I recently saw a social media post about Brad Kelley — the founder of Commonwealth Brands and one of the largest landowners in the U.S.

Kelley was born in Bowling Green and attended Franklin Simpson High School before embarking on a (very, very, very successful) business career.

It got me to thinking about who would be in a southcentral Kentucky Hall of Fame?

If one were to honor the best-known and most impactful region residents — local folks who became known nationwide — who would be on the list?

A few names came to mind immediately:

•Movie director John Carpenter. While Carpenter was born and spent his first few years in New York state, his formative years were spent in Bowling Green before he headed to the west coast to begin his legendary directing career.

•Musician Sam Bush, credited as one of the founders of “New Grass” music.

•Duncan Hines — the pioneer restaurant critic whose name now adorns cake mix boxes in grocery stores and pantries around the country.

•Professional golfer Kenny Perry, from Franklin.

•Diane Sawyer, the longtime ABC news broadcaster, is from Glasgow.

•Scottsville’s Cal Turner co-founded the Dollar General store chain.

•James Morris, who went from Bowling Green High School to pro wrestling stardom as “Hillbilly Jim.”

•Annie Potts. The actress from Franklin has appeared in dozens of movies and TV shows, from “Ghostbusters” to “Designing Women.”

I’m sure there are many others. Let me know who you would add to the list and we will compile an updated list in a future column.

—Wes Swietek is the Daily News managing editor. Email him at wes.swietek@bgdailynews.com.