People Behind Derby Festival®
The Kentucky Derby Festival has become the region’s largest annual production with a cast and crew of thousands. Before the event stage comes to life each spring, the many people behind the scenes spend all year scripting, rehearsing and developing the “big show.”
The Festival is a private, nonprofit organization that was created by volunteers. And though it is now managed by a professional paid staff, it is still overseen by a volunteer board and fueled by the manpower of more than 4,000 friends and neighbors. Click on the links below to learn more about the groups of people that come together each year to produce FUN for the entire community. And you just may decide you want to join us!
Michael E. Berry
Gov. Andy Beshear
Martha Layne Collins
Barbara Price Cordery*
Hon. Craig Greenberg
John R. Guthrie
Earl Ruby* (F)
Ray Wimberg* (F)
Mike Ziemianski*
* Deceased
(F) Kentucky Derby Festival Founder
Matt Gibson – President & CEO
Aimee Boyd – Vice President of Communications & Media Relations
Erin Bero – Sponsorship Sales Manager
Jennifer Bray – Customer Experience Manager
Zach Fisher – Vice President of Events
Joanie Lepping Gillis – Sponsorship Sales Manager
Cadeja Hays – Event Manager
Molly Heim – Digital Content Specialist
Dodie Howlett – Vice President of Marketing & Creative Strategy
Cynthia Jackson – Customer Service Representative
Chris Martini – Event Manager
Anna Miller – Director of Production
Carl Mittelsten – Executive Assistant/Board Liaison
Jennifer Morgan – Director of Merchandising
Anissa Newkirk – Merchandise Manager
Jayme Perez – Sponsorship Sales Manager
Christa Ritchie – Communications Manager
Veronica Roessler – Event Manager
Tim Whitten – Director of Finance
April Zik – Vice President of Sponsorships
JOIN TEAM KDF!
No volunteers, no Festival! It’s that simple! Without the help of some 4,000 committed citizens, the Derby Festival would not be the grand civic celebration it has become. With nearly 70 events, production of even a portion of the Festival would be impossible without volunteer support.
From entertaining lost children at Thunder to hosting bands at the parade, volunteers serve on committees that work throughout the year to guarantee Festival fun and safety for the community. In addition, many serve on one-day events performing duties such as handing out water at the GE Appliances Marathon/miniMarathon, hosting a marching band for the Republic Bank Pegasus Parade or selling buckets of golf balls at the $1 Million Dollar Hole-in-One Contest.
If you are interested in volunteering for the Derby Festival, please register here.
