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CHAIR'S LETTER LEADERSHIP
JASON PAYNE Chair, NKY Chamber Bank Acquisition Consultant, Private Investment Group
We want to add value to our members and listen to your thoughts… LET’S CONNECT!
Listening to you, our members, is a priority. If there’s a topic or suggestion you’d like us to explore, or simply a question, please contact Lynn Abeln, Vice President of Membership, at (859) 578-6390 or Labeln@nkychamber.com.
AS THOSE WHO LEAD DAILY KNOW, BEING A LEADER isn’t just about delegating tasks or making decisions. Good leadership is rooted in relationships, collaboration, developing and supporting others, all while having the vision to ensure both current and future success.
Cultivating and empowering leaders across Northern Kentucky is essential to our shared success. This issue of the NKY Business Journal highlights some of the excellent work being done to ensure we have the talent and leadership needed to move our region forward for generations to come.
The NKY Chamber’s expansion into the OneNKY Center in Covington has opened new opportunities to deepen collaboration with top growth organizations. These partnerships allow us to align our efforts in more meaningful, unified ways – benefitting businesses and communities across our entire region.
This issue’s cover story on BE NKY Growth Partnership is a powerful example. By helping students explore and connect with local career opportunities early on, BE NKY is preparing the next generation of talent – and ensuring businesses have the workforce they need to succeed. Through collaboration with organizations like Adopt A Class, TradesNKY and EducateNKY, they are providing students with vital resources, hands-on experiences and career guidance that strengthen talent attraction and retention. It’s a model of relationship building, collaboration and investment in others – the kind of leadership our region needs.
If you are seeking practical advice on leadership, be sure to check out our features on using assessment tools to optimize teams and leading people, not just projects. Both articles are packed with tips based on years of learning and experience, making them valuable for seasoned executives and emerging leaders alike.
You’ll also hear from experts at Leadership Excelleration, Inc., who share actionable insights and perspectives – another example of how sharing knowledge helps us all. Rounding out the issue, our Small Business Spotlight looks at how two entrepreneurs turned a simple idea into the thriving Sweets & Meats BBQ, now serving customers across Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
Leadership at every level and across every part of our region is what powers Northern Kentucky. Elected officials who work cohesively to lift our region have long been a hallmark of our progress. That collaborative spirit must remain strong as we continue to grow, compete and thrive.
As you read this issue of the NKY Chamber Business Journal, I invite you to reflect on your own leadership journey and how you can encourage others to do the same. NKY
leadership skills Authentic Authority
Learn how to lead people, not projects, with essential
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
BEFORE BECOMING A SUCCESSFUL FOUNDER, TEGAN
Trovato says she had to learn what has since become a guiding principle for her and her coaches: Well-executed projects come from well-led people – not the other way around.
As CEO of Bright Arrow Coaching, the executive and leadership coaching firm she founded in 2015, Trovato has built a company that offers access to coaches nation-wide, with diverse backgrounds to accelerate business leaders’ and executives’ growth. Prior to founding Bright Arrow, Trovato held executive roles in talent and organizational development at industry-leading companies like Levi Strauss & Co., Cielo, and Xerox. There, she led large-scale transformations in workforce strategy, leadership development, and post-merger integration across global teams.
“As leaders, we can talk through the details and lay out timelines, but none of that comes to life unless people feel inspired, connected and equipped with the right skills to do the work. If there aren't people alongside you to do the work, it's not going to get done or it's not going to get done well. Even if it does, it tends to be a painful process,” Trovato says. “Prior to becoming a leader, people are highly successful at delivering tangible outcomes. Upon becoming a leader, tangible outcomes are no longer our primary deliverable. Instead, we lead people who execute.”
To make the shift from leading projects to leading people, Trovato says consider the following tips.
FOUNDATIONAL EXECUTIVE SKILLS
Trovato says there are four essentials Bright Arrow coaches
suggest to help executives lead people effectively: (1) Delegate well; (2) Create meaningful development plans; (3) Cultivate a leadership mindset; and (4) Soften your approach to be more approachable.
