January/February 2024 Chamber Current

OUR CHAMBER HAS HEART p. 57

CYP: GUYS & TIES AND GIRLS & GOALS p. 60

BOARD OF DIRECTORS p. 64

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CHAMBER CURRENT

FROM THE

CHAMBER

Happy New Year and Welcome to the Chamber Current, a collaboration with the amazing team of Owensboro Living.

2024 marks the 111th Anniversary of our Chamber. Each new year we reflect upon the responsibility and duty that comes with working for an organization that has served our members and the community-at-large for over a century.

The staff, volunteers and board of directors are stewards of this legacy, and we strive to do our part to leave the organization strong and relevant.

Our Chamber membership consists of close to 1000 members. From small businesses to non-profits and from churches to large corporations, we have a diverse membership who makes up the best of what Greater Owensboro has to offer.

We like to say that our chamber represents the fabric of Owensboro. We do not take that lightly. We understand the challenges that each of our members face, and we know what an honor it is to be on the journey with them.

If you are not a member, we would love to talk to you about why it is important to invest and what opportunities to grow your business you are missing.

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE

President & CEO, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce

These pages are filled with story after story of great things happening in our community. Thank you for doing your part in moving Greater Owensboro forward. The future is bright!

SHOP OWENSBORO B Y T H E N U M B E R S 500 Total Bags with

32,000

Merchant Promotions

24

Minutes for all Shop Owensboro bags to be given out

64

Participating businesses

16

Independence Bank volunteers

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NEW MEMBERS 20/20 Walker Consulting AAA Exteriors LLC Elder Pipe & Supply Finesse Fence, LLC Harvest Baptist Kentucky APEX Accelerator Melanin Children Matter Inc Phil Lambert Farms LLC ROCK the BORO Festival LLC State Farm Insurance, Drew Cunningham Stephen Lawrence Ltd. Sunrise Children’s Services The BHG Realty, Bretnea Harvey The Functional Family Vincent Electric LLC

RENEWALS A Day in Time, LLC Alisa Nicole Dance Wear Associated Engineers, Inc Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders Audubon Federal Credit Union B & B Technologies Ballard Construction Custom Homes Inc. Barret-Fisher Company, Inc. Beverly’s Hearty Slice Byron & Barclay Cabinotch CASA of Ohio Valley Century Property Management Cromwell Media Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service de AM-RON Building Systems Deig Brothers Lumber & Construction Dermatology Center of Owensboro, PLLC Diamond Lake Resort Disaster Team, Inc. Drake’s East Daviess County Water Association, Inc. Ebelhar Farms eCig Source Elliott Farms F. C. Tucker Emge Realtors Famous Bistro FC Tucker Emge, Kristin Dannheiser Federal Fire and Security

Fetta Specialty Pizza & Spirits

Out of the Blue

First Kentucky Bank

Owensboro Country Club

GEL Engineering, LLC

Owensboro Dermatology Associates PSC

Grant Farms Trucking

Owensboro Family Eye Care

Green River Area Development District

Owensboro Federal Credit Union

Green River Area Federal Credit Union

Owensboro Health

Green River District Health Department

Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission

Gulfstream Commercial Services, LLC

Owensboro Public Schools

Habitat for Humanity of Owensboro-Daviess Co.

Owensboro-Daviess County Industrial Foundation

HAO Properties

Owensboro-SHRM

Hayden Farms

Party Paper Place

Health First Community Health Center

Pat Hayden Moving

Heritage Christian School

Payne Construction & Remodeling, LLC

Holland General Contracting

Pediatric Dentistry of Owensboro

Hollison, LLC

Piggy Express LLC

Home Builders Association of Owensboro

R. Wathen Medley Jr., MD

Homes by Benny Clark, Inc.

R.W. Baird

Horizon Homecare

RBS Design Group Architecture

Impact Marketing Consultants

Reid’s Orchard

Industrial Mold and Machine Co, Inc.

Riney Hancock CPAs PSC

Integrity Outdoor Living

River City Pickleball Club

International Center of Kentucky

Schwartz Heating & Cooling Inc.

