Leadership

I am drawn to issues of leadership and curious about what defines people who I think are good leaders.

During my adult life I have enjoyed reading books with central leadership themes. Some I’ve read in recent years are:

Elizabeth I CEO by Alan Axelrod
Founding Mothers by Cokie Roberts
Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin
Move to the Front by Jo Bryan Rusin
Leadership Lessons of The White House Fellows by Charles Garci

Jo is a good friend whom I have known since my student days at the University of Kentucky. This book is based on her experiences in the U.S. Army. She was the most senior woman commander in the Gulf War & became the first female battalion commander at Fort Benning, GA, home of the Infantry.

One of the books I am currently reading is:

John Adams by David McCullough

It is important for people in leadership positions to educate themselves on an on-going basis. With that in mind, I completed the following during my tenure on the Urban County Council:

Citizen Police Academy – 1999
Leadership Lexington – 2000
Leadership Kentucky – 2001
Citizen Fire Academy – 2004

Leadership Honors

-The Sullivan Award from the University of Kentucky (UK) – 2015
-Silver Beaver Award (Service to Youth) – Blue Grass Council, Boy Scouts of America –2012
-Among the top 50 Outstanding Alumni of the UK College of Nursing — 2010
-Central Baptist Hospital Woman’s Community Leadership Award — 2008
-Leadership Lexington – Distinguished Leader Award – 2001

Linda Gorton’s
Leadership History

.
As Vice Mayor

Chair – All Council Committees of the Whole, including Mayor’s Budget
Sponsored legislation and enhancements to Lexington’s Smoking Ordinance
Partnered with Kentucky Agriculture Commissioner to reintroduce hemp production into Kentucky
Represented the Mayor and the City at numerous functions
Council Representative on Lexington Center Corporation Board
Council Representative on Commerce Lexington Board
Council Representative on Parks Advisory Board
Council Representative on LexArts Board
Council Representative on Sister Cities Commission
Co-Chair — Town and Gown Commission

As Council Member At-Large and District Council Member

Chair – Council Planning Committee
Chair — Council Intergovernmental Committee
Chair — Council Stormwater Oversight Committee
Chair — Council Public Safety Budget Link
Chair — Council Social Services & Finance Budget Link
Chair — Council Public Works Budget Link
Co-Chair — Noise Ordinance Task Force
City Representative — UK/LFUCG Arboretum Advisory Board
City Representative — Federal Medical Center Community Relations Board
Member — Council Student Housing Task Force
Member — Budget & Finance Committee
Member — Water Resources Oversight Committee
Member — Building Inspection Task Force
Member — Council Committee to Review the Clean Indoor Air Ordinance

Civic Current

Co-Chair – The Arboretum, State Botanical Garden
Chair – UK College of Nursing BREATHE Board
Co-Chair America In Bloom National Symposium in Lexington Committee
Vice President — Carnegie Center Board
Member – UK College of Nursing Dean’s Advisory Board
Member – UK Martin School Board of Visitors
Member — Lexington Philharmonic Board
Member – Friends of the Lexington Senior Center Advisory Board
Member – Friends of the Dog Park Board

Civic Past

Co-Founder – Friends of the Dog Park
Founding Member — Lexington Tree Foundation
Chair, Board of Deacons & Clerk of Session — Second Presbyterian Church
President & Treasurer — Glendover Elementary PTA
President & Treasurer — Lafayette Band Association
Equity Council – Fayette County Public Schools
Girl Scout Troop Leader
Coach Under-12 Girls Soccer Team, Lexington Youth Soccer Association
Member — Bluegrass Council Boy Scouts Executive Board
Member — Central Kentucky Radio Eye Board
Member — Fayette County Family Court Advisory Board
Member — Bluegrass Military Affairs Coalition Board
Member — Friends of Lafayette Band, The Pride
1975 Operation Babylift Registered Nurse Team-assisted with physical exams of babies airlifted from South Vietnam to Ft. Benning, GA
Family Support Instructor – U.S. Army Reserve, Battalion and Brigade Pre-Command Course