Delegation, she says, is one of the first skills to master since “it’s a practice that we get better at over time.” Leaders who struggle to delegate risk two things: getting lost in the weeds and holding back their team’s growth.
“We often do an exercise with senior executives at companies where we ask questions like, ‘What work are you doing that you really should not be doing at this point, because it's not your highest value contribution to the organization? Whose growth are you stealing by continuing to do that work and not delegate it to someone who's ready to do it themselves?’” she says. “A lot of light bulbs tend to come on around delegation, which connects nicely to the thinking about development plans as a next step.”
Once a leader determines what to delegate, that process should be used in the team member’s professional development.
“Framing what's being handed to them as part of their development plan is really important,” she says. “It helps connect the dots – why we're doing the work – rather than just saying, ‘Here’s more work,’ we should be saying, ‘Here is a new body of work that is aligned to your growth.’”
Leaders should also ask team members who are taking on new responsibilities what work they can be delegating to deliver on their highest contribution.
DEVELOPING LEADERS AT EVERY LEVEL
Cultivating a leadership mindset among your team is central
TEGAN TROVATO, CEO of Bright Arrow Coaching, www.brightarrowcoaching.com
to Bright Arrow’s approach, Trovato says, and should align with company culture. If you want people to work independently or collaboratively, your culture must support that.
“You want your people thinking, ‘I'm the leader of this thing, whatever I touch or do today is mine to do with excellence.’ Part of the leadership mindset is also development oriented,” she says. “We want people thinking about the future and questioning, ‘What does it mean to lead? What does it mean in the future for me to be a leader? Do I even want to lead people?’”
As team members begin to develop into their own leadership, they often desire more time with their executive.
“As a senior executive, you can’t always keep your door open. It's a nice idea, but your time is in such high demand that casual water cooler talk must go down, and the quality of every minute you spend relationship-building must go way up,” she explains. “We help executives think through things like, ‘What is your approachability? How do you want to show that you are available to people? How does that change by stakeholder group?’”
Approachability, she adds, must adapt by audience.
“Your approachability factor has to be tuned up or down, more refined and polished, depending on what room you’re in and what stakeholders you're with,” she says.
CREATING A NEW WAY FORWARD
Trovato’s final piece of advice is to caution leading people by exercising positional authority: Don’t make the mistake of leading from a command-and-control position or thinking your title, alone, commands respect.
“To a degree, a certain title may get you early respect and
lead to people giving you a chance, but you must earn it to keep it. We used to have a command-and-control culture in corporate America – that is not the way it is now, nor will it be in the future,” she says. “Our broader employee population wants to be led by people who feel human to them, who they feel respected by, with whom they feel like they're in a relationship.”
Keeping humanity in the workplace is key to not just getting people to follow your lead, but for leaders to stay successful as well.
“We are seeing a lot of attrition in leadership roles,” she says. “Many executives are exiting because they feel like leadership is unwinnable right now. The more senior you become, the less understood and appreciated you often feel.
“But I want to remind people that we have more autonomy than we think to create the lives we want. We don’t have to be beholden to execute our leadership roles in the way they have been done before. It is our responsibility to leverage our positional authority to create and model a new way to lead others and ensure balance for ourselves - to show up for our families, our hobbies, our friends, and to let work take a back seat often enough that we stay healthy and well.”
Leading with intention – not just instruction – is what defines today’s most impactful executives. As Trovato’s insights suggest, leadership today is not about having all the answers; it’s about asking the right questions, developing others with care, and showing up with purpose. When leaders invest in people rather than simply managing output, they create not only stronger teams, but also more resilient, human-centered organizations.
