H. Gippy Graham, Mayor
On January 1, 2009 Gippy Graham began his tenure as mayor of Frankfort. His experiences include serving as Franklin County's state representative; as associate superintendent, Office of Adult and Community Education in the Kentucky Department of Education; and administrative assistant to the commissioner of the Kentucky Department of Highways.
While serving as state representative, Mayor Graham was a member of the Kentucky Long Term Policy Board; a member of the Council on Postsecondary Education's Equal Opportunity Committee; chair of the Program Review and Investigation Committee; and held membership on the Education, Economic Development, Agriculture and Small Business, Tourism, and Seniors, Military Affairs and Public Safety committees.
Mayor Graham has also been a public school teacher, coach, and counselor and served as assistant professor, coach and department chair at the college level.
Mayor Graham is a United States Air Force veteran.
Honors and awards Mayor Graham has received include: the Kentucky National Guard's Kentucky Distinguished Service Award, the Kentucky Court of Justice' Civitas International Award; Paul Sullivan Award from the Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce; the Kentucky Public Retiree's Harry Lee Waterfield Award; and the National Community Education Hall of Fame.
Kathy Carter, City Commissioner and Mayor Pro Tem
Kathy Carter has been a Frankfort resident since 1965. She was born in Hazard, Kentucky, and lived her childhood years in Breathitt County. Her father was a Greyhound Bus driver, and he was transferred to Louisville after she completed her sophomore year at Breathitt County High. She graduated from duPont Manual High, attended one year at Eastern Kentucky State College, now known as Eastern Kentucky University.
Following one year of business school, Kathy accepted a position as principal clerk stenographer with the Department of Education in Frankfort. During her 27+ years with state government, Kathy held several supervisory roles, which included an administrative section supervisor, a branch manager, and acted in the position of assistant to the Deputy Superintendent of Public Instruction. She also worked in the Department of Highways, Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, Office of the Attorney General, and retired from the Department of Education.
Kathy was married to Frankfort native, Bernard Taylor (Bernie) Carter for 19 years, and has one son, Mark. Since Bernie's untimely death in 1990, she has retired from state government, volunteered for eight years with the US Forest Service in Morehead working in the visitor's center and with the interpretive services program. She also volunteered with the opening of the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources' Salato Center, and volunteered for the Nature Preserves Commission.
The following are Kathy's past and present involvements in civic activities:
CURRENT POSITIONS HELD:
- Currently serving third term as City Commissioner/Mayor Pro Tem
- World Equestrian Games (WEI) Committee
- Joint Land Use Policy Study Committee
- River Development Steering Committee
AWARDS
- 2005 POESI Bronze Award - Kentucky League of Cities
- 2006 Community Support Award - Frankfort/Franklin County Community Education
- 2007 POESI Silver Award - Kentucky League of Cities
- 2009 POESI Silver Award - Kentucky League of Cities
- 2009 NAACP Outstanding Woman of the Year Award
ACTIVELY INVOLVED IN:
- Member of Kiwanis Club
- Warder, Order of Eastern Star- Hiram Chapter 93
- Legislative Chair, Ladies' Auxiliary VFW 4075
- President, Frankfort Optimist Club
- Chamber of Commerce
Graduate of Leadership Frankfort - Kentucky State Police Professional Association (KSPPA)
- Random Homemakers
- Frankfort Woman's Club
- Daughters of American Revolution (DAR)
- Holmes Street Neighbors Association
- Senior Citizens
- Kentucky Public Retirees (KPR)
FORMER POSITIONS:
- Chair of the Code Enforcement Board for the City of Frankfort
- Board Member, Holmes Street Neighbors Association
- Civil Air Patrol - Supervised female cadets at Oshkosh, Wisconsin-one being a recipient of the Sally Ride Scholarship.
- Board Member, Kiwanis Club
- Committee Member, Franklin County Home Health Advisory Committee
Kathy initiated the Capital Rally in 2002, which is an old-fashioned political stump speaking, located on the grounds of the Old State Capital each year. She served as chair of this event for the first two years.
Former State Representative Gippy Graham enlisted her assistance with his campaign for Secretary of State in 2003. She became his campaign manager, traveled throughout the state, and represented him at several statewide candidate forums.
