Northern Kentucky University and the NKU Foundation will present the annual Lincoln Awards on Tuesday, November 17 in the James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union.
The Lincoln Awards, established by the NKU President in 1992, recognizes those in Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana who exemplify outstanding citizenship, notable achievement, and distinguished service in their professions and the region. The 2026 Honorees are the Honorable Gary W. Moore, Boone County Judge/Executive, and the Honorable Steve Pendery, Campbell County Judge/Executive.
The honorable Gary W. Moore was first elected as the judge/executive of Boone County in 1998, and most recently served as president of the National Association of Counties. He is the former chairman of St. Elizabeth Healthcare and former president of the Kentucky Association of Counties. Moore is credited with bringing a major growth in jobs, infrastructure, public safety and parks, while maintaining low taxes and a top credit ranking.
The honorable Steve Pendery, a lifelong Campbell County resident, was first elected as Campbell County judge/executive in 1999, after previously serving as mayor of Fort Thomas, Kentucky, as well as a city councilman. Pendery’s leadership has seen a balanced budget every year, major economic development and job growth, expanded services and completed major infrastructure improvements, all while maintaining the lowest per-resident spending of any full-service government in the region.
Over more than 25 years of service, Judge/Executives Gary Moore and Steve Pendery helped shape not only their individual counties, but Northern Kentucky as a region. During their tenure, Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties experienced tremendous population and economic growth, while strengthening a culture of regional cooperation that has become a hallmark of Northern Kentucky. They understood that county lines should not stand in the way of progress and embraced a simple philosophy: what is good for Northern Kentucky is good for each of its communities. That spirit helped advance shared approaches to economic development, tourism, infrastructure, public safety, drug prevention and other regional services, while giving Northern Kentucky a stronger, more unified voice in Frankfort and beyond.
“Judges Moore and Pendery have contributed so much to Northern Kentucky and the Greater Cincinnati Region, and we are humbled to be able to honor their achievements through the return of the Lincoln Awards,” said Cady Short-Thompson, President of NKU. “When the region thrives, NKU thrives. These men are an inspiration and excellent example for our students and alum.”
The 2026 Lincoln Awards will be held Tuesday, November 17, 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. in NKU’s James C. and Rachel M. Votruba Student Union, in the H. Gordon and Thelma S. Martin Ballroom.
To purchase tickets or learn more, visit nku.edu/lincoln-award.
Northern Kentucky University