Announcing the Regional Youth Leadership Class of 2026
MOLLY ARMSTRONG Archbishop McNicholas High School
ELEANOR BARKER Villa Madonna Academy
CAELAN BURKE The Summit Country Day School
LEANNE CUOZZO Anderson High School
MADISON CÁRDENAS CLARK Colerain High School
KAVI BIJAYANANDA Covington Classical Academy
ALESSANDRO CAGGIONI Madeira High School
GRAYSON DAVIES Dayton High School
CARDEN BOZEMAN Covington Catholic High School
CHARLOTTE DAY Randall K. Cooper High School
JACK DUSING Covington Catholic High School
ELIJAH FORD Beechwood High School
SOFIA KARACOSTAS Mariemont High School
ISABELLA LACHMANN Holy Cross High School
ERIKA HARRIS-FOY Western Hills University High School
RACHAEL KASIPE Mount Notre Dame High School
JOLAY NDIAYEOWEDRADGO Oyler High School
JOSIAH MONTALVO Calvary Christian School
MADALYN OSTERHAGE Campbell County High School
IYANA ROBINSON Oyler High School
JOHANNA SERGER Saint Ursula Academy
LILLIAN LEWIS Villa Madonna Academy
RYAN PRUS Madeira High School
SARPOMAA OWUSUBOATENG Princeton High School
SARAH SAKAMI Lakota West High School
PARIS LOVE-ADAMS Colerain High School
LOGAN PURCELL Newport Central Catholic
AMELIA SEBENS Roger Bacon High School
TRISHA MAHESHWARI Ignite Institute
KIERAN NAUGLEBAUGH Covington Latin School
WILLIAM MARTIS Simon Kenton High School
RUTH MAIER Notre Dame Academy
MARY MCINTOSH Mariemont High School
LAYLA FEINAUER Newport High School
MADYSON LUX Saint Henry District High School
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS
A Letter from the Chair of RYL 2026
THE NORTHERN KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE is pleased to welcome the next Regional Youth Leadership (RYL) class. Composed of 47 high school juniors, the Class of 2026 represents 38 schools across Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
For over 30 years, RYL has been using the community as a classroom to educate students about the strengths, opportunities, and challenges of our region. By cultivating the community leadership skills of our youth, we hope to bolster the retention of talent in our community. During the seven-month program, students interact with civic leaders, businesses, and organizations to learn about economic development, arts and culture, health, human services, law, and life skills. Our curriculum also provides students ample opportunities to practice communication, critical thinking, and collaboration skills. Perhaps most importantly, students learn what’s possible, and are provided with information and resources to shape their futures.
Students were selected through an extensive application process that included a minimum GPA of 3.0, a demonstration of leadership potential in their school and/or community, an interest in furthering their knowledge about our region and community leadership, and approval from their school.
I’ve enjoyed speaking with students about the program and am thrilled with the overwhelming interest we received. I look forward to working with our next cohort of future leaders and witnessing first-hand how interests, perspectives, and relationships unfold. Welcome, Class of 2026!
DR. LISA SENSALE YAZDIAN
Regional Youth Leadership Chair, Class of 2026
ADAM TARVIN Bishop Brossart High School JAMES TAYLOR Saint Xavier High School
ALEX WUEST Covington Catholic High School
Zohaib Kalloo, Indian Hill High School
CAILYN YOUTSEY
The Summit Country Day School
NINA ZURAD Larry A. Ryle High School
ADLER TOMEO School for Creative and Performing Arts
IAN WALLACE Scott High School
MOLLY WEHNER Saint Ursula Academy
OLIVIA TAYLOR Owen County High School
NYELLE WHISBY Lloyd Memorial High School
AINSLEY WHELAN Ursuline Academy
Powered by:
Announcing the Leadership NKY Class of 2026 Leadership NKY
BESSEY Planning and Development Services of Kenton County (PDS)
BORNEMAN Cincinnati/Northern KY Airport Authority
University of Kentucky College of Medicine-NKY
BOWEN C-Forward
MEGAN
DANIEL
CHRIS CHILDRESS Huntington Bank
CHARLES
TESS BURNS Gateway Community and Technical College
ADAM CRAUN Adam Craun Realtor
KATE BRANDY Brandicorp
STEVEN CADDELL Heritage Bank
