023, according to Barren Inc. The chamber says he actively supports them by recruiting new members and strengthening connections with existing ones. Travis is a graduate of the 2023 Lead Forward: Leadership Barren County program and serves on the Chamber Foundation Board. Beyond his work with Barren Inc., Travis also contributes to the community through his role on the Salvation Army board.

Meanwhile, the Board Member of the Year is a distinction given to a Chamber Board of Directors member who demonstrates exceptional leadership and dedication.

This year’s award recipient was Kole Wilkinson of Wilkinson Property Group, who has played a key part in launching the Young Professionals of Barren County program.

The chamber says Wilkinson has amplified the Chamber’s vision and mission through social media and played a crucial role in advancing the Chamber’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, focusing on community competitiveness projects. A 2022 graduate of the Lead Forward: Leadership Barren County program, Wilkinson also served as the 2024 President of the Board for the South Central Kentucky Association of REALTORS, Inc.

The final and most prestigious award, The Sybil Leamon Volunteer of the Year, is named in honor of the late Sybil Leamon and celebrates an individual whose unwavering commitment to service embodies the spirit of community.

This year’s recipient, Scott Kerley of Kerley Construction Co., Inc., has been a cornerstone of Barren Inc.’s transformation from a transactional organization to a more dynamic, transformative one. The chamber says Kerley has served as an ambassador, ambassador chair and chairman of the Board of Directors. In 2023, when Barren Inc. was named a finalist for Chamber of the Year, Kerley traveled to Salt Lake City to support the team during the convention. Outside the Chamber, Kerley serves as President of his BNI chapter and is a devoted member of the Kiwanis Club. Through Kiwanis, he spearheaded the creation of Movies at the Park with Nemak, bringing families together for community-centered events.

News 40 congratulaties all award recipients.