Meet the Staff
French B. Harmon, Ph.D.
President & Chief Executive Officer
[email protected]
(502) 489-3421
French is the President and CEO of the Kentucky Baptist Foundation (KBF), joining in July 2020 after serving as Senior Pastor at First Baptist Church, Somerset, Kentucky. He has also pastored other Baptist churches in Kentucky, and taught leadership studies at the University of the Cumberlands.
French holds degrees from Marshall University, University of Louisville, University of the Cumberlands, Reformed Theological Seminary, and The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary. He has earned certificates in Non‐Profit Leadership from Harvard, Building Non‐Profit Capacity from Northwestern, and several other certificates.
His community service includes roles as Vice Chairman of the Executive Board for Shaping Our Appalachian Region (SOAR), Trustee of the University of the Cumberlands and coach for local sports teams. He opened the U.S. House of Representatives in prayer in 2008 and was a spiritual advisor for a congressional delegation to Israel in 2014.
Austin Wilkerson, J.D.
General Counsel
[email protected]
(502) 489-3426
Austin is General Counsel for the Kentucky Baptist Foundation. Before joining the Foundation, Austin had his own practice where he represented businesses, churches, nonprofits, and other
tax‐exempt organizations as general counsel. Austin has a wide breadth of vocational experience which includes high school teacher, pastor, basketball coach, executive recruiter, and adjunct college professor at Indiana Wesleyan University.
Austin earned his Bachelor of Science in International Business (summa cum laude) from Oral Roberts University in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and his Juris Doctor (cum laude) from Regent University School of Law in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Austin is admitted to practice as a member attorney of the Texas State Bar and the Kentucky State Bar. He is a proud advocate for adoption having served on the boards of Orphan Care Alliance, Pure Foundations and as Chairman of the Board for the Arise for Children adoption agency.
Kim Fulkerson
Chief Operating Officer
[email protected]
(502) 489-3438
Kim serves as the Chief Operating Officer for the Foundation. She previously served for three years as the Kentucky Baptist Foundation’s Senior Accountant. Kim leverages over 31 years of experience in accounting and operations management to enhance client services. She has extensive experience in public accounting, specializing in serving nonprofit and small business clients. She oversees the overall accounting function and the administration of the client investment accounts.
Kim is instrumental in the development and implementation of recommended policies, procedures, and systems, striving to enhance organizational efficiency and compliance. She also supervises all office personnel and is responsible for human resources/benefits administration. Kim holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Kentucky.
Lanse Milburn
Client Engagement Coordinator
Lanse Milburn serves as the Client Engagement Coordinator at KBF, with the primary responsibility of maintaining the Foundationʹs comprehensive database of clients, donors, beneficiaries, and contacts, ensuring accurate and up‐to‐date records. In his role, Lanse prepares essential documents and correspondence for fund accounts, handles client and donor communications, and prepares gift acknowledgments and reports. Lanse holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Data Analytics from Western Kentucky University.
Lynette James
Senior Accountant
Lynette is a seasoned accountant with a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Louisville and has prior experience in public accounting and the health care industry. Lynette manages the overall accounting function including the accuracy and maintenance of all general ledger accounts and the resulting financial statements. She provides oversight of the administration of the participant investment accounts in coordination with the Foundation’s Chief Operating Officer, General Counsel, and custodian bank sub‐accounting service.
DeAnna Terry
Executive Assistant
DeAnna is a dedicated Executive Assistant providing comprehensive support to the President, General Counsel, and Chief Operating Officer. She assists in the preparation of endowment and investment agreements and other documents required for the establishment and administration of fund accounts. DeAnna coordinates the details for all Foundation Board of Directors and Committee meetings, and other KBF events. She has held positions in both professional and ministry fields and her organizational skills and attention to detail benefit both our staff and our clients. She received her Master of Divinity in Missions, Evangelism & Church Growth from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary.
Alice Skaggs
Accounting Assistant
Alice serves as an Accounting Assistant for KBF where she is responsible for the daily
accounting functions and maintaining the accounting records of the Foundation. In
addition to her core accounting duties, Alice prepares investment account instructions and assists with client account maintenance. Alice has over 15 years of accounting experience and has previously worked in both for‐profit and non‐profit sectors.
Beth Spencer
Administrative Assistant and Scholarship Coordinator
Beth performs primary public reception duties, ensuring a welcoming and professional experience for clients and constituents. She assists in the administration of the Foundationʹs scholarship application process, communicating with schools, reviewing applications, and providing timely responses to inquiries. Beth is responsible for maintaining the Foundationʹs permanent records, ensuring they are meticulously organized. Additionally, Beth distributes subaccount statements, master account statements, and ACH advice notifications to client institutions, beneficiary
organizations, and donors.