Mr. Allen Back is originally from Maysville, Kentucky and graduated from the University of Kentucky and the Army ROTC program in 1990 where he commissioned as an Armor Officer in the United States Army Reserve. Mr. Back retired as a Lieutenant Colonel with 29 years of enlisted and commissioned service to include 12 months of combat deployment to Iraq.  Mr. Back has also owned a small business, served as a military contractor with Communication Technologies, Inc. and L-3/MPRI Communications. Mr. Back is a former Director of Military and Veteran Affairs at Eastern Kentucky University and is currently serving as a Department of the Army Civilian in the University of Kentucky Army ROTC program as the Recruiting Operations Officer.  Mr. Back has held many leadership positions in the Army Reserve to include platoon, company, battalion and command level appointments. He has commanded an Armor company, served as battalion S-1 personnel officer, battalion S-3 Operations Officer, Assistant Professor of Military Science, Transportation Observer/Controller Trainer, Base Support Unit Operations Officer, Al Kasik Military Training Base, Iraq.  Mr. Back has taught all levels of Army ROTC classes to include military history at Centre College, Asbury University, University of Kentucky, Eastern Kentucky University, Union College and University of the Cumberlands.  Mr. Back’s military schooling includes Basic Combat Training, Armor Officer Basic and Advance Course, Nuclear, Biological and Chemical Defense Course, Battle Focused and Military History Instructor Training Course, Transportation Officer Advance Course, Transportation Observer/Controller Course, Combined Arms Staff School, Command and General Staff College.  Mr. Back also teaches Military History part-time at UK.  Mr. Back’s civilian education includes a M.S. Human Resource Development from Villanova University and a B.A. Telecommunications from the University of Kentucky.  Mr. Back’s military decorations include the Bronze Star medal, Meritorious Service medal (2nd Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Award (3rd Award), Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 service stars, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Armed Force Reserve Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award.  Mr. Back is married to the former Stacie Felty and they have three sons, one serving part-time in the Kentucky Army National Guard as a Lieutenant while serving full-time as a Lexington Firefighter, one son is serving in the U.S. Army as a Captain and also a UK Army ROTC alumnus and another son that is a graduate of the University of Kentucky.  Mr. Back is also a proud grandfather of two granddaughters, Sawyer and Mia.