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Tucker Publishing Group, Inc.
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Evansville Business is published bimonthly by Tucker Publishing Group, Inc., 25 N.W. Riverside Drive, Ste. 200, Evansville, IN 47708, and printed at Sheridan, CJK Group, Lebanon Junction, KY. Any views expressed in any advertisement, signed letter, article, or photograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Evansville Business
Approaches to the future I-69 Ohio River bridge are taking shape
Vanderburgh County Prosecutor Diana Moers relishes her job’s
Handing a company from one generation to the next isn’t easy, but some Southwestern Indiana companies have made it look that way. The owners of four Evansville-area businesses share what goes into a successful leadership transition.
GRO’s suite in the Curtis Building is designed to serve up a ‘wow factor’
New Explore Evansville chief brings industry experience and connections
Evansville firefighters
Mead Johnson celebrates 120 years of providing healthy starts for infants across the
Main
Meet trailblazers who are impacting the regional business community
These venues and experts can help you host a perfect gathering
Will Rehab Work This Time?
In July, the city and Board of Park Commissioners approved accepting proposals to lease Mesker Amphitheatre
Opened in 1951, the much-loved venue was a crown jewel in Evansville’s musical and cultural attractions. While I would love to see this project come to fruition, and this is certainly a positive step forward, the requirements are daunting. Parties interested in the rehabilitation effort would need to meet 16 criteria to help choose a willing bidder. The day after the Parks Board meeting on July 16, a six-page document was uploaded to the local government’s online document center. It spells out 32 additional requirements for leasing the facility.
The issues? It will take either an organization or someone with a strong balance sheet to meet the financial prerequisites put forth in the proposal. Mesker Park Zoo & Botanic Garden’s animals have to be protected from the noise, and that will require a very large and expensive sound wall. Then there is the lack of parking and ADA compliance, horrible graffiti, and the flooding-prone nature of the facility. I toured it several years ago...it was not good.
The owner of The Mill Amphitheatre in Terre Haute, Indiana, is said to be putting in a proposal. My limited research shows they have had success in Terre Haute, but renovation is quite a bit different than new construction. I just don’t believe it will end up making financial sense to overcome the many significant obstacles; the estimate was $12 million in 2012. I sure would love to be wrong. It’s happened before.
One of my favorite Evansvillians passed away on June 4. Tess Grimm, longtime Reitz Home Museum executive director, was a force of nature and someone whose friendship I enjoyed a great deal. I always joked with her that I could never say no to her, and she knew it. She was warm, witty, and charming, and I will miss her smile and grace.
I try to pay attention to things going on in our community, which is a good idea in my business, but something got past me (well, probably many things), and I was just as happy to learn late.
The wiffleball field at Haynie’s Corner Arts District, where the Haynie’s Corner Wiffleball League plays, is the Doug Annakin Memorial Field — Doug passed away in May 2020. I think if you knew Doug, and certainly many in our community did, this simple act would make him very happy. I miss him and the laughter that always ensued when he was with ... well just about anyone.
Kristen and I had the pleasure of speaking to the Rotary Club of Evansville in June regarding Evansville Living’s 25th anniversary. There is just something inherently good about local civic organizations. As I watched members file in and greet one another, say the Pledge of Allegiance, recite the Rotary Pledge or (the 4-way test), and partake in a meal together while accomplishing charitable work, it just reminded me of all that is still good in the world, which is why I still love “The Andy Griffith Show.”
Big congratulations to four area athletes with some major happenings. Tyler Ruxer from Heritage Hills High School in Lincoln City, Indiana, has signed to play football at the University of Oklahoma. His fellow Patriot Jett Goldsberry has signed to play at the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). Jett’s father, Jon, who I remember playing many years back, was an outstanding player at Purdue University. Certainly, we should all be proud of Reitz Memorial High School Tiger Matthew Fisher, drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies in the second round of the Major League Baseball Draft, as well as former Castle High School standout and Auburn University Tiger Cam Tilly, drafted by the New York Mets in round seven. If you are a sports fan, it will surely be fun to watch their progress.
As always, I look forward to hearing from most of you.
Todd A. Tucker, President
WE BUILD COMMERCIAL BUILDINGS.
(And have since 1987)
With more than 14 commercial and industrial subdivisions developed across Indiana and Kentucky, Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc. is a trusted leader in real estate development and brokerage. Our experience in designing and building medical offices, ambulatory surgery centers, corporate headquarters, manufacturing plants, food-grade facilities, business offices and general warehouse space is unsurpassed in the region.
At Woodward, our motto — “If we don’t have what you need, we’ll build it for you” — isn’t just a slogan. It’s the foundation of our client-first approach and the core of how we do business.
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
BLESSED WITH BRAUN
One of Evansville finest. We are blessed to have Alan and Sharon’s leadership in so many ways (“Back Talk,” June/July 2025).
Bob Jones, former Old National Bank CEO, via LinkedIn
CLEANUP CREW
Thank you from the bottom of my heart for shining a light on what [Keep Evansville Beautiful] has going on here (“Beauty Within,” June/July 2025). I have already received two messages out of the blue from people … expressing their excitement for what we have in the works.
Nick Iaccarino, Executive Director of Keep Evansville Beautiful
FROM THE STREET SWEEPER
I am honored and humbled to be in the June/ July edition of Evansville Business (“Beauty Within”). Thank you to Todd and Kristen Tucker, Managing Editor Jodi Keen, writer Shawn Rumsey, photographer Zach Straw, and everyone at Tucker Publishing Group, Inc., including my friend Jennifer Rhoades. … Please adopt I.N.C.s (intersections, neighborhoods, and corners). Keep Evansville beautiful!
David Goldblatt, owner of Dave’s Taxi Service, via Facebook
STANDING OVATION
We couldn’t be more proud to call Janice Miller our leader and board president. Special thanks to Evansville Business for this beautiful piece about a wonderful community champion. Warrick County and the Warrick Parks Foundation is blessed to have her in our corner. Warrick Parks Foundation, via Facebook
Explore Evansville Celebrates
Bridget Carter Hampton Inn Airport Laundry Attendant
Laura Oglesby Director of Sales, Old National Events Plaza & Old Courthouse
On The Rise
The Vault inches closer to mid-2026 completion
After hopes of revitalizing the former Old National Bank tower imploded along with the skyscraper in 2021, a new development is rising.
The Vault, a four-story, 250,000-square-foot mixed-use complex, will occupy three-fourths of the site bordered by Northwest Fourth and Fifth streets and Main and Sycamore streets. Since breaking ground on May 28, 2024, construction has stayed on schedule, says Ross Merder, director of development for CRG Residential, the project’s Carmel, Indiana-based developer. Construction on the $60 million project is expected to finish by mid2026. “By and large, there have been no changes to the planned use or the structure,” Merder says.
Commercial space will cover 4,500 square feet on the ground floor, but there is no information available yet about who or what will occupy that space. Merder says efforts to market the commercial space will begin later this summer. As reported in June/July 2024 Evansville Business, Mayor Stephanie Terry expressed hopes for a grocery store or pharmacy — essentials lacking Downtown.
The 161-unit apartment complex includes a fitness room, delivery room for packages, gathering area, coworking rooms,
BY MAGGIE VALENTI
183-space underground parking garage, makerspace for handson projects, heated outdoor swimming pool, and fire pit. Also in the works: a park occupying the corner of Fourth and Main streets being designed and constructed by the Evansville Parks and Recreation Department. “I think it’s an opportunity to live on Main Street … in a highly amenitized project right in Downtown,” Merder says.
DESTINATION:
Groundwork for the Road Ahead
Indiana approach to future Ohio River bridge takes shape
BY JODI KEEN, WITH MAGGIE VALENTI
As the last phase of Interstate 69’s Evansville-Indianapolis connection concluded last year, roadwork returned to the River City — this time, headed the other direction.
Since breaking ground on the Indiana approach to a still-to-come bridge in September 2024, Evansville-based Traylor Bros, Inc. and Chicago, Illinoisbased Walsh have altered farmland, built substructures, and laid foundations for three connections to a four-lane approach to the bridge. Known as Section 3 of the Ohio River Crossing (ORX), the project draws heavy traffic away from U.S. 41’s Bi-State Vietnam Gold Star Memorial Bridges and off the stoplight-laden strip through Henderson, Kentucky. “The work now will provide all-weather construction access to the river to build the future I-69 bridge,” says I-69 ORX spokesperson Mindy Peterson.
The north-south construction site in Indiana spurs off an east-west stretch of I-69 south of the city between Weinbach
Avenue and Green River Road. Crews spent the spring driving steel piles into the ground to stabilize the piers that will support the bridge approach. Next, construction crews will form two embankments to aid with moving equipment to take beams and bridge decks to their install spots. Drivers will experience 10to 15-minute rolling closures three days a week through September on U.S. 41 while crews transport beams to the site.
“As the beams are set, drivers will see the three overpass bridges taking shape as they drive by the worksite,” Peterson says. The public will not use the three approach connections until Section 2 construction on the bridge concludes in 2031. Neighboring residents and businesses have grappled with construction noise and thousands of tons of materials being stored and transported nearby. “There’s been a tremendous amount of outreach,” Peterson adds, including meetings with advisory committees, public meetings and hearings, and coordination with
BY
THE NUMBERS:
ORX, Section 3
47 piers will support the Indiana bridge approach
9 miles of (or 1,000) steel piles are used in the foundation
7,200 cubic yards of concrete were poured as of July 1
176 concrete beams, close to 200 feet long, will be set this year
850,000 cubic yards of dirt were moved to form two embankments
local, state, and federal agencies as well as stakeholders. The I-69 ORX team also updates the public via social media channels and newsletters.
Officials predict Section 3 will be 60 percent completed by late 2025 and fully completed by 2026, with four years of bridge construction starting in 2027. Meanwhile, Section 1 construction in Henderson should finish this year, with drivers already navigating three roundabouts at the new interchange at U.S. 60 and I-69.
“We’ve been talking about this bridge for so many years now,” Peterson says. “It’s a super interesting project to see unfold and see all of the progress being made.”
‘Look the Part, Be the Part’
GRO’s work environment cultivates success
BY MAGGIE VALENTI
When Jordan Huneycutt first toured Suite 608 in the Curtis Building in May 2023, he was captivated by the exposed brick, view of Downtown Evansville from the topfloor windows, and ceilings up to 15 feet. Today, GRO, a boutique marketing firm founded by Huneycutt in June 2022, calls the space home.
“I wanted character. … Once I saw this place, my mind was made up. That was it,” recalls Huneycutt, a Harrison High School and University of Southern Indiana graduate. “I like to see something for what it could be, not what it is.”
Huneycutt began revamping Suite 608 for GRO. He started by painting the walls shades to match the company’s desert-
themed brand, using a ladder to reach the ceilings. He added rugs, decor, plants, and furniture purchased from resellers and interior decorating boutiques in Nashville, Tennessee, and Bloomington, Indiana. The result is a space that Huneycutt believes demonstrates the capabilities of GRO’s creative team, which includes eight employees here and four remote workers across the U.S. Ten percent of the company’s business is local clients, including Wolfe’s Auto Auction, Young & Established, and even Stacy Stevens, owner of the Curtis Building.
“Look the part, be the part,” Huneycutt says. “I had to have the ‘wow’ factor. … I wanted vibes — plants, lights — for people to feel comfortable and come up with a million-dollar idea.”
Mo tivational signs giving a neon glow sling slogans like “Ready, Set, Gro,” Everyday I’m Hustlin,’” and “Keep it Juicy” — the latter once hung in Soul Juice, a former juice bar and smoothie cafe Huneycutt co-owned in Bloomington. Inside Huneycutt’s office, the sports fan displays autographed memorabilia purchased at charity auctions, including a photo of Tiger Woods, Mike Tyson’s boxing gloves, and a basketball with Larry Bird’s name scrawled on it.
Office decor surprises at every turn. A bull skull and a neon cactus adorn the black brick wall in the office of director of client success Chelsea Russelburg. A disco ball doubles as a hanging plant vase in the conference room. A projector plays music video “vibes” in the common room, which includes an NBA Jam arcade game, putting green, and 1978 Miller Lite sign that Huneycutt discovered at Wolfe’s. Strands of globe lights lace across the ceiling, where the exposed ductwork is a nod to the Curtis Building’s origins as a wholesale grocery warehouse.
Still, his favorite part of the workspace is the natural light, especially during what Huneycutt calls the day’s “golden hour.”
“The afternoon sun makes the space pop,” he says. “… I have the most beautiful sunsets.”
GRO employees Chelsea Russelburg, Ashby Henning, Lauren Wineman, Jordan Huneycutt, Brevin Snellenberger, Niklas Andersson, Lance Gardner, and Kayla LeBarron are surrounded by energetic decor designed to inspire the team and create a “‘wow’ factor” for their clients.
Growing Tourism
Tom White touts connections, experience in new role leading Explore Evansville
BY JOHN MARTIN
New Explore Evansville President and CEO Tom White is approaching the agency’s top job with one keyword — growth — in mind for strengthening the city’s portfolio of tourism-related event offerings.
White’s most recent career stop was with Visit Mobile, Alabama’s northernmost Gulf inlet. Drawing connections to the boost in meetings, conventions, and sports tourism that the Southern city of 201,367 has seen, White says Evansville is capable of the same.
“I do feel like we can have some immediate success here but also sustain that growth over the next five, 10 years,” says White, who spent two years as Visit Mobile’s vice president of leisure and convention sales. He started at Explore Evansville on March 3.
White vows to maintain the city’s focus on youth sports tourism and up the ante in supporting the Evansville Regional Sports Commission’s mission to attract high-profile sports events. The city also has room to increase its convention and meeting business, White says. “We have a quality convention center with the Old National Events Plaza, and our Ford Center is incredible,” he says. “Plus, we have meeting spaces throughout the community, and some of them are historic, unique spots.”
How to accomplish that? White explains that it comes down to connecting with event planners, asking what they’re looking for, and selling what Evansville provides. In a market of Evansville’s size, “your dollar goes farther,” White says. “Convention attendees would spend a lot less.”
White brings plenty of tourism industry connections to the River City. Before joining Visit Mobile, he spent more than 20 years in Huntsville, Alabama. Most of that time, he served as director of sales and outreach with the U.S. Space & Rocket Center, and he also was the marketing director for Yedla Management Company, a Huntsville-based manager of hotels.
Earlier in his career, White worked as a general sales manager for Shoe Carnival, which was founded in Evansville. He was born in Nuremberg, Germany, while his father was stationed there with the U.S. Army. He considers the Savannah, Georgia, area his home.
White succeeded Alexis Berggren, who left in December to become general manager of the Charlotte (North Carolina)
Convention Center. “Alexis and the team have done a tremendous job of really paving the foundation of what we’re doing,” White says. “I think I can bring a lot of experience and connections within the sale of tourism and marketing, and we can start a sustained steady growth over the next several years, in all categories.”
EXPLOREEVANSVILLE.COM
Swimming to Safety
Firefighter dive teams train for rescues in water
When danger occurs in the bodies of water around Evansville, a special group of first responders is called. Armed with scuba equipment and three boats, Evansville Fire Department’s dive team pulls people from submerged watercraft to safety onshore.
The unit formed in the late 1980s and early ‘90s to provide water assistance as Indiana’s first riverboat casino docked in Evansville and the city hosted hydroplane races. Since then, it’s grown to 30 active divers, plus support and shore personnel, spread across three shifts.
“They’re [responses] high-risk when they do happen. That’s what we spend the majority of our time training, and it really pays off when the call comes in and we’re able to make a successful rescue.”
— Capt. Adam Brock
Evansville Fire Department
The team deploys when swimmers, vehicles, or watercraft are stranded or submerged in area waters. EFD typically responds to around 16 incidents a year. Because of heavy rain in 2025, EFD already had hit that number by June 30 — eight incidents alone when Evansville received a record-setting 3.93 inches June 13. Capt. Adam Brock, an EFD firefighter since 2011 and a dive team member for nine years, refers to those responses as “high-risk, lowfrequency runs.”
“They’re high-risk when they do happen,” Brock says. “That’s what we spend the majority of our time training, and it really pays off when the call comes in and we’re able to make a successful rescue.”