During the past eight years, Kathy has been involved with the revitalization of Chinn Avenue in the Holmes Street area. She has purchased eight of the ten houses on this street, gutted them, and restored them to very livable and desirable homes. Former and current tenants include two state representatives, a director of a state agency, a deputy commissioner of a state agency, a major with Kentucky State Police, a City of Frankfort police officer, an assistant to the Speaker of the House, and a manager of a local business, plus other responsible persons/families.
Kathy also enjoys excitement in her life. Her highlights include bird hunting at Park Falls, Wisconsin, and Morehead with Sofie, her English Setter, dog sledding in Minnesota for a week, "assisted" in flying a WWII Texan T-6 training plane, jumped out of a perfectly good airplane (tandem style) at 10,000 feet, and a covered wagon train trip in the Grand Tetons. She likes to visit antique stores, yard sales, and flea markets.
Kathy's' belief is similar to former President John F. Kennedy's statement in his inaugural address "Don't ask what your community can do for you - Ask what you can do for your community."
Sellus Wilder, City Commissioner
Sellus Wilder is serving his first term on the City Commission. He is a local filmmaker and a Frankfort native. Sellus is a 2004 graduate of Beloit College in Wisconsin with degrees in acting and directing. He resides in South Frankfort with his wife and daughter.
Sellus believes we all deserve to live in a healthy community with a strong economy and a high quality of life. He knows that Frankfort can't realize its full potential by relying on the government alone. Sellus wants to encourage community members all over town to build neighborhood associations and community gardens, to pay more attention to city government, and to play an active role in moving Frankfort forward.
You can learn more about Sellus and his hopes for Frankfort at SellusWilder.com . You can also explore a community calendar, and discover some new ways to get involved with your neighborhood.
William I. May, City Commissioner
Frankfort native William I. May, Jr. took office as City Commissioner in January 2009. He served as Mayor of Kentucky's capital city from 1996 to 2009, but due to a Constitutional three term limit was unable to run for a fourth consecutive term. He is the first Mayor to succeed himself since the 1800's.
Commissioner May was born March 19, 1959. He is a graduate of Frankfort High School and Kentucky State University.
Community service has been an important part of life for Commissioner May. He believes it is important to have a strong community where there are opportunities for all of Frankfort's citizens. Commissioner May and his family pull the community together annually to sponsor "Coats for Kids", a project that provides brand new winter coats for all school children in need in Frankfort and Franklin County. In 1987, Commissioner May was awarded the Community Service Award for "Coats for Kids", but he is quick to point out that this is a project where everyone makes it a success.
Some of the civic organizations Commissioner May has been involved with include Frankfort Rotary Club, Frankfort/Franklin County Chamber of Commerce, Boy Scouts of America District Chairman, Salvation Army of Frankfort Advisory Board, Frankfort Jaycees - President, Frankfort Arts Foundation - Board of Directors, P. U. S. H. Infant and Preschool - Board of Directors, Capitol Expo - Board of Directors.
Commissioner May has received the NAACP President's Award and the Kentucky Sheriffs' Association President's Award.
Public safety, youth, senior citizens, the arts and neighborhood drainage problems are some of the issues Commissioner May has worked hard to address during his tenure as Mayor. Commissioner William I. May, Jr. is committed to making Frankfort one of the safest, most livable cities in America, where everyone has an equal opportunity for success.
Rodney Williams, City Commissioner
Rodney is serving his third term as City Commissioner. He is married to Carrie Williams, and they have three children - Trevor, Noelyn, and Tatum. The Williams are members of Capital City Christian Church. Rodney is the Frankfort Market President with Citizens Commerce National Bank.
Rodney is a 1994 graduate of Georgetown College where he earned a bachelor of science degree in finance and economics.
Service organizations that Rodney has been involved with over the past several years include The Frankfort Area Chamber of Commerce - past president and current board member, The Capital Sunrise Rotary Club - charter member and past president, The Frankfort YMCA - board member, The Franklin County Industrial Development Authority - board member, The United Way of Franklin County - past chair of annual campaign, and Leadership Central Kentucky - board member.
Rodney believes strongly that public service is everyone's privilege and responsibility, and he invites and encourages all citizens to be informed about their local government and its impact on the quality of life in our community. "The more engaged the public is, the more effective its local government is capable of being."
