George Ward

EDC Chair

George Ward serves in several roles at the University of Kentucky including the Associate Vice President for Economic Development and Real Estate, the President of Kentucky Technology, Inc., and an adjunct professor in the Hospitality Management and Tourism program.  Ward has 35 years of executive experience including technology based economic development, hotel and real estate development, finance and business operations, and government relations. Ward is a co-founder of H&W Management Co. Inc., a regional hotel development and real estate company and served as its President for 18 years.  He was appointed Kentucky State Parks Commissioner in 2004 and later served as Kentucky's Commerce Cabinet Secretary for 2 years. Ward currently serves on the board of directors of the Transit Authority of Lexington and the North YMCA, is a member of the Bluegrass Regional Public Policy Council, and is an active participant in Lexington's high-tech entrepreneurial community. He and his wife, Lorie, have six children, including two UK graduates and two others that have been or are currently enrolled at the University of Kentucky.  ​