Meet our Directors

Gray, a Mercer County native, is a graduate of Eastern Kentucky University. Formerly a loan officer with Monticello Banking Company, he also served as sports reporter and managing editor at The Harrodsburg Herald. He has served on the board and as president of the Mercer County Chamber of Commerce. Daarik loves being part of the Mercer County community with his two children.

Yeager is a native of Mercer County and the Terrapin community where his family owned and operated a general store. He has a Bachelor of Science degree from Eastern Kentucky University and retired from IBM/Lexmark after 30+ years of service. He is an active member of Bethel Baptist Church and enjoys meeting the visitors who travel to Mercer County. Garnie and his wife Dana, have 1 daughter and 2 grandchildren.
Meet Our Board

Tim is an import from Newton Falls, Ohio and is a Licensed Physical Therapist for over 35 years. After selling his practice, he and his wife, Jennifer, opened The Kentucky Fudge Company in 2006 and recently opened the addition of The Vault Ciders Suds and Spirits. Tim and Jennifer were drawn to this part of Kentucky to be closer to family but soon found the history, beauty and climate perfect for a home here. They have four daughters, Megan, Erin, Whitney and Courtney.


Tia King Taylor is a life-long resident of Mercer County and joined the Tourist Commission as a lodging representative on behalf of Bright Leaf Golf Resort in September 2018. She has been employed at Bright Leaf since 1998 and is now part-owner. Tia said, “My husband, John David Taylor, and I love our hometown and hope our three daughters have the desire and potential to thrive here with families of their own.”

Leigh is married to Jorge Lopez and they have two children, Chase and Charleigh. She has owned Casa Grande with her husband for almost five years.
Along with owning her own business, she is involved in many boards and community organizations, including but not limited to tourism, chamber and Kiwanis.

Tiffany Yeast has spent the last 16 years as a Public Servant for Kentucky State Government. She has served in several appointed positions serving under the leadership of four different Governors. She met her husband Terry Yeast while serving Assistant Athletic Director at Kentucky State University. They have three beautiful and intelligent girls Trinity, Timberlynn and Teigh.

Bob has been in the hospitality business for 40+ years. He started at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill in the summer of 2017 as the VP of Hospitality Services and was promoted in January of 2021 to Chief Operating Officer. He has been on the Board of HMCTC since 2019. Bob has been married for almost 31 years to his wife, Melanie, whom he met in the hotel industry early in his career. He and his wife have two children.
