Churchill Downs hires GE executive Mudd as CFO (Courier-Journal.com)

Bill Mudd, 36, a 1993 Bellarmine University graduate and native of Marion County, has been hired by Churchill Downs Inc. to serve as chief financial officer and an executive vice president. Mudd was previously the CFO for GE Water & Process Technologies in Trevose, Pa.

Wiring rural America (Economist.com)

Brian Mefford, a 1995 Centre College graduate, was featured in a recent issue of The Economist for his work as President and CEO of ConnectKentucky, an organization that works to make broadband internet access available to all Kentuckians and improve the economy and quality of life in Kentucky. ConnectKentucky is cited in the international magazine as an exemplary public-private partnership that is making a substantial difference in economic development and in the lives of people by successfully bringing affordable high-speed access to rural areas. With 98 percent of Kentucky expected to have broadband access by the end of this year, ConnectKentucky is becoming Connected Nation and is expanding its efforts to help wire neighboring states for widespread internet access.