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JoEllen Reed, who long served Winchester as a City Commissioner and grade school teacher, became the town’s first female Mayor when elected in November 2022. 

Since then, Mayor Reed has worked closely with the Kentucky League of Cities, which assisted the Winchester City Commission to create a strategic work plan for the city in 2023. 

Kentucky League of Cities (KLC), a nonprofit organization in Lexington dedicated to supporting community innovation, effective leadership, and quality governance, recently recognized Reed. 

According to a press release from the organization, the KLC governing body elected Mayor Reed to serve on its Executive Board. Specifically, Mayor Reed – who joined the KLC Board of Directors in 2023 – will serve her first term on the 18-member Executive Board, the League’s governing body. It oversees KLC’s business operations and guides its efforts to support and advocate for Kentucky’s numerous cities. Reed also serves on the KLC Bond Corporation, Bond Development Corporation, and Funding Trust. 

“We are thrilled to have Mayor Reed join the KLC Executive Board,” said KLC Executive Director and CEO J.D. Chaney. “Her groundbreaking leadership and dedication to the people of Winchester have been inspiring. I am confident she will bring a valuable perspective to our board. Her commitment to public service and community engagement will be a tremendous asset as we work together to strengthen and support cities across Kentucky.” 

Mayor Reed expressed her appreciation to the Kentucky League of Cities for the new role. 

“I am honored to be appointed to the KLC Executive Board and to have the opportunity to represent Winchester and all Kentucky cities,” said Mayor Reed. “Serving as Mayor has shown me the importance of collaboration and innovation in addressing our communities’ challenges. I am excited to work alongside my fellow board members to advocate her policies and initiatives that will benefit our cities and help create vibrant, thriving communities across the commonwealth.” 

The Kentucky League of Cities presently represents more than 380 cities across the commonwealth. It provides advocacy, training, and resources when helping local governments better their communities.