The James Baker Hall Foundation

Our Team

“Jim’s most remarkable contribution was the time, care and attention he dedicated to mentoring young writers. There is no better way to honor his legacy than to extend the same support to talented writers from Kentucky.”

Thomas Gaines, Student of Jim’s & Board Member

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Lawrence Pemble

Managing Director president and treasurer

Jim’s eldest son, retired international business executive, philanthropist, art collector, father. In 2010, he joined his two daughters to establish the Friends of Hinton Cemetery Road outreach program in Sadieville to address roadside litter and keep box turtles safe when possible  (this work is ongoing). In addition, Larry brings three decades of C-suite public company experience in finance and international health care operations in China and 10 years of non-profit 501(c)(3) financial reporting and treasury responsibility.

Jeanine Triplett

executive vice president development director and secretary

Jeanine brings decades of development team leadership including capital campaigns at three institutions raising over $20 million. Former National President and current Trustee of the Delta Zeta Sorority and president of the University Club of Louisville.

Thomas Gaines

Board Member

Thomas is the CEO of KBC International, a Director at the Gaines Center for the Humanities at UK, and a former student of James Baker Hall’s. He says “one of Jim’s most remarkable contributions … involved the time, care and attention he dedicated to mentoring young writers. [There is] no better way to honor his legacy than to extend the same support to talented writers from Kentucky.”  Gaines also serves on the Board of The Lexington School.

Bill Goodman

Board Member

Bill Goodman has been executive director of Kentucky Humanities since January 2017. He is a native of Glasgow and was a host and managing editor at KET for more than 20 years. In 2012, he received an MFA in creative nonfiction from Spalding University. In 2015, his book of essays, Beans, Biscuits, Family and Friends: Life Stories was published. In 2013, he was inducted into the Kentucky Journalism Hall of Fame. In 2015 he received an honorary doctorate from Lindsey Wilson College.

Michael Hall

Artistic Director

Jim’s youngest son, multi-media artist, commercial photographer and collector. Michael brings 30-plus years in marketing, advertising and creativity to the team. Michael has helped many companies from fortune 10 to startups to nonprofits, define their voice, establish their positioning and build sustainable creative visions.

Stephen Vest

Board Member

Stephen is the editor and publisher of Kentucky Monthly, a Governor Award in the Arts (Media) honoree. Founded in 1998, Kentucky Monthly has more than 100,000 readers. A frequent speaker, Vest teaches communications at Campbellsville University, feature writing at Eastern Kentucky University and English at Midway University.

team members

Jane White

Development & Grants Director

40 Years of Non-profit Experience

Susan Murphy
IT and Database Manager
30 Years of IT/Database Experience
Natalia Stanley
Social Media/Communications Intern
University of Louisville

advisors

  • Tony Crunk
    • Poet, Author, Educator, St. Louis MO – Advisor for Literary Programs and Velveeta
  • Tom Eblen
    • Photojournalist/Literary Arts Historian, Lexington KY – Creator of Kentucky Writers Hall of Fame
  • Sherry Cooke Stanford
    • Poet/OAI, Covington KY – Advisor for Northern KY
  • Katerina Stoykova
    • Poet, Publisher and Author, Lexington KY – Advisor for Everything
  • Marta Miranda-Straub
    • Poet, Storyteller and Activist, FL – Advisor for Planning and Strategy
  • Thomas Gaines
    • CEO/KBC International, Lexington KY – Advisor for Planning and Strategy
  • Robert Gipe
    • Author and Educator, Hazard KY – Advisor for Program Development
  • Bill Goodman
    • Executive Director, Kentucky Humanities Council, Lexington KY – Advisor for Programs
  • Tom Martin
    • Eastern Standard, Richmond KY – Advisor for Central KY
  • Stephen Vest
    • Author, Publisher and Journalist, Frankfort KY – Advisor for Marketing and Strategy
  • Frank X Walker
    • Author, Educator and Affrilachian Poet, Lexington KY – Advisor for Literary Program Strategy
  • Elaine Wise
    • Retired Chair of Humanities, University of Louisville – Advisor for Louisville and North Central KY
  • Cecilia Woloch
    • Poet, Author, Educator and Traveler, Los Angeles CA – Advisor for Central KY