HANNAH HARGETT The Delish Dish
HOLLY DANNEMAN, MD
GREGORY FASSLER Campbell County Fiscal Court
KERRI FINKE The Ion Center for Violence Prevention
JILLIAN FRASHER Boone County Public Library
JUSTIN GAMBLE The Christ Hospital Health Network
ALLISON HALL Gravity Diagnostics
ROBERT GEARDING Krauss-Maffei Corporation
JARED LEICK Mazak Corporation
NED KELLY EGC Construction
KEVIN GILBERT HGC Construction
JASON LEWIS City of Florence
DAVID MAGEE Skanska USA
SCOTT MILLAY Level 4 Construction
KARA HARP The Lawrence Firm
STEPHANIE MAHAFFEY Amazon Air
MADELINE MEECE Fifth Third Bank
JENN MOSES Citi
DREW HARRIS Kenton County Attorney's Office
SARAH MILESUNDERWOOD St. Elizabeth Healthcare
LISA MOSLEY Notre Dame Academy
MICHAEL INGALLS PNC Private Bank
CHRISTOPHER KORBA Northern Kentucky Area Development District
DEZ LANE MassMutual Ascend
KARI JONES Kenton County Public Library
MIRSADA KADIRIC Kao USA, Inc.
MELINDA KELLAM Thomas More University
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS
A Letter from the Chair of Leadership NKY 2026
I AM DEEPLY HONORED TO SERVE AS CHAIR OF the 2026 Leadership Northern Kentucky program, and I’m excited to announce the 47th class - 52 exceptional individuals who are already leading in their fields and are ready to help shape the future of our region with purpose and conviction.
Leadership Northern Kentucky is more than a leadership program; it’s a catalyst for change. When a group of committed, curious, and courageous leaders comes together, the potential for impact is limitless. This 10-month journey isn’t just about attending sessions or building professional networks - it’s about digging deep into the challenges and opportunities that shape our region and working collaboratively to make a meaningful difference.
Throughout this program, participants will engage with every facet of our community from economic development, community vibrancy, education, government, health care, equity, and human services. They'll learn from industry leaders, share perspectives, challenge assumptions, and grow not only as individuals but as a group. The experience is transformational, not only for the class members but also for the communities they influence.
To me, Leadership Northern Kentucky is all about making a difference through meaningful connections. Leveraging the power of this collective to infuse our region with vibrancy while also dealing with our unique challenges and pain points. Together, we can realize our greatest potential as a region and work to create solutions for community issues. Ultimately, leadership is not a position—it’s a mindset and a commitment. It’s what you do when no one is watching. It’s how you show up for others, how you handle adversity, and how you choose to act.
We invite the community to follow along, support this incredible group, and be inspired by the impact they will make together. If you’re interested in learning more about the program, I encourage you to visit the NKY Chamber’s official website (www.nkychamber.com). Here’s to another incredible group of individuals leading the way!
CHRISTY K. BURCH CEO, The Ion Center for Violence Prevention
ROBERT SUMMERFORD Forvis Mazars
SANDY EC LEARN
NELTNER Roebling Solutions
SEBASTIAN TORRES City of Covington AUDREY TREASURE Cincinnati Regional Chamber
HUNTER SCHLOSSER Republic Bank
ANNAMARIE REILLY
AARON SLOVIN Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky
BRETT WEBER Duke Energy
ELIZABETH YOUNGER Bricker Graydon LLP
DAVID STRINGER Civista Bank
BILLY WERSEL First Financial Bank
AMY ARBINO WYLIE Northern Kentucky University
AMY WILEY Brighton Center, Inc.
ALLIE YOUNG City Wide Facility Solutions
THANKS TO OUR COMMUNITY PARTNERS!
Florence Business Council 2025 Event Calendar
Thursday, October 16:
Fireside Chat with Secretary Michael Adams
Thursday, November 20:
The Cost of Neglect: Cyber Security
Thursday, December 4: Holiday Social
Join us for monthly lunches featuring a variety of topics for Florence businesses, including the State of Florence, economic development updates, tourism, regional economic outlook, and more.
