Keynote Presenter Tom Welch Tom Welch is currently working with the Kentucky Department of Education and the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development. As “Director of Seeding Innovation” for the Department for Innovation and Commercialization for a Knowledge-Based Economy in Kentucky’s Cabinet for Economic Development, he is responsible for conceiving of and directing P-16+ education initiatives. Mr. Welch graduated from Asbury College, and spent the next part of his career in various roles as a Kentucky educator. He was a classroom teacher (1992 Kentucky Teacher of the Year), curriculum consultant at KDE and a high school principal. He has served on a variety of regional, state and national committees and is currently involved in projects that focus on preparing Kentucky students to be well-prepared participants in a knowledge-based economy. In that capacity he works extensively with schools, school districts, education organizations, local business and community leaders and others to help them understand the coming changes that will result from an economic environment where the creation of knowledge is a primary resource for any community. Download Mr. Welch's Keynote Presentation (PowerPoint)