Campus News

UK Alumnus Named Executive Director of Kentucky's SOAR

Photo of Colby Hall at a podium that says The Center for Rural Development with the US and Kentucky flags behind him
UK alumnus Colby Hall speaks after being announced as the new executive director of SOAR during the SOAR Summit.

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Oct. 30, 2020)  Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR) now has a new leader at the helm of its innovative grassroots organization. Colby Hall, a University of Kentucky alumnus and native of Somerset, Kentucky, was introduced yesterday as the new executive director of SOAR during the 2020 Virtual SOAR Summit. U.S. Rep. Harold "Hal" Rogers (KY-05) and Gov. Andy Beshear made the announcement. SOAR is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization working as a champion for Appalachia Kentucky by expanding job creation; enhancing regional opportunities and innovation; and improving quality of life.

"Colby is one of many young, native Eastern Kentuckians returning home to make a difference in the future of Appalachia. His experience, charisma and vision for our region are a winning combination for SOAR as we move into a new chapter of innovation and economic expansion," Rogers said. "Our best resource in Eastern Kentucky is our people, and it's great to welcome Colby home to help pave the road ahead for this organization and our region."

“SOAR and Team Kentucky are welcoming Colby Hall. A son of Eastern Kentucky, Colby brings his passion for the region and its people to his role as the next executive director of SOAR,” Beshear said. “Congratulations, Colby! We look forward to your leadership guiding SOAR’s crucial work in our Appalachian region.”

Hall graduated from UK in 2015 as a Singletary Scholar and Honors student with a degree in biology and a 4.0 GPA. He was involved in several organizations at UK including Student Government Association, DanceBlue and Alpha Tau Omega fraternity. He comes to SOAR following his position with FLS Transportation in Atlanta where he served as director of sales.

With education and experience in both health care and business, Hall brings a diverse set of skills to lead SOAR forward.

"I'm honored, humbled, and thrilled to be selected as the next executive director for SOAR. Having been born and raised here in the region, I'm very aware of the challenges we face. But I strongly believe Eastern Kentucky's moment is now. We have what it takes to build a better future together and everybody has a part to play," Hall said. "Congressman Rogers and Gov. Beshear are a perfect example of the type of bipartisan leadership that's going to be necessary to win. I'm looking forward to meeting as many business and community leaders as I can to hear what is needed to continue moving SOAR forward."

For more information about SOAR, visit www.soar-ky.org or www.thereisafuture.org.

As the state’s flagship, land-grant institution, the University of Kentucky exists to advance the Commonwealth. We do that by preparing the next generation of leaders — placing students at the heart of everything we do — and transforming the lives of Kentuckians through education, research and creative work, service and health care. We pride ourselves on being a catalyst for breakthroughs and a force for healing, a place where ingenuity unfolds. It's all made possible by our people — visionaries, disruptors and pioneers — who make up 200 academic programs, a $476.5 million research and development enterprise and a world-class medical center, all on one campus.   

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