MIDDLESBORO — The Bell County business community should be on the edge of their collective seats. The Bell County Chamber of Commerce and the Southeast Kentucky Community and Technical College Small Business Development Center host monthly “Soup & Sandwich Luncheons” at J. Milton’s in Middlesboro, where speakers share their expertise with interested locals.

John E. Cole III, the director of the Small Business Services Division of the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development, is slated to speak on Thursday, Oct. 9. The luncheon is open to the public, Cole will speak at noon.

Cole has an extensive background, and will likely share some words of economic development wisdom with those in attendance. Cole is the former director of the Small and Minority Business Division of the cabinet, but was promoted in 2005 to his current position.

Cole’s responsibilities as director include being the Chief Executive responsible for managing ten staff members in three branches, namely the Kentucky Procurement Assistance, Business Information Clearinghouse, and the Small & Minority Business Branches that counsel, advocate and service the needs of entrepreneurs and small business owners.

Cole’s experience prior to joining the Kentucky Cabinet for Economic Development includes: starting his own business, Cole Enterprises, at the age of 21 and growing it into one of the largest minority-owned landscape contracting firms in the greater Lexington area.

In 1993, along with his wife Debbie and a close friend, they established the African American Forum, Inc. with the following mission and purpose: To exemplify excellence in promoting awareness of the artistic, cultural and educational achievements of African Americans. To further develop and support programs that embrace cultural diversity, enhance community development and broaden the opportunities for African Americans to make their highest and best contributions to life in the Greater Lexington area, the Commonwealth of Kentucky and beyond.

The organization’s marquee event is the annual African American Ball, which over the past 15 years as become the largest public African American Ball in Kentucky. It has attracted over 12,000 attendees in that time span.

In recognition of its many accomplishments, Commerce Lexington selected the African American Forum, Inc. as its 1998 Minority Business of the Year.

Cole has also worked with disenfranchised black males age 9 to 13 in the inner-city of Lexington in partnership with the Bluegrass-Aspendale Teen Center.

In 1999, Cole was selected one of 40 future leaders, under age 40, for the new century by the Kentucky Press Association and Leadership Kentucky.

Other professional affiliations and board service have included: Actors Guild of Lexington; Commerce Lexington, formerly known as the Greater Lexington Area Chamber of Commerce; Lexington Arts & Cultural Council; The Lexington Children’s Theatre; United Way of the Bluegrass; The Y.M.C.A. of Central Kentucky; and appointments to several economic & community development task forces by the honorable Pam Miller, former Mayor of the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government.

Born in Anniston, Alabama, Cole traveled extensively with his parents; while they worked on their post-graduate degrees, along the East coast. He earned an A.A. degree in Architectural Technology from Lexington Community College and majored in Landscape Architecture at the University of Kentucky. In the process of completing his B.A. degree he started Cole Enterprises in 1985.

Cole has been a resident of Lexington over the past 28 years; is a devoted member of Mt. Calvary Missionary Baptist Church, Inc., where he has served as a Trustee from 1999 to 2002; is the husband of Debbie A. Cole; and the father of two children, Jazz Whatley and Jermaine Miles Cole.

The Bell County Chamber of Commerce invites anyone interested to come out and hear what Cole has to say, bring him your questions and sit down with your business community.

Brandy Calvert is the managing editor of the Middlesboro Daily News. Contact her via e-mail at editor@middlesborodailynews.com.