Northern Kentucky University alumnus John Neace will be honored in the Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame’s Class of 2026, adding another milestone to a career that began while he was putting himself through college.
The Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame will recognize Neace, founder and business leader associated with Neace Lukens and Neace Ventures, during its 2026 ceremony and dinner on Wednesday, November 4, at Central Bank Center in Lexington. The event begins with a networking reception at 4:30 p.m., followed by dinner at 6 p.m.
Neace’s NKU connection gives students and alumni a direct line to the story: an alumnus who built and exited a major insurance business before investing in companies, real estate and professional sports.
Neace put himself through Northern Kentucky University and later earned a master’s degree in public administration from Xavier University. After a decade in insurance, he founded Neace Lukens, grew it to more than $100 million in revenue and exited in 2011.
Through Neace Ventures, he has invested across insurance, logistics, food and beverage, real estate and other sectors, and his civic and sports leadership includes Louisville City FC and The Women’s Cup.
The Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame celebrates the stories and impact of Kentucky’s successful entrepreneurs and seeks to inspire future founders. The 2026 class also includes John Neace, Ervin Houchens, Roger Griggs and Purna Veer.
Event details and tickets are available at entrepreneurhof.com.
Kentucky Entrepreneur Hall of Fame