Brian Murphy is a native of Fords Branch, Kentucky.  A business executive with a combined 25 years’ experience in business and government, focused on rural energy development and rural public policy. He is past president of the Kentucky Hemp Growers Association and a past partner with the National Hemp Growers Cooperative, as well as a Honorary Kentucky Colonel and Kentucky Admiral. His work in government focused on agriculture, energy, and rural economic development policy and legislation. He served as a legislative aide for multiple legislators and as Director of Energy and Technology for Pike County Government, overseeing a multi-year comprehensive energy policy and economic study developing strategies and recruiting energy companies to build facilities rural Eastern Kentucky.