Leadership Tri-County honors Dixon, Imel and Mitchell at annual banquet (Photos)

April 11, 2025

by Charles Myrick, Publisher

(PHOTO GALLERY) BARBOURVILLE, KY — At its annual banquet on Thursday, Leadership Tri-County honored three individuals whose contributions to the community has seemingly etched their marks on Knox County for generations to come. Leadership Tri-County was established by Dr. William Hacker, Tom Handy and Jim Oaks, who, after being selected for the first statewide Leadership Kentucky class, recognized the need on a local level. The first class for Leadership Tri-County was selected in 1987. The mission of LTC is “the identification and development of leadership resources in the area to create a better and more unified Southeastern Kentucky through trust, respect, commitment, and service.”

The banquet, held annually, rotates among the tri-counties represented: Knox, Laurel and Whitley. This year’s banquet was held on Thursday, April 10, 2025 at First Baptist Church in Barbourville in the family life center, a venue that hosts large, yet intimate gatherings to also include the annual Knox County Chamber of Commerce banquet.

Luminaries honored

Two individuals were honored posthumously as Luminaries. The first, Chad Imel, who passed away in 2024, a Madison, Ind. native who, after pursuing baseball at the University of Kentucky, transferred after two years to Union College, now Union Commonwealth University. He was honored in a speech by friend Brandon Hillard before Imel’s family was presented with a plaque honoring his legacy.

Imel was honored for his leadership in arenas beyond his work life. He was President of the Knox County Little League Board, where he “revolutionized the program, expanding opportunities for countless children and nurturing a lifelong love of baseball.” Imel is credited with mentoring youth and under his leadership, travel baseball was established in Barbourville, furthering opportunities for those who love baseball to continue following their passion.

“Chad was more than just a baseball enthusiast; he was a respected community pillar. Known for his ability to unite people, his steadfast dedication to our youth, and his positive impact on all who crossed his path, his presence was a beacon of inspiration,” read a portion of his biography in the banquet program.

The second Luminary to be honored was Nancy Mitchell, who founded Mitchell Tax Service in Corbin in 1976. A graduate of Union College, Mitchell put her degrees in Accounting and Business Administration to work until her retirement in 2013.

Mitchell was remembered by her daughter, Jennifer Mitchell Barnett.

Mitchell was a first for many things in Knox County, including to be among the first group of women voted into the local Kiwanis Club, first woman to be elected to Corbin City Commission and, simultaneously, served two terms as Vice Mayor of Corbin.

Mitchell served her community by sitting on several boards, including as a Trustee for her alma mater, Union College, for eight years; eight years as a member of the Kentucky Board of Tax Appeals; and 12 years as a member of the KCEOC Community Action Partnership’s Board of Directors.

Mitchell also served as Vice President of the Kentucky Federation of Republican Women, Vice Chair of the Republican Party of Knox County, and Treasurer for Kentucky’s Fifth District Lincoln Club. In 2012, she and husband Bob were jointly inducted into the Fifth District Lincoln Club Hall of Fame.

Leader of the Year honored

No stranger to Barbourville, Marcia Dixon, who currently serves as Tourism Director for the City of Barbourville, is a native of the Fount and Heidrick communities of Knox County.

Dixon’s honor was presented by friend and colleague, Claudia Greenwood.

She received her Elementary Education degree from Union College before pursuing a Master’s degree and Rank I certification in School Counseling at Eastern Kentucky University.

A former teacher and retired school counselor, Dixon served her community tirelessly for 10 years as Director of the Knox County UNITE Coalition’s Drug-Free Communities Program, and since 2021 has served as Barbourville’s Tourism Director. Additionally, Dixon has been a small business owner, establishing Lillian June, a clothing and gift boutique on Court Square, in 1990, and remains active as the owner of Dixon Rental, C&A Enterprise, and Marcia Dixon Counseling.

Currently, Dixon serves as Second Vice President of the Barbourville Woman’s Study Club, and serves on the Board of Directors for the Cumberland Gap Region Tourism Association, the ARH Barbourville Community Advisory Council, the Eastern Highlands South Region Tourism Association, the Knox County Chamber of Commerce and with the Knox County UNITE Coalition.

Dixon has received numerous honors in recent years. In 2021, she was recognized for her outstanding community involvement with the Cumberland Gap Tourism Region Strong Award. In 2023, she was honored as Knox County Chamber Woman of the Year, and in 2023 and 2024, she was honored by both the National and Kentucky Daughters of the American Revolution for Excellence in Community Service.

Dixon married the late Charley Greene Dixon, Jr. in 1990, and have two children who continue in their parents’ community spirit to uplift Barbourville and Knox County.

Leadership Tri-County

The banquet was presided over by Executive Director Dr. Jordyne Carmack, a fellow graduate of the program and recipient of the Duane Hart Leader Among Leaders Award in 2020. The current LTC Class of 2025 will complete their program and graduate on May 9, 2025.

Photos by Charles Myrick