team

Board Chair

In his role with I Was Here, Johnny has managed cross functional teams, spearheading organizational efforts involving design, marketing and technology implementations. He is always working toward excellence in the brand, messaging, and special projects. Using his technological, organizational, and project management skills, he helps I Was Here work effectively and efficiently.

Artistic Director

Layers of history and time are a constant in the work of Marjorie Guyon. One of the hallmarks of her work is that the image at once emerges from yet disappears into what appears to be an ancient surface. Yet, she also seems to be lighting the path of time. It may well be the dynamic between the two impulses that gives her haunting images their appeal. To build her compositions, she works in collage and applies marble dust and pigment - earth from all over the world to create an archeology of the soul. Her work is at once both contemporary and ancient - a blend of mythology and graffiti. Her work appears in public and private collections across the United States.

Treasurer

Barry Darnell Burton, one of the models for the Ancestor Spirit Portraits is a resident of Lexington Ky. His family has traced roots in Lexington back to 1840 before which there is no information. Along with his physical image, he is also the installation technician for tapestry portraits and the author of “Where Do I Begin” the signature blessing that accompanies installation of the project.

Director

Founder/President, Operation Be You. Roberta Davis retired from Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Mississippi, Inc. (TMMMS), July 2020, after serving over 28 years with the company. Davis began her career as a team member in the Body Weld Department and advanced to Senior Manager. In her role as Sr. Manager, she was given the opportunity to oversee departments in both Production and Administration areas – Body Welding, Assembly, Safety, Security, Medical, Human Resources, Facilities, Environmental and Production Control. Davis also served as the chairperson for the Women’s Leadership Forum, advisor for the Team Member Activities Association and a member of the Diversity Action Committee. She was also selected to launch the very first Toyota North American Advisory Council for Woman’s Business Partnering Groups known as WIIT (Women Influencing and Impacting Toyota). She was also very active in the community through volunteerism and serving on executive boards for S.A.F.E, Inc. (Shelter and Assistance for Family Emergencies) and Big Brothers and Big Sisters. She also was an active member of Transforming Lives Ministries at Pontotoc, MS. Davis began her career with Toyota at the Georgetown, KY (TMMK) facility. In 2008, Davis fulfilled a long-time dream of starting up a new plant by relocating to TMMMS where she was responsible for plant startup activities within the Body Weld Department. She served at TMMMS for 12 years. While working within the manufacturing environment, Davis found her passion for developing others. Soon after retirement, she founded a girls’ non–profit organization – Operation Be You, Inc. Her foundation focuses on the development and life-enrichment of girls 10-17 years of age. Davis also became an entrepreneur by starting Genba Gold Development Consultants. An organization to develop front line supervisors. She currently works as a contract Operations General Manager and Certified Lead Facilitator for SOAR Leadership Development. She has served on the board of directors for Providence Christian Academy in Georgetown, KY and is currently serving as a board of director for I Was Here in Lexington, KY. Besides working on a second career, she also authored and published her first book – Count It All Joy, in memory of her son who passed away unexpectedly after her return home in 2020. She also co- authored and published a teen girl’s book with two of her sisters – A Journey To Find Me. Davis earned an Associate's Degree in Higher Accounting and Business Administration from Kentucky Junior College of Business, a Bachelor’s of Arts Degree in Organizational Management from Midway College, and earned a diploma as a Certified Organizational Development Coach. She is also certified in Adult and Teen Mental Health First Aid. Roberta and her husband, Charles, reside in Georgetown, KY.

Director

City of Lexington Councilman On April 6, 2015, James Brown was appointed by former Mayor Jim Gray to fill the unexpired term of Chris Ford, who resigned to serve as the city’s Commissioner of Social Services. During a special election in November 2015, James was officially elected to the position of 1st District Council member.

A native of Lexington, Ky., James is a graduate of Paul Laurence Dunbar High School. James’ previous employment includes stints at Lexmark and GTE, before beginning a career in the automotive industry, working for 13 years at the Toyota Motor Manufacturing plant in Georgetown, Ky. After that, James made a career change becoming a full-time real estate professional.

James is extremely passionate about service to neighborhoods and the local school system. He has served as the President of the Radcliffe–Marlboro Neighborhood Association and helped initiate several neighborhood programs. He served as President of the 16th District PTA and participated in the Fayette County Public Schools superintendent search process and the 2015 Rezoning Committee.

