Upon the death of John QA Stewart in 1898, his son Dr. John Poage Stewart became the chairman, managing the school’s affairs for 43 years until 1941. He expanded operations, guided it through the Spanish Influenza Epidemic of 1918–19, and impressively through the Great Depression. From 1941–1963, John Dowling Stewart, a business administrator, served as chairman, navigating the Second World War.
From 1963 until 2014, for 51 years, Dr. John Poage Stewart II was the chairman. Along with his son-in-law, Barry Banker, he expanded facilities, doubled the census, and consolidated ownership from the Redmon side of the family. With Director Sandy Bell and Superintendent David Sellwood, they developed a nationally recognized special education faculty and school programming. Among many civic achievements, Dr. JP Stewart served as KMA president in 1977 and was chairman of the task force that built the Frankfort Hospital.