Kenton County announced on Feb. 5 that it is seeking nominations for its annual community leadership award, which has been renamed the Dr. Jon Draud Pioneer Awards beginning in 2026.
The change honors Commissioner Dr. Jon Draud, who has served on the Kenton County Fiscal Court since 2010 and recently announced he will not seek re-election. The award aims to recognize residents who have shown outstanding service and personal integrity, reflecting values associated with Draud’s long career in public service.
Draud, age 87, is a lifelong resident of the region with more than five decades spent in education as a teacher, principal, and superintendent. He also served as Kentucky Commissioner of Education and held positions on the Crestview Hills City Council and in the Kentucky House of Representatives.
Nominations are due by Friday, March 13, 2026. A committee made up of community leaders will review submissions before sending recommendations to the Kenton County Fiscal Court. Honorees will be named in April and recognized at a Fiscal Court meeting as well as through print and social media announcements.
Since its start in 2018, there have been 31 recipients of the Pioneer Award program; last year’s honorees were Ralph Dusing, Jo Martin, and Martin Butler. Nominations can be submitted via the Kenton County website; current elected officials are not eligible for recognition.
Kenton County emphasizes transparency through public access to agendas, meetings, and fiscal information, according to the official website. The county operates under a fiscal court system led by a Judge/Executive and three district commissioners while maintaining administrative offices at 1840 Simon Kenton Way in Covington.
