Dedicated to the Commonwealth
And the Common Good

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You're in good company with us.

No other consulting group in the Commonwealth of Kentucky is as prepared to guide your business to the perfect connection with the Kentuckians you want to reach. The JYB3 Group has the experience, talent, and heritage to help you meet and successfully deal with any government source, legislative process, corporate connection, or public impression. We know the people of Kentucky at all levels. We have proven experience in public service, the law, business, academia, public relations, and in just plain earning the trust of Kentuckians.

Our mission is not just to help you establish your business in Kentucky: it is to help you become a valued citizen of this great Commonwealth. Kentuckians can be very loyal to those who serve them well.

John Y Brown III

John Y. Brown III

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John Y. Brown III - Biography

John Y. Brown III was born into a family dedicated to serving Kentucky in many ways, including the arena of public service. John’s grandfather served in U. S. Congress under FDR and as Kentucky’s Speaker of the House. His father served as Governor of Kentucky from 1979-1983. So it almost seemed inevitable that John would serve the Commonwealth: in 1995 he was elected as Kentucky’s Secretary of State at the age of 32, the second youngest in the nation and one of Kentucky’s youngest ever statewide elected officials. John was re-elected without opposition in 1999 and his administration received numerous national awards and recognitions for being a leader in e-government, assisting businesses and election reform.

Before entering politics, John headed up franchising for Roaster’s Inc., developing fast food venues in 37 states and several foreign countries. More recently, John served as vice-president of ResCare, working in government relations for the Louisville based human services company with over 40,000 employees in over 40 states and several foreign countries.

He loves sharing his enthusiasm for business and law and served as an adjunct professor at Bellarmine University in Louisville. In 2007, John ran unsuccessfully as the lieutenant governor running mate on a ticket with gubernatorial candidate Jody Richards (Kentucky’s Speaker of the House) in a spirited seven slate Democratic primary.

This combination of business, government, legal and academic experience prepared John perfectly for the birth of the JYB3 Group in 2008, a firm dedicated to bringing the best of commerce and government together for the commonwealth of all Kentuckians. The JYB3 Group instantly became Kentucky’s fastest growing public affairs consulting firm and in 2015 was named Best Very Small Business in the entire Greater Louisville region and is the Kentucky member for The Advocacy Group, comprised of the nation’s leading public affairs firms.

Education

  • Bellarmine University, MBA 2003
  • University of Kentucky College of Law, JD, (Cum Laude) 1992
  • Bellarmine University, BA History & Philosophy (Magna Cum Laude) 1988

Honors & Awards

  • Kentucky’s “Power Elite”, Lane Report magazine
  • Business First Top 40 Under 40
  • Distinguished Graduate, Bellarmine University
  • Leadership Louisville’s Connector Project –Selected one of Metro Louisville’s 128 Most Trusted Leaders
  • American Council of Young Political Leaders
  • Author: Musings from the Middle and Co-author The Recovering Politicians Twelve Step Program to Survive Crisis
  • Kentucky Fried Politics: Frankfort Power Broker list
  • Political and public policy commentator: Appearances on CNN Inside Politics, C-Span, NPR’s All Things Considered, Bill Bryant’s Newsmakers, Kentucky Tonight show and many other television and radio talk shows.

Board Positions & Community Service

  • University of Kentucky Sanders-Brown Center on Aging, Board of Directors
  • Kentucky Science Center, Board of Directors
  • Recovery Kentucky Task Force for Fighting Substance Abuse, Member
  • This I Believe, Board of Directors
  • Kentucky Governor’s School for the Arts, Board of Directors
  • Healing Place, Board of Directors
  • Governor’s Council on Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault, Co-Chair
  • Special Justice to the Kentucky Supreme Court
Laura Owens

Laura Emberton Owens, Sr. Partner

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Laura Emberton Owens, Sr. Partner - Biography

Laura has spent the last 35 years involved in government, workforce training, and education. Before joining JYB3 Group, Laura served as the Secretary of Education and Workforce for the Commonwealth of Kentucky and before that as Commissioner for Workforce Investment, a position responsible for the oversight of 2,300 employees and a budget of nearly 1 billion dollars. Her commitment has been noted at both the state and national levels where she has received appointments from both governors Paul Patton and Ernie Fletcher, as well as serving on a White House commission at the invitation of two presidents, President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. Laura received an undergraduate degree in English and Communication and graduate degree in Organizational Communication, both from Western Kentucky University. Laura was named one of 2019’s most notable women in Kentucky politics and government.

Elizabeth Owens Southard, Partner

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Elizabeth Owens Southard, Partner - Biography

Elizabeth joined JYB3Group in 2016 as a graduate of Transylvania University, where she received her undergraduate degree in political science. In addition to her educational background, Elizabeth brings experience from valuable relationships built through internships, including with Congressman Andy Barr’s office in Central Kentucky and another with the House Republicans in the Kentucky General Assembly. In 2019, Elizabeth was chosen as one of twenty-five statewide to participate in Leadership Kentucky’s Elevate Kentucky.

Helping Companies Find A Home
In The Place We're Proud To Call The Same.

All JYB3 clients improve life for Kentuckians. We’re known for advancing organizations that help build Kentucky through products and services in the areas of health care and health services, technology, economic development, education, workforce development, transportation, energy efficiency, financial services, and youth development and advocacy. The JYB3 Group is just as proud of the company we keep as we are of our fellow Kentuckians and this great Commonwealth. Some of our current and former clients include...

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