COVINGTON, KY – On Friday evening, January 6, the City of Covington celebrated an inauguration and swearing-in ceremony, welcoming Mayor Joseph U. Meyer, Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Williams, Commissioner Tim Downing, and incumbent Commissioners Jordan Huizenga and Bill Wells to the Board of Commissioners.

The inauguration ceremony took place at the Carnegie Arts Center. Bexion Pharmaceuticals Chairman of the Board and former Covington Mayor Chuck Scheper served as the Master of Ceremonies and led the ceremony.

Retired Kentucky Supreme Court Justice Donald Wintersheimer issued the oath of office to the elected officials and Reverend Richard Fowler led the ceremony’s invocation and benediction.

Additionally, the Covington Police Color Guard presented the nation’s colors.

The Mayor and City Commission provided remarks thanking Covington residents for their support as they each look forward to a productive and positive future.

Serving his first term as Covington Mayor, Meyer has an extensive background in public service in Kentucky. In 2013, Meyer retired as Secretary of the Education and Workforce Development Cabinet.

Meyer served 15 years in the Kentucky General Assembly, in both the House and Senate. He chaired the House Cities Committee and later the Senate State and Local Government Committee. Meyer has also chaired the Senate Education committee during the early years of Kentucky’s education reform and has served as a member of the Covington Board of Education.

Mayor Pro Tem Michelle Williams will be serving her second term on Covington’s Board of Commissioners. Williams attends Sinclair Community College in Dayton, Ohio. She is majoring in aviation technology, studying the use and management of drones.

Incumbent Commissioners Jordan Huizenga and Bill Wells will be serving their second consecutive terms on Covington’s Board of Commissioners.

Commissioner Jordan Huizenga is the Director of Development for Children, Inc. He is actively involved in the Covington and Northern Kentucky community, including Westside Action Coalition, Linden Gateway Small Area Study Board, Northern Kentucky Forum Board, myNKY Leadership Team, Legacy Leadership of Northern Kentucky, Old Seminary Square Neighborhood Association, and is a mentor with Covington Partners. 

A lifelong resident of Northern Kentucky, Commissioner Bill Wells is the Chief Mechanic at Hosea Worldwide. He is a member of the Latonia Small Area Study and has served as the five term President of the South Covington Community Action Association. Wells has also served two terms as Vice-Chair of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative and two terms as Chairperson of the Covington Neighborhood Collaborative.

Commissioner Tim Downing will be serving his first term as a Covington Commissioner. A long time Covington resident, Downing currently resides in South Covington and received degrees in Mathematics and Physics from Centre College and acquired his MBA from Xavier University. Downing is a full time analyst at Kao Brands, and has held a passion for helping those around him, dedicating time to adult GED programs, local tutoring and organizing a variety of drives during his time in the corporate sector.

The first Board of Commissioners Caucus meeting of 2017 is scheduled for Monday, January 9 at 5:15 p.m. The next legislative meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, January 17.