Meet the Judge/Executive

Biography for William P. O'Banion

William P. “Billy” O’Banion was born on September 5th, 1965.  He is the son of Jackinell O’Banion of Frankfort and the late Billy Foster O’Banion.  He has one sister, Leesa, of Frankfort.  His wife, Julie, is a Nationally Board Certified 4th grade teacher at Owen County Elementary.  They have two sons, Jackson, who is 8 years old and Jonah, who is 4 years old.

Judge O’Banion is a 1983 graduate of Owen County High School.  He attended Eastern Kentucky, Northern Kentucky and Kentucky State Universities after high school.  His studies included Broadcast communications and Political Science.

Judge O’Banion began his political career as a Field Director for the KY State Democratic Party.  After a year and a half there, he went to work for Gov. Brereton Jones, in his office of Public Service.  For the last nine months of Gov. Jones term, he served as Director of the Office of Public Service.  He was then offered a position in the Patton administration in the Constituent Services office.  After serving almost a year with Gov. Patton, Judge O’Banion took a position with the Cabinet for Health Services, in the Office of Inspector General.  It was at this time that Judge O’Banion decided to move back to Owen County.  After being home for one year, he decided to make the run for County Judge-Executive.  His efforts were rewarded with a 781-vote margin of victory.

Judge O’Banion will begin his third term in office starting in January, 2007.  He will be focusing his attention on dealing with the creation of a Wireless Broadband network throughout Owen County.  He will continue to work in the areas of Growth Management by working the Owen 20/20 vision plan and also strongly considering the recommendations made by the Growth Management Committee.  He has also committed himself to the continuing expansion of Owen County Parks & Recreation.  He has also worked diligently for the reorganization of the Owen County Chamber of Commerce, which now has approximately 100 members.  He is also a Past-President of the Owenton Rotary Club.  Judge O’Banion attributes his success to total teamwork and cooperation from the citizens of Owen County.