J.J. Fosters

Senior Community Center of Owensboro - Daviess County

J.M.J. Construction Jerry Ray Davis CDJR Julep Home and Gift, LLC Kahawa Java Kahkola Tech, LLC Kamuf, Pace & Kamuf Kentucky Skin Cancer Center, Robert Skaggs, M.D.,F.A.A.D Kentucky Small Business Development Center Owensboro Office Kentucky Youth Chorale/Institute for Young Musicians King’s Great Buys Plus Kroger Wine and Spirits Kurtz Auction & Realty Company L.A. Buford, Inc. Lance & Co. Jewelers Limos By Knight Lure Seafood and Grille May Electric Co., Inc. Michael J Gross, LLC Midwest Services LLC Modern Welding Co. of Owensboro, Inc. Moorman Farms Inc Ms. Daisy B. James Next Level Church of God Norton Children’s Hospital On Time Fab, Inc.

Sheffer Law Firm PLLC Smart Choice Something Borrowed Spirit Spa LLC Sprout and Sing State Farm Insurance, Drew Cunningham State Farm Insurance, Seth Lawson Steinkamp Home Center Support Systems, LLC Thacker, Hodskins, & Knight LLP The Cupola Club The Olive Garden Restaurant The Salvation Army Timesavers Kentucky, LLC Toyotetsu Mid America Tri-State Mailing Systems, Inc. Trunnell’s Market & Gourmet Deli on 54 University of Louisville School of NursingOwensboro Extension Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph US Lawns - Owensboro Wedding Orthodontics Wellington Parc Westerfield Electric, LLC Western Kentucky University Wonder Boy Media Worth Insurance Group

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CHAMBER CURRENT The panel included:

ROOSTER BOOSTER RECAP DECEMBER

NOVEMBER

N

ovember’s Rooster Booster featured guest speaker Ron Rhodes, an Owensboro native who has been forecasting the weather on Channel 7 WTVW & Channel 25 WEHT in Evansville since 1995.

The program recognized Chamber Members who planned to participate in the 2023 Shop Owensboro, powered by Independence Bank. Additionally, guests had the opportunity to get their flu shot provided by Owensboro Health.

The program was sponsored by the Daviess County Cooperative Extension and Daviess County Farm Bureau.

Sponsors:

D

ecember’s Rooster Booster featured a discussion panel on homelessness. The Inaugural Our Chamber Has Heart Non-Profit Fair took place immediately following the Rooster Booster program in the lobby of the Convention Center. These human needs and services non-profit organizations participated in the exciting new event: • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

American Red Cross of Western Kentucky Audubon Area Community Care Clinic Aubrey’s Song Foundation Care Net Owensboro CASA of Ohio Valley Catholic Charities Diocese of Owensboro The Center Fresh Start for Women Girls Inc. GRADSA H.L. Neblett Center HPC, Hospice & Palliative Care of Western Kentucky Impact 100 New Beginnings Owensboro Health Foundation Puzzle Pieces St. Benedicts Homeless Shelter St. Joseph Peace Mission for Children The Daniel Pitino Shelter Wendell Ford Government Education Center The Goodfellows Club The International Center The Opportunity Center The Salvation Army The Senior Community Center United Way of the Ohio Valley Volunteers of America Mid-States Wendell Foster Wendell Foster Assistive Technology and Resource Center

Erica Wade

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR THE CENTER

Brandon Harley

DEPUTY CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AUDUBON AREA COMMUNITY SERVICES

Megan Nicodemus

FAMILY RESOURCE YOUTH SERVICES CENTER COORDINATOR DAVIESS COUNTY HIGH SCHOOL

Harry Pedigo

D I R E C TO R D A N I E L P I T I N O S H E LT E R A N D EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ST. BENEDICT’S H O M E L E S S S H E LT E R

The program was sponsored by German American Bank.

Sponsors:

Crystal Sapp

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR ST. JOSEPH PEACE MISSION FOR CHILDREN

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OUR CHAMBER HAS HEART

T

he Our Chamber Has Heart had its inaugural event following the December Rooster Breakfast, sponsored by German

American Bank. Our Chamber Has Heart brought together the community to celebrate our vibrant non-profit sector and all that they do to serve the most vulnerable in the Greater Owensboro region. A total of 29 non-profit Chamber Member organizations were represented at this event, and shared the mission of their organizations with individuals in the community. This event encouraged everyone to find ways to share their talents, time and treasure to make sure no one is left behind.

