By Jacob Perkins
Jacob.perkins@education.ky.gov

Kentucky Department of Education (KDE) Commissioner Jason E. Glass announced Dec. 28 the hiring of Chuck Truesdell as director of government relations for KDE. He will begin his role with the department on Jan. 5.

Picture of a man wearing glasses.

Chuck Truesdell

As the director of government relations, Truesdell will serve as the primary legislative liaison for the agency. He will coordinate the development of legislative policy and agendas, track education legislation and coordinate legislative committee requests for information and testimony.

Truesdell also will work directly with KDE associate commissioners and assigned policy advisers on legislative concerns, and represent the department on matters before the General Assembly, the governor’s office and other officials.

Truesdell previously served as assistant public information officer and legislative fiscal analyst for the Legislative Research Commission (LRC).

While with the LRC, he researched and analyzed fiscal operations of various state agencies, including KDE, the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet, the School Facilities Construction Commission, the Kentucky Teachers’ Retirement System, the Council on Postsecondary Education, the Kentucky Higher Education Assistance Authority and other state institutions of higher education.

“Chuck brings a wealth of government relations experience with him to KDE,” said Glass. “We are excited for him to join us and look forward to him working alongside Kentucky’s legislators to further the department’s goals of inclusion and equity for all of the Commonwealth’s students and school staff.”

Truesdell is a Lewis County native and a 1995 graduate of Lewis County High School. He received a bachelor’s degree in political science and a master’s degree in public financial administration from the University of Kentucky.

“I look forward to helping Dr. Glass and the great staff at KDE work with state lawmakers to enact an education agenda that helps all students learn at high levels and contribute to a better Kentucky,” said Truesdell.