The FBC promotes collaboration, drives economic growth, and empowers local businesses through networking, knowledge sharing, and advocacy. Monthly meetings are open to everyone, while membership offers additional benefits and discounts for the monthly meetings.
Visit NKYChamber.com/business-councils to learn more.
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2025-2026 Executive Committee Members
MIKE SIPPLE
SHANNON
CATHERINE
PAMELA
MELISSA
ADAM
A Roadmap for Businesses to Thrive in a Shifting Economy Leading Transformation:
By Diane Egbers, Founder and CEO, Leadership Excelleration
NORTHERN KENTUCKY IS PRIMED FOR REMARKABLE growth, fueled by advanced manufacturing, life sciences, supply chain innovation, and IT development. Yet, amidst the excitement, one truth remains: knowing the trends shaping the future is not enough. The real challenge for businesses is to lead transformation intentionally - aligning vision, strategy, and culture to navigate disruption and thrive.
As Northern Kentucky experiences a wave of transformation across industries, five major business trends are setting the pace for what’s next. In response, Leadership Excelleration leverages a framework for transformational leadership – one that equips leaders not just to navigate change, but to actively guide their organizations through it - emerging stronger, more aligned, and better positioned for long-term success.
BUSINESS TRANSFORMATION TRENDS RESHAPING NORTHERN KENTUCKY
Across industries, these five key trends are reshaping how businesses operate, compete, and grow - both locally and globally: 1. AI Integration & Agentic Automation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is now a necessity for enhancing efficiency and decision-making. With 87% of global businesses planning to increase AI investments in 2025, the momentum is undeniable.
Example: Northern Kentucky University (NKU) is bolstering the region’s AI capabilities through its new AI minor, preparing students with practical skills and ethical foundations. NKU’s BizAccessHub equips business leaders to apply AI and automation for
real-world growth, helping close the skills gap and positioning the region as an AI-driven economy leader.
2. Sustainability & the Circular Economy
Sustainability has become a critical lever for innovation, with 73% of global CEOs recognizing it as a driver of progress, according to IBM’s 2024 research.
Example: R. A. Jones Packaging exemplifies this with its Covington facility powered by nearly 4,000 solar panels - reducing the plant’s carbon footprint while boosting operational efficiency and competitiveness.
3. Remote Work & Workforce Reskilling
The World Economic Forum projects that 40% of workers will require reskilling within the next three years. In the U.S., over 600,000 manufacturing jobs remain unfilled due to skill shortages.
Example: The Bluegrass State Skills Corporation has supported over 200 regional employers with $12.6 million in grants to upskill nearly 43,000 employees in advanced manufacturing, IT, and logistics. Additionally, Gateway Community & Technical College’s Raise the Floor program offers a 16-week Certified Production Technician (CPT) certification with wraparound support, helping non-traditional learners - especially women - enter manufacturing careers and pursue further technical education.
4. Hyperautomation & Intelligent Process Automation (IPA)
Hyperautomation is transforming operations, with the market projected to reach $46 billion by 2028, according to Gartner.
Example: Balluff, based in Northern Kentucky, is at the forefront by integrating IoT sensors and edge analytics to create smart factory modules. These enable realtime production monitoring, dynamic adjustments, and predictive maintenance - streamlining manufacturing and empowering frontline teams.
5. Cybersecurity & Data Platforms
As digital transformation deepens, cybersecurity is now a strategic priority. Gartner predicts that 60% of organizations will adopt Zero Trust security frameworks by 2026.
Example: The Northern Kentucky Water District is modernizing its systems with predictive analytics and smart infrastructure to enhance resilience and safeguard data in vital public services.
These local examples show how Northern Kentucky businesses are responding to global trends. But embracing new technologies is just the start. Sustaining competitive advantage requires a deliberate leadership framework.
THE LEADERSHIP IMPERATIVE: GUIDING TRANSFORMATION WITH PURPOSE
Trends, tools, and technologies create opportunities - but without bold, intentional leadership, transformation efforts stall. Too often, investments in change falter because leaders struggle to align internal teams and external stakeholders around a clear, inspiring vision.
