John Ed Pennington

Mr. Pennington was among the first class to integrate Clay County school in 1961.  As Manchester’s first African-American elected official, he served on Manchester’s city council for 24 years. He is a member of Kentucky Black Caucus of Elected Officials (KBC-LEO) and is currently serving as their Sargent of Arms. He is a recipient of the Christian Appalachian Project’s Peace Award. As a highly engaged civic leader for our region, he serves on multiple boards, including CVADD- Cumberland Valley Area Development District, where he is current treasurer and past chairman and has served since 1978.  He is chairman of the board at EKCEP- East KY Concentration Employment Program, Vice-Chair on the board of Daniel Boone Development Action Agency, and he was a member of the local NAACP chapter. John Ed is retired from his position of County Foreman with the KY Department of Transportation and he is a member of the St. Ann Catholic Church in Manchester. John Ed and his wife Lorraine have been married for 55 years, and they have two adult children and one grandchild.