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Jim Gray is pictured during a Democratic Party event in Glasgow on Oct. 21, 2025. He is a Glasgow native and serves as the Secretary of the Kentucky Department of Transportation. James Brown/Glasgow News 1

Glasgow’s Jim Gray moves from transportation secretary to adviser role

Apr 14, 2026 | 2:44 PM

STAFF REPORT
Glasgow News 1

Glasgow native Jim Gray is taking on a new role in the Beshear administration, moving from secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet to a part-time position as special adviser to Gov. Andy Beshear on transportation.

Beshear said Gray has served as transportation secretary through his entire administration, guiding a range of major infrastructure projects and emergency responses.

“Jim helped us see through major projects like the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor Project and finalizing the Mountain Parkway while also delivering safer roads and bridges across Kentucky and supporting preparations for, response to and recovery from some of the state’s worst natural disasters,” the Governor said. “I am grateful he will continue to make an impact through this next well-deserved role.”

Gray said he is proud of what the team has accomplished. He said the move as a purposeful transition that allows him to continue supporting the governor and Team Kentucky in a new and meaningful way.

“I’m grateful to have served alongside thousands of talented and dedicated public servants these past six years, and I take a lot of pride in what we’ve been able to accomplish by working together,” Gray said.

He previously served two terms as mayor of Lexington and earlier was president and chief executive officer of Gray Inc.

Stepping into Gray’s current role will be Rebecca Goodman, who is moving from her position as secretary of the Energy and Environment Cabinet.

Key Facts
– Glasgow native Jim Gray will become Gov. Andy Beshear’s special adviser on transportation
– Gray is stepping down as secretary of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet
– Beshear credits Gray with advancing major projects like the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor and Mountain Parkway
– Gray calls the move a “purposeful transition” to continue supporting the administration in a new way
– Rebecca Goodman, the state’s top environmental officer since 2019, will become the new transportation secretary
– Goodman began her career at the Transportation Cabinet and has more than four decades in Kentucky state government

Michael Crimmins with Glasgow News 1 contributed to this reporting. 

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