Fayette Alliance is a coalition of citizens dedicated to achieving sustainable growth in Lexington-Fayette County through land-use advocacy, education, and research.

As your voice for sustainable growth, we believe that preserving our unique and productive bluegrass farmland, advancing innovative development, and improving our infrastructure are essential to our collective success in Lexington. Through our efforts at government and beyond, Fayette Alliance positively impacts countywide planning and zoning laws and policies – which are the building blocks of a better quality of life, economy, and environment for us all.

Our Vision: Lexington-Fayette County will be the model for sustainable growth by balancing and connecting our vibrant city with our productive and beautiful Bluegrass farmland.

Fayette Alliance works tirelessly to urge our leaders to do the right thing and protect all that makes Lexington-Fayette County extraordinary.

Susan Speckert
Executive Director

Prior to joining Fayette Alliance, Susan served as general counsel to the Kentucky Horse Racing Commission. She has also served as Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Fayette County and an associate at Stoll Keenon Ogden, where she practiced primarily in the areas of planning and zoning and real estate.

Susan graduated from the Loyola University School of Law, magna cum laude, in May 2003. While in law school, she was editor-in-chief of the Loyola Law Review. After law school, she completed a judicial clerkship for the Honorable Eldon E. Fallon, United States District Court for the Eastern District of Louisiana.

Susan relocated to Lexington from New Orleans in 2005. She is an avid horsewoman, and enjoys competing in local dressage competitions. She and her husband Chris live on a small farm in Fayette County with their dogs, horses, and barn cats. Susan is committed to promoting Fayette Alliance’s vital mission.

Mary Gilbert
Office Manager

Mary joins the team at Fayette Alliance with over twenty-five years of administrative experience in the corporate arena at Ashland Inc. She also has a background with the system office at Kentucky Community and Technical College System, as well as a recent tenure at Three Chimneys Farm. Mary is thrilled to support the charge of Fayette Alliance of sustaining our beautiful farmland and upbeat city.

Paige Halpin Smith
Director of Development

Paige comes to Fayette Alliance after fundraising for Kentucky political campaigns. She previously served as the Associate Director of Development for her alma mater, Monmouth College, in Illinois. Raised in the rural Midwest, Paige was heavily involved in 4-H, showing her family’s Polled Hereford cattle at county fairs. She is an active member of Christ Church Cathedral in downtown Lexington. Paige is thrilled to be making a home in such a vibrant city that loves and respects its surrounding farmland.

Ashley C. Smith
Director of Education & Governmental Affairs

A native of Lexington, Kentucky, Ashley C. Smith graduated from the University of Kentucky in 2008 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology. Ashley brings many years of diverse experience in public service, educational programming and community outreach to the Fayette Alliance. Prior to joining the Fayette Alliance team, Ashley served as development coordinator at the Lyric Theatre & Cultural Arts Center and worked for Community Ventures, Smiley Pete Publishing, KentuckyOne Health, Bluegrass Hospitality Group, and NetGain Technologies. Ashley is a member of the Ethical Redevelopment Salon, Kentucky State University President’s Advisory Board, and past Scholarship Chair for the Bluegrass Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals. In addition, Ashley serves on the management team for the crave food + music festival and steering committee for the Kentucky Rural Urban Exchange. Ashley is proud to help the citizens of her hometown make informed decisions around the building blocks of their daily lives.

Madeline Vied
Director of Communications

Madeline Vied has worked in non-profit and association management for more than nine years. Her experience includes work in customer service, public relations, branding, content marketing, and awards management across the travel, technology, and media industries. Prior to joining the Fayette Alliance, Madeline served as PR and Marketing Manager for the Alliance for Women in Media, including their Gracie Awards, an annual bi-coastal event celebrating individual achievement and outstanding programming by, for and about women in TV, radio, and interactive media. Madeline is committed to creating dialogue and sharing the message of sustainable growth to the community she calls home.

