Operation Open Arms is open to reviewing new board members.  If you are interested please go to the "about us" section of the website and scroll to the honorary board members.  You will see a button where you can apply to become a board member.  Our Exectutive Committee interviews and screens applicants.  Thank you for your interest.

Cathy Bailey has a career in serving on non-profit boards, advocacy in our community and serving as a former United States Ambassador to Latvia. She is skilled in fundraising; advocacy; leadership and coordinating efforts to make a macro level community difference. She is the founder and Co-Chair of Operation Open Arms.

Linda Yeager has a career in nonprofit management bringing experience and leadership. She is skilled in budgeting, strategic planning, process improvement and problem solving. Linda’s clinical knowledge is in crisis and emergency services and outpatient mental health for children, adults and families.

Irv Bailey has more than fifty years of corporate and non-profit leadership experience. Prior to his retirement in 1998, he served as the Chairman, President and CEO of Providian Corporation, a Fortune 500 financial services company. Irv has extensive corporate governance experience. He is currently a trustee and chairman of the Audit and Risk Committee for Save the Children, Inc. He is also a director and chairman of the Risk Committee of the International Development Finance Corporation. Irv has served on the boards of five public companies.

Meredith Hernandez has over twenty years’ experience serving on boards and volunteering in our community. She serves as a school classroom representative, leader at VBS, serves in mission work, aiding the Girl Scouts and more. As an adult adoptee, mother of three children and an educational background in elementary education she brings a unique skill set to the Board.

Shari Hagan is a retired schoolteacher with a lifelong passion for serving and educating children. She has numerous years’ experience serving on multiple boards in the community. Shari is a proud mother of three children and five grandchildren.

Joe Arnold has over seventeen years’ experience as a Political Editor/Reporter at WHAS Television. He is a former radio host on WHAS Radio, Host of the Joe Arnold Show. Joe volunteers in the community using his media and communications skills.

John McCarthy, III is highly experienced and connected lobbyist in Kentucky with over three decades of managing political, policy and corporate operations. He served as the Chairman of the Republican Party of Kentucky in 2004 after serving as the Special Assistant to Governor Ernie Fletcher in 2003.

Gale Lively has over thirty-seven years experiences as a Vice President. She was named Executive Officer of the Year and chosen to be President of the Associations Executive Council. Gale has executive management skills and council/board skills.

Daniel brings a wealth of experience from various fields. He spent over fifteen years in the construction industry, where he founded and operated a company. Daniel also served as a law enforcement officer for six years.  His most recent position is a technology leader at Humana.  Beyond his professional experience he provides knowledge from personal experience as a youth in underprivileged communities in Louisville.  He is dedicated to helping vulnerable children.