Each 24-hour shift’s water rescue team is made up of EFD firefighters who are certified through Dive Rescue International. They
BY JODI KEEN
train at least once a month for different response scenarios, such as search patterns, swift water, ice rescue, boat operations, and potential hazards. In early January, rescuers took advantage of a rare ice storm to practice water rescues in the lake at Garvin Park. Brock says divers enjoy training on the sandy beach resulting from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers dredging the Ohio River in late summer because it offers the clearest water.
Each member has a speciality, from administering medical aid, operating sonar equipment, and driving the boats to tending lines and keeping submerged divers from entanglement — a critical need, since underwater visibility is 3-4 feet. Divers slip
MOTOR SUPPORT
EFD’s fleet of boats includes a 22-foot Scorpion, the 16.5foot Rescue One boat, and an inflatable Zodiac ERB 380.
on dry suits, buoyancy compensators, scuba regulators, air tanks, and full face masks with microphones to communicate with team members on shore. Active divers must complete a watermanship test and demonstrate scuba skills each year and recertify every three years.
All that training pays off, Brock says. Several years ago, he was part of a crew responding to a capsized canoe on Pigeon Creek. Rescuers found the caller in high, rapid water, clinging to a tree. “His canoe was completely sunk,” Brock says. “We used the Zodiac to get up to him, got a life jacket on him, and got him into our boat safely.”
EFD’s dive team trains monthly to respond to water rescue calls. During training July 2 at Deaconess Sports Park, Lt. Chris Reiter and firefighter Alex Nally assist Capt. Adam Brock with his diving gear, while Capt. Tony Kirsch connects the comms line that lets firefighter Josh Utley communicate and stay tethered to his line tender.
Mayoral Musings
Leaders of three neighboring communities talk progress and goals
EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY BY JODI KEEN AND JOHN MARTIN
How did your professional background help prepare you for being mayor?
I spent zero time in a political office before being elected. Being green, you tend to ask the questions that either need to be asked or haven’t been asked for some time. I spent 42 years working for GE/SABIC in manufacturing and in technology, which taught me to expect the unexpected and to think outside the box.
What have you accomplished as mayor, and what are your next goals?
I ran on making Mount Vernon a better place for the current citizens and for all future citizens as well. We have a great start, from privatizing trash service pickup to enforcing ordinances, and from revitalizing the riverfront with new activities to creating a new city app called CONNECT for better communications.
What is Mount Vernon’s greatest asset?
That is easy, THE PEOPLE!
Share some advice for those considering running for elected office.
Do it for the right reasons, not for political gain. Remember that some elected offices are not just 8-5 jobs; be available for your constituents. Decisions that you make will make some people happy, some not, so take all decisions very seriously.
How did your professional background help prepare you for being mayor?
During my tenure at Alcoa, I was an active member of the former Aluminum Workers International Union, (which) led me to lobby at the Indiana State House and to serve as a vice president of the Indiana State AFL-CIO. Addressing the diverse issues faced by union members equipped me to effectively handle the daily concerns of Boonville’s citizens.
What have you accomplished as mayor, and what are your next goals?
The Boonville Square’s revitalization project has instilled a renewed sense of pride. We now boast a beautiful city square with very few vacant buildings. We have successfully demolished more than 50 blighted buildings and completed almost $9.5 million in street projects. Overall, we have undertaken $70 million worth of projects. Our key goal is expansion. We are hoping to build a new sewer plant to ensure we can meet growth opportunities.
What is Boonville’s greatest asset? Undoubtedly its citizens.
Share some advice for those considering running for elected office.
It’s impossible to please everyone. My guiding principle is to treat everyone who comes into City Hall with the same respect and care that I would wish to receive.
Staton
Nonpartisan Mayor of Henderson, Kentucky, since Jan. 1, 2023
How did your professional background help prepare you for being mayor?
I am a financial advisor. I’ve helped people achieve short-, medium-, and long-term goals by situating their money and investments in specific ways to produce desired outcomes. These skills translate nicely when dissecting a budget, prioritizing expenditures, and producing the best possible results for our city.
What have you accomplished as mayor, and what are your next goals?
We have such a great group of people holding influential positions throughout the city. Together, we’ve been able to accomplish many things: hundreds of new, high-paying jobs, a significant housing development well ahead of schedule, the grand opening of a sports complex, the beginnings of a conference center project, and dozens of huge and impactful projects from the Inner City Improvement Plan.
What is Henderson’s greatest asset? Our people.
Share some advice for those considering running for elected office.
If you have a heart for serving in elected capacity and truly care about what happens to your city, county, state, or country, please run. Be honest, transparent, and empathetic, for goodness’ sake. Be professional and gracious. Be firm in your decisions but be a sponge while making your way toward them.
Steve Loehr Republican Mayor of Mount Vernon, Indiana, since Jan. 1, 2024
Charlie Wyatt Democratic Mayor of Boonville, Indiana, since Jan. 1, 2016
Brad
degrees and licenses and joined Dr. Gerald Luebbe and Dr. Daniel Walker. They moved their practice to a new location in the Paul’s Pharmacy building, featuring six treatment rooms. In 1997, Dr. Rodney Brown retired, and his patient base was acquired by Dr. Ashley and Dr. Rouch.
The practice’s commitment to growth and patient care led to significant expansion. In 2006, outgrowing their initial space, they purchased the Citizens Bank building across the street and completed a build-out, creating an impressive 11-operatory facility. Franklin Street Dentistry continued to expand its family by incorporating other respected dentists: in 2015, they purchased the patient base and welcomed Dr. William Teare for his final year of practice, and in 2017, they did the same for Dr. Michael Sontz during his last two years.
The practice has also seen new talent join its ranks. Dr. Josh Welborn became part of the team in 2020. In 2022, Dr. Adam Lottes, a lifelong patient of the practice, immediately joined Franklin Street Dentistry when Dr. Rouch retired.
Just last year, 2024, marked another significant milestone as Franklin Street
Dentistry had its biggest year in almost three decades, once again expanding its facility by adding two more treatment rooms.
Comprehensive Dental Services for the Whole Family
Franklin Street Dentistry is dedicated to providing a wide range of services to ensure optimal oral health for all ages. Their offerings include:
• Comprehensive Exams
• Preventative Care
• Periodontal (gum) disease treatment
• Fillings for Cavities
• Porcelain Crowns and Bridges
• Implants
• Veneers
• Root Canals
• Extractions and Bone Grafts
• Dentures and Partial Dentures
• Implant-Retained Dentures
• Oral Sleep and Snore Appliances
• Clear Aligner Orthodontics
• Take-home Teeth Whitening Kits (Nite White)
The entire team at Franklin Street Dentistry looks forward to continuing to serve the community with the same dedication and excellence that has defined them for the past 30 years, now with the added expertise of Dr. Drew Ashley.
Dr. Drew Ashley
A 2021 graduate of Indiana University, 2021 baseball academic All-American, and a 2025 graduate of Indiana University School of Dentistry, Dr. Drew is dedicated to continuing the legacy of excellent patient care established by his dad. He is committed to staying current with advancement in his field with special interest in implant dentistry.
Formula for Success
Mead Johnson Nutrition celebrates 120 years of boosting pediatric health BY JOHN MARTIN
Justin Griner, Amanda Kruse Corlett, and Sarah Maria
For 110 of Mead Johnson Nutrition’s 120 years in existence, it has cast a massive presence on Evansville’s West Side. The local site employs nearly 800 people, all of whom are dedicated to giving children across the globe the best possible start in life.
Borrowing a bit of sports terminology, Sarah Maria says MJN’s Evansville facility possesses a “deep bench” of talent. She’s proud to be a key part of it, as senior manager for Early Innovation Analytical Research and Science Translation. For much of Maria’s 16 years with the company, she has researched human
“Every company has their mission statements. Everybody talks about it, but here, we really live it.”
— Justin Griner, MJN’s North America legal director and Evansville site lead
milk, including samples from mothers in China, Mexico, and the U.S. Results of MJN’s Global Exploration of Human Milk Study are used in the development of nutrition products the company strives daily to perfect.
“We have about 30,000 vials of this milk from around the world, and it’s given us this incredible insight into the complexity and diversity of milk,” Maria says. “We increased a level of a nutrient that we know is really important to start building connections in the brain. We were able to do this research about how much is in milk, and then we were able to integrate that into our formula.”
Maria describes her work as “beautifully complex,” and it’s an example of what MJN does in Evansville. In a competitive marketplace, the company for decades has stayed at the forefront of pediatric nutrition.
Mead Johnson’s story dates to 1905, and it involves a father. Edward Mead Johnson Sr. founded the company in Jersey City, New Jersey, because his son suffered serious feeding problems, and he wanted to create products to help people live healthier lives. He was also a co-founder of Johnson & Johnson with his brothers Robert and James.
MJN’s Evansville start was in 1915; for the sake of perspective, Bosse Field hosted its first baseball game that year. At the time, Europe was in the throes of World
War I, and MJN’s supplies of potato starch — a key ingredient in the company’s first infant feeding product, Dextri-Maltose — were cut off from Germany. Relocating the firm to Evansville moved operations closer to a source of corn, which was used to replace potato starch.
The company has since been an innovator in infant nutrition, with its Evansville facility being a vital part: Its global headquarters for Research and Development is based here.
It was Mead Johnson that, in 2002, introduced DHA to infant formulas in the
A HEALTHY START Mead Johnson Nutrition opened its Evansville manufacturing facility in 1915, a decade after the company’s founding in New Jersey. It didn’t take long for MJN to become a leader in childhood nutrition, with Evansville playing a vital role. The company has long produced well-known brands – from Mead’s Dextri-Maltose in early years to today’s Enfamil and Nutramigen formulas.
Mead Johnson Nutrition Through
1905: Edward Mead Johnson Sr. founds Mead Johnson Nutrition in Jersey City, New Jersey.
1915: The company relocates operations to Evansville for better access to raw agricultural ingredients.
1967: Bristol-Myers Squibb acquires Mead Johnson, making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.
United States. The Omega 3 fatty acid is critical to brain and eye development and now is a widely recognized standard of care in infant nutrition. But it’s not just about product development: MJN also is a leader in volume. The company produces more than 170 different product formats, including Enfamil powder formula and Nutramigen liquid formula found on store shelves across the U.S.
In 2023, the site churned nearly a halfbillion bottle servings. The year prior, MJN stepped up to support U.S. families experiencing an unprecedented infant formula shortage after another manufacturer shut down its factory following a product recall. MJN officials cite extraordinary measures such as around-the-clock operations and increasing speed to market by 40 percent, all the while remaining committed to the highest infant nutrition quality and safety standards.
By May 2022, MJN was supplying 30 percent more formula to market than during the same time in 2021 and providing essential nutrition to more than 50 percent of all formula-fed infants in America. Company officials say the swift response from Evansville’s team played a significant role in closing the national supply gap, ensuring that families across the U.S. once again had reliable access.
“We learned from the 2022 infant formula shortage that supply is also vital,” says Justin Griner, MJN’s North America legal director and Evansville site lead. “When there are advancements in
The Years
2009: MJN completes an initial public offering of common stock, then is split off completely and becomes an independent public company. At this time, Mead Johnon’s corporate office relocates from Evansville to the Chicago area.
2017: Reckitt Benckiser Group acquires Mead Johnson. As a result of the sale, Mead Johnson’s stock (MJN) traded on the New York Stock Exchange for the last time on June 15.
HISTORY LESSONS Treasures demonstrating Mead Johnson Nutrition’s 120 years of producing infant nutrition formulas, such as this antique brass and copper still, are found throughout its 44-acre Evansville campus.
technology that allow us to make products safer or to make them more efficiently, we invest there.”
In all, Mead Johnson Nutrition has 25 departments on its 44-acre campus at Lloyd Expressway, St. Joseph Avenue, Ohio Street, and Ray Becker Parkway. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the company allowed more work-from-home hours; some employees now have hybrid schedules. Evansville-based Mead Johnson workers collaborate with colleagues at their sister manufacturing facility in Zeeland, Michigan, as well as other teammates across the globe.
The company has since been an innovator in infant nutrition, with its Evansville facility being a vital part: Its global headquarters for Research and Development is based here.
Mead Johnson boasts ample experience across its workforce and often promotes from within. About 20 percent of Evansville team members have been with the company for at least 15 years. However, “that’s not to say that we don’t have a young workforce as well,” says Amanda Kruse Corlett, senior medical marketing manager. “Forty percent of our employees are under 40. So, it’s a good mix.”
Kruse Corlett, a Michigan native, came to Mead Johnson in 2020 after living in Indianapolis for the better part of a decade, drawn to MJN because of its culture. “It’s a local company, but it is on a global scale so you have different opportunities as your career progresses or as your interests change,” she says. “You definitely have room to grow professionally without having to find a new company.”
MJN takes pride in being a community partner, and given its mission, one outreach involves connecting youths with science. GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science) has been a company-led program for 15 years; it brings hands-on activities to area fifth-grade classrooms.
The company’s philanthropy includes participation in the United Way of Southwestern Indiana’s annual Day of Caring, as well as boosting Little Lambs of Evansville, which provides supplies and other forms of assistance to young children and families.
“We su pport them through giving trees annually, but also with direct monetary donations to help support their diaper drive,” Griner says. “Anybody that we can partner with that is also mission aligned is extremely important to us.”
Significant changes have come Mead Johnson’s way in recent times. MJN was part of Bristol-Myers Squibb from 1967 to
2009. It functioned as an independent company until 2017, when it was acquired by Reckitt Benckiser Group for $16.6 billion.
Even more change is on the horizon: Executives with Reckitt (as the company is now branded) have publicly stated their intent to divest Mead Johnson because nutrition is now considered a “non-core” part of Reckitt’s business. The Wall Street Journal reported in its July 19-20 edition that Reckitt is “looking at options for its baby-formula making Mead Johnson Nutrition, which is facing legal issues in the U.S. that have weighed on the group’s stock price.” (Reckitt, ticker RKT, is primarily listed and traded on the London Stock Exchange.)
But Griner, who has been with the company since 2012, says Mead Johnson’s Evansville operations continue as normal: The company has had celebrations marking its 120th anniversary and remains as committed as ever to its worldwide mission.
“We’re a purpose-driven company,” Griner says. “Every company has their mission statements. Everybody talks about it, but here, we really live it. ... It really is a destination place. And I think it’s because when you’re here, you feel moved by the purpose and the people you work with. You just develop a tremendous amount of respect for their skills, knowledge, expertise, and passion for what we do. And you kind of feed into that.”
“Regardless of the ownership structure,” Griner adds, “we stay focused on creating high quality infant nutrition that families can depend on.”
MEADJOHNSON.COM
while building your career with the
LAB TESTED Mead Johnson Nutrition’s global Research and Development headquarters has remained in Evansville, and scientists based here work daily to up the ante in infant nutrition quality. They also engage in outreach programs like GEMS (Girls in Engineering, Math, and Science), which brings hands-on activities to area fifth-grade classrooms.
THE EVANSVILLE REGION IS HOME
to numerous family-run enterprises that have thrived across generations. Smooth transitions are critical to keeping companies churning forward in ever-changing environments, and it’s not as simple as passing a baton — nextgeneration leaders must pay their dues and hone their own experiences, interests, and skill sets. Evansville Business spoke to four regional businesses about their strategies, the keys to succession planning — it can be many years in the making, they say — and what it takes to keep a company on top through succeeding generations.
Anchor Industries Inc.
Strong Ties
Mogaveros say training and coaching are keys to effective transitions
BY JOHN MARTIN
SEAMLESS LEADERSHIP
transitions have been the name of the game for decades at Anchor Industries. Founded in 1892 with three facilities here and one in Miami, Florida, six generations of the same family have guided the company into being a worldwide leader in manufacturing high-quality tent and pergola products.
“We have the unique honor and privilege of being part of life’s funnest, most magical moments — weddings, corporate events, anniversaries, PGA events, Formula 1 events,” says Chairman and President Pete Mogavero. But he points out that the products have other uses, too: “The fires that you see in Los Angeles (California),
they’re using our forest fire shelter here made in Evansville. We’re really proud of the stuff that we do.”
At 70, Mogavero has been with Anchor Industries for about 40 years. His wife, Carrie, is the great-granddaughter of Anchor Industries founder Louis Daus. “I came to the attention of executive management when I married the boss’ daughter,” Mogavero says with a laugh. His children represent the company’s sixth generation: Christen Mogavero, 41, is vice president of sales, while Brad Mogavero, 29, is a buyer in the purchasing department.
