Planning Commission Staff
Joe Kane|Director
Joe was hired in March 2009. He graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Archaeology from the University of Florida in May 1989 and worked for two years for the Florida State Museum in Gainesville, Florida. Afterwards, Joe spent a year working on archaeological survey projects in Greece and on the island of Crete. He returned to graduate school and received an MA in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Florida in 1995. He worked for county planning offices in the St. Louis and Atlanta regions until forming a Historic Property Restoration Company in Lexington, Kentucky in 2000. Joe was made Director in January, 2014.
Janie Herrington|Office Manager/Payroll Administrator
Janie was hired in June, 2017. She brings 23 years of office experience to the job. Janie is married, with three kids, and is a life-long resident of Scott County.
Carol Madden|Administrative Assistant
Carol was hired in December, 2017. She moved to Georgetown, Kentucky in the early 2000's from Eastern Kentucky. She resided in Georgetown until 2010 when she moved to Lexington with her husband Jim where they currently reside. Carol comes to GSC Planning with 10 years experience as an assistant for a local civil engineering and surveying company. Carol has two grown sons Kyle and Shaleum. She and her husband enjoy traveling, spending time with family and friends, and UK sporting activities. She is very happy to join our team at GSC Planning and we are very pleased to have her back in Scott County.
Matt Summers|Principal Planner
Matt was hired in May, 2014. He has a BS in Geography from Oklahoma State University, and an MA in Public Administration from Western Kentucky University. Matt has worked for the City of Lawton, Oklahoma on numerous projects from zoning, to walkability, to parkland acquisition. He worked as a Transportation Planner for the Barren River ADD collecting data and improving the transportation planning process for South Central Kentucky.
Elise Ketz|Planner I
Elise was hired in July, 2021. She is a graduate from the Knowlton School of Architecture at the Ohio State University and has a Bachelor of Science degree in City & Regional Planning with secondary focuses in Public Policy Analysis and Landscape Architecture. Her background is in designs for community wellness, regional identity, and sustainability. She has partnered with communities to develop township comprehensive plans, expand transit routes, and create pedestrian and cycling focused spaces. From Northeast Ohio, Elise is a passionate college football fan and tolerates states that begin with the letter M.
-3.jpg)
Ben Krebs|Engineer
Ben was hired in February, 2017. He is a Professional Engineer and Certified Floodplain Manager who received his Engineering Degree from the University of Kentucky in 1998. Ben is a Cats fan no matter what the sport, except when he is cheering for the Scott Co Cardinals. Ben has been a Scott County resident for the past 18 years with his wife and two sons who keep him busy in multiple activities either at the school or in the fields and woods. Prior to coming to GSCPC, Ben worked 6 years for the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government as a Stormwater Engineer in the Division of Water Quality on projects to relieve flooding and or improve drainage and quality of water in the streams.
Jeremy Reynolds|Engineering Technician
Jeremy was hired April, 2018. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Technology. He worked 9 years for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet as a Transportation Engineering Tech III.
Whitley Keltner|GIS Analyst
Whitley was hired in September, 2012. She graduated from Morehead State University in December 2010 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography. She worked in the GIS Department at the Bluegrass Area Development District for 2+ years, where she spent much of her time helping cities update their city boundaries to be in agreement with Secretary of State records. Whitley also assisted counties in creating new precinct boundary maps during congressional redistricting. In addition to office work, she was able to spend considerable field time becoming proficient with Trimble GPS equipment.
Jay Farris|GIS Technician
Jay was hired in March, 2017. He graduated from Eastern Kentucky University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography. He has worked on projects ranging from outdoor recreation cartography to infrastructure and community development. Jay's field related interests include sustainable development and living, as well as creating maps and guides for previously unmapped hiking trails.