BRANDL SKIRVIN, PRESIDENT

Brandl, who owns State Beauty Supply, has served on numerous community boards and donated his time and resources to the Bluegrass Rape Crisis Center, AIDS Volunteers of Lexington, the American Cancer Society and JustFundKY, to name a few. Through his passion to help people identify their dreams and develop the skills to make them come true, he has assisted thousands of salon professionals in the past 22 years.

Brandl also owns The Salon and Spa Idea Group, which specializes in design, and he recently partnered with several beauty industry leaders who together own KRS Sales Development, the country's largest beauty distribution consulting company.

ERNESTO SCORSONE, VICE PRESIDENT

Ernesto Scorsone is a Fayette Circuit Court Judge. Prior to being a judge, Ernesto practiced law as well as served in the state legislature for 24 years (12 in the House and 12 in the Senate). As an attorney he led the legal team in Wasson v. Commonwealth resulting in Kentucky's 4th degree sodomy law being declared unconstitutional and in Ireland v. Commonwealth which guarantees domestic violence protection to LGBTQ couples. As a legislator, in addition to his work on education and health care, Ernesto championed the fair treatment of LGBTQ Kentuckians. He helped enact a hate crime provision that applies to LGBTQ discrimination, fought for inclusion of LGBTQ Kentuckians in our state's Civil Rights law, and helped draft the Executive order currently in place for LGBTQ employees in state government. In 2010, Ernesto was inducted in Kentucky's Civil Rights Hall of Fame.

DAVID LAFFERTY, TREASURER

David is a serial entrepreneur and investor who formerly served as Executive Vice President and CFO of an international industrial construction and staffing company. He also previously started, operated and sold successful businesses ranging from insurance to computer equipment and consulting to a restaurant. David is a graduate of Transylvania University and a long-time supporter and volunteer for many charitable organizations. His history as a JustFundKY volunteer dates nearly back to its inception.

BERNADETTE BARTON, SECRETARY

Dr. Bernadette Barton is Professor of Sociology and Gender Studies at Morehead State University. She is the author of Stripped: More Stories from Exotic Dancers (2017) and Pray the Gay Away: The Extraordinary Lives of Bible Belt Gays (2014). Barton writes and lectures on contemporary issues of gender, sexuality, religion, culture, and the sex industry. Dr. Barton’s new projects examine the impact of raunch culture in the lives of young people and marriage equality mobilization in Kentucky.

JOHN DAVIS

John is from Lexington and one of the original founders of JustFundKY. He is an architectural photographer with over 25 years of LGBTQ activism. John helped organize the first statewide Come Together Conference of College LGBTQ activists, was an interim Executive Director of the Kentucky Fairness Alliance and has helped organize countless LGBTQ fundraisers in Central Kentucky. He also has a long history of Democratic campaign work: organizing, fundraising, graphic design, and IT.

KEVIN C. BROWN

Kevin C. Brown has been a member of the JustFund Board since June 2018. Kevin is passionate about the important role of public schools in our society and the impact that education has at all levels on improving fairness, justice and well-being in the Commonwealth. He currently serves as General Counsel for the Jefferson County Public Schools, Kentucky’s largest school district. He served in the Kentucky Department of Education from 2004 through May 2018, including service as Associate Commissioner, General Counsel, Counsel to the Kentucky Board of Education and as the Interim Commissioner of Education in fall 2015. Kevin is a former chairperson of the National Council of State Education Attorneys (NCOSEA) and served as a member of the National Association of State Boards of Education (NASBE) Board of Directors. Kevin was an Assistant Attorney General from 2001 through 2004 under former Kentucky Attorney General, A.B. Chandler, III.  Kevin earned his B.A. from Transylvania University, where he was a William T. Young Scholar. In 2001, Kevin received his J.D. from the University of Kentucky College of Law. Prior to law school, Kevin was a staff assistant to then U.S. Senator Wendell H. Ford (D-KY) and a White House intern during the Clinton administration. Kevin is a lifetime member of the Delta Sigma Phi fraternity.

Kevin, his partner Shawn and their two rescue boxers, Cooper and Tyson, divide their time between Lexington, Louisville and the family farm in Paint Lick, Garrard County, Kentucky.

MARK A. JOHNSON

Mark Johnson received his Master’s of Science in Social Work Degree (MSSW) from the Kent School of Social Work at the University of Louisville. He is currently the HIV/AIDS Prevention Supervisor for the Kentucky Department for Public Health. He has been a champion for HIV/AIDS, Cultural Competency, and Health Equity for over 30 years. He uses his positions at both local and state public health departments and at community-based organizations to create change, promote cultural competency and influence policy to ensure all people have the opportunity to reach their full potential of health. Mark is co-founder and member of Bluegrass Black Pride, Inc. and he has served on numerous organizational boards. His alter ego “LaToya BaCall” has been a local drag entertainer for 25+ years. 

Mark, his husband (John) and their two fur babies reside in Fayette County.