Pete says last names never represent a free pass, and keeping a company strong
requires tutelage and skill development. He offers his own background as proof — before joining Anchor Industries, he received a Master of Business Administration from Indiana University in Bloomington and worked for the Bank of Detroit and Ford Motor Company in Michigan.
“My father-in-law (the late John Daus) was one of the best bosses I’ve ever had. … He was a real good coach,” Pete says. “I’m very grateful for his leadership, and I’m also thankful that along the way in my maturation, he would tell me where the bodies were buried and say, ‘Hey, we’ve done something like that several years ago. You should know that this is what didn’t go well, and this is what went well.’ So it’s nice to be able to bounce an idea off a coach and have them say, ‘Good idea, but here’s a pitfall for you. Here’s something you should be aware of. If you try it this particular way, you may have more success than what you’re thinking about.’ ” Pete, in turn, has tried to be the same type of coach to Christen and Brad, who both graduated from Reitz Memorial High
School. In Christen’s case, coming home represented a 180-degree career turn.
The alumna of Vanderbilt University in Nashville, Tennessee, previously worked in Washington, D.C., in political campaign fundraising and also for the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee. Arriving at Anchor Industries nine years ago, she held a variety of roles before escalating to vice president of sales.
Outside of her family, Christen says her life influences include former U.S. Sen. Bob Corker of Tennessee, who encouraged her to consider joining the family company. “I have a lot of really great mentors, both in D.C. and now in the company,” she says.
Brad, a graduate of Furman University in Greenville, South Carolina, worked in manufacturing at Anchor Industries before moving to the purchasing department. “I’ve got thousands and thousands of little things to buy, anything from grommets to buckles, you name it,” he says. “After getting my hands dirty on the floor for two years, now I’m finally in the office and just kind of starting the road, learning every day.”
Pete says he’s proud of what Anchor continues to accomplish — citing ontime delivery, the shortest lead times in
“We want to make sure that when you turn the reins over to a succeeding generation, that they have the right stuff.”
— Anchor Chairman and President Pete Mogavero
its industry, high-quality products, and excellent customer service. “It’s a pretty high bar,” he explains, and maintaining that standard requires effective transitions in leadership.
“It can’t be the family welfare role,” Pete says. “Each succeeding generation has to bring something to the party. They’ve got to be skilled in some particular area. As people grow, the corporation grows. You want people in the organization, particularly family members, who have that lust for learning, that unquenchable thirst for getting better. As they get better, the company gets better.”
“We want to make sure that when you turn the reins over to a succeeding generation, that they have the right stuff,” he continues. “My wife and I are really blessed to have two kids in the business now. I think that they will be very successful at taking over the reins one day. Until that day comes, it’s an ongoing job of coaching and training and helping.”
Brad Mogavero, Christen Mogavero, and Pete Mogavero
A Hard-Fought Legacy
Koch sisters grow into their leadership roles at their family’s theme parks
BY JODI KEEN
WHEN WILL and Lori Koch were were raising their three children in the early 2000s, the couple didn’t want to pressure them into joining the family business. So, they emphasized: Develop your own passions, and come back only if you really want to.
“I think our dad was so focused on not pressuring us that we almost felt like we weren’t allowed to come back,” laughs daughter Leah Koch-Blumhardt. Will knew what running the family business took: As the third generation of the Koch family to lead Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari, he had added the 40-acre water park to the site’s attractions; developed the parks’ signature offers of free soft drinks, sunscreen, and parking; and taken it to new heights with The Raven wooden roller coaster in 1995.
“It was one thing to process the death of our dad, and it was another to make a huge choice on whether or not we wanted to take this on.”
— Director of Communications Leah Koch-Blumhardt
Each sibling took their dad’s advice to heart. Leah aimed to join the family business and studied communications and public relations at Indiana University in Bloomington. Eldest daughter Lauren Koch-Crosby and younger brother William Koch pursued other interests. Then, their father died, and the trio received a crash course in succession planning.
Upon Will’s sudden death by drowning at age 48 in 2010, his brother and minority owner, Dan, became president of the parks and CEO of Koch Development Corp., their parent company. A well-documented
PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW
Leah Koch-Blumhardt and Lauren Koch-Crosby
three-year court dispute over ownership developed between Dan and Lori, Will’s widow, who challenged that her late husband — who did not leave a will — had intended his children to have the option to succeed him as owners. Will’s children — ages 21, 19, and 16 — had to make a crucial decision about their futures.
“It was one thing to process the death of our dad, and it was another to make a huge choice on whether or not we wanted to take this on,” Leah says. “I remember (our mom) coming to us and saying, ‘I will fight if that’s what the three of you want.’ And we collectively decided that we all wanted to fight.”
Lori filed suit as a representative of the family. An appeals court upheld a Vanderburgh County judge’s original ruling in 2013, and Lori and her children retained their 60 percent stake. Koch Development Corp. later bought Dan’s shares; an attorney in Florida, he is no longer involved in the business founded as Santa Claus Land in 1946 by his grandfather, Evansville industrialist Louis J. Koch. Now, Lori owns around 40 percent of the company and serves on the board of directors, while her three children share a 60 percent ownership stake. President and CEO Matt Eckert has led the parks since 2013. Lauren, Leah, and William joined the board of directors the same year.
The experience made a lasting impression on the siblings. A key takeaway: “Have a will,” Lauren says. “Estate planning is very important. Do not sidestep that. Do it just even in simple terms — whatever wishes you have, write them down somewhere.”
Their father’s death changed the siblings’ trajectories. Leah began working as the director of research and development in 2014 and has served as director of communications since 2019. Lauren, studying retail management and product development at Florida State University at the time of her father’s death, felt the pull to come home. “To have to say goodbye to our dad and Holiday World … that was going to be too much,” she says. “It was time to prove ourselves.”
As Holiday World’s Director of Entertainment and Events since 2015, Lauren develops visuals and activities to engage visitors, like revamping the portals visitors pass beneath between themed parks and designing the “grandmother’s house”themed set for Good Gravy!, a family roller coaster that debuted in 2024.
Along the way, the family business added Leah’s husband, Matthew Blumhardt, as Chief Operating Officer and Lauren’s
husband, Michael Crosby, as Director of Hospitality. Brother William works outside the family business and just started as the head of sound for Disney’s “Beauty and the Beast The Musical” national tour.
The sisters’ thumbprints are on events and attractions across the parks. In August, they’re launching live music and drink specials during Friday Night Live, as well as the Summer Wine’d Down Culinary Festival offering 30 event-specific menu items with recommended wine pairings. As members of the parks’ board of directors, Lauren and Leah also help shape the company’s culture. “It’s taken us over a decade, but we’ve gotten a lot of work-life balance adjusted. We’re trying to make this a place that people want to work long term. We want this to be a job that everybody enjoys, and we don’t want burnout,” Leah says.
Employee happiness is especially important as Holiday World expands its season to 132 days in 2025. Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari attracts nearly 1 million visitors annually and racks up awards for its efforts: In 2025, Holiday World ranked ninth on USA Today’s top 10 readers’ choice picks for best theme park, and Splashin’ Safari took the fourth-place award for best outdoor water park. That said, “Holiday World will never build its last roller coaster. There’s always a new project,” Leah says, pointing to the
company’s recent purchase of the nearby Santa’s Cottages to begin offering overnight accommodations. “Holiday World has a ton of potential, and I feel like we’re really figuring out our formula right now,” she says.
HOLIDAYWORLD.COM
Outside Help for Leading a Family Business
FOR DECADES,
Holiday World
& Splashin’ Safari’s executive leadership team has worked with a family business counseling consultant. “And they conveniently are all trained psychologists, because if you’re working with a family business, there are a lot of dynamics going on,” Leah says. “The person we’ve been working with lately has instructed us that the way that Lauren and I relate to each other is the way that others are going to pick up on, and it’s going to get repeated and echoed throughout the company. So that’s pretty high pressure.”
Mid-century image of the Santa Claus Land entrance
Will Koch as an infant with his grandparents Isabella “Bella” Yellig and Santa Jim Yellig
Will, William, Lori, Lauren, and Leah Koch
Writing the Next Chapter
Generational succession at Southern Business Machines, Inc., unfolded naturally, if unexpectedly
DESPITE HAVING NO PLANS to succeed his parents, Vernon “Andy” Stevens II and his wife, Dawn, have slowly filled leadership roles at Southern Business Machines, Inc. As the family tells it, a succession plan for the business occurred naturally but wasn’t initially expected. “When I was very young, I looked at what my parents did, and I never saw that 24 years later, the job that I do is what I would be doing next,” Andy says of his parents, Vernon and Jennifer Stevens.
The couple landed in Evansville when Vernon, then working for shipping software provider Pitney Bowes, was transferred to Evansville from Lexington, Kentucky, in 1987. Two
BY MAGGIE VALENTI
years later, he went solo and launched Southern Business Machines, Inc., a Mailing System Dealer, with 127 customers, two employees, and only a sliver of a regional market dominated by now-competitor Pitney Bowes. Thirty-six years later, SBM has diversified services to carry shredders, copiers, printers, and other paper handling equipment. Its client list sits in the thousands, and the Stevenses report that the company controls more than 65 percent of its 52-county market in Indiana, Kentucky, and Illinois.
In the beginning, Vernon worked in sales, while Jennifer’s role has remained handling administrative tasks. The key to SBM’s
Charlotte Stevens, Vernon “Drew” Stevens III, Dawn Stevens, Vernon “Andy” Stevens II, Vernon Stevens, and Jennifer Stevens
PHOTO
“Since I’ve been in the picture, there’s never been any doubt that Andy was planning to be in the role that he’s in. … It’s very rewarding to work with the people who are important to you.”
— Operations Manager and Account Executive Dawn Stevens
success, Vernon says, is “I never crossed over into her job. And she didn’t cross into mine.”
Neither parent thought about a succession plan nor made any assumption that SBM would become a family business. “Andy’s summers were spent traveling the road with me. So, he was around it at a very early age,” says Jennifer, who still serves as SBM’s president. “But we really did not look 20 years down the road, 25 years down the road. … We just got into it, made it happen.”
Andy, a Reitz Memorial High School graduate, followed in his father’s footsteps when he became an account representative in May 2002 after performing deliveries for Working Distributors and Anheuser-Busch. “I was a 21-year-old kid getting to work in the beer industry. It was fun until it wasn’t. We were having a dinner conversation, and it led to, ‘Well, hey, come help.’ Then I just stayed,” Andy recalls. “It was easy for me because when the business started, my parents were building something, and I was the kid who tagged along. When I officially started, I was under my dad’s wing for eight years to learn not only the products, but the services and scope of where and how we sold things. I worked up to where I finally had my own area and went out to make sales calls and talk to customers.”
“Early on, we weren’t sure how Andy would adapt, but he’s a salesperson and he took to it very easily,” Jennifer says. “I’ve seen it since its infancy, so by the time I got to doing it on my own, I didn’t have to ask, ‘What would he say?’ or ‘What would she do?’” Andy adds.
Dawn, a William Henry Harrison High School graduate and former manager of the since-shuttered Savvi Formalwear, joined the company as a sales manager in 2008 while she and Andy were dating. They married in 2009. “The owner of Savvi actually wanted me to buy it from him. But Vernon said, ‘I’d rather you run my company,’” Dawn says.
As senior vice president alongside his wife, Andy runs daily operations, makes sales calls,
oversees equipment servicing and repairs, and stays abreast of industry trends. Dawn has taken on more responsibility as general manager, overseeing company policy while managing equipment supply and customer relations. “It just happened so naturally, especially when Vernon retired and as Jennifer’s taken a little more of a step back,” she says. “Since I’ve been in the picture, there’s never been any doubt that Andy was planning to be in the role that he’s in. … It’s very rewarding to work with the people who are important to you.”
Vernon retired six years ago, and Jennifer spends most of her time working from home, solely on finances and paying bills. “Over the years, we have been accosted by several people to sell. But by that time, Andy and Dawn had already transitioned very strongly into the business, and we never even considered selling because we did assume that they would just take our places and continue with the business,” Jennifer says. “We feel very confident in their abilities. They have really stepped in and have done a good job, and they get better every day. And I step a little further away every day.”
“Andy and Dawn are a great team together,” Vernon adds. “What I had to do was let them take their ownership. It was always my plan that if they’re going to run it, I can’t be there, because people are going to come to me. And they’re going to make mistakes. I’ve made monumental ones, but never think of making mistakes as a problem. It’s a solution that you have to come up with on your own. And that’s where their strength is today. They know how to do this by themselves.”
Will Andy and Dawn’s children — Charlotte, 10, and Vernon III (known as Drew) 13 — carry Southern Business
Machines, Inc. forward? They’ll make that call. “They’ve been part of the business from the time they were born,” Jennifer says. Vernon adds, “I wouldn’t put any pressure on them. But they know the availability. They’re always welcome.” SOUTHERNBUSINESSMACHINES.COM
How the Stevenses are Transitioning Leadership
“I’M NOT QUITE ready to step 100 percent away,” Jennifer Stevens says.“… I think Andy and Dawn are so busy doing what they do that it makes more sense for me to continue with what I do, let them take care of the day-to-day, and then they don’t have to worry about the money side of things.”
Vernon Stevens, 2001
Vernon “Andy” Stevens II, 2003
Still Keeping After It
Three generations of the Martin family find their niches in real estate development
MAJOR PLAYERS IN REAL ESTATE development for many years, SVN | The Martin Group and The Martin Group, Inc. bring a depth of expertise to their work locally and nationally. It all started with company and family patriarch John N. Martin, who continues to share his wellspring of knowledge to this day.
At 93, John is retired but remains involved with the enterprises now over-
BY JOHN MARTIN
seen by his son, Steve, with Steve’s sons Andy and Alex on board in key roles. John maintains a keen eye on things as a senior advisor, joining video conferences and visiting the company’s home office in Evansville now and then.
“He still keeps after us. Even today,” Steve says.
John’s climb in business started after serving in the U.S. Army during the Korean conflict and using the GI Bill to attend
Indiana Business College in Indianapolis. He started with Firestone as a branch salesman while going to school, and after earning a degree in accounting, he worked for Cummins Engines in Columbus, Indiana, then branch manager for a Kimball subsidiary, Evansville Veneer Company and ultimately moved to Huntingburg, Indiana, to become National Finance Manager for Kimball Piano & Organ (now Kimball International).
BY
PHOTO
ZACH STRAW
Andy Martin, Steve Martin, John Martin, Anne Martin, and Alex Martin
“I enticed him to come into the family business and manage, develop, and build apartment properties. He said, ‘Well, let’s try it for a year.’ He’s still here 48 years later.”
— Company Founder John N. Martin on his son Steve Martin
He was elected four times as clerk-treasurer of the City of Huntingburg and started a public accounting firm at the same time. While doing this, he built the first Section 8 housing property in Indiana. When Steve joined in 1977, a year after Steve’s graduation from the University of Evansville, they formed what was then called Pleasant View Management Company (now The Martin Group, Inc.) Their initial focus was on affordable housing.
“I enticed him to come into the family business and manage, develop, and build apartment properties,” John recalls. “He said, ‘Well, let’s try it for a year.’ He’s still here 48 years later.”
“He told me I was young and cheap,” recalls Steve with a laugh.
Over the years, The Martin Group’s enterprises oversaw the development, consulting, management, and asset management of more than 12,000 apartments across 18 states. In 1987, the company did Indiana’s first Section 42 Low Income Housing Tax Credit project.
The family company continued to grow. It was associated with RE/MAX commercial for five years before affiliating with the SVN Network and taking on its current name 22 years ago.
SVN | The Martin Group operates in Evansville and Indianapolis as well as Louisville, Kentucky. The full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm serves large, medium, and small businesses, plus individual entrepreneurs. It also provides services for the sales, leasing, and management of commercial properties locally and in other states.
The company might be best known for managing the development of the 215-acre, mixed-use Promenade project on the East Side, where Costco Wholesale and other major retailers have located, as well as the apartment complex Promenade Flats.
It’s truly a family affair — Steve’s brother, David, was in the family business for 18 years before leaving to work in medical office development. Steve’s wife, Anne, remains as Director of
Accounting. And Steve’s and Anne’s sons, Alex, 39, and Andy, 35, represent the third generation. Alex is Managing Director and Vice President of Property Management, while Andy’s title is Managing Director and Vice President of Brokerage and Development.