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CHAMBER CURRENT

CHAMBER MEMBERS OF THE WEEK

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

NOVEMBER RALLY POINT EVENTS

TERRY’S TEES

Lance Yearby and Joel Matherly formed Rally Point Events in 2018 to support local veterans and nonprofits in the tri-state area. The organization hosts regional events, including food and music festivals, to support its mission.

THE COTTAGE FARM STAND & BAKING COMPANY

Marlene Knight opened The Cottage Farm Stand & Baking Company at 6869 KY 56 in Owensboro over 3 years ago and has been growing and evolving the business ever since.

The Cottage has specialty coffee shop, multiple grab-and-go breakfast and lunch items, and cozy dine-in experience.

Terry Matthews launched Terry’s Tees in his garage in 1991. The business grew exponentially over the years and eventually relocated to 1359 E. 4th Street. This past summer, his daughter-in-law Whitney partnered with Alex Hamilton to take over the family business.

RBS DESIGN GROUP ARCHITECTURE

Though under multiple names, RBS Design Group Architecture has been an integral part of Owensboro for almost 45 years. The business’s capabilities have changed through mergers, name changes, and growth and evolution, but one thing remains constant: quality personal service.

NOVEMBER

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE MONTH

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MANDIE HICKS

Mandie Hicks is an insurance agent for Kentucky Farm Bureau. She has been in the insurance industry for nearly 20 years. Mandie helps families with home, auto, life, business and health insurance at the Kentucky Farm Bureau location on Frederica St. Mandie is very involved in the community, devoting a lot of time to the Chamber, the Home Builders Association, PTO, and St. Joseph’s Peace Mission for Children as a board member, just to name a few. In her free time, she loves spending time with her husband, Adam and their 4 children. Mandie is proud to serve Daviess County families as they are the backbone of our community.

DECEMBER

KORT PHYSICAL THERAPY

KORT is Kentucky’s premier provider of outpatient physical and occupational therapy specializing in orthopedics, sports and industrial medicine. Since 1987, KORT has provided clinical and customer service excellence to patients in our centers, at employer sites and with high school, college and professional sports teams.

EYEMART EXPRESS

Eyemart constantly strives to offer accessibility with affordable prices and a 1-hour production time. The store on Frederica opened on November 6 and marks the first one in Owensboro.

ELEVATE INSURANCE AGENCY

Owensboro native Meredith McCrady and Lauren Payne launched Elevate Insurance Agency in 2022 to offer an innovative and accessible client experience. The agency provides nearly every policy imaginable, including home, auto, recreational vehicle, individual health, group health, Medicare, business, worker’s compensation, cybersecurity, disability, annuities, events, pet, jewelry, collectibles, flood, and more.

FRATERNAL ORDER OF THE EAGLES 4168

Yellow Banks #4168 is about helping people. FOE is committed to support its members and people in general through raising money and helping communities.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or shelly@owensboro.com.

DECEMBER

JUSTIN MERRITT

Justin, a native of Whitesville, has been employed by ADVANCED for 12 years as a physical therapist assistant and outreach coordinator. Justin is very motivated by helping people reach their goals, rather it be excelling at a particular sport, being pain-free, or just moving better.

Improving the quality of life in his patients is his drive.

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CHAMBER CURRENT CYP PROGRAMS

CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS CURRENTLY HAS TWO PROGRAMS AIMED AT ENGAGING CHILDREN IN THE COMMUNITY AND ENCOURAGING POSITIVE SELF-DEVELOPMENT AND EMPOWERMENT.

GUYS & TIES The Guys & Ties program is in its fifth year of working with 8th graders at Burns Middle School.

CYP works with a group of students to teach them how to tie a necktie, but also other valuable lessons such as how to balance a monthly budget, sit for a mock job interview, and change a flat tire.

These lessons not only serve to give the boys at Burns life skills, but also to show them how much potential they have. The program is growing with some new opportunities and will conclude the year with a graduation certificate and a blazer.

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PROJECT EMPOWER: GIRLS & GOALS Project Empower: Girls & Goals is a partnership of CYP and Girls, Inc to build confidence and create a mentorship for young girls. In its inaugural year, sessions have varied, including making vision boards to envision their future, hearing from female community leaders and elected officials, and learning the importance of support systems.