At Leadership Excelleration, we believe transformation should create lasting momentum - not fleeting initiatives. Grounded in proven research, real-world case studies, and practical tools, we’ve developed a Six-Stage Leadership Transformation Framework designed to help Northern Kentucky businesses execute large-scale change effectively, sustainably, and with measurable impact.
Stage 1: Innovate
Leaders define their unique strategic market positioning, identifying where their business can win amidst evolving landscapes. This includes creating a visual, inclusive representation of the vision that incorporates key stakeholder perspectives.
Stage 2: Galvanize
Organizations must articulate a clear, compelling value proposition - both externally through precise market messaging and internally through value proposition pillars that align and focus teams.
Stage 3: Empower
Leaders activate core capabilities by refreshing brand identity and messaging to reflect transformation ambitions. Internally, this means developing transformational brand statements that resonate with employees, ensuring cultural alignment with market promises.
Stage 4: Focus
A clear strategy roadmap is essential. Leaders pinpoint the major shifts - transformation imperatives - the business must navigate and set concrete priorities, so every team knows where to focus for maximum impact.
Stage 5: Preserve
Sustaining momentum requires continuous improvement and leadership courage to overcome entrenched barriers. Operationally, this means establishing structures to manage resistance and prevent inertia.
Stage 6: Achieve
DIANE EGBERS Founder and CEO
Finally, leaders implement new metrics for success - defining performance metrics that reflect transformation goals and introducing sustainability measures to ensure long-term alignment and durability of results.
By following this framework, leaders can build the internal alignment, cultural readiness, and external credibility necessary to guide their organizations through transformational change— and emerge stronger.
As disruption accelerates across industries, the ability to align purpose, culture, and execution has become a defining advantage. Leadership transformation is less about a moment - and more about a mindset. Whether refining strategic focus or activating team alignment, organizations that approach change proactively are better positioned to drive meaningful, lasting outcomes in a rapidly shifting environment. NKY
Q&A a with the board
We asked members of our Board of Directors and Board of Advisors to share their favorite leadership books and podcasts. Here are their top recommendations to inspire you.
DANIELLE AMRINE
CEO, NorthKey Community Care
Traction by Gino Wickman
GABY BATSHOUN
President, Global Business Solutions, Inc.
Culture Matters by Jenni Catron
ANGEL BEETS
CEO, Gilman Partners
The Art of Gathering: How We Meet and Why It Matters by Priya Parker
JEFF BERDING
President & Co-CEO, FC Cincinnati
You Win the Locker Room First by Jon Gordon
SYLVIA BUXTON
President / CEO Americas Business Unit, Perfetti Van Melle
Developing Women Leaders by Anna Marie Valerio
JOSEPH L. CHILLO, LP.D.
President & CEO, Thomas More University Leadership in Turbulent Times by Doris Kearns Goodwin
LEE CRUME
President & CEO, BE NKY
Acquired podcast hosted by Ben Gilbert and David Rosenthal
ASHLEY CUNNINGHAM
Chief Development Officer, General Electric Credit Union Leaders Eat Last by Simon Sinek
FERNANDO FIGUEROA
President/CEO, Gateway Community and Technical College
A Whole New Mind by Daniel Pink
MAGGIE GOUGH
COO, Bright Arrow Coaching
How To Be A Chief Operating Officer: 16 Disciplines for Success by Jennifer Geary
PAUL HEMMER
CEO, Paul Hemmer Company
Victory Secrets of Attila the Hun by Wess Roberts
TONY JOHNSON
Market President, Huntington Bank
The Ed Mylett Show podcast hosted by Ed Mylett
BRADY JOLLY
CEO, Jolly Plumbing | Drains | Heating | Air Sacred Pace by Terry Looper
DAVID KAY
VP, Fifth Third Bank
Trillion Dollar Coach: The Leadership Playbook of Silicon Valley's Bill Campbell by Eric Schmidt, Jonathan Rosenberg, and Alan Eagle
MARIANNE LEWIS
Dean, Lindner College of Business, University of Cincinnati On Becoming a Leader by Warren Bennis
LAURA LYONS
President, ATech Training
The Art of War by Sun Tzu
SHANE NOEM
President, Roebling Solutions
The Bully Pulpit by Doris Kearns Goodwin
CADY SHORT-THOMPSON
President, Northern Kentucky University
A Bit of Optimism podcast hosted by Simon Sinek
LACY STARLING
President/CEO, LINK Media
Radical Candor by Kim Scott
TERI VONHANDORF
Provost, Gateway Community and Technical College Reset: How to Change What's Not Working by Dan Heath
SCOTT WALTON
Regional EHS Mgr, Saint Gobain / CertainTeed Crucial Conversations by Kerry Patterson, Joseph Grenny, Ron McMillan, and Al Switzler
WONDA WINKLER
President & CEO, Brighton Center, Inc.
