Hopkinsville City Administrator Troy Body, who has worked with three mayors over the past eight and a half years, is leaving his job.
A press release issued Friday says Body will “transition to the next chapter of his professional career.” The release does not indicate if he has a new job. His last day with the city of Hopkinsville is not given.
“If there’s one thing I’m most proud of, it’s leaving this organization stronger that I found it,” Body said in the release issued by Public Information Officer Amanda Brunt. “Stronger financially. Stronger operationally. Stronger in infrastructure, staffing, technology, systems, vision, morale and community engagement. Across the board, the foundation is stronger, and the organization is well positioned for community growth.”
The release contains praise for Body’s work from Mayor James R. Knight Jr. and two former mayors — Wendell Lynch and Carter Hendricks — who worked with Body.
It also includes complimentary observations of his impact from several others, Corner Coffeehouse co-owner April Huff-McClure, Christian County Literacy Council executive director Francene Gilmer, Boys & Girls Club executive director Terrence Davis and Ward 4 city council member Chuck Crabtree.
During Body’s tenure, some of the city’s major infrastructure projects included the Hopkinsville Sportsplex, Fire Substation 5, the Regional Public Safety Training Center and expansion of the Hopkinsville Greenway’s rail-trail.
Body also “conceptualized and brought forward the Lot Next Door initiative,” which seeks to address more than 1,000 vacant lots. He also helped develop the Small Business Commission.
He’s been involved in community organizations and served on the Pennyroyal Arts Council Board and the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library Board.
Prior to moving to Hopkinsville, Body held several leadership roles in government positions, including press secretary for Kentucky Gov. Ernie Fletcher, commissioner of culture and history in West Virginia, positions with Democracy International in South Sudan, and development work for the city of New Orleans following Hurricane Katrina.
A Harland County native, he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications and media studies at the University of Kentucky and a master’s in political science and urban and state and local governments from Marshall University.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. Brown was a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era, where she worked for 30 years. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board past president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition. She serves on the Hopkinsville History Foundation's board.