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CHAMBER CURRENT

LEADERSHIP OWENSBORO

HUMAN NEEDS AND SERVICES DAY

L

eadership Owensboro’s Human Needs and Services session may very well be the most impactful session of the program. Prior

to the session, class members are allotted $15 to purchase secondhand clothing and shoes for the day and are assigned case scenarios that challenge them to access resources in the Greater Owensboro community. The class is encouraged to not only walk a mile in someone else’s shoes but to also see the world through another’s eyes. During this immersive experience, the class must utilize public transportation and operate as if they have nothing other than the clothes on their backs. The goal of the day is to reveal obstacles and frustrations that the marginalized population encounters daily so that class members can act as catalysts for change and improvement in our community.

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CHAMBER CURRENT

G R E AT E R O W E N S B O R O C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

BOARD OF DIRECTORS John Marshall Moore

Rev. Dr. Larry Hostetter

DON MOORE AUTOMOTIVE LEGENDS TEAM SPORTS MARSHALL VENTURES

PRESIDENT, BRESCIA UNIVERSITY

2024 Chair

Executive Committee

Sarah Murphy Ford

Susan Montalvo-Gesser, J.D.

VICE PRESIDENT, HARTZ CONTRACTING

CATHOLIC CHARITIES, DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO

2023 Chair

Executive Committee

Olga McKissic

Michael Johnson

DIRECTOR, WESTERN ACADEMY AT THE NEBLETT

FOUNDER OF TRUTH OUTREACH, INC.

Chair Elect

W. Clay H. Ford

Executive Committee

2021 Chair Executive Committee

Bart Darrell, J.D.

Shawn Patterson

Dr. Wanda Figueroa

CEO, SOUTHERN STAR CENTRAL GAS PIPELINES, INC.

PRESIDENT & CEO, R I V E R VA L L E Y B E H AV I O R A L H E A LT H

PARTNER, E.M. FORD

Executive Committee

Executive Committee

C H A N C E L LO R , H E A LT H F O R C E K E N T U C K Y

Executive Committee

Dr. Thomas Mitzel Board Member

PRESIDENT, KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE

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G R E AT E R O W E N S B O R O C H A M B E R O F C O M M E R C E

BOARD OF DIRECTORS Joanna Shake

Tristan Durbin

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, GREEN RIVER AREA DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT

AIRPORT DIRECTOR AT OWENSBORO-DAVIESS COUNTY REGIONAL AIRPORT

Board Member

Board Member

Joan Hayden

Commissioner Chris Castlen

OWNER, HAYDEN ELECTRIC INC. & HAYDEN FARMS

DAVIESS COUNTY FISCAL COURT

Board Member

Mark Marsh

Board Member

P R E S I D E N T & C E O , O W E N S B O R O H E A LT H

Special Director, Daviess County Fiscal Court

Commissioner Bob Glenn Special Director, City of Owensboro CITY OF OWENSBORO

Suzanne Cecil White

Tom Ed Booth

OWNER, CECIL FARMS PRODUCE, LLC & WHITE CHATEAU

COMMUNITY MARKET PRESIDENT, US BANK

Board Member

Special Director, Economic Development Corporation

Kyle Aud

Jake Boswell

MARKET PRESIDENT, GERMAN AMERICAN BANK

INDEPENDENCE BANK

Board Member

Special Director, Chamber Young Professionals Chair

Kerry Bailey

Board Member

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER, UNIFIRST CORPORATION

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CHAMBER CURRENT

RIBBON CUTTINGS

A TIME-HONORED TRADITION

Ribbon Cuttings are so special to local businesses and organizations. The tradition of a Ribbon Cutting is most commonly known to celebrate a grand opening, but Chamber Members also use a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate renovations, anniversaries, new locations and joining the Chamber.

2.0 BARBER STUDIO

ADVANCED CENTER FOR ORTHOPEDICS AND SPORTS MEDICINE

ELEVATE INSURANCE AGENCY

EYEMART EXPRESS

KORT PHYSICAL THERAPY

PEOPLES BANK

ROSEHILL ELMWOOD CEMETERY & MAUSOLEUM

SERVPRO OF DAVIESS COUNTY

VOLUNTEERS OF AMERICA MID-STATES

WARD FAMILY DENTISTRY

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