Andy’s fascination with real estate started early: He remembers building Lego cities while growing up. “It was just always in the blood,” says Andy, a graduate of Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana. “I went to school for business administration, and I transitioned my minor to real estate development. I knew all the way through school that something was in the cards. We talked about the Indianapolis office opening, and I decided to join the company right out of school.”
Alex studied business at Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, but always was drawn to real estate appraisal. “As time went on, I decided I would come into the company and the rest is history so far,” he says.
Andy and Alex say their backgrounds and skill sets complement one another, and Steve adds that he and his brother David had a similar relationship during their years working side by side.
Steve, Anne, Alex, and Andy point to John’s longstanding stewardship of the family company, establishing a legacy of having success and having fun along the way.
“One of the greatest pieces is being able to have that generational experience, and being able to easily tap into it,” Andy says.
John Martin, David Martin, and Steve Martin, 1998
Back row: Chris Stuard, Kirk Mann, Randall Forster, Corine Kluemper, Anne Martin, and Shirley Fitzsimmons
Front row: John Martin and Steve Martin, 2009
LEADING WOMEN IN BUSINESS
Advertising Index
ERA First Advantage Realty, Inc.
AS ERA CELEBRATES ITS 30TH ANNIVERSARY THIS YEAR, one thing remains clear: Experience Matters. Now more than ever.
Serving the Tri-State area since 1995, ERA First Advantage Realty has built a legacy of success, much of it attributed to the dedicated women of ERA. Led by broker-owner Janice Miller, these professionals are leaders in sales and in service, consistently giving back to their communities and supporting local causes.
Whether you’re buying or selling, ERA’s agents are equipped to confidently guide you through today’s ever-changing real estate landscape. With unmatched expertise in local market trends, pricing strategies, and negotiation skills, we ensure every client receives a seamless and successful experience, from the first showing to the final closing.
Home to more than 130 real estate professionals, ERA First Advantage Realty is driven by a commitment to continuing education, strong client relationships, and hard work. This dedication has resulted in countless awards and recognitions for top-tier service, helping clients navigate every step of the real estate process. When you’re ready to make your move, choose local, choose trusted, choose experience. Choose ERA First Advantage Realty.
AS VICE PRESIDENT OF MORTGAGE OPERATIONS, Kerrie Pennington plays an instrumental role in the continued growth and success of Liberty Federal Credit Union.
With 15 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Kerrie leads a high-performing (and growing) team of nearly 30 employees who ensure a seamless mortgage experience for the members of Liberty FCU.
With a deep knowledge of mortgage technology, Kerrie’s focus is on optimizing workflows, driving operational efficiencies, and streamlining processes and procedures. Part of her job is overseeing the mortgage training team, which supports these efforts with ongoing training and development.
A resident of Henderson, Kentucky, along with her husband Ben and two daughters, Kerrie is proud to be a part of a mortgage lending team that annually puts more Tri-State families in their home than any other organization, and which has helped Liberty FCU grow to a company with more than $4 billion in assets and nearly 900 employees.
“I’m incredibly honored to step into the role of Vice President of Mortgage Operations,” Kerrie says. “Being part of an organization that truly goes above and beyond, helping families achieve homeownership and build generational wealth, is something I am deeply proud of. It’s a privilege to lead a team so committed to making a lasting impact on the communities we serve.”
4401 Theater Drive 812-477-9271 | libertyfcu.org
F.C. Tucker Emge
REAL ESTATE ISN’T JUST A CAREER — it’s a path to independence, leadership, and personal growth. At F.C. Tucker Emge, we are proud to celebrate the women who represent the very best of our company: this accomplished group of top producers are members of our prestigious President’s and Executive Clubs. They have built successful businesses by delivering expert guidance and exceptional service to clients across Southwestern Indiana. What makes real estate such a rewarding profession for women? Flexibility,
unlimited potential, and the ability to build a business that aligns with personal values and goals. Whether helping firsttime buyers or experienced investors, these women operate with professionalism, integrity, and drive.
As the leading real estate company in our region, F.C. Tucker Emge offers training, tools, and a collaborative culture that supports every agent’s success. Whether you’re buying, selling, or exploring a future in real estate, we invite you to learn more at FCTuckerEmge.com/careers.
First Row: Gelina Mascoe, Pam Rickenbaugh, Jessie Gross, Susan Shepherd, Missy Mosby, Robin Montgomery, Carol McClintock, Stephanie Morris, Amber Wood, Jodi Fehrenbacher, Gretchen Ballard, Elaine Sollars, and Laureen Ludwig. Second Row: Amber Schreiber, Kindra Hirt, Mindy Word, Gretchen Riddle, Sara Pillow, Mary McCarthy, Geri Terry, Kristin Dannheiser, Dana Smith, Marcia Stearns, Vanessa Purdom, and Gretchen Muchnick. Last Row: Alissa Maynard, Lindsay Whitehead, Sydni Cosby, Michelle Hudson, Terri McCoy, Rachel DeYoung, Katie Waldroup, and Kayla Bonger
EMPOWERING WOMEN TO LEAD IN REAL ESTATE
First Federal Savings Bank
FIRST FEDERAL SAVINGS BANK, ESTABLISHED IN 1904, has served Southwestern Indiana and the surrounding region for the past 120 years. Today, we are a full-service community bank, offering complete banking products for individuals, families, and businesses. We pride ourselves on building better communities by prioritizing and investing in the customers and neighborhoods we serve. This group of women represents First Federal Savings Bank’s leadership team. Our employees specialize in building customer relationships and providing banking services tailored to fit the individual needs of the customer. With locations across the Tri-State as well
as the Henderson, Kentucky, and Petersburg and Washington, Indiana, areas, we provide accessibility to our customers. We offer competitive interest rates and closing costs, and with in-house servicing, our closing process is quick and efficient. Our loan servicing team is available to answer any questions throughout the lifetime of your loan. Perhaps you’re a business owner looking for small equipment financing, large commercial construction, or anything in between; our relationship bankers can help. At First Federal Savings Bank, it is our mission to serve YOU and provide banking services tailored to fit your needs. At First Federal Savings Bank, we are your #BFF — your banking friend forever.
Back Row: Kristina Jackson, Courtney Schmitt, Jennifer Singleton, Christy McBride, Bethany Cross, and Jessica Aldridge Front Row: Sarah Cox and Elisa Snyder. Not Pictured: Anjel Fleming and Beth Ramsey
Emily Brown and Lynne Lewis
THE RUG MERCHANT has been an Evansville tradition for more than 55 years, and the dynamic mother-daughter team of Lynne Lewis and Emily Brown is a major part of its longevity and success. Lynne’s husband, Terry, started the family-owned business in the early 1970s. While Terry remains an active part of the business, Lynne and Emily focus on day-to-day operations including building relationships with residential and commercial customers, merchandise selection to keep their nearly 10,000-square-foot showroom stocked, and helping Tri-State residents select the perfect rug for their space.
The duo admires each other for their exemplary customer service skills and the innate way they work with customers to find the right rug for their space. “I love how Emily interacts with customers. She
isn’t trying to just sell to them. She is their partner in finding the perfect rug and genuinely wants their selection to fit their lifestyle,” Lynne says.
Emily echoes that sentiment. “I want everyone who visits to feel comfortable and excited to see what we offer. Our extensive collection of rugs allows us to serve a broad clientele base and meet their expectations,” Emily says. “The rug buying process can be overwhelming, but we strive to make it a fun and educational experience! I enjoy watching my mom talk to customers. She’s so tenacious and works so hard to meet the needs of every client.” Plus, most people never get to see their family due to work. “I’m lucky enough to work with mine every day,” Emily says. The Rug Merchant stays up to date with rug trends by attending several
rug markets every year. They also rely on reading rug trade and interior design subscriptions and talking to other dealers around the U.S. However, most of their success comes from simply listening and talking with local clients and designers. Armed with the knowledge and perspective of different generations in the Rug Merchant family, finding your perfect rug is an easy task.
THE RUG MERCHANT
GERMAN AMERICAN BANK
Lindsay Botsch
MARKET PRESIDENT
WHEN ASKED WHAT SHE VALUES THE MOST ABOUT HER ROLE, Lindsay Botsch shares immense pride for the team she leads. As the Market President for German American Bank’s team of community bankers serving Vanderburgh, Warrick, and Gibson counties, she provides a clear vision and creates an environment where people feel valued, supported, and empowered. Lindsay has been active in the Evansville-area banking community for 20 years, beginning her career as a Commercial Credit Analyst, then transitioning to a Commercial Lender prior to her current role. She has a passion for helping clients achieve their goals, setting a great example for providing tailored business banking solutions with a high level of customer service. She believes in giving back to the community by showing gratitude through action and invests her time by serving on the Metro Board of the YMCA of Southwestern Indiana and the Deaconess Foundation board. She’s also Chair of the YMCA Half Marathon Committee and the Building Engagement Capital Campaign for SWIRCA & More. She understands the impact a high-performing community bank makes in improving quality of life so communities thrive and people can prosper. Stop in any banking office to experience the German American Bank difference that Lindsay is so proud to be a part of.
4424 Vogel Road
21 S.E. Third St.
961 Hebron Ave.
515 Dixie Lane
3300 N. Green River Road
530 N. St. Joseph Ave.
8477 Bell Oaks Drive, Newburgh, IN
2 N. Green St., Henderson, KY
812-962-2265 | germanamerican.com
COTTAGE WEALTH ADVISORS
Nancy Bach, MBA
FOUNDER & WEALTH ADVISOR
IF THERE IS ONE THING NANCY BACH HAS LEARNED IN HER MORE THAN 20 YEARS AS A FINANCIAL ADVISOR, it’s that joy is a byproduct of serving others. As the owner of Cottage Wealth Advisors & Partners in Evansville, her greatest joys come from helping people in her community achieve their goals, such as a successful transition to retirement, sending their children to their college of choice, or taking the trip of their dreams.
The Evansville community has given so much to Nancy and her family over the years, which is why serving others isn’t work for Nancy — it’s a tacit privilege. Having navigated the often impersonal world of corporate finance, she designed her independent business to be a place where those she serves can feel true partnership on their financial journey.
Nancy takes a compassionate and people-driven approach to financial management, which has positively impacted countless lives in Evansville. Why not yours, too? Connect with Cottage Wealth Advisors and discover how they can serve as a true stakeholder in your dreams.
Securities and advisory services offered through &PARTNERS, LLC, a registered broker-dealer and investment advisor, Member FINRA, SIPC
Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc.
CELEBRATING THE WOMEN LEADING OUR SUCCESS
At Woodward Commercial Realty, Inc., we know that great companies are built by great people. That’s why we’re proud to recognize six incredible women who are key to Woodward’s continued success:
• Audrie Burkett, Chief Operating Officer
• Susi Racine, Vice President, Business Brokerage Division
• Christy Vondersaar, Associate Broker
• Donna Taylor, Associate Broker
• Susan Bohrnstedt, Director of Accounting
• Sally Fedolfi, Executive Administrator
Each of these women brings talent, integrity, and a deep commitment to our clients and our team. Whether they’re guiding deals, managing operations, or helping clients navigate complex decisions, their impact is felt every day.
We’re proud to celebrate their leadership — and grateful to have them driving Woodward forward.
Top Row: Susan Bohrnstedt, Sally Fedolfi, and Christy Vondersaar Bottom Row: Donna Taylor, Audrie Burkett, and Susi Racine
Julie Hill Danielle Andrews
Amy Bouchie
A PASSION FOR EXCELLENT CLIENT SERVICE drives the work that Amy, Danielle, and Julie do at New Horizons Financial Consultants. Their mission is to educate and empower clients with sound, solid financial information, options, and strategies designed to improve their financial lives. Whether that includes fulfilling family dreams, charitable giving, investing to impact your passions, or leaving a legacy, there’s no need to hope for the best, they help you plan on it.
“Our clients have busy lives and more to do than worry about their money. Providing client service that saves them time and gives them confidence is what we strive for. No client should have to wonder if they are going to get a callback or follow through on their requests,” says founder Amy Bouchie. “We strive to help our clients pursue their idea of financial success and build relationships they can trust.”
Securities offered through LPL Financial, Member FINRA/SIPC. Investment advice offered through Western Wealth Management, a registered investment adviser. New Horizons Financial Consultants and Western Wealth Management are separate entities from LPL Financial.
1112 S.E. First St. 812-618-9050 | nhfcplanyourfuture.com
Colonial Classics
COLONIAL CLASSICS is lucky enough to employ some of the most knowledgeable and talented women around. Each is dedicated to providing wonderful customer service and enjoys helping customers bring beauty to their home and projects. Our goal is to exceed customers’ expectations and create lasting relationships with them.
Owner Jesse Diekhoff has spent the last 12 years learning the industry at Colonial and is proud to be a member of the women in this business community. Jesse not only helps with operations
at Colonial, she’s also opened an East Side flower shop, Jesse Jeanne’s Flower Boutique. One of our biggest goals when it comes to operating small, local businesses is to give back to the community, which we are fortunate to be able to do through both Colonial and Jesse Jeanne’s. Without the employees at Colonial, it would not be what it is today.
“It’s OK to admit what you don’t know. It’s OK to ask for help. And it’s more than OK to listen to the people you lead- in fact, it’s essential.”
– Mary Barra, General Motors CEO
3633 Epworth Road, Newburgh, IN 812-853-6622 | colonialnewburgh.com
Jessica Landeros Almaraz, Patty Clark, Beverly Herron, Briley Hamilton, Avery Packer, Ciara Cannon with Baby Wren, Jesse Diekhoff, Julia Batey, Janet Lehman, Theresa Henning, Faith Baumgart, Payton Bailey, and Renae Newton
Catanese Real Estate
CATANESE REAL ESTATE, a woman-owned business, is a boutique real estate brokerage offering a personalized approach to real estate services. Our expertise helps clients navigate the nuances of the local real estate landscape with confidence. Catanese Real Estate fosters closer relationships between clients and agents. This trust and understanding make the real estate journey more collaborative and less transactional. Our experienced team of agents works closely with buyers, sellers, and investors. We even have a commercial division.
Catanese Real Estate employs creative and innovative marketing strategies to ensure properties stand out in a competitive market. We have the freedom to experiment with new ideas and approaches. From social media (reaching thousands) to
traditional forms of advertising, we will get your home sold.
Catanese Real Estate has strong local networks, which can open doors to exclusive opportunities and resources that might not be available through larger firms. We personally guide you through the sale of your home from start to finish.
When buying a home, our top priority is getting you the best home for YOU. Through educating you about inspections, appraisals, loans, and more during the entire buying process, we can help you with one of the biggest transactions of your life. Let us remove that stress. We quickly adapt to changes in the market, offering a flexible approach that aligns with your evolving needs. This agility can be a significant advantage in a dynamic real estate environment.
Top Row: Josie Bush, Natalie Wilhelm, Lauren Lagenour, Erica Berendsen, Ireland Martin, Roxanne Martin, Yvonne Woodburn, and Audra Barbauld. Bottom Row: Sophie the Wonderdog, Theresa Catanese, and Catie Catanese
Elevate Evansville
ELEVATE EVANSVILLE: A PERSONALIZED PATH TO WELLNESS
Elevate Evansville is redefining healthcare with a mission rooted in optimizing physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing. More than a medspa, this team of experienced nurse practitioners offers compassionate, personalized care that bridges traditional medicine and holistic wellness. Founded by Brittney Phipps, Stacey Ricketts, and Kaylynn McQuady, Elevate emerged from a shared vision to expand access to rejuvenation services that heal from the inside out.
At Elevate, patients can access cuttingedge medical rejuvenation treatments — from laser skin therapy and microneedling to PRP facials, vitamin infusions,
and hormone replacement consultations. Their services combine aesthetics with function, aiming to help clients feel confident, empowered, and truly seen.
Each practitioner brings a unique perspective: Brittney’s passion lies in whole-person care, Stacey finds fulfillment in continually enhancing her skills, and Kaylynn bridges medical care with a love of cosmetic artistry. Together, they’ve created a space where advanced treatments meet heartfelt connection.
The practice prides itself on staying ahead of industry trends, often inspired by the curiosity and goals of its clients. This forward-thinking approach inspired investment in the Alma Harmony laser system and introduced innovative
treatments like radiofrequency therapy and PRP joint injections.
What sets Elevate Evansville apart is the genuine joy they find in their patients’ transformations. “There’s nothing more rewarding than seeing someone leave our office feeling confident and radiant,” says Kaylynn. With complimentary consultations and a focus on lasting relationships, Elevate Evansville is raising the standard for wellness in the Tri-State area.
