Kentucky State Police Foundation names new board members

FRANKFORT, Ky. —The Kentucky State Police Foundation is welcoming Andrea Walker Rich and Brett Blackwell as the newest members of its Board of Directors.

Walker Rich joined the board on June 10, and Blackwell joined on April 7. KSP Foundation executive director Alison Chavies expressed her excitement about the new additions to the board.

“Andrea and Brett bring a wealth of experience, dedication, and energy to our mission,” Chavies said. “Their leadership will be instrumental in furthering the Foundation’s work to support the brave men and women of the Kentucky State Police and to enhance public safety initiatives across the Commonwealth.”

Walker Rich is a longtime journalist and community advocate with deep roots in Kentucky. She currently serves as a news anchor at FOX 56 in Lexington. Walker Rich comes from a proud law enforcement family, according to the KSP Foundation, including her father and uncle that both served as Jessamine County sheriffs, her husband that serves as a Kentucky State Police trooper and her father-in-law that retired as a major with KSP. She is deeply committed to supporting those who dedicate their lives to public safety and is honored to serve on the Foundation Board.

“The Foundation is more than a cause—it’s a commitment to the brave men and women who serve our communities,” Walker Rich said. “As the daughter, niece, wife and daughter-in-law of law enforcement officers, I’ve seen the dedication and sacrifice behind the badge. I’m proud to be part of an organization that provides real support and recognition for their service.”

Blackwell has been the president and chief operating officer of Corporex Companies since 2024. Brett is a graduate of Northern Kentucky University and has been a board member of the Freestore Foodbank of Greater Cincinnati, Freestore Foodbank of Greater Cincinnati Foundation and Northern Kentucky Education Council. He currently serves as Vice Chair of Commonwealth Hotels and is excited to join the board of the Kentucky State Police Foundation.

“It’s an honor to join the Kentucky State Police Foundation and support an organization that stands behind the troopers who serve and protect our communities daily,” Blackwell said. “I’m proud to contribute to a mission that makes a meaningful impact across Kentucky.”

The Kentucky State Police Foundation was established in 2015 to support the mission of the KSP and its employees through partnerships with the community. Since its inception, the Kentucky State Police Foundation has provided KSP with over $450,000 to support unfunded needs, including recruiting new troopers, providing ballistic harnesses for the K-9 branch, employee training, delivering safety equipment, wellness initiatives and more.

The Kentucky State Police Foundation is seeking community partners and organizations that wish to collaborate with the agency to achieve its mission. For more information about how to support the foundation’s mission, visit its website and Facebook page.

The Kentucky State Police board of directors includes President and Chair Luther Deaton Jr., Vice Chair Carol McIvor, Dr. Robert Hughes, Stewart Perry, Tyler Adkins, Matt Feltner, Attorney General Russell Coleman, Chris Evans, James Stephens, Ex-Officio’s Kentucky State Police Commissioner Phillip Burnett Jr., Sherry Bray and Sgt. Matt Sudduth.