Michael J. Hammons
Mike is the President of Forward Quest, Inc. d/b/a Vision 2015. This non-profit
organization was formed in 1996 to implement Quest:
A Vision for Northern Kentucky, the region’s second strategic plan since
the early 1980’s. In 2005, Forward Quest initiated a community visioning update
that produced a new 10 year, nine county plan called
Vision 2015. Like the earlier plans, Vision
2015 builds local economic vitality and quality of life with goals
and strategies to improve education, the economy, local governance, the urban core,
the quality of life and civic engagement. Forward Quest d/b/a/ Vision 2015 supports
and leverages the resources of hundreds of volunteers in partnerships with business,
government, education, and non-profits to implement these initiatives.
As president, Mike has worked under the direction of a board of directors and was
responsible for creating the organization (non-profit 501©3). His responsibilities
include:
- managing operations and staff
- developing and adhering to annual budgets
- convening organizational partners
- recruiting and supporting volunteers
- overseeing project implementation
- fundraising (managing five year business campaigns, direct solicitation and grant
writing)
- public presentations/speeches, press and government relations, representing Forward
Quest in Washington D.C., Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati area
- consulting with other regional planning groups
Prior to this, Mike served on the Kentucky Health Policy Board, directing the state
agency responsible for the implementation of Kentucky’s 1994 comprehensive health
care reform law.
Also, during the administration of Governor Brereton C. Jones, Mike served as the
Director of Board and Commissions. He recruited and screened all candidates and
recommended appointments to all gubernatorial boards and commissions. During his
tenure, the appointment of women increased by 50% and that of minorities increased
by more than 400%. Mike was also Equal Employment Officer for the Governor’s Office
and, as a member of Governor Jones’ senior staff, Mike advised the Governor on a
broad range of policy issues.
Mike graduated from the University of Kentucky in 1973 with a B.A. in History and
received a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Kentucky, College of Law in
1977. Mike practiced law in Covington for 14 years. He currently resides in Park
Hills, Kentucky with his wife, Kit and their children, John and Tess. They have
another daughter, Katie. She and her husband, Michael Scheper have three children
and live in Fort Wright, Kentucky.
Community Service:
- Northern Kentucky Arts Council Board, 1978-1981; Chairman, 1980-1981
- Leadership Northern Kentucky, 1980
- St. Elizabeth Medical Center Board, 1981-1991; Chairman, 1985-1989
- Northern Kentucky Area Development District Board (NKADD), 1981-1990
- Northern Kentucky Area Development District Overall Economic Development Plan, Member,
1986
- Northern Kentucky Area Development District Health Services Council, Chair, 1986
- Dinsmore Homestead Foundation Board, 1986-1992
- Catholic Conference of Kentucky - Health Care Advisory Committee, 1987-1990
- Public Information Committee on Uncompensated Care, Chairman, 1987-1990
- Kentucky Health Care Access Foundation, Inc., Board, 1989-1991
- Northern Kentucky Senior Citizens Committee on Long-Term Care, 1989
- Kentucky Bar Association Committee on Legal Concerns of The Elderly; Co-Editor of
KBA Handbook, Laws and Program for Older Kentuckians
- Roman Catholic Diocese of Covington Conflict Resolution Board, Chairman, 1989
- Leadership Kentucky, 1989 Class
- Kenton County Democratic Executive Committee, Chairman, 1991-1994
- United States Electoral College from Kentucky, Chairman, 1992
- Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Board (ex officio), 1997-Present
- Kentucky Center For Public Issues Board, 1997-2002
- International Visitors Council of Greater Cincinnati Board, 1997-2000
- Cincinnatus Association, Member, 1998-Present; Secretary 2001-2002; Vice President
2002-2003; President 2003-2005
- Leadership Cincinnati, Class XXI, 1998
- Northern Kentucky Consensus Committee, 1998 – Present
- Greater Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau Tourism Marketing Committee, 1998-2000
- Leadership Cincinnati Steering Committee, 1998-2001
- Northern Kentucky Youth Leadership Steering Committee, 1998-2000
- Thomas D. Clark Foundation of the University Press of Kentucky Board, 1998-Present;
Vice President, 2001; Chair, 2002-2007
- Northern Kentucky Fund of The Greater Cincinnati Foundation Advisory Board, 1998-Present
- Every Child Succeeds Board, 1998-2004
- Introducing Greater Cincinnati Steering Committee, 1999-2001
- Licking Valley Girl Scouts Board, 1999-2001
- Greater Cincinnati Regional Culture Alliance Transition Team, 1999-2000
- Northern Kentucky University Foundation Board, 1999-Present
- Greater Cincinnati Housing Alliance, 1999-2002
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati Safe & Vibrant Neighborhoods Vision Council, 1999-2005;
Chair 2003-2005
- Cathedral Basilica of the Assumption Renovation Steering Committee, 1999-2001
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Convene for the Dream Fundraising Committee, 2000-2005
- Northern Kentucky United Way Action Council, 2000-Present; Chair, 2007-Present
- Kentucky Human Rights Commission Civil Rights Hall of Fame Nominating Committee,
2000-Present
- SC Ministry Foundation Program Development Committee, 2000-2007
- National Association for Community Leadership Distinguished Leadership Award, 2000
- Northern Kentucky Council of Partners in Education, 2001-Present
- Regional Leadership Forum Board, 2001-2005
- Governor’s Task Force on Women in the Workplace, 2001-2002
- The Cincinnati Horticultural Society Board, 2001-2004
- Urban Learning Center Partners Board, 2002-Present; Vice Chair 2003-Present
- Ohio River Way Board, 2002-Present
- Northern Kentucky Harvest Board, 2003-2007
- Leadership Cincinnati Alumni Association Board, 2003-2005
- Bridges for a Just Community (formerly National Conference for Community & Justice
of Greater Cincinnati) 2003-Present; Greater Cincinnati Human Relations Indicator
Project Chair, 2004-2006
- Encyclopedia of Northern Kentucky Project Steering Committee, 2003-Present
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati Vision Council Leadership Team, 2003-2005
- Covington Partners in Prevention Board, 2004-2007
- Two Rivers Middle School Community Council, 2004-2006
- Northern Kentucky University Scripps Howard Center for Civic Engagement Advisory
Council, 2005-Present
- Cincinnati Art Museum Trustee Education Committee, 2005-2007
- University of Cincinnati Institute for Policy Research, 2005-Present
- STRIVE Steering Committee, 2006-Present; Executive Committee, 2006-Present
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati Board, 2007-Present; Executive Committee, 2007-Present
- Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence, 2007-Present
- United Way of Greater Cincinnati Research Council, 2008-Present
Contact Information
Michael Hammons
President
50 East RiverCenter Blvd.
Covington, KY 41011
859.291.2020
mhammons@vision2015.org