Kaylynn McQuady, Brittney Phipps, FNP-C, and Stacey Ricketts, FNP-C
Indiana University School of Medicine Southwest Internal Medicine Residency Program
INTENDING TO EQUIP SOUTHWEST INDIANA WITH SKILLED GENERAL INTERNAL MEDICINE SPECIALISTS, Dr. Oksana Karpov, Program Director, Dr. Jasan Jawanda, Associate Program Director, and Program Administrators Marissa Hollensteiner and Suzanne Seibert are taking the lead. Providing an extensive array of training experiences utilizing the partnership with three local clinical partners; Good
Samaritan Hospital, Deaconess, and Evansville Veterans Affairs Clinic, these women are taking charge of collaborative healthcare in southwest Indiana.
“Our goal is providing focused educational training for general internal medicine specialists to provide exceptional and skilled care to medically complex and diverse patients in under-served regions of southwest Indiana,” says Dr. Karpov.
Marissa Hollensteiner, Jasan Jawanda, MD, and Oksana Karpov, DO
STRATTON INTERIORS
Candis Stratton
OWNER AND LEAD DESIGNER
STRATTON INTERIORS: BRINGING DREAMS TO LIFE THROUGH DESIGN
At Stratton Interiors, the belief is simple: your home should tell your story. Owner and lead designer, Candis Stratton, approaches every project with a focus on creating spaces that are as unique as the people who live in them. “When someone walks into one of my client’s homes and says it looks like them, I know I’ve done my job,” she shares.
Her journey into interior design began unexpectedly. While pregnant and facing her husband’s serious work accident, she realized she needed a career that would allow her to provide for her family. After researching different fields, she discovered interior design — a profession that combined her passion for creativity with a clear path to success. Guided by her mom’s advice to “do the job you love,” she made the leap and hasn’t looked back.
Stratton Interiors offers a full range of services, from selecting furniture and fixtures to space planning, custom drapery, and holiday decorating. What she loves most, though, is helping clients build new homes and creating imaginative, fun spaces for children. She thrives on the challenge of taking a client’s vision and transforming it into a functional, beautiful reality.
Her design process begins with deep conversations to truly understand each client’s lifestyle and needs. With a carefully curated selection of local and national vendors, she ensures every design is both practical and distinctly personal.
812-589-5359 | stratton-interiors.com
Oswald Marketing
FOR OVER FOUR DECADES, Oswald Marketing has remained proudly woman-owned and officially recognized as a Women’s Business Enterprise (WBE). Guided by our core principle and tagline, “Dive Deeper,” we’re built on the belief that true impact comes from going beneath the surface, into the data, the product, and the creative that charts a clear course to success.
What makes us different? Everything we do, we do in-house. Cutting edge digital and traditional media strategy? We’ve got it covered. Eyecatching websites? Of course, backed with a results-driven approach. Trending promotional products? Let us bring your logo to life. We even have
our own embroidery shop. And our creative team? Full-service and full-speed ahead, with pros in video, motion graphics, photography, branding, design, and social.
With everything under one roof, we maintain tight quality control and deliver the kind of efficiency and cost transparency that’s hard to find elsewhere. Our team works closely together every day, ensuring that every project is cohesive and crafted with care.
At Oswald Marketing, we don’t stay in the shallow end. We dive deeper. We listen harder. And we deliver better. It’s what’s kept clients coming back, wave after wave — and it’s been 40 years in the making.
Angie Daub, Maggie Miller, Edie Henton, Elysia Carmona, Chelsea Means, Lisa Schaffer, Tammy Shaw, Lindsey Morrow, Amanda Bruns, Olyvia Symon, Kelsey Dus, and Penny Buchanan
Evansville Winsupply
EVANSVILLE WINSUPPLY has grown from a plumbing supply company into a full-service destination for plumbing fixtures, lighting, vanities, and accessories. Showroom Manager Thekla Georges brings 13 years of experience and a background in interior design to help customers bring their visions to life. She encourages women entering the trades to
take initiative — research, network, and keep moving forward. Balancing work and life takes daily effort, but she emphasizes the importance of preventing burnout and making time to recharge. What sets Winsupply apart is its commitment to expert service, personal attention, and being a trusted, local resource in an increasingly digital world.
Michelle Neuenschwander, Mikayla Evans, Thekla Georges, and Keely Hunt
Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference
2025 SOUTHWEST INDIANA REGIONAL WOMEN’S CONFERENCE: EMPOWERING WOMEN FOR SUCCESS
The 2025 Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference will be held on Friday, October 24, at Santa’s Lodge in Santa Claus, Indiana. This empowering event, organized by a coalition of regional chambers, aims to connect and inspire women in the region.
This year’s keynote speakers will be Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun and Vanessa Green Sinders, Director, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, who will share insights on leadership and empowerment. The mission of the conference is to foster networking opportunities among women in Southwest Indiana, providing a platform for professional growth, personal development, and community support. While the majority of attendees are professional women, the conference is open to all, including students who are eager to learn and connect.
Attendees can expect to form new friendships, gain valuable knowledge to enhance both their personal and professional lives, and have the chance to network with a wide array of women.
The schedule will feature 1-2 keynote speakers, along with ample networking opportunities.
Launched five years ago during the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the conference was born out of a desire for meaningful connections. It quickly became evident that many women were seeking the same support to navigate their professional and personal lives.
For more information and to sign up, visit the official Facebook event page of the Southwest Indiana Regional Women’s Conference
Cheryl Hamilton Linton-Stockton Chamber of Commerce
Jill Hyneman Pike County Chamber of Commerce
Kathy Reinke Spencer County Chamber of Commerce
Nancy Eckerle Jasper Chamber of Commerce
Sara Zuelly Perry County Chamber of Commerce
Shari Sherman Warrick County Chamber of Commerce
Jamie Neal Knox County Chamber of Commerce
Patty Vanoven Gibson County Chamber of Commerce
Anne’s
WE ARE HAIR FOR YOU
Since 1975, Anne’s Wig Shop has been THE PLACE for wigs. No matter the wig type, hair topper, or accessory you were hoping to find, Anne had exactly what you needed. Over the years, Anne’s Wigs built up quite a reputation throughout the Tri-State area. So, it comes as no surprise that Anne’s is celebrating its 50th anniversary, all thanks to Anne Duncan.
In 2022, Anne sold her shop to Evansville native, Taylor Powers. With little to no experience in the industry, Taylor credits Anne with everything she knows about the business. Continuing in Anne’s tradition, Taylor
brought a new flair and freshness to the now aptly named Anne’s.
After graduating from Castle High School, Taylor attended Savannah College of Art and Design. With a passion for all things creative, she worked in the fashion and design industry for over a decade. Knowing she wanted to live closer to family, Taylor’s brother contacted her about a great opportunity, and she agreed to a meeting. Taylor and Anne met for the first time and quickly developed a family-like bond.
When you walk through the door to Anne’s you are greeted with a happy aesthetic, a bright smile, and a
Goldendoodle named Honey. Every customer at Anne’s is treated in a personalized way. No matter the reason for your visit or what you’re looking for, Taylor has an eye for knowing what reflects the best of each client. When asked about the most fulfilling part of her business she says, “When I see people leaving happier and more confident than when they first walked in.”
Anne Duncan and Taylor Powers
VPS ARCHITECTURE
Sarah Schuler
PRESIDENT
CELEBRATING 25 YEARS OF ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN
As I celebrate 25 years at VPS Architecture and 15 years of which as president, I reflect on a journey that began as a way to see the world and evolved into a deeply fulfilling career shaping communities through thoughtful design. What started with curiosity and ambition has grown into a purpose-driven life dedicated to education and civic/ community architectural design. I have found deep purpose in creating spaces that serve and inspire people as well as walking step-by-step with our clients through the complex process of design and construction.
Over the years, I’ve had the privilege to work on projects that truly make a difference in our community and beyond. From the energy of the Ford Center, to the life-changing mission of the Albion Fellows Bacon Center addition, to the innovation behind the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences and the unique earthsheltered design of the EVPL Oaklyn Library as well as numerous projects for Indiana University, each has been a unique opportunity to impact lives through design.
Outside of project work, I have been honored to serve on the boards of incredible organizations like the Reitz Home Museum, the Evansville Museum, Evansville Brownfield Corporation, cMoe, the Evansville Public Art Commission, and the American Institute of Architects (AIA), locally and at the state level, deepening my connection to the community and region I love.
To young people considering architecture: stay committed. Someday, you will look back in awe at the projects you have helped bring to life, each one leaving a legacy of impact, beauty, and purpose.
| vpsarch.com
McMahon Exterminating
MCMAHON EXTERMINATING, INC., was founded on March 17th, 1971. Meet the women who make up our client relations, bookkeeping, accounting and, of course, canine teams. Lora, Starla, Jill, Jordan, Jessica, Lorin, and Bailey all work taking and making phone calls, monitoring our online chat and emails, and collecting and posting payments. Shelby along with Raven, Sparrow, and Indy work in the field keeping our customers safe from bed bugs. They handle our canine bed bug inspections, doing the work that quite frankly most men wouldn’t do. These women are the backbone of our business and have a passion for helping people. They are true professionals, and we could not do it without them.
1605 Theater Drive 812-475-1100 | mcmahoncan.com
BOSSE TITLE COMPANY
Susan Dayton Vollmer
BORN AND RAISED IN EVANSVILLE, Susan graduated with honors from Ball State University with a degree in corporate financial management and then went on to earn a degree from the University of Dayton Law School.
Returning to Evansville in 1996, Susan started practicing law with Jeffrey A. Bosse, the founder of Bosse Title Company. Susan left the title industry to become the executive director of the Evansville Bar Association and then a senior trust advisor. Fortunately for Bosse Title Company, Susan came back in 2020 to serve as vice president for Jeffrey H. Bosse.
4799 Rosebud Lane, Newburgh, IN 812-421-4000 | bossetitle.com
Lora McMahon, Shelby Buono and Raven, Jill Brown, Bailey Chambers, Starla Lee, Lorin Chambers, and Jessica Hurley. Not Pictured: Jordan Brown
EVANSVILLE HEARING AID CENTER
Amanda Bennett
YOUR HEARING IS UNIQUE and connects you with people. The fundamental goal of Evansville Hearing Aid Center is to reconnect you with the world.
Your hearing is like fingerprints — no one’s are the same. Likewise, we strive to create an individual custom hearing solution for every patient.
Evansville Hearing Aid Center is the oldest, most trusted hearing aid center in the Tri-State. Committed to leading the hearing health care industry, we strive to exceed our patient’s expectations by providing hearing solutions at competitive prices and offering excellent customer service.
THE HUM OF A SEWING MACHINE, the tactile pleasure of fabric, and the satisfaction of creating something unique — these are the passions that drive the women at Bernina of Evansville. Far more than just salespeople, they are dedicated enthusiasts who have built businesses around their love for sewing, finding immense joy in guiding others through the creative process and helping them discover the perfect machine and supplies for their needs. Check out berninaofevansville.com for monthly crafting classes and events.
4844 Plaza E. Blvd. 812-476-6114 | berninaofevansville.com
Christy Hamilton, Joanne Bunys, Jamie Wilkinson, and Sharon Spence
Bodyworks Massage Therapy & Institute
SINCE ITS INCEPTION IN 1998 by founder Cecile Martin, and growing into partnerships with Leah Martin and Emily Sandullo, Bodyworks continues to provide the highest-quality massage therapy services and training institute in the area.
Our clients know that we are heartcentered therapists, and our focus on building personal/professional relationships, as well as our peaceful environment, is what keeps them coming back. Students come from a 100-mile radius to receive training in the art and science of massage therapy and share the benefits of touch therapies with their communities.
We love what we do, and it shows.
Leslie Lawrence
SINCE AUGUST 20TH, 1990, Award World Trophies & Gifts has been the Tri-State’s trusted source for recognizing excellence. Whether it’s sports, academics, corporate achievements, or special events, we create custom awards that leave a lasting impression. From trophies, plaques, and medals to personalized gifts and keepsakes, our quality craftsmanship and friendly service set us apart. Celebrate your champions with something truly special — crafted with care and delivered with pride. At Award World Trophies & Gifts, we don’t just make awards, we help create memories. Stop by and see why we’ve been the area’s go-to award and gift shop for over three decades.
700 N. Weinbach Ave., Ste. 103 812-425- 4571 2809 Lincoln Ave,, Ste. 110 812-490-9009 | bwmassage.com
Cecile Martin, Leah Martin, and Emily Sandullo
Banterra Bank
NEED A BANK WITH SOME GIRL POWER?
We have that and more. Banterra began in 1975 and now has more than 40 locations in six states, five in the Evansville area, including a commercial lending office in the heart of Downtown. Our team of experienced, local lenders are ready to serve your business needs. With Banterra, we offer digital conveniences, competitive rates, strong lending capacities, and exceptional business products, including treasury management services and quick local decisions. Plus, we support our communities through ongoing charity promotion, contributions, and volunteer time. We salute Evansville’s leading women in business and the women of Banterra.
Five Evansville-Area Locations 866-226-8377 | banterra.bank
FORVIS MAZARS
Devan Sanders Logeman, CPA, JD
SENIOR MANAGER
PART OF THE FORVIS MAZARS PRIVATE CLIENT TEAM, Devan has nearly ten years of experience working with individuals, families, businesses, fiduciaries, and private foundations to provide income, gift, and estate tax compliance, consulting, and planning services. She uses a forward-looking approach to help clients grow and preserve assets, reduce taxes, and realize their financial goals.
Forvis Mazars, LLP is an independent member of Forvis Mazars Global, a leading global professional services network. Forvis Mazars provides audit, assurance, tax, advisory, and consulting services globally with a dedication to delivering an Unmatched Client Experience® to help you prepare for what’s next.
Kara Bunch, Amy Allen, Angie Schaffstein, Jennifer Johnson, MaNissa Coon, Lauren Singleton, and Devon Tonkins
FIELD & MAIN BANK
Jessica Bryant
JESSICA BRYANT serves as Chief Human Resources Officer and Senior Vice President at Field & Main Bank. Her career began in 2006 as a teller, where she created a teller training program that launched her into human resources. In 2019, she became the director of HR, implementing strategic initiatives and earning a place as one of the first women on the bank’s Senior Advisory Council. Now as Chief Human Resources Officer, Jessica oversees talent acquisition, training, performance management, compensation, benefits, wellness, employee relations, and strategy. She is passionate about fostering growth and considers Field & Main an exceptional place for both personal and professional development.
40 N. Main St., Henderson, KY 102 N. Burkhardt Road 888-831-1500 | fieldandmain.com
Dirt Finders Maid Service
WHEN YOU NEED A MAID, call Dirt Finders, and let us handle the dirt!
At Dirt Finders Maid Service, we provide top-quality residential and commercial cleaning services, including routine house cleaning, office cleaning, carpet cleaning, post-construction cleanups, and painting. Whether you’re looking for a one-time deep clean, regular weekly or bi-weekly service, or help with moving in or out, we’re here to make your space shine.
We take pride in delivering reliable, high-quality cleaning at affordable rates — and we have the experienced team and professional equipment to get the job done right!
708 Stanley Ave. 812-402-3060 | dirtfinders.net
Summer Kemp, Kristina Lamkin, Bev Berry Pike, and Cassie Wellmeier
Southern Business Machines, Inc.
JENNIFER AND DAWN STEVENS are the driving forces behind this woman-owned corporation focusing on customer service and first-class support. Southern Business Machines, Inc., started as a mailing machine business in 1989 and today offers a full range of office solutions for businesses to distribute their customer communications. “We take customer service very seriously. Listening to our customers’ needs so that we can strategize ways to help them streamline processes or efficiencies is important,” Dawn says. “The greatest reward is getting a call from another company who was given our name because they were told ‘SBM, Inc. can help you.’”
2040 E. Division St. 812-475-8895 | southernbusinessmachines.com
Harding, Shymanski & Company
CELEBRATING 50 YEARS OF TRUSTED ADVICE
At HSC and HSC Medical Billing, our history is built on lasting relationships and forward-thinking solutions. Our collaborative approach centers on understanding your unique needs and goals. With decades of experience, we craft strategic plans specifically for you. Because your success is how we measure ours.
