2026-03-05 06:19:59
When Adam O’Nan talks about leadership, he rarely begins with titles or accomplishments. He starts with people — his family, his neighbors, his team and the community that shaped him. That grounding, forged on a family farm in Union County, now guides O’Nan as he serves as the 2025-26 KACo president.
O’Nan, the judge/executive of Union County, was installed as KACo president Nov. 13 during KACo’s 51st Annual Conference and Exposition. He is the first official from Union County to hold the position, a distinction he accepts with characteristic humility.
“A life of purpose in serving others and our communities is a noble and worthwhile calling,” O’Nan said, crediting KACo and fellow county officials for strengthening his abilities as a county official. “KACo has poured so much into me personally and Union County as a group. When they say counties matter, they prove that over and over again.”
Rooted in Union County
Union County is the only home O’Nan has ever truly known. Adopted as an infant and raised on a farm in Sturgis, he grew up surrounded by agriculture, faith and service.
His parents — a farmer and a devoted homemaker — built a life grounded in generosity and hospitality.
“Our home was always filled with visitors,” O’Nan said in his installation speech. “There was always room for one more.”
That ethos carried forward into his own life. A proud “girl dad,” O’Nan raised four daughters and his family has grown to include seven grandchildren, a legacy he says still amazes him.
“My goal in life was to be a dad,” O’Nan said. “God’s grace to allow me to see my girls and then another generation of grands is more than I deserve on my best day.”
Before entering public service, O’Nan spent more than three decades farming alongside his father at Land O’Nan Farms, raising corn, soybeans, cattle and hogs. He is a graduate of the University of Southern Indiana with a degree in accounting and briefly worked as an Internal Revenue Service agent before returning home to farm.
Answering the call to serve
Politics was never part of O’Nan’s plan. That changed in t he mid-2010s, when Union County government became embroiled in controversy.
“There were some issues going, and I just knew that wasn’t the Union County I grew up in,” O’Nan said. “It didn’t define us.”
What began as an interest in running for magistrate evolved into something larger. Encouraged by friends and community members, O’Nan entered the race for judge/executive — a role he admits he knew little about at the time. In early 2018, following the untimely death of Judge/Executive Jody Jenkins, O’Nan was appointed to the office by Gov. Matt Bevin and quickly “thrown into the fire.”
He’s continued to lead Union County forward ever since.
Now in his second full term, O’Nan leads with a philosophy rooted in servant leadership, transparency and excellence. He expects county government to blend seamlessly into the community — highly visible in times of crisis but otherwise quietly delivering results.
“There’s nothing that will grate my gears quicker than someone saying, ‘That’s good enough for government work,’” he said. “We do excellent things here.”
From road crews to courthouse staff, O’Nan emphasizes pride in public service and long-term thinking — asking what today’s decisions will mean for the next generation of leaders and residents.
A natural fit for KACo
O’Nan’s relationship with KACo began out of necessity. With little formal training after his appointment, he leaned heavily on the association and staff members for guidance, resources and reassurance.
“They became my crutch,” he said. “If they didn’t have the answer, they could find it in a timely manner.”
That early support sparked a desire to give back. O’Nan joined the KACo Executive Committee in 2022 and quickly became a trusted voice in statewide policy discussions.
KACo Executive Director Jim Henderson said O’Nan’s leadership style resonates with county officials across Kentucky.
“He lives out public service every day, understanding the issues impacting counties firsthand,” Henderson said. “Judge O’Nan has the trust and respect of his fellow county officials, as well as decision-makers in Frankfort and Washington.”
State lawmakers echo that sentiment.
“When I met Judge O’Nan, I recognized he was someone who wanted to serve his community,” Rep. Suzanne Miles said. “Just like when he took the oath for Union County, Judge O’Nan is the right person to take KACo on a great journey forward.”
Looking ahead
As KACo president, O’Nan is focused on strengthening relationships with state leaders, addressing rising costs — particularly the growing strain of jail expenses — and encouraging county officials to stay engaged during an increasingly difficult time for public service.
“We live in a time of division like we haven’t seen in our lifetime,” he said.
He hopes to continue the momentum built in previous legislative sessions in Frankfort, particularly on the issue of county jails, while fostering collaborative relationships with legislators.
“It’s really fulfilling to be part of those conversations where we’re all shoulder to shoulder, working together,” O’Nan said. “We’re all on the same team, trying to make Kentucky better.”
Why not Union County?
For all his statewide responsibilities, O’Nan remains, at heart, Union County’s “chief cheerleader.” He proudly describes the county as No. 1 in “coal, corn and wrestling,” but its greatest asset is its people.
“It just feels like a warm coat to be here in Union County,” he said.
That’s what keeps him grounded — and what motivates him to serve.
“I want my grandkids to be able to live here in Union County.” O’Nan said. “Why not Union County? We’re a great place to be.”
Now as KACo president, O’Nan carries that same question statewide — rooted in faith, family and a belief that counties matter not just in policy but in people’s everyday lives.
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