In the business community, James has participated in multiple community leadership programs, such as Commerce Lexington’s Leadership Central Kentucky (2011), BCTC’s Citizens’ Leadership Academy (2012) and is a Certified Tourism Ambassador through the Lexington Visitor & Tourism Bureau. James and his wife, Charmayne, have three children.

Director

Attorney Jackson Kelly John’s a problem solver – his main goal in his practice is to help people solve problems, whether in his role as an attorney, a mediator, or an arbitrator. His practice is primarily focused on construction litigation, contracts, and commercial litigation, but his years of experience mean he can help clients at any stage of a construction project or dispute. John represents owners, design professionals, contractors, construction managers, subcontractors, and suppliers. He’s also the co-chair of the Firm’s construction and development industry group, helping to grow the Firm’s practice in the construction area.

John has extensive training and experience as a mediator in construction, commercial, employment, and personal injury disputes and has often served as an arbitrator. He is a specialist in his fields, serving as a member of numerous professional associations, a past president to several boards, and a frequent author and lecturer.

John has an AV Preeminent rating by Martindale-Hubbell, and was named Lexington Construction Law “Lawyer of the Year” in 2018 and 2016 by The Best Lawyers in America®. He has been named in the Kentucky Super Lawyers® list since 2009, named in The Best Lawyers in America® for

Construction Law since 2013, and been a member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals since 2012. John also serves on the Firm's Executive Committee.

John is an accomplished athlete, playing defensive end and wide receiver for Princeton University while in college, completing the Chicago and New York marathons, and walking an average of seven miles a day. John's a fast mover - he met his wife Tamra in law school, they were engaged three weeks after their first date and were married six months later.

Director

Mary Quinn Ramer is President of VisitLEX, where she oversees all administrative, marketing and convention activities for the organization. Mary Quinn brings more than 15 years of tourism, marketing communications, and event planning experience to the organization.

Prior to becoming President, Mary Quinn spent seven years as the Vice President of Marketing at VisitLEX.

During her tenure, she has overseen a successful rebranding effort and launch of the iconic blue horse brand, coordinated all Bureau activities for two international equine events, launched an original culinary tourism initiative and opened a brand new visitor center in the heart of downtown Lexington.

In addition, Mary Quinn is active with numerous tourism-related organizations, including board membership on Kentucky Travel Industry Association, Equestrian Events International, Keeneland Concours d’Elegance, LexArts, Horse Country LLC, and the McDowell House Museum. She was also a member of the Breeders’ Cup 2015 Host Committee.

Mary Quinn has been fortunate to be involved in many award-winning projects over the years. She is most proud of receiving the Public Relations Society of America’s top honor, the Silver Anvil, in 2001, for her work on the 2000 Vice Presidential Debate at Centre College, and the Kentucky Industry Associations’ Best of Show award for marketing collateral in 2012. In 2015, Mary Quinn received the Lois Mateus Networking Award from the Kentucky Distillers Association and the Bourbon Women organization.

Mary Quinn is a Phi Beta Kappa graduate of Centre College, and in 2008, she received the Distinguished Young Alumna Award from the College.

Mary Quinn enjoys traveling, running, and working on local historic preservation projects.

Director

Ryan D. Foster is a Vice President/Commercial Lending with Traditional Bank, Inc and a local real estate investor. A graduate of Tates Creek High School and The University of Kentucky, Ryan has spent his entire life in Lexington. Ryan’s passions include U.K sports, camping, kayaking, travel and drafting his first book, Always Pick up a Penny. He is also a Director on FoodChain’s board since the Fall of 2015.

Director

Syndy Deese is a Clark is a Clark County native, who returned home in 2012 after 35 years in Colorado. She enjoys the outdoors, reading, travel and spending time with family, including her wife Becky, her daughters, son-in-law and grandchildren. Syndy has worked in the financial services industry for more than 30 years.

Syndy joined the board of I Was Here in 2018 to make a difference in her community, creating a society in which everyone can participate and prosper. Syndy is particularly influenced by her work with I Was Here and bringing the project to Clark County, with funding from The Greater Clark Foundation and the Clark County Community Foundation. She believes that “we can shift the spirit of our country to view each other through a different lens—one that values all citizens.”

Director

Retired Trust Lawyer in Louisville Ky.