The Leadership Challenge: How to Make Extraordinary Things Happen in Organizations by James M. Kouzes and Barry Z. Posner
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: SWEETS & MEATS BBQ
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
Restaurant, food truck entrepreneurs overcome challenges to deliver delicious cuisine
KRISTEN BAILEY AND HER PARTNER ANTON GAFFNEY
had successful corporate careers, but they didn’t feel fulfilled professionally. One thing they loved, besides each other, was a good cookout.
“Honestly, it all came from our love of people,” says Bailey, who co-owns the growing restaurant, food truck and catering empire known as Sweets & Meats BBQ with Gaffney. “We started having cookouts and it was just a balance of us. I always loved being around people and he wanted to stay home – but he’s a great cook. So we thought, ‘Why don't we invite friends and family here?’ I saw how happy it made him, and that's when it clicked: we need to make a business of this.’”
Fast-forward 11 years and Bailey and Gaffney – through ups, downs and all points in between – are still going strong winning over foodie fans on both sides of the Ohio River.
FIRE UP THE GRILL
Sweets & Meats has come a long way since its humble beginnings in 2014, when Bailey and Gaffney first fired up the
grill in the parking lot of the Mount Washington Creamy Whip. Today, the business has grown to a 1,300 square foot catering commissary not far from that parking lot, a fleet of food trucks and a 50-seat restaurant inside what some might consider a rather unique location: the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital and Medical Center (CCHMC) Herald Building. The restaurant operates Wednesday through Sunday, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m.
“It’s like Thanksgiving every day.” That’s how Bailey describes Sweets & Meats menu, which features a collection of personal favorites all made in-house from scratch. This includes barbecue standards like pulled chicken, pulled pork, wings, ribs, their Taste of Cincinnati-award winning rib tips and Bailey’s personal favorite, brisket. “Our brisket sells out every single day,” she says.
This is in addition to desserts and sides such as banana pudding, strawberry crunch cake, sweet potato casserole –Bailey’s grandmother’s recipe. Their most popular side? That would be their mac and cheese, followed closely by their collard greens. And that’s not all: flattop grill and fryer items
like burgers, chopped cheese sandwiches and quesadillas can be found on the menu as well. Sweets & Meats also offers Sunday specials at its CCHMC location, a tradition dating back to its first restaurant, now the Mount Washington commissary.
“For the specials, we might stuff a meatloaf with provolone, mozzarella cheese, peppers, onion, basted barbecue sauce and smoke it,” says Bailey. “We've done a brisket shepherd's pie. We've done jerk chicken, we’ve done brisket burnt ends – so every Sunday it's something different that’s not on the standard menu.”
PRESSURE COOKERS
The CCHMC location is more than just a restaurant. Bailey’s sister, Rachel, who had cerebral palsy and epilepsy, spent many years at the hospital before her passing in 2020. Sweets & Meats has been part of CCHMC’s food truck program since 2017, so when the opportunity to open a physical location became available, Bailey says the decision was a no-brainer.
