State Senator

Growing up as one of six children in a military family was a big influence on me. We were taught respect, discipline, and to love and honor our country. We learned to adapt, moving many times across the US and overseas. We had to learn to make new friends and embrace new cultures. More importantly, I gained a deep appreciation for the military and those who serve our country.

Living in Hardin and Jefferson counties, we all see the importance of Fort Knox to our region, but growing up in a military environment gives you a different appreciation and I salute those of you who are active military or veterans.

In 1974, my father, USAF SMSgt Denver Parrett, retired and he and my mother, Carol, moved our family to Dad's native Hardin County where they purchased a small farm near Summit. We raised cattle, hay, corn, soybeans, tobacco and pickles. Although we probably resembled Green Acres more than we did a normal farm, it instilled in me a passion for agriculture and rural life.

It also taught me hard work and a valuable lesson – if you wanted something, you had to earn it! Although my father passed away in January of this year, that lesson still resonates with me today.

Upon graduation from West Hardin High School in 1977,and the University of Kentucky in 1981, I became the Hardin County Extension Agent for Agriculture. In 1988, I was given the opportunity to manage Cecilia Farm Service, a locally owned retail fertilizer, seed and farm supply business. In 1998, my wife and I had the opportunity to become co-owners. Starting with 4 employees in 1988, Cecilia Farm Service has become a regional business with 19 employees.

My wife, Lisa, and I have been married 26 years this September, and have a family we are very proud of: Devan ,24, and her husband, Marty Gaddie; Dayna, 21, and Kristen, 16. We live on our family farm outside of Elizabethtown, where we raise cattle, hay, corn and soybeans. Lisa is the daughter of former Hardin County Sheriffs, Bobby and Martha Thomas, who taught me it is more important to be a public servant than a politician.

The Thomas family is a close-knit, farm family who embodies the importance of family, of service to your community and to your church.

I believe very strongly in giving back to your community. I have served as chairman of the North Central Education Foundation, KY FFA Foundation, Hardin Co (H.C.). Conservation District, St James School Board, and on the boards of the KY Retail Federation, Agribusiness Assn of KY, KY Council on Agriculture, H.C. Regional Farmers Market Foundation, E'Town H.C. Chamber of Commerce, H.C. Board of Adjustments and H.C. Farm Bureau.