Mallory Hunt, Karen Schu, Laurie Berry, Karen Schnell, Tina Abrams, Lisa Frank, Zoee Miles, Michele Graham, Becky Brinkman, Kendra Bateman, Shannon Brewer, and Ashley Schultz
Branded by Woods
BOLD BRANDS. BUILT TOGETHER. At Branded by Woods, collaboration fuels creativity. What began more than 50 years ago as Woods Printing Company has grown into a fullservice branding partner powered by a majority-female team of passionate professionals who lead with heart, hustle, and purpose. Owner Devin Springston, alongside directors Suzanne Hall (operations), Courtney Werne (art and design), and Katie Katterhenry (customer experience), fosters a culture where leadership is shared, relationships matter, and bold ideas come to life. United by craft and driven by values, we deliver branding that’s not only beautiful — but built to last, together.
601 W. Main St., Holland, IN 800-796-1523 | brandedbywoods.com
Brenda Schaefer
WITH MORE THAN 25 YEARS OF EXPERIENCE, Brenda takes a personal approach to financial planning. She knows that everyone’s situation is different, so she takes the time to really get to know her clients, their goals, values, and what matters most to them. Her straightforward advice and honest conversations help people feel more confident about saving, planning, and retiring on their own terms. Brenda believes in building lasting relationships based on trust, and her clients appreciate how easy she makes it to understand their options and make smart financial choices.
812-213-8727 | heritagefederal.org
Courtney Werne, Suzanne Hall, Devin Springston, and Katie Katterhenry
ECHO Housing
ECHO HOUSING & COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT is Evansville’s leading provider of permanent supportive housing for individuals experiencing homelessness. As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, ECHO goes beyond housing — serving as the backbone organization of the Collective Action Network (CAN), a regional cross-sector collaboration focused on sustainable community development. Our work centers on trust, inclusion, and transforming systems to meet the needs of the most vulnerable. ECHO’s women leaders bring nearly 100 years of combined community service experience, driving forward bold solutions rooted in lived experience, accountability, and equity. Their leadership continues to shape a stronger, more compassionate future for Southwest Indiana.
528 Main St., Ste. 202 812-423-8422 | echohousing.org
Center for Pediatric Therapy
THE WOMEN WHO DRIVE Center for Pediatric Therapy are Ginger Whitler, Owner/President; Karen Lawson, Senior Staff Physical Therapist; Karen Shields, Senior Staff Occupational Therapist; Rachel Goebel, Senior Staff Speech Therapist; and Cindy Lawrence, Administrative Office Manager. Our company projects the true meaning of a business run by successful women. We have more than 100 years of experience among the five of us in the health care industry.
Center for Pediatric Therapy strives to work closely with each child and their family to meet their goals for a bright successful future.
Leadership drives CPT and we are truly a family of 44 women. CPT was started in 2005 and continues to grow each year.
KATE FAUPEL GREW UP AROUND HER FATHER’S DEALERSHIP in Henderson, Kentucky, and was helping answer phones and file papers by the age of 15. Faupel graduated from Reitz Memorial High School in 2011 and attended Indiana University, where she graduated with a degree in marketing. She spent five years working in corporate retail before moving back to Henderson to pursue the family business. Faupel spent time working in every department before earning the title of General Manager in 2021. An opportunity came in 2023 to buy the Ford store in Henderson, and Faupel couldn’t pass it up. Kate Faupel Ford opened in December 2023, and Kate is now an owner and operator of both Kate Faupel Ford and Henderson Chevrolet GMC.
Kate Faupel Ford | 2530 US 41, Henderson, KY 270-827-3566 | katefaupelford.com
Henderson Chevrolet GMC | 2746 US 41 Henderson, KY 270-826-7600 | hendersonchevrolet.com
First Bank
THEY ARE MORE THAN BANKERS — they are builders of dreams, champions of others, and trailblazers who lead with both strength and heart. These First Bank leading women lift as they climb, opening doors for one another and for the clients they serve. They share wisdom, inspire confidence, foster innovation, and celebrate wins. Together, they are breaking barriers and building a legacy of collaboration and impact. Their work doesn’t stop at helping businesses grow — it’s about helping families thrive, communities flourish, and futures take shape. Every step forward, every hand extended, every voice raised creates a ripple of change. And when these women rise together, they’re not just achieving success, they’re making great things happen for everyone around them. Rise with us at: myfirst.bank/leading-women
KATE
Front Row: Beth Clark, McKenzie Ziliak, Heather Dickerson, Tracie Ayers, Karen Whetstone, and Nikki Roser. Back Row: Jazmin Murfee, Morgan Hargis, Hope Adcock, Denise Utley, Kara Kessler, Rachelle Sneed, Kennedy Cook, Johanna Wilson, and Karen Beghtel.
ERA First Advantage Realty Inc.
TEAM MILEHAM - “GOING THAT EXTRA MILE”
With more than 70+ years of combined real estate experience, Team Mileham — Rick, Tracy, Andrea, Larry, and Tabitha — have developed many qualities and skills that have made them a top producing real estate team year after year. Integrity, indepth community and market knowledge, marketing savvy, effective negotiation skills, and a high-quality professional network are all hallmarks of Team Mileham. As real estate professionals, they have found providing excellent customer service is all about putting their clients first. This means keeping themselves accessible, being good listeners and communicators, and responding quickly to their clients’ needs in the ever-changing market. The “client first” philosophy has always been their approach.
6200 E. Columbia St. 812-453-1068 | teammileham.com
AstraZeneca
ASTRAZENECA IS A GLOBAL, SCIENCE-LED BIOPHARMACEUTICAL BUSINESS
DELIVERING LIFE-CHANGING MEDICINES TO MILLIONS WORLDWIDE.
We are proud to recognize the outstanding women who have dedicated 20 or more years of service to our company. Their commitment, expertise, and wisdom have helped shape our workforce and culture through decades of transformation and innovation. We value their remarkable contributions and honor the experiences and perspectives they bring. Fostering an environment of belonging and empowerment matters at AstraZeneca. The diversity and dedication of our long-tenured employees are a true competitive advantage and a defining part of what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work.
4601 Hwy. 62 E., Mount Vernon, IN 812-838-4675 | astrazeneca.com
Rick Mileham, Andrea Mileham, Tabitha Steen, Larry Linvill, and Tracy Kessler
Front Row: Ellen Roper, Courtney Chipps, Lisa Conti, Angel Mitchell, and Shawanna Phillips. Back Row: Melanie Murphy, Sara Watson, Marla Little, Kristal Srinivasan, Rebekah Thomas, and Jenny Ellis
United Companies
WOMEN LEAD AT EVERY LEVEL AT UNITED COMPANIES
From our CEO, Amy Romain Barron, and United Leasing & Finance President, Martha Ahlers, to our many female department heads and managers. Across all our business units — United Leasing & Finance, Professional Transportation, Inc., Romain Automotive Group, and United Companies Air Center — we’re proud to foster an environment where women are empowered to learn, grow, lead, and inspire.
Whether it’s driving process improvements, delivering exceptional customer service, mentoring the next generation of leaders, or giving back to our communities, the women of United Companies demonstrate exactly what it means to be a true leader.
3700 E. Morgan Ave. 800-742-3928 | unitedcompanies.com
J & C CLEANING SERVICE, LLC
Joyce Johnson
J & C CLEANING: LEADERSHIP BUILT ON LEGACY
Founded in 2018 by Joyce M. Johnson, J & C Cleaning Service, LLC is rooted in hard work, integrity, and a passion for service. Joyce’s upbringing in the Mississippi Delta instilled in her a lifelong dedication to cleanliness and excellence. Today, her Evansville-based company serves commercial clients across five counties — and will travel up to 200 miles. Certified as a Minority Woman Business Enterprise in Indiana and accredited by the BBB, J & C is known for its professionalism, promptness, and quality. Backed by over 40 years of experience, Joyce and her team continue to exceed expectations every day.
J & C CLEANING SERVICE, LLC
812-604-8043 | jandccleaningservice.com
Front Row: Stacy Dixon, Meagan Brien, Martha Ahlers, Heather Frederick, Amy Romain Barron, Amber Campos, Susan Theising, and Kris Conner.
Second Row: Shanta Khatri, Shelby Steward, Tammy Hagan, Julie Mills, Caitlin Purkhiser, Angela McAlister, Sarah Huff, and Laura Dawson.
Third Row: Taraha Baum, Samantha Graham, Laura Scheessele, Julie Baxton, Ashley Hart, Leesa Young, and Liz Ertle
Easterseals Rehabilitation Center
PEOPLE ARE THE HEART OF THE EASTERSEALS REHABILITATION CENTER
Children and adults with disabilities receive essential services and are empowered to achieve their dreams. Life-changing programs are provided by dedicated staff, led in part by strong women leaders. “Remarkable women play key roles throughout Easterseals,” says President/ CEO Kelly Schneider. These women head early childhood, residential and mental health services, compliance, and financial operations. “Easterseals is fortunate to have these team members providing guidance and strategic planning,” Schneider says. “They lead with a perfect balance of compassion, wisdom, and strength that benefits not only our organization, but also the community we serve.”
AT MIDWEST SKIN INSTITUTE, STACEY KAHRE, NP-C, leads a powerhouse team of aesthetic experts, including Emily Knapp, NP-C, Summer Tuley, NP-C, Staci Seibert, LE, LMT, and Marissa Hough, LE. With decades of combined experience, we specialize in advanced injectables, laser resurfacing, microneedling, and customized facials. Our providers are known for clinical excellence, natural results, and a warm, personalized approach. Whether you’re seeking subtle rejuvenation or transformative care, MSI offers results-driven treatments in a luxurious, professional setting. Trust your skin to the hands of skilled Nurse Practitioners and licensed medical aestheticians who are passionate about helping you look and feel your best.
8601 N. Kentucky Ave., Ste. I 812-491-6772 | midwestskininstitute.com
Kim Barrett, Rea Tecson, Kelly Schneider, Laurie Seals, and Emily Reidford
GAITHER AND MITSA GREENE, both boardcertified anesthesia providers, combine extensive experience with a high level of compassion to provide exceptional care to our clients. Since 2019, our clinic has offered hope to those who suffer from psychiatric disorders and chronic pain conditions. We also administer vitamin infusions and injections, including glutathione, NAD+, fat burner shots, D3, and B12. Amanda and Mitsa assumed ownership of the clinic in 2024 and look forward to serving the Tri-State area for many years to come.
4703 Theater Dr. 812-250-8881 | evansvilleketamine.com
To order your keepsake, scan the
Amanda Gaither, CRNA and Mitsa Greene, CRNA
Tickets are $10 in advance at partyinparadise.org or any Frontier Liquors location. $20 at the door.
FROM THE BOARD
Congrats, Dan!
Congratulations on receiving the 2025 Distinguished Citizen Award from Buffalo Trace Council. We’ve long known of your personal commitment to Evansville, your unmatched business expertise and your willingness to give your time and energy to local organizations. It’s an honor to have you as a board member.
Dan Hermann
Founding Partner, Lechwe Holdings LLC
Lead Independent Director, Board of Directors, Old National Bank
Former Chief Executive Officer, AmeriQual Group, LLC
Crafting Nature’s Beauty
Friedman Park Event Center
2700 Park Blvd., Newburgh, IN / 812-490-4FUN /
A Versatile Venue in a Stunning
Setting
In the heart of Warrick County, the Friedman Park Event Center offers an ideal blend of flexibility, functionality, and natural beauty — making it a premier destination for meetings, conferences, corporate retreats, and private celebrations of all sizes. With 16,000 square feet of configurable space, the venue seamlessly accommodates events ranging from intimate gatherings to large-scale galas.
The spacious Grand Ballroom, the centerpiece of the facility, can be divided in half to suit smaller functions or breakout sessions. Additional classroom and conference rooms are perfect for business meetings, showers, or private parties, with lightweight, movable furniture that allows for complete customization of the layout. Whether you’re planning a corporate retreat for 10 or a holiday celebration for 350, Friedman Park Event Center offers the right space and support.
Technology is a top priority for today’s planners, and Friedman Park delivers. Each room is equipped with built-in sound systems, large screens, projectors, TVs, and complimentary high-speed Wi-Fi. Charging stations are located throughout the facility, keeping everyone connected and powered up.
With every rental, clients gain access to an array of practical amenities that simplify event planning. A warming kitchen, concession stand, free ice, and rentable soda machines are all available. Outside, there’s ample parking and room for caterers and food trucks to set up with ease. While the center works from an approved list of caterers — ensuring reliable and professional service — clients are free to choose from among those best suited for their event style. Linens, dishes, and glassware are typically provided through the caterer.
From planning to execution, clients benefit from expert guidance and on-site assistance. A dedicated event manager serves as the point of contact throughout the process and is present the day of the event to ensure everything runs smoothly. The team helps with room configuration, vendor
recommendations, and even décor ideas, helping clients transform the space into something uniquely theirs. What truly sets Friedman Park Event Center apart, however, is its idyllic setting. Nestled in the picturesque Friedman Park, the facility overlooks a serene lake and is surrounded by nature trails and wide-open green spaces. Guests can enjoy the natural surroundings before, during, or after their event — making it a memorable experience
for everyone in attendance.
From professional conferences to personal milestones, Friedman Park Event Center offers the space, service, and setting to elevate any event.
Visit Bloomington
A Blueprint for Growth, Bloomington’s Convention Center Expansion
The forthcoming Bloomington Convention Center — a major transformation of the existing Monroe Convention Center — marks a pivotal moment for Bloomington and Monroe County, Indiana. With groundbreaking now complete, this nearly $70 million project is on track for completion in 2027.
Reinventing Space, Revitalizing Downtown
The expansion doubles the current facility, bringing total event space to nearly 60,000 square feet of modern, flexible meeting areas, seamlessly connected via skybridge. Renovations to the original 1991 building — roots of which are traced to the 1923 Graham Motor Sales garage — will adapt it for breakout rooms and specialized functions.
Economic Ripple Effects
Projections show significant gains. Conservatively, conference attendees typically contribute roughly $175 per person per day to local businesses. A single 500-person convention could inject more than $250,000 into Monroe County over just three days. Broader economic benefits are anticipated across retail, hospitality, arts, and nightlife sectors.
Integrated
Hospitality and Infrastructure
Complementing the convention center expansion is a planned 225-room hotel, though its precise site and parking logistics remain under consideration. Infrastructure improvements — such as utility relocations, bus pull-offs, service docks, and green roofing — are also underway, signaling a commitment to thoughtful, long-term urban design.
An Enhanced Destination Along I-69
Bloomington’s revitalized convention center arrives at a moment of economic diversification. Anchored by Indiana University, the region has seen impressive growth in life sciences, technology, and advanced manufacturing. This expansion strengthens the city’s pull along the I-69 corridor, offering Bloomington, IN / 812-334-8900 / visitbloomington.com
the scale and amenities needed to attract larger corporate, academic, and cultural events and conferences from across the Midwest.
Where Tradition Meets Future Promise
Balancing its roots — with heritage structures and vibrant local character — Bloomington is preparing to meet modern needs. The unique combination of IU’s energy, Downtown walkability, local culture, and new convention infrastructure is a compelling draw for event planners.
Bloomington’s convention center expansion is more than bricks and beams — it’s a strategic investment in talent attraction, small business vitality, and community identity. By leveraging smart funding mechanisms, inclusive stakeholder engagement, and intentional design, Bloomington is crafting a blueprint for mid-sized city renewal. Come 2027, the Bloomington Convention Center may well redefine how we view convention led community growth in Indiana and beyond.
Biaggi’s Ristorante Italiano
6401 E. Lloyd Expy. / 812-421-0800 / biaggis.com
We are a casual Italian restaurant offering an extensive selection of pastas, soups and salads, pizza, seafood, steaks, and desserts. Large portions of affordably priced menu selections are prepared with the freshest ingredients available and served in a relaxing atmosphere. Private event rooms make a group gathering an event to remember.
Does Biaggi’s have private event rooms available for special events?
Yes. We offer guests a choice of two private rooms for a variety of different celebration-worthy occasions. Our wine room is our most intimate and private dining option. With rustic, old-world charm and a display of our wines, it evokes the sense of dining in an antique Tuscan cellar. It’s perfect for smaller groups of up to 22 guests. Our special event room comfortably accommodates larger parties of up to 80 guests. With large tables and a stone hearth fireplace, our special event room allows guests to dine with adequate space and comfort. A drop-down projector screen and data
port computer connections even make it an optimal environment for business luncheons.
Does Biaggi’s cater off-site?
