Former Kentucky Lt. Gov. Jenean M. Hampton of Bowling Green joins the Bluegrass Institute’s board of directors in the organization’s largest-ever expansion.

Hampton, along with small business owner Kyle Whalen, joins Tim Yessen and Tom Dupree, who previously served on the organization’s board and are recognized leaders in Lexington’s financial services sector.

Hampton served as the 57th lieutenant governor of Kentucky from 2015-19 and was the first African-American to hold statewide office in Kentucky.

She focused on education during her term and has 24 years of experience in manufacturing, including positions as plant manager, quality manager and production supervisor with certification as a Zenger Miller facilitator. She deployed during Desert Storm while serving seven years as an Air Force computer systems officer.

Since settling in Bowling Green, Hampton has been active in state and local politics, serving previously as chairwoman of the Bowling Green-Southern Kentucky Tea Party.

She is currently chief operating officer at SafeEVAC Inc. and holds at Bachelor of Science degree in industrial engineering from Wayne State University, an MBA from William E. Simon Graduate School of Business and an honorary doctorate from Lindsey Wilson College, where she serves on the board.