Brittany Guffey has been a representative with Transamerica Agency Network for over 8 years, has completed their Leadership Development Program and holds a life and health license in Kentucky and Tennessee. She has been a member of the Monticello-Wayne County Chamber of Commerce for 12+ years as well as served on the board for about 6 years now. She is a graduate of the Leadership Lake Cumberland class of 2020, a graduate of the BRIGHT Leadership Kentucky class of 2021 and a 40 under 40 award winner by the Young Professionals of Lake Cumberland in 2021. She has also previously served on the board of directors as a programs and membership chair for the Lake Cumberland Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors (branch of NAIFA).

Sam Brown is a 1975 graduate of the University of Kentucky School of Physical Therapy and earned his Doctorate in Physical Therapy in 2008. He and his wife, Linda, have two children, Dr. Joseph Brown and Natalie Brown Moore, and are the proud grandparents of five grandchildren.
Sam has a history of community service, having served as a member of the Monticello City Council. He remains active in the Physical Therapy Association, where he has held multiple positions both at the state and national levels, including on the APTA Board Executive Committee.
His civic involvement extends beyond his professional life, with active participation in organizations such as the Kiwanis Club, Monticello Utility Commission, and the Lake Cumberland Area District Workforce. Additionally, he serves as an elder at First Christian Church.
Sam is also a valued member of the Board of Directors for Monticello Banking Company and Highlands Investment Corporation, continuing his commitment to leadership and service in his community.

Past President - 2010 thru 2018
Also served as Executive Assistant
Board member since 2009
Retired from the U.S. Postal Service January 2009 after 35 years (31 years as a Postmaster)
6 years on Monticello City Council, served on Park Board and City Utility Commission
Currently serve as National Treasurer for the United Postmasters and Manager of America Retired
BBA from Eastern KY University
U.S. Army Veteran 1969 - 1972
Married to Anita for 27 years, 3 children and 6 grandchildren
Member Elk Spring Valley Baptist Church

Kathleen Walls co-owns United Country Real Estate | Kentucky Lifestyle Properties with her husband Epp, and has a history with horses going back more than 50 years. After earning her U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license during the 1980s she found herself operating sailing, fishing and sightseeing charter boats on St. Pete Beach. By 1990, she shifted gears, moving to the Smoky Mountains where she raised, trained and showed horses for the next 11 years.

In 1997 she attended the University of Georgia and was certified in both Equine artificial insemination and nutrition. From then through 2010 Kathleen and her husband personally bred their own mares on their 129 acre farm in Casey County, resulting in raising many Spotted Saddle horse World Champions through their breeding program as well as Spotted gaited mule babies. She also served on the National Board of directors for both the TWHBEA and SSHBEA in middle TN as their NC directors for many years.

In addition, Kathleen has also adopted wild mustangs through the BLM adoption program, trained them and found them their forever homes once they were ready. Kathleen joined United Country in 2003 as an agent in Casey County and in 2017 opened UCRE | Kentucky Lifestyle Properties in Somerset with her husband Epp. Horse properties and lake homes are her specialty but she also has extensive knowledge in country homes, hunting properties and farmland to add to her valued expertise. Kathleen enjoys raising a garden and canning, with jams and jellies being a favorite of hers.

Isaiah Brake is a 2006 graduate of Wayne County High School. He has been married to his high school sweetheart (Alesia) for almost 16 years and they have 1 son. Isaiah worked in retail at AutoZone for 16 years receiving numerous awards before he switched careers and began to focus on real estate. Working in real estate allows Isaiah to do what he really loves which is be the Youth League Football Coordinator for Wayne County. Isaiah loves to give back to this community and you can always find him stepping up and stepping out to do so.

Pattie Corder is a Senior Vice President/Senior Compliance Officer for The Monticello Banking Company (MBC), where she oversees the bank’s Regulatory Compliance Management Program. MBC was chartered in 1895 and its footprint today, extends to 14 Kentucky counties, with a total of 21 branches. Pattie was employed by MBC in 1995. In 2006, she obtained her Certified Regulatory Compliance Manager (CRCM) accreditation. She has served since 2012, on the advisory board of CRA Partners, a nationwide crime prevention program. It educates and safeguards against theft, abuse and neglect of senior citizens, residing in assisted living facilities. In 2021, she served on the advisory board of Compliance Resource, LLC.
Pattie previously served on the Monticello Chamber board in 2010 and 2011. She is married to Jerry Corder and has 3 children; Heather Lair, Charlie Dobbs and Tabitha Dobbs; 2 grandchildren Alyssa Lair and Andrew Lair; and 3 great-grandchildren, Emmalyn Lair, Sophia and Isabel Rua. She is a member of Oak Grove Baptist Church.

Derek is the founder and president of Deco Architects, Inc. and manages the firm daily. His vision for the firm has always been to bring high-end design concepts and practices home to his native Lake Cumberland Region, for implementation on real-world projects. Derek began his career in building construction by helping his grandfather build decks and homes during summer breaks around age 12; he followed up on that experience with successful stints at Conley Bottom Resort (marina), Davis H Elliot (electrical contractors), and Central Kentucky Design (architects). In graduate school, Derek was granted an opportunity to travel to Norway and Belgium to learn under some of the premier architects in the world at Spacegroup and JDS Architects, respectively.

Matthew was born and raised in Monticello, Kentucky. After graduating from Western Kentucky University in 2017 with a bachelor’s degree in finance, Matthew returned home, spending 2 1/2 years at First Southern National Bank. Currently, he works as an assistant manager for Conley Bottom Resort, and as a realtor with Weichert Realtors Ford Brothers. Matthew is a 2022 BRIGHT Leadership Kentucky alum.

Scott Upchurch is the manager of the Monticello Utility Commission. He received a BA in Telecommunications with a Minor in Political Science from the University of Kentucky. He is active in First Baptist Church of Monticello and Gideons International. He has been a Chamber member and on the Board of Directors for 6 years.

Leslie Lester, owner/operator of Windy Hill Farms, is a self-motivated woman who wears many hats. As a lifelong resident of Monticello, Leslie possesses boundless passion and innovation for her small business and community. Prestigious KY BRIGHT Leadership program graduate and a 40 under 40 honoree, Leslie is driven and focused on her community’s success.

Her dedication as a citizen of MWC sets her apart, with each new venture revealing her gift for spotting opportunities and using her knowledge and skills to bring these ideas to life. As a passionate advocate for community change, Leslie has spearheaded numerous initiatives to inspire growth in her community. These efforts led to her receiving the Outstanding Citizen Award in 2024. Her compassion and drive have enabled her to make a meaningful impact on her community and
everyone she connects with. Her tireless efforts continue to inspire those around her and bring much-needed resources to her community.

Leslie’s passion for service demonstrates that one person can be a catalyst for positive change. When she’s not helping her husband Brandon on their family farm, this devoted wife wrangles three kiddos: Bo, Corbyn, and Duncan.

Ex-Officio Member

Ex-Officio Member