FRANKFORT, Ky. (April 23, 2019) – Gov. Matt Bevin today accepted with regret the resignation of Terry Gill, secretary of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, effective at the end of May.
“The impact that Terry’s leadership has had on the economy of our commonwealth cannot be overstated,” Gov. Bevin said. “He brought to our economic development efforts the perspective of a business executive who knows the opportunities and challenges that companies face every day. We are grateful for his willingness to put his business career on hold in recent years to serve within state government during such a transformative time. The stellar effort put forward by Terry and his team has led to unprecedented economic investment and has helped to solidify Kentucky’s reputation as the most business-friendly state in America. He will be missed, but we know he won’t be far away.”
“It has been an absolute honor to serve the Governor and the commonwealth in this capacity,” Gill said. “However, I have decided that it is time to return to the private sector where I have spent most of my working career. I leave here with a great sense of satisfaction for what we have achieved, and I look forward with great excitement to determining what my next opportunity will be.”
Gill has served as Economic Development Secretary since January 2017. Under his leadership, Kentucky has experienced unprecedented growth, with more than $15.8 billion in new investment announced and nearly 32,400 new jobs, including a state record $8.77 billion in investment secured in 2017. Gill worked to attract four of the largest economic development investment projects in Kentucky history — Amazon Air, Braidy Industries, Toyota’s Reborn project and Nucor Corp.
In addition, Gill has used his background as an entrepreneur to champion the reorganization of KY Innovation, the state’s initiative to empower entrepreneurs to grow businesses in the commonwealth. Through his efforts, more innovative businesses with high growth potential are being matched with investors and other resources necessary for success.
Gov. Bevin will recommend that the Kentucky Economic Development Partnership appoint CED Executive Officer Vivek Sarin interim secretary effective upon the completion of Gill’s service. Sarin currently co-leads the cabinet with Gill. The partnership, a public/private group of state officials and business executives chaired by the Governor, will begin a national search for a new cabinet secretary, per state statute.