W. T. Young Receives Distinguished Service Award from Kentucky Electric Cooperatives
11/20/01

Businessman and community leader William T. Young on November 19 accepted the 2001 Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award from the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives.

The award recognizes Young's lifetime of contributions to the qualities and values of rural life in Kentucky. Born in Lexington, Young led a highly successful business career beginning in the 1940s, starting W.T. Young Storage Company and chairing the Board of R.C. Cola. More recently Young became active in Kentucky economic development, and in supporting the arts and education. His involvement in the thoroughbred industry led to Kentucky Derby and Breeder’s Cup winners.

Young was also prominently recognized when the University of Kentucky named its new library in his honor.

The electric co-ops of Kentucky have presented the Distinguished Rural Kentuckian Award annually since 1982, to recognize people who have improved the quality of life in the state. The first recipient was author Jesse Stuart of Greenup. Other recipients include former "voice of the Wildcats" Cawood Ledford, Governor A.B. "Happy" Chandler, KET's O. Leonard Press, Dr. Louise Caudill, Wendell Berry and Senator Wendell Ford. Last year's recipient was broadcaster Al Smith.

Young accepted the award at a banquet during the 55th annual meeting of the Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives. Several speakers at the meeting discussed how electric cooperatives might best serve their customer-owners in a year when the California energy disaster showed the importance of maintaining a stable electric utility industry.

The Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, based in Louisville, represents 27 local, user-owned, electric cooperatives, which provide electricity to about one-third of the homes and businesses in the state, covering parts of 117 of the 120 counties in Kentucky.

Kentucky Association of Electric Cooperatives, Inc. 4515 Bishop Lane * Louisville, KY  40218 502-451-2430 * FAX: 502-459-3209 Terms of Use