Adam Edelen
Encyclopedia
Adam Edelen is State Auditor-elect for the commonwealth of Kentucky. Prior to that, he was the Chief of Staff for Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear
from July 2008 until September 15, 2010. On August 11, 2010, Edelen announced that he would be leaving the post to return to the private sector and run for State Auditor.
, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta
social fraternity.
At 21, he began his public service career as one of the youngest aides ever to serve a Kentucky Governor
. He has since served as a senior executive with both the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce and Thomas & King, Inc. and, most recently, as Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
As a two-term gubernatorial appointee to the board of Kentucky Educational Television, Chairman Edelen was the driving force behind the “Be Well Kentucky” initiative—an acclaimed effort which addresses Kentucky’s public health
crisis. While vice-president of the Lexington Chamber, Edelen was responsible for the nationally recognized New Century Lexington Reports on Community Livability, which used private sector inspired metrics as a model for measuring Lexington’s quality of life
. Edelen, who also chaired the United Way of the Bluegrass Annual Campaign, currently serves as chairman of the Urban League and is a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.
Most notably, Edelen was recently named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans
for 2008 by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. This award is arguably the oldest and most prestigious service award in the nation and previous honorees include presidents John F. Kennedy
, Richard Nixon
, Gerald Ford
and Bill Clinton
.
Steve Beshear
Steven Lynn "Steve" Beshear is an American politician who is the 61st Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky. A Democrat, Beshear previously served in the Kentucky House of Representatives from 1974 to 1979, was the state's Attorney General from 1980 to 1983, and was Lieutenant Governor from...
from July 2008 until September 15, 2010. On August 11, 2010, Edelen announced that he would be leaving the post to return to the private sector and run for State Auditor.
Early years and career
Edelen is a graduate of the University of KentuckyUniversity of Kentucky
The University of Kentucky, also known as UK, is a public co-educational university and is one of the state's two land-grant universities, located in Lexington, Kentucky...
, where he was a member of Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta
Delta Tau Delta is a U.S.-based international secret letter college fraternity. Delta Tau Delta was founded in 1858 at Bethany College, Bethany, Virginia, . It currently has around 125 student chapters nationwide, as well as more than 25 regional alumni groups. Its national community service...
social fraternity.
At 21, he began his public service career as one of the youngest aides ever to serve a Kentucky Governor
Governor
A governor is a governing official, usually the executive of a non-sovereign level of government, ranking under the head of state...
. He has since served as a senior executive with both the Greater Lexington Chamber of Commerce and Thomas & King, Inc. and, most recently, as Director of the Kentucky Office of Homeland Security.
As a two-term gubernatorial appointee to the board of Kentucky Educational Television, Chairman Edelen was the driving force behind the “Be Well Kentucky” initiative—an acclaimed effort which addresses Kentucky’s public health
Public health
Public health is "the science and art of preventing disease, prolonging life and promoting health through the organized efforts and informed choices of society, organizations, public and private, communities and individuals" . It is concerned with threats to health based on population health...
crisis. While vice-president of the Lexington Chamber, Edelen was responsible for the nationally recognized New Century Lexington Reports on Community Livability, which used private sector inspired metrics as a model for measuring Lexington’s quality of life
Quality of life
The term quality of life is used to evaluate the general well-being of individuals and societies. The term is used in a wide range of contexts, including the fields of international development, healthcare, and politics. Quality of life should not be confused with the concept of standard of...
. Edelen, who also chaired the United Way of the Bluegrass Annual Campaign, currently serves as chairman of the Urban League and is a member of the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence.
Awards
Edelen has received many awards and recognitions. In 2002 he was a recipient of the Lexington Young Professionals Association “Rising Star” award. He was named a Young Leader by the American Swiss Foundation in 2007 and was the presented to 2008 Outstanding Young Kentuckian Award by the Kentucky Junior Chamber of Commerce.Most notably, Edelen was recently named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Americans
Ten Outstanding Young Americans
The Ten Outstanding Young Americans program is an annual award given by The United States Junior Chamber organization. It is given to ten Americans between 18 and 40 years of age who "exemplify the best attributes of the nation’s young people."People considered for the award are often submitted...
for 2008 by the United States Junior Chamber of Commerce. This award is arguably the oldest and most prestigious service award in the nation and previous honorees include presidents John F. Kennedy
John F. Kennedy
John Fitzgerald "Jack" Kennedy , often referred to by his initials JFK, was the 35th President of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963....
, Richard Nixon
Richard Nixon
Richard Milhous Nixon was the 37th President of the United States, serving from 1969 to 1974. The only president to resign the office, Nixon had previously served as a US representative and senator from California and as the 36th Vice President of the United States from 1953 to 1961 under...
, Gerald Ford
Gerald Ford
Gerald Rudolph "Jerry" Ford, Jr. was the 38th President of the United States, serving from 1974 to 1977, and the 40th Vice President of the United States serving from 1973 to 1974...
and Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton
William Jefferson "Bill" Clinton is an American politician who served as the 42nd President of the United States from 1993 to 2001. Inaugurated at age 46, he was the third-youngest president. He took office at the end of the Cold War, and was the first president of the baby boomer generation...
.
External links
- What Do Presidents Kennedy, Nixon, Ford, and Clinton Have in Common with this UK Alum?
- Ready and Prepared
- Adam Edelen Leaves Governor's Office
- Adam H. Edelen Appointed Kentucky Homeland Security Director
- Beshear's Chief of Staff Visits, Discusses Issues
- http://www.kentucky.com/2010/10/02/1460311/former-beshear-aide-adam-edelen.html