Jared Arnett, MBA, IOM

Executive Director
Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR)
Pikesville, KY


A native of Eastern Kentucky, Jared has a heart for the people of the region and for the businesses of eastern Kentucky. In November of 2014, he began his new role as the Founding Executive Director for Shaping Our Appalachian Region, Inc. (SOAR), a special, bi-partisan initiative launched by former Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear and Congressman Hal Rogers in 2013. SOAR’s mission is to expand job creation, enhance regional opportunity, innovation, and identity, improve the quality of life, and support all those working to achieve these goals in Appalachian Kentucky.

Prior to taking his post at SOAR, Arnett was leading the 530 member Southeast Kentucky Chamber of Commerce as President/CEO. He was instrumental in the expansion of the organization both geographically and strategically. Before being employed at the chamber, Arnett's career had included serving as the director of finance for Sound House Music, Inc.; general management consultant for the East Kentucky Small Business Development Center; and at age 26, starting his own consulting firm, Beacon Management Solutions, Inc.

Through his consulting work, he was instrumental in more than 10 successful start-ups in eastern Kentucky, including the most recent, as a partner in Mountain Music Exchange, LLC. He has a bachelor’s degree in Paralegal Studies and a minor in Government, as well as a MBA from Morehead State University. Jared resides in Harold, KY with his wife, Bethany and their daughter, Rosalind (Roz) and their son, Harker.


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