Family connections helped a young Forgy get various jobs at the U.S. Capitol, allowing him to work his way through George Washington University and its law school. Forgy stayed after graduation for staff positions at the Federal Trade Commission and a congressional committee on taxation. GOP leaders took interest. In 1967, newly elected Republican Gov. Louie Nunn asked Forgy to come home and be his budget director. Not yet 30, Forgy excelled in the Nunn administration.
Nobody gets what they want unless the money is there.
Nunn said recently. In 1970, Forgy left Frankfort to serve as the University of Kentucky's vice president of business affairs. And he started making powerful friends. His client list grew to include Eastern Kentucky coal companies, cigarette manufacturers and the Burley Tobacco Growers Cooperative Association. At the same time, Forgy built his capital in the GOP, sitting on the Republican National Committee and chairing the Reagan-Bush campaigns in Kentucky.