As CEO of the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) and chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce’s executive committee, Candace McGraw enjoys a unique vantage point from which to observe Kentucky’s economy.

And the growth she’s witnessed at the airport over the past decade – adding cargo giants DHL and Amazon Prime, which boosted CVG to where it’s now the sixth-largest cargo airport in North America – has mirrored the surging economic growth of the Northern Kentucky region.

“The rise of the airport has paralleled the rise of the Northern Kentucky region,” McGraw said. “But what this really means is that we’re generating jobs and opportunities for our friends, family and neighbors.”

As a non-native Kentuckian, I love watching KET programs that take me to communities I haven’t had the chance to visit.

Candace McGraw, CEO, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky Airport

That spirit of creating opportunities for others also motivates McGraw as a longtime supporter of KET. Kentucky’s statewide public television network, she said, serves an essential role in the Commonwealth, connecting Kentuckians to resources they can use to change careers, to information about the state’s most pressing issues, and to news of what’s happening in Frankfort through its coverage of the General Assembly.

“KET has been a marvelous partner throughout the state, figuring out ways to connect Kentuckians,” McGraw said. “We all want a greater sense of community. And KET does a great job of bringing people together around the table who might not otherwise have a chance to communicate what’s going on in their communities, particularly on subjects like workforce development, which is one of the key challenges we face statewide.”

She adds that KET’s coverage of Kentucky’s public affairs is always even-handed and focuses on topics that are pivotal to the state’s future.

“I’m a huge fan of KET’s news coverage,” McGraw said. “It delivers the news in a way that’s both easily digestible and fact-based, which allows me to make up my own mind on the issues. And that’s important if we’re to have civil discourse around some of the complex issues our state faces going forward.”

Additionally, she said the network also serves as a gateway for learning about all the unique regions across the state. Through KET programs like Kentucky Life, McGraw has deepened her love for exploring the state’s natural wonders, as well as its many charming cities and villages.

“As a non-native Kentuckian, I love watching KET programs that take me to communities I haven’t had the chance to visit,” McGraw said. “My husband and I use these programs as a jumping-off point to visit as many of them as possible, and it’s sparked our interest to where we’ve become great tourists around the Commonwealth. All because of KET.”