Diane Ford

Diane Ford currently serves as the Co-Director of the Wendell Ford Government Education Center. She has passionately pursued the goal of helping students understand that leadership can take many forms, but is most effective when people of differing opinions take the time to listen and learn from each other. If future leaders learn to respect other viewpoints and practice civility when discussing sensitive issues, their opportunity to solve difficult problems is greatly improved. Her passion has resulted in a program that has engaged hundreds of regional students. It has encouraged them to have civil conversations about important issues and taught them how they can participate in and contribute to the future of our city, state, and country.

Diane’s love for Owensboro drives her involvement in many non-profit organizations that benefit their community. She serves on the board of directors for The Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation and has spent many hours volunteering for Owensboro Public Schools, The Women’s Guild of Owensboro and has served on the board of CASA of Ohio Valley and in the Junior League of Owensboro. Diane is married to Clay Ford and together they have 2 children, Whitley and John Clay.

Bruce Kunze currently serves as the Co-Director of the Wendell Ford Government Education Center. Bruce grew up in Owensboro and has spent his adult life in rural Daviess County on a small farm that was purchased by his wife’s grandparents in 1925.  Bruce graduated from Owensboro High School and the University of Kentucky, worked as a teacher and counselor and retired from the Daviess County Public Schools after 28 years of dedicated service.

Bruce has served on numerous community boards, was elected to three terms as a Daviess County Commissioner from 1999-2010, and was the executive director of the Wendell H. Ford Government Education Center from 2013-2016.

He is the owner and operator of Browns Valley Vineyard and has been active in the Owensboro Regional Farmers Market for the past 10 years where he served as vice-president coordinating efforts to build the first permanent structure for the market.  He and his wife Susie have two grown children and four wonderful grandchildren.  Bruce and Susie attend First Christian Church in Owensboro. 



Bruce enjoys working with young people and believes that helping them understand the importance of working together in a civil manner and striving to understand different points of view are critical in developing our future leaders.