Fayette Alliance Inc.
Board of Directors

Eunice A. Beatty, PhD

Jimmy Bell
Godolphin

Price Bell, Jr.
Nicoma Bloodstock

Sandra Noble Canon
Community Ventures

Todd Clark
Clark Farms

Kip Cornett
Cornett

Susan Enlow
Greenbrier Neighborhood Association

Greg Goodman
Mt. Brilliant Farm

Stan Harvey
Lord Aeck Sargent

Barry Holmes
Lexington Housing Authority

Matt Hovekamp
Emerge Contracting

Dr. Michael Karpf
UK HealthCare

Chauncey Morris
KTA/KTOB

John Phillips
Darby Dan Farm

Tom Poskin
Meridian Wealth Management

Walt Robertson

Don Robinson
Winter Quarter Farm

Knox van Nagell
Mt. Brilliant

Gay Haggin VanMeter
Chair, Bluegrass International Cup

Holly Wiedemann
AU Associates

Anthony Wright
Harshaw Trane

Fayette Alliance Foundation
Board of Directors

Ann Bakhaus
Kentucky Eagle Inc.

Gary Biszantz
Cobra Farm

Jimmy Bell
Godolphin

Greg Goodman
Mt. Brilliant Farm

Orrin Ingram
Ingram Industries Inc.

Bill Justice
Justice Real Estate

Sue Masson
Green Lantern Farm

John Phillips
Darby Dan Farm

Don Robinson
Winter Quarter Farm

Bill Shively
Dixiana Farm

Sustainers

Josephine Abercrombie
Pin Oak Stud

Helen Alexander
Middlebrook Farm

Alltech, Inc.

Andover Management Group
Allen Schubert & John Knapp

Ann Bakhaus
Kentucky Eagle

Ian Banwell
St. George Farm

Antony & Angela Beck
Gainesway Farm

Gary E. & Betty Biszantz
Cobra Farm

Alex G. Campbell, Jr.

Bill Farish
Lane’s End Farm

Fayette Co. Farm Bureau

David & Philippa Fogg

Greg & Becky Goodman
Mt. Brilliant Farm

Dave & Vivien Harper

Larry & Marsha Hester
Hilaur Farm

Watts & Sally Humphrey
Shawnee Farm

Orrin & Lee Ann Ingram
Ingram Industries Inc.

The Jockey Club

Bill Justice
Justice Real Estate

Keeneland Association

Kentucky Thoroughbred Owners & Breeders

Murray & Teri Kessler
Kessler Show Stables

Robert & Gwen Langley
Langley Properties Company

Lisa Lourie
Spy Coast Farm

Deirdre Lyons
Alltech Inc.

Richard & Sue Ann Masson
Green Lantern Farm

James & Misdee Wrigley Miller
Hillcroft Farms

Mt. Brilliant Family Foundation

Joe & Jacqueline Murphy
Stoneleigh Farm

Celeste Neuman
Stonetower Stable

Nancy Polk
Normandy Farm

Don M. Robinson
Winter Quarter Farm

Dr. Kim & Rob Rosenstein

Bill & Donna Shively
Dixiana Farm

Tom VanMeter, DVM
Stockplace Farm

Mr. & Mrs. Derek D. Vaughan
Associates Warehouse

Fra Vaughan

John Hendrickson & Marylou Whitney
Marylou Whitney Stables

Brian & Lori Wood
Walnut Springs Farm

Chris & Josefine Young
Overbrook Farm

Fayette Alliance is a coalition of citizens dedicated to achieving sustainable growth in Lexington-Fayette County through land-use advocacy, education, and research.

Our Staff

Susan SpeckertExecutive Director

Mary GilbertOffice Manager

Paige Halpin SmithDirector of Development

Ashley C. SmithDirector of Education & Governmental Affairs

Madeline ViedDirector of Communications

Fayette Alliance Inc. Board of Directors

Fayette Alliance Foundation Board of Directors