By Shelby Brown–
Gov. Matt Bevin sent the names of 10 potential U of L trustees to the state Senate for confirmation Jan. 17. Eight of 10 trustees return from Bevin’s previous board, with James Rogers and Brian Cromer as newcomers.
John Schnatter—Republican
Schnatter is the founder of Papa John’s. Forbes named him the wealthiest man in Louisville in 2016. Schnatter opened his first restaurant two years after graduating from Ball State University.
David Grissom—Democrat
A Brandeis Law School graduate, Grissom served on the Centre College Board of Trustees. He serves as chairman for Mayfair Capital, a private investment firm. Grissom also served as chairman of the Kentucky Council on Higher Education, the Louisville Chamber of Commerce and the Kentucky Center for the Arts.
Sandra Frazier—Independent
Frazier is the founder and CEO of Tandem Public Relations. She worked with Louisville Slugger, Fifth Third and Reebok. Frazier holds degrees from Boston University and Hollins College. She’s no stranger to serving as a trustee, currently serving at Hollins, The Louisville Zoo and the Kentucky Center for Endowment.
Nitin Sahney—Democrat
Sahney is the former president and CEO of Omnicare, Inc. He’s an operating advisor for Clayton, Dubilier & Rice. He is the founder of RxCrossroads, a healthcare startup he sold to Omnicare in 2005. He holds degrees from Punjab University and Clarion University.
Bonita Black—Republican
Black is an attorney and managing member at Steptoe & Johnson in Louisville, focusing on general corporate law. She also has experience with government compliance issues. Before working with Steptoe & Johnson, she worked at Frost Brown Todd law firm. Black holds membership with the Kentucky Bar Association and the Louisville Bar Association.
James M. Rogers—Democrat
Rogers, from Prospect, is new to the board of trustees. He retired from Hillard Lyons, a multi-state wealth management firm, where he was chief operating officer and executive vice president.
Ulysses Bridgeman Jr.—Democrat
A U of L alumni and All-American basketball player, Bridgeman received a bachelor’s degree in psychology in 1975 before playing in the NBA for a decade.
Bridgeman owns and presides over Manna Inc. and ERJ Inc. Those companies oversee 163 Wendy’s in five states and 24 Chili’s in four states, employing 7,500 people. He serves on the board of directors for Fifth Third Bank, Governor’s Scholars Program and other programs.
Ronald Wright—Independent
Originally from Michigan, Wright is a U of L Medical School graduate. As an OB/GYN, he deals with a wide range of women’s health issues, including counseling and other medical services. Wright practices in Jeffersonville at WomanCare.
Brian M. Cromer—Republican
Newly appointed trustee Cromer works with Stites & Harbison in Louisville, advising clients on business and corporate matters. Cromer has worked in the banking, insurance and healthcare industries. He holds memberships with the American Bar Association, the Kentucky Bar Association and others. Cromer graduated from University of Kentucky’s Law School with high distinction and holds a bachelor’s degree from Bellarmine University.
Diane Medley—Democrat
Medley is the co-founder and managing partner of Mountjoy Chilton Medley Law Firm. She has been in public accounting for over 30 years. Medley graduated as valedictorian of U of L’s School of Business. Today’s Woman Magazine’s named her the “Most Admired Woman” in 2016 and received Business First’s Enterprising Woman of Achievement Award for 2014.