If our private event rooms aren’t an option for your event, we’re happy to bring
Biaggi’s to you! We work with you to create the perfect menu, ensuring your guests receive the same level of service as if they were dining in our restaurant. For additional details, feel free to contact our event coordinator or managing partner.
What’s something you’d like clients to know when considering The Bauerhaus?
We’re just 15 minutes from Downtown and easily accessible from any side of Evansville! Our private venue is like no other in the Tri-State and will have you feeling like you’re miles from the office in a park setting.
What are some of your most requested buffet items?
Client favorites include the fried chicken and chicken Florentine Alfredo, paired with our garlic smashed potatoes and country style green beans or Tuscan vegetable medley. We also recommend trying our food stations, like a taco bar, spuds bar, and other trending menus.
Describe the ambiance at The Bauerhaus.
The Bauerhaus is timeless. While both the outside and inside have German Bavarian-inspired architecture and design, the beautiful outdoor park and interior woodwork set a stunning background for events of all themes and color schemes.
What do some of The Bauerhaus’ customers say about their experience?
Here’s a review from a recent event: “We had glowing feedback from our staff, board members, volunteers, and guests about the event! Everyone on The Bauerhaus team was great to work
with and we are so thankful for all the help in making our event a big success!” We encourage you to check out our reviews on Facebook and Google to see why The Bauerhaus is recommended by so many.
Just Rennie’s Catering
100 S.E. Fourth St. / 812-401-8098 / justrennies.com
Gourmet Hospitality with a Personal Touch
From intimate dinner parties to large-scale corporate events, Just Rennie’s Catering brings a highend culinary experience with an unmatched level of service and attention to detail. Owned and operated by Doug and Marla Rennie, the business reflects their passion for hospitality and dedication to creating memorable experiences for every guest.
Chef Doug, a graduate of the prestigious New England Culinary Institute, has always been driven by a love of fine food and exceptional service. That foundation is evident across all operations, from the nationally-shipped Just Rennie’s Cookie Company to the bustling Just Rennie’s Café & Cookie Company in Downtown Evansville, where customers enjoy homemade deli salads, sandwiches, gourmet cookies, and coffee.
Just Rennie’s Catering is a go-to for corporate gatherings, wedding receptions, rehearsal dinners, and private parties. Its Tuscan Wine Room, an elegant event space accommodating up to 48 guests, provides a unique setting for dinner parties, complete with full bar service.
What truly sets Just Rennie’s apart is its client-first approach. Each event begins with a consultation or onsite visit to tailor the menu and logistics to fit the space, occasion, and dietary needs. Its experienced and dedicated team ensures seamless execution from start to finish.
Current trends include rising interest in specialty mocktails and gourmet petite desserts alongside traditional cakes — a testament to how today’s clients are looking for both personalization and elevated presentation.
At Just Rennie’s, it’s not just about the food — it’s about creating experiences that leave a lasting impression.
Doug and Marla Rennie
Link Graphics
1018 E. Diamond Ave. / 812-421-1400 / linkgraphics.com
Since 1990, Bob Fuchs and his team at Link Graphics have assisted customers in growing their businesses with eyecatching graphics production that works to build brand recognition, generate sales leads, and promote new growth. The team’s expertise in art preparation, commercial print production, direct mail advertising, and signage have made them the go-to source for marketing and brand management needs. Link Graphics works diligently to ascertain clients’ needs and expectations to efficiently provide value to the range of products and services offered.
Why go to Link Graphics?
In today’s fast-paced, multi-channel advertising and promotion marketplace, businesses must make decisions about advertising budgets that achieve results across a wide variety of mediums and products. Team members’ many years of experience provide them with a wide variety of resources, solutions, and products that allow customers to make optimal decisions in allocating resources.
What do you offer?
Link Graphics offers a wide variety of printed products through its array of conventional and digital printing assets. The team has long established connections with trade show hardware resources and has provided and assisted many of its customers with printed booth graphics, banners, and advertising specialties. The company’s strong working relationship with the USPS allows timely production,
as well as effective and resourceful direct mail campaigns.
In our technology-driven world, Link Graphics has worked smartly to apply proven digital technology changes to drive down costs in the competitive printed graphics marketplace. You can count on Link Graphics to continue providing Tri-State customers with affordable, attention-grabbing graphics for years to come.
T.R.U Event Rental
1519 N. Fulton Ave. / 812-423-6744 / trueventrental.com
T.R.U Event Rental: Turning Visions into Reality Since 1988
For more than 35 years, T.R.U Event Rental has helped bring events to life across the Tri-State area. Founded in 1988 by Darrell LeMond out of his garage, the business has grown into an 80,000-square-foot operation now led by longtime team member and new owner, Justin DeClue.
T.R.U Event Rental offers a massive, ever-growing inventory — from tents of all sizes and styles to tables, chairs, linens, staging, dance floors, china, décor, and more. Their in-house designer specializes in custom silk floral arrangements and event styling, helping clients execute their vision, whether for corporate galas, weddings, festivals, or backyard parties. What sets T.R.U apart? Their ability to handle multiple large-scale events at once, personalized service without package requirements, and a showroom filled with real setups — all available to clients by appointment at no charge. Their team, with over 160 years of combined
experience, works closely with clients, offering site visits and tailored planning to ensure every detail is perfect. Always evolving with the latest event trends and custom requests, T.R.U prides itself on delivering both reliability and creativity. From a small 10x10 tent to a 500-guest celebration, they have the inventory, expertise, and passion to make any event seamless and unforgettable.
You envision it, we create it
T.R.U Event Rental provides everything needed to make your next event significant! Whether it’s a small intimate dinner party, a fundraising gala or a large wedding celebration, we are your one stop shop for design, tables, chairs, tents, linens, drapings, centerpieces, florals, up lighting, dance floors, etc. With two large showrooms to browse, you are sure to find what fits your needs!
Hoosier Screen Printing
516 N. Fares Ave. / 812-455-7259 / hoosierscreenprinting.com
Creativity, Community & Custom Appeal
Hoosier Screen Printing is a woman-owned business that has grown from a basement side hustle to a thriving full-time operation, offering high-quality custom apparel and promotional products for nearly two decades. Specializing in everything from embroidered polos and custom mugs to banners and laser engraving, the company has become the go-to provider for local businesses and community organizations.
What sets Hoosier Screen Printing apart is its ability to offer a one-stop-shop experience. Whether you need personalized t-shirts, meeting folders, custom tablecloths, or unique giveaways like umbrellas, pens, or water bottles, they’ve got you covered. Clients can even work with the inhouse graphic designers to bring
their vision to life, whether it’s for a corporate event or trade show. Owner and founder, Kate Mullen, who started screen printing as a small side project, found success through a combination of hard work and passion. Since leaving her full-time job in 2018 to focus on the business, she’s expanded services to include embroidery, banners, yard signs, and even laser engraving.
What makes Hoosier Screen Printing truly special is the personal touch. Kate’s commitment to customer satisfaction and quality control is evident in every project. “I want to create partnerships with my customers,” she says. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and a passion for helping others, Hoosier Screen Printing continues to exceed expectations — one custom print at a time.
Knob Hill House
1016 IN-662, Newburgh, IN / 812-205-7039 / knobhillhouse.com
What type of space do you have available for meetings and events?
The Knob Hill House offers a premier private event space suitable for many occasions. The dining room’s large windows overlook the beautifully landscaped covered patio, creating a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere. The space includes a cozy indoor dining and bar area that will seat 44 people. Outdoors is a covered terrace with seating for an additional 50 people. The location makes for a beautiful setting
for events such as weddings, showers, and rehearsal dinners. It is also a perfect location for events such as business meetings, birthday parties, wedding anniversaries, and Christmas parties.
What can a customer expect from the process of working with your team on events?
You can reach Kara for booking information at knobhillhouse@gmail. com. From here, we can communicate
Host your event in the heart of Historical Newburgh, Indiana. The Knob Hill House, with a cozy indoor atmosphere and outdoor patio space, is nestled behind the popular neighborhood tavern, the Knob Hill Tavern. The Knob Hill House is ideal for a quaint reception, fundraiser, wedding shower or business meeting.
private Venue
• Reserve today for Parties and Special Events
• All Ages Welcome
• Outdoor covered seating
through email or schedule a time to meet at the venue to go over your event’s needs.
Do you offer catering?
We do offer our own catering services. Our menu ranges from small hors d’oeuvres to full dinner options, along with desserts.
When working with clients, is it typically a collaborative process?
Yes, we work closely with the customer to plan their ideal event.
What types of amenities do you provide as part of the rental package?
The Reitz Home Museum and Carriage House offer an exceptional combination of historic elegance and versatile event space in the heart of Downtown Evansville. As one of the finest examples of French Second Empire architecture in the Midwest, the Reitz Home provides a breathtaking backdrop for weddings, receptions, fundraisers, photo sessions, holiday parties, and professional gatherings. Inside the mansion, guests are immersed in the opulence of the Victorian era, surrounded by original woodwork, hand-painted ceilings, silk-covered walls, and ornate stained-glass windows. These grand interiors are ideal for intimate gatherings and elegant cocktail-style events.
Just steps away, the fully renovated Carriage House adds a modern, flexible space perfect for meetings, workshops, lectures, bridal showers, baby showers, family reunions, and rehearsal dinners. With updated amenities, adjustable seating, and audiovisual capabilities, it offers a practical yet charming complement to the historic home. The adjoining garden and lawn area further expand the rental possibilities, offering a serene outdoor setting for ceremonies, live music, or tented events.
Rental packages are flexible and customizable, with access to preferred vendors and on-site staff to ensure a seamless experience from start to finish.
Guests also have the option to include guided tours of the Reitz Home to enrich their visit with local history and culture. Whether you’re planning a romantic celebration, a strategic business retreat, or a meaningful community event, the Reitz Home and Carriage House provide an unforgettable setting that blends timeless beauty with modern convenience.
REITZ HOME MUSEUM
country’s
BUSINESS LIFE
COUNTRYMARK DIESEL EXPANSION RIBBON CUTTING, July 22, Mount Vernon, Indiana Vincent Donargo, Ada Cuadrado, Ash Titzer, Randy Kron, Don Lamb, Matt Smorch, Matt Makinson, Mike Cochenour, Mike Leland, Kim Ames, Mike Crossey, and Harold Cooper
LEADERSHIP EVERYONE
ANNUAL MEETING, May 14, Deaconess Orthopedic and Neuroscience Hospital Photo 1: Dempson Haney; Photo 2: Gelina Mascoe and Lu Porter; Photo 3: Jasmine Roland, Merrick Korach, Jaimie Sheth, Joann Hunter, Stephanie Roland, Jasmine Coit, DeAndre Wilson, and Eliza Kumapley
YOUNG PROFESSIONALS
CONFERENCE, July 23, University of Southern Indiana Brad Niemeier and Andy Niemeier
MAYOR FOR THE DAY, June 24, City of Evansville Serenity B.
EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC GOLF CLASSIC, May 5, Oak Meadow Country Club Rick Kleist, Tony Ricketts, Roger Kalia, Chuck Collins, and Shannon Ayers
EVANSVILLE LIVING PRESENTS AT ROTARY CLUB OF EVANSVILLE LUNCHEON, June 17, Old National Events Plaza Jennifer Rhoades, Jessica Hoffman, Jodi Keen, John Martin, Sarah Morgason, Laura Mathis, Chanda Ramsey, Maggie Valenti, Kristen Tucker, Todd Tucker, and Logen Sitzman
IN THE NEWS
NEW HIRES/PROMOTIONS
Nathan D. Charnes has been elected Vice President of the Professional Golfers’ Association of America. The 2001 University of Evansville graduate, who played NCAA Division I golf while attending UE, is general manager and director of golf for WingHaven Country Club in O’Fallon, Missouri.
Timothy M. Burke Jr. has joined Old National Bancorp as president and chief operating officer, taking the role of Mark Sander, who earlier this year announced his retirement. Burke will oversee Old National’s Commercial, Community and Wealth segments, and Credit and Marketing teams. He and his family will reside in Evansville, and he will maintain offices in Evansville and Chicago. Burke has been in banking for nearly 30 years and most recently served as Executive Vice President of the Central Region and Field Enablement for the Commercial Bank for a large Midwestern super-regional bank, where he was responsible for the full range of commercial banking in 12 markets, including those in Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan.
B BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT
Hafer has made three hires, all of whom are University of Southern Indiana alumni. The architectural firm hired Jasper, Indiana, native and electrical engineering graduate Benjamin Hochgesang as an electrical engineer. Former Hafer intern Cedric Schleiss also joined the company as an electrical engineer, while Jillian Sorensen, an Evansville native, will use her public relations and advertising background as a marketing assistant.
The Evansville Fire Department promoted Mike Kane to deputy chief of EMS, Matt Agan to lieutenant, Eric Jamison to battalion chief, and Chad Beckham to captain.
Signature, Please
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope Jordan noticed a gap: the lack of an easy way to get documents certified. After a 20-year career in the health care sector, she started Greater Evansville Mobile Notary, a bi-state service that allows people to get their important documents notarized from any location.
“I just thought about what would happen if this [mass business closings] were to happen again, and what could I do that would be needed by people despite there being a pandemic,” she says.
Certain documents cannot be signed remotely, and sometimes the onus is on customers to locate a notary public to verify their signatures. Online databases can aid the search — the National Notary Association recommends FindaNotary.com
Jagoe Homes has promoted former vice president of operations, Brad Jagoe, to chief executive officer. During his time with the company, Jagoe has led advancements in operational efficiency, construction quality, and customer experience while introducing new home technology platforms and strengthening the company’s builder warranty and EnergySmart initiatives. Jagoe also expanded the company’s presence in the Kentucky and Indiana markets. As CEO, Brad Jagoe intends to enhance the homebuyer experience, expand digital innovation, and reinforce energy-efficient, move-in-ready homebuilding.
Intelity Wealth, a financial advisory practice of Ameriprise Financial Services, announced the promotion of Nathan Taylor to Financial Advisor at its Evansville office. Taylor joined Intelity Wealth in March 2024 after working previously at Kaiser Aluminum, RJ Corman Railroad, PFL Logistics, and CSX.
Jordan provides an essential service to people with mobility or transportation challenges.
The bulk of her business is derived from documents related to real estate closings, powers of attorney, trusts, living wills, advanced health care directives, and estate planning. As a notary public, verifying signatories’ identities and witnessing them penning their signatures are her top priorities. She has established relationships with Deaconess Health System social workers and Solarbron senior living facility, but says she can meet anyone, anywhere they would like.
“I’m always glad that I could help someone with their need…They are so appreciative and just so grateful,” she says.
BRAD JAGOE
BENJAMIN HOCHGESANG
JILLIAN SORENSEN
CEDRIC SCHLEISS
University of Southern Indiana named Jenn Horn the director of its Honors Program and Themed Learning Communities. She had been the interim director of those programs since May 2024 and began working at USI in 2012 as an instructor in English and liberal arts. USI also named Abeer Mustafa its vice president for Student Affairs. She comes from the University of Tennessee Southern in Pulaski, where she was senior advisor to the chancellor. Governor Mike Braun appointed Michael Solliday as a student trustee for a two-year term, succeeding Fouad Hamami. The Switz City, Indiana, native is a computer science major with a minor in computer information systems and will serve through June 30, 2027. Mike Mikulski has been named interim director of Technical Services and Information Technology and will provide strategic leadership and oversee operations and service management for the service desk and Tier One support for USI technology and at the USI IT Help Desk, plus manage technical operations.
Kara Yates has been named the executive director of Talent EVV, a talent attraction and economic development initiative under the umbrella of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership She holds a Bachelor of Arts in secondary education and teaching and Master of Science in educational administration, both from Indiana’s Oakland City University. Yates also recently was accepted to Cohort 12 of the Business Leads Fellowship Program, a six-month U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation to develop business leaders to be education and workforce champions in their community.
Melmar has the experience and connections necessary to successfully navigate all economic conditions, and help your firm expand its competitive edge.
Brian and Melannie Hutchinson
JENN HORN
ABEER MUSTAFA
MICHAEL SOLLIDAY
MIKE MIKULSKI
KARA YATES PHOTOS
William “Bill” Johnson has replaced Bob Jones, former CEO of Old National Bank, as the chairman of the University of Evansville Board of Trustees following the completion of Jones’ four-year term. A UE alumnus, Johnson currently serves as a professor of leadership and practice at Lipscomb University’s College of Leadership and Public Service in Nashville, Tennessee, and previously was the president and CEO of Farm Credit Mid-America.
