Bridges Project's Kentucky DBE Program Names New Program Manager
Louisville, Ky. – (June 1, 2006) – Officials from the Ohio River Bridges
Project today named a new program manager to head the project’s Kentucky Disadvantaged
Business Enterprise (DBE) program.
Tierra Kavanaugh Turner - Kentucky DBE Program Manager
Tierra Kavanaugh Turner is chief executive officer of TKT and Associates, Inc.,
the company selected to manage the Kentucky DBE program. She takes over an initiative
that helps minority-owned, women-owned and small businesses interface with prime
contractors, local and state agencies, private companies and other small businesses
involved in the Bridges Project.
Kavanaugh Turner has served as executive director for the Governor’s Office of Minority
Empowerment since 2004. In that capacity, she advised the Governor, General Assembly
and Kentucky Congressional Delegation and other officials on helping minorities
access government programs designed to improve quality of life for Kentucky’s minority
community. She researched and took part in the development of policy issues ranging
from economic development, education, healthcare, housing, criminal justice and
other matters impacting minorities.
In her new position, she will oversee a program designed to help the minority business
community benefit from the diverse range of opportunities the Ohio River Bridges
Project brings to the Louisville-Southern Indiana region.
"The Bridges Project is a tremendous engine for economic growth in this part of
the country," Kavanaugh Turner said. "Helping minority-owned, women-owned and small
businesses take advantage of the project’s many employment and mentoring opportunities
is a role I’m very excited about because it will boost economic development throughout
our region."
A native of Danville, Ky., Kavanaugh Turner is in her second term as a board member
of the Kentuckiana Minority Business Council (KMBC) and has served as co-chair of
the Minority Business Enterprise Input Committee, a standing committee of the KMBC.
"We’re very fortunate to have someone with Tierra’s experience, knowledge and commitment
to minority business development lead our Kentucky DBE program," said John Sacksteder,
project manager for Community Transportation Solutions, the general engineering
consultant for the Bridges Project.
The Ohio River Bridges Project addresses the long-term, cross-river transportation
needs in the Louisville-Southern Indiana region. In 2003, the Federal Highway Administration,
Indiana Department of Transportation and Kentucky Transportation Cabinet agreed
that the only feasible way to meet cross-river transportation needs was to construct
two new bridges and rebuild the Kennedy Interchange. Of a variety of options studied,
the alternative selected would best achieve the transportation needs with the least
amount of impact on environmental resources and the communities.
The Bridges Project is currently in the design phase with construction tentatively
scheduled to be complete by 2020. For more information, visit the project Web site,
at www.kyinbridges.com.