University of Evansville extended the contract of Director of Athletics Kenneth “Ziggy” Siegfried through 2030. Siegfried came to UE in spring 2022. UE also has appointed Yolanda Obaze, associate professor of supply chain management, to be associate dean of the Schroeder Family School of Business Administration, and Jared Fulcher, associate professor of mechanical engineering, as associate dean of the School of Engineering and Computer Science. UE also welcomed a new head softball coach, Bailey Dillender, who held the same job at the University of the Cumberlands in Williamsburg, Kentucky, since 2017, leading the team to appearances in the NAIA World Series the past three seasons. She previously was an assistant coach at Tennessee Tech University in Cookeville as well as at her alma mater, Campbellsville University in Kentucky. She was one of the top players in Campbellsville history, earning Mid-South Conference 1st Team All-Conference accolades in each of her four years and also serving as team captain.
First Bank has hired Denise Utley as a mortgage specialist. The Mater Dei High School and University of Evansville graduate has 25 years of experience in the banking sector and serves as a Ronald McDonald House Charities of the Ohio Valley board member and Board Development Committee member.
The Reitz Home Board of Trustees has appointed Joseph Lutz as the Reitz Home Museum’s executive director, succeeding Natalie Singer, who filled the role starting June 2024 and has since joined Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation as director of sponsorships and giving. Lutz was the museum’s curator since being hired in June 2024 and previously was a part of the Peace Corps in Moldova, where he was the community and organizational development advisor and provided technical assistance to the Jewish History Museum of Moldova.
Orthopaedic
Associates has added Dr. Anson Chu to its team as a fellowshiptrained foot and ankle surgeon. A Plano, Texas, native, Chu earned a bachelor of arts in biology from the University of Texas, then attended Rosalind Franklin University in North Chicago, Illinois, for medical training before his residency at OhioHealth Grant Medical Center in Columbus as chief resident. He completed his fellowship at Coordinated Health-Lehigh Valley Orthopedics in Pennsylvania.
Mayor Stephanie Terry has appointed Kyle Fields, co-founder and managing partner of Bridge Alternatives, to the EvansvilleVanderburgh Airport Authority District board of directors. The Evansville native fills the vacancy left by Pete
Paradossi and joins board president Rev. Adrian Brooks and members Paul Green, Kimberly Redding, and Paul Saunders.
DEPARTURES
Albion Fellows Bacon Center announced the departure of Executive Director Gina Gist, who had held the position since 2022, and the appointment of Julia Kathary as interim chief executive officer. Kathary has been with the agency for a decade, most recently as chief advancement officer. She also served as interim executive director in 2021.
AWARDS/RECOGNITIONS
Zach Mathis, director of marketing for Azzip Pizza, has been named to Network Media Group’s Top 35 Movers & Shakers: Marketing list, citing his work launching Azzip Pizza’s first rewards program in 2024, as well as his growth of the chain’s Pizza of the Month Club by 4 percent year over year. Mathis started at the Evansville-based franchise in 2014.
University of Southern Indiana’s appeal to shorten the school’s transition period to NCAA Division I athletics was approved June 23 by the NCAA’s Division I board of directors. The NCAA’s decision shaves the final year off a four-year reclassification process and makes all USI athletic programs eligible to qualify for and compete in Division I championships. USI, which joined the Ohio Valley Conference in the 2022-23 season and began competing in Division I athletics that academic year, is the Hoosier State’s 11th Division I athletic program.
Lana Burton was the honoree at YWCA Evansville’s 2025 Tribute to Achievement dinner. Burton spent 40 years as a teacher, assistant principal and principal in the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation’s Benjamin Bosse High School district.
Architecture firm Hafer was ranked 27th on Modern Healthcare’s list of Top Architecture Firms for total construction cost of health care projects completed in 2024.
DR. ANSON CHU
KYLE FIELDS
ZACH MATHIS
LANA BURTON
NATALIE SINGER PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW. LANA BURTON PHOTO BY ERIN MERRIS.
YOLANDA OBAZE
JARED FULCHER
BAILEY DILLENDER
KENNETH “ZIGGY” SIEGFRIED
WILLIAM “BILL” JOHNSON
JOSEPH LUTZ
NATALIE SINGER
DENISE UTLEY
The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce named Matthew 25 AIDS Service third on its Annual Best Places to Work in Kentucky list in the small-sized company category, which includes companies with 15 to 149 employees. One hundred companies were recognized at this year’s annual awards.
Deaconess Health System’s Emergency Medical Services is one of 34 medical service agencies recognized through the Voluntary EMS Pediatric Recognition Program for 2024, awarded by the Kentucky EMS for Children Advisory Committee on May 21 as part of EMS for Children Day. The statewide initiative encourages EMS providers to adopt paediatric emergency readiness best practices, including specialized training, equipment availability, and quality improvement to pediatric care. This is the third consecutive recognition for Deaconess EMS by the KYEMSC Advisory Committee.
University of Southern Indiana and Ivy Tech Community College Evansville received the inaugural Collegiate Purple Star of Indiana, awarded by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and Indiana Department of Veterans Affairs. The award recognizes postsecondary institutions providing support to students with U.S. military affiliations, including veterans and active duty service members, as well as their families. CPSI is awarded across three achievement tiers based on 37 standards across eight categories such as core institutional policies, financial and student support services, and career/community engagement. USI’s award is in the Tier 2 level of institutions; Ivy Tech’s award is in Tier 3.
Indiana Members Credit Union’s charitable arm, Indiana Members Foundation, hosted a charity golf scramble to benefit Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation at the Evansville Country Club with 100 golfers. The event has raised more than $140,000 since 2021.
The Old National Bank Foundation donated $15,000 to Community One, Inc., to support the nonprofit’s work to transform neglected properties into safe homes.
The Deaconess Henderson Hospital Advisory Board, through the Deaconess Henderson Hospital Community Program
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Fund, presented $70,000 in grants on June 18. Organizations receiving funding included Audubon Kids Zone, Daniel Pitino Shelter, Father Bradley Shelter for Women & Children, Henderson Christian Community Outreach, Recovery Resource Club of Henderson, St. Anthony’s Hospice, and The Gathering Place.
USI graduate Eli Berger, a former engineering student, was selected as a fellow of the National Science Foundation Graduate Research Fellowship Program This program recognizes and supports students pursuing full-time researchbased master’s and doctoral degrees in STEM fields, providing three years of support over the five-year fellowship period. Berger will attend the University of Illinois (Urbana-Champaign) to complete his graduate research. USI Professor of English Amy Montz received a Fulbright U.S. Scholar Award to conduct research during the 2025-26 academic year in Manchester, England, United Kingdom, with a focus on nineteenth-century author Elizabeth Gaskell. During her six-month residency, Montz will affiliate with the University of Manchester, home of John Rylands Library, which houses the Elizabeth Gaskell Collection. Montz’s research will dive into Gaskell’s novels, short stories, letters, papers, Victorian textiles, fashions, and ephemera, emphasizing her perspective on gender, class, and nationalism and she will write “Two Lived Lives: An Autobiographical Survey of Elizabeth Gaskell and Her Works.”
The D-Patrick family of auto dealerships announced another round of charitable donations. D-Patrick Honda donated $1,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern
Indiana and the Evansville Junior Football League D-Patrick Motoplex donated $1,000 to the Evansville Wartime Museum D-Patrick Nissan donated $1,000 to Young & Established D-Patrick Boonville-Ford gave $1,000 each to Impact Ministries, Southern Indiana Resource Solutions, and Warrick County CASA D-Patrick Ford/ Lincoln donated $2,500 each to Colon Screening for Life and Evansville Christian School D-Patrick Nissan awarded $1,000 to the Highland Baseball Challenger League.
United Way of Southwestern Indiana has donated $1.1 million to six nonprofits. Evansville Christian Life Center was awarded $250,000; Dream Center Evansville was given $246,000; Community One, Inc., received $224,300; Habitat for Humanity of Evansville was awarded $192,749; Catholic Charities’ Neighbor to Neighbor Program received $94,000; and Hospitality & Outreach for Latin Americans (HOLA) was given $90,000.
The Henderson Chamber of Commerce awarded its 2025 Educator of the Year Awards. Jeremy Shultz of South Middle School was named Rookie of the Year; Courtney Welte of Bend Gate Elementary School earned Veteran of the Year; Jo Preston of A.B. Chandler was named Volunteer of the year; Mallory Bumb of Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center was honored as Education Supporter of the Year; and Laura Winstead of Henderson Community College was named PostSecondary Educator of the Year.
USI’s Solar Splash team took home several honors at the World Championship of Collegiate Solar Boating competition in June in Springfield, Ohio. The seven-member team of engineering students earned first place in the sprint and slalom events and second place overall. Students designed and
built a solar-powered craft from scratch using resources from across campus.
The Dollar General Literacy Foundation supported Ivy Tech Community College Evansville’s Ivy+ Career Link’s Adult Basic Education and English Language Learners programs with a $7,200 award to fund High School Equivalency testing for up to an additional 50 students. Ivy Tech Evansville was one of 14 Indiana institutions awarded a grant for 2025.
Diamond Valley Federal Credit Union has awarded $10,000 in college scholarships to local high school students through its 2025 Diamond Valley Scholarship. Scholarships were awarded to Chace Harmes of Signature School; Chase Griese of Mater Dei High School; Danika Dix of Central High School; Dawson Price of F.J. Reitz High School; David Walling of F.J. Reitz High School; Jaley Hamilton of Mount Vernon High School; Jessica Sisson of North High School; Jenna Smith of Castle High School; Ka’Liyah Naylor of Benjamin Bosse High School; and Olivia Deken of New Tech High School.
GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT
The University of Evansville and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation broke ground on the Innovation Center for Science and Health at the former Welborn Clinic in Downtown Evansville on June 9. The facility will expand opportunities for local high school and college students in science, healthcare, and medical fields. The private university also received $33,000 in grants from the Efroymson Family Fund. The funds will support the Efroymson Emerging Contemporary Artist Lecture Series ($9,000), a marketing intern ($2,000), a Bridge Year Fellowship ($10,000), a permanent collections intern ($2,000), and the acquisition and exhibition of urban street art ($10,000). Lily Endowment, Inc., also awarded a $500,000 grant — part of Indiana Youth Programs on Campus Round II — to UE to expand its youth programming, including the Jr. TASL (Think. Act. Serve. Live.) Scholars Program, a year-round program that provides academic support, leadership development, and encourages parent engagement while serving as a pipeline to the UE TASL scholarship program for undergraduate students. This additional funding also will allow UE to further improve its STEM offerings, expand its arts curriculum,
ELI BERGER
AMY MONTZ
and provide more experiential learning through the We Grow Aces! vertical container farm, as well as parent and child workshops and leadership nights. UE also has rejoined the New American College and Universities network, a consortium that fosters collaboration, innovation, and student success among small, missionoriented institutions. The university also received an estate gift of $100,000 from James and Marianna Vogel, establishing the James and Marianna Vogel Endowed Scholarship, providing financial assistance to undergraduates with demonstrated need.
YMCA of Southwestern Indiana is a recipient of the Paul Purcell “Kids Win!” Annual Baird Education grant The $50,000 grant will support science, technology, engineering, and math programming at the CenterPoint YMCA on Evansville’s South Side.
Evansville Day School has received a $20,000 grant from the Efroymson Family Fund, which will be used to add new cameras and video equipment, a schoolwide public address system, and a student creative suite subscription.
Orthopaedic Associates and Deaconess Health System broke ground on the new OA Surgery Hospital on July 16. The two-story facility on Deaconess’ Gateway Campus. will include five dedicated advanced operating rooms, pre- and post-operative recovery areas tailored to orthopedic patients, and a pre-surgery optimization clinic. In a separate development, OA also launched an Advanced Foot & Ankle Fellowship Program on Aug. 1, with the goal of positioning Evansville as a regional hub for advanced orthopaedic training.
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INNOVATION CENTER FOR SCIENCE AND HEALTH
The Newburgh Town Council voted on July 9 to reject the proposed fire contract presented by the Ohio Township Trustee The Town of Newburgh and Newburgh Volunteer Fire Department have provided fire protection to the unincorporated parts of Ohio Township since 2008. Newburgh officials say the change stems from the number of runs, which increased over the years from 50 runs to 648 in 2024, despite the affected Ohio Township residents not being charged more. The decision does not affect fire, EMS, or emergency service coverage or the unincorporated areas of Ohio Township, which will be serviced by the area’s combination of paid staff and volunteers. Mutual aid agreements between the Newburgh and Ohio Township fire departments remain in place and fully active.
REGIONAL NEWS
Ground was broken June 3 for the Bloomington Convention Center. The 100,000-squarefoot center in the Southern Indiana city includes more than 70,000 square feet of meeting and event space and is intended to host conventions, conferences, trade shows, concerts, meetings, sporting events, and more. Completion is expected in 2027.
Diana Moers
EDUCATION North High School; Bachelor of Arts in political science, Indiana University, Bloomington (2004); juris doctor with a concentration in litigation, Western Michigan University’s Cooley School of Law, Lansing (2007)
HOMETOWN Evansville
RESUME Vanderburgh County Prosecutor (2023-present); section chief, Government Litigation Section, Indiana Attorney General’s Office, Indianapolis (2017-22); attorney, Paganelli Law Group, Indianapolis (2017); executive director and associate general counsel, Board of Depositories, Treasurer of State’s Office, Indianapolis (2015-17); prosecuting attorney, Prosecution Assistance Unit, Securities Division, Secretary of State’s Office, Indianapolis (2010-15); assistant attorney, Will County State’s Attorney’s Office, Joliet, Illinois (2008-10); associate attorney, Stavros Law Offices, P.C., Wheeling, Illinois (2007-08)
FAMILY Husband Kyhle; daughter Francesca, 5 months
Diana Moers was destined to come home. She built her legal career in the Chicago, Illinois, area, and then Indianapolis before returning to the River City to run for Vanderburgh County Prosecutor, believing the job needed to be done better. Winning election as a Republican in 2022 — a victory that included a primary upset over incumbent Nick Hermann — the county’s first woman prosecutor (and one of its youngest) manages a 72-person office, including 23 attorneys. “Seeking justice and keeping the community safe are why I do what I do — it’s the best job in the world,” she says.
HOW MANY CASES DO YOU TRY YOURSELF, AND HOW MANY DO YOU ASSIGN TO STAFF?
We file about 9,000 new cases per year. Obviously, I am not trying all those myself! All my cases now are murder cases. I’ve tried two so far. … Typically, we have two attorneys at every trial. It’s a group effort, and unfortunately there are enough murder trials to go around.
WHAT ARE YOUR OFFICE’S OTHER RESPONSIBILITIES?
Child support collection is a big operation. We also do tons of community outreach. Part of my job is to work toward not only holding people accountable, but crime prevention efforts as well. I work closely with the child advocacy center at Holly’s House. And if there’s legislation coming that’s going to adversely impact the office, I lobby against that. For example, we have a victim’s assistance unit, and the federal
government was going to cut funding. So, I went to Washington, D.C., and I talked to our legislators about that. … Unfortunately, I don’t get to try more cases, but it’s awesome to be able to run the office and make sure everybody has everything they need. I really enjoy that part of it.
HOW SAFE WOULD YOU SAY EVANSVILLE IS?
Generally, I think Evansville is a safe place to live and work. But my opinion is going to be skewed because I see every single crime that happens. Our murder rate is down so far. The police, the sheriff, and I all work hard on that. What I can control is how we’re charging cases and taking them to trial. … We do a lot of work on training and collaborating to make sure the trial attorneys are up on the law. It’s also our duty to make sure the police department knows about that. July 1 is always a big date, because the
laws change. We do training during roll call with the police department — that’s another thing that I do personally. Those are always grueling days, because I want to hit every roll call myself and give the motor patrol a chance to talk to me and ask questions.
DO YOU MEET WITH CRIME VICTIMS? HOW DO YOU NAVIGATE THOSE SITUATIONS?
It’s both rewarding and difficult. One of the best parts of the job is that we get to step up and find justice for a family. … Justice isn’t ever going to bring anyone back. But I do think it’s an important part of the healing process for a lot of families. … To be sure, a lot of them have been through something terrible, and they’re coming to my office in the middle of that. … From what I’ve seen, they just want their loved one’s story to be told, and someone to fight for them.
PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW
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