Saying the partnership “couldn't have been a better match,” Bailey says the service Sweets & Meats has been able to provide to the surrounding community has been more fulfilling than they ever anticipated.
“Children's Hospital is special and we're very lucky to have it here,” Bailey reflects.
“You never know what somebody is going through when they walk through our door,” says Bailey, who says Sweets & Meats’ employees have undergone training to be aware of the situations its CCHMC location patrons may be dealing with. “The thing with our menu is we’re trying to fill a need. While we are a barbecue restaurant, we are trying to have more homestyle options as we have a lot of seniors within walking distance and we’re also trying to cater to them. We have a large hospital network as the Veteran’s Hospital, CCHMC and University Hospital are all on our street.”
While sensitive to the difficulties their patrons face, running a food business has not come without economic challenges for Bailey and Gaffney. Bailey says the economy has impacted both their customers’ spending habits and their protein supply, raising product costs 25% to 30% on chicken, pork and beef. Another challenge? Attaining and retaining talent remains an ongoing battle, especially in the face of wage wars with other potential employers.
THE SWEET TASTE OF SUCCESS
Despite the challenges, Sweets & Meats remains focused on its future. Building upon the company’s $2 million in revenue this past year, Bailey says the company is currently looking for 4,000 to 5,000 square feet in additional commissary space. This would allow them to consolidate operations and its 30 employees under one roof.
In the meantime, Bailey says she and Gaffney are happy to keep pleasing people’s palates. But if you plan to invite them to a cookout, be forewarned they’re not going anywhere near the grill if they can help it.
“I miss the cookouts. I miss the camaraderie and the being able to socialize,” Bailey says. “It always ends up falling on our plate, if you will, to be asked to cook. Even with family, when we go out of town on vacation, they're like, ‘Oh, can you use your Restaurant Depot card?’ Then Anton ends up cooking! NKY
` THAT'S GOOD EATIN'!
Sweets & Meats BBQ AT A GLANCE
RESTAURANT LOCATION
3440 Burnet Ave., Suite 100
The Herald Building at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Medical Center
Cincinnati, OH 45229
(513) 888-4227
www.sweetsandmeatsbbq.com
Hours: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday–Sunday
KEEP ON TRUCKIN'
Not able to make it to Sweets & Meats’ physical location?
The company also has food trucks available for both public events and catering as well as an “all occasions” food truck for private bookings. Discover when the trucks will be nearest you by following Sweets & Meats on social media or by visiting streetfoodfinder.com/sweetsandmeats.
TOP TALENT
Sweets & Meats has won numerous accolades since first firing up its grill in 2014. Recent honors include:
• Co-founder Anton Gaffney (2020) as well as General Manager Johnny Payne (2024) have both received the Larry Grypp Rising Leader Award by the Goering Center at the University of Cincinnati’s Carl H. Lindner College of Business.
• Co-founder and CEO Kristin Bailey was named one of Cincy Magazine’s “Power 100 Rising Stars” in local business in 2024, two years after the company took the publication’s top prizes for Best of the East food truck, best female entrepreneur and Best in Cincy Business – Catering in 2022.
• The U.S. Small Business Administration named co-founder Kristen Bailey the 2019 U.S. Small Business Administration’s Ohio Small Business Person of the Year.
• Winner of Cincy Magazine’s Best Caterer award for 2025.
Kristen Bailey, Co-founder of Sweets & Meats BBQ
At Scooter Media, we bring creativity and strategy together to craft public relations campaigns, impactful graphic design, and engaging social media that deliver results. Our passion for what we do shines through in every project, big or small. Reach out today to discover how we can help your business make an impact!
COVINGTON, KENTUCKY (859) 414-6882 |
“People often ask if one hour a month truly makes an impact. After five years with Adopt A Class, I can tell you—it absolutely does. You don’t have to be perfect or polished to be a mentor; you just have to be present and consistent. You are planting seeds that will guide students to become the very best versions of themselves. Don’t hesitate—join us and make a lasting difference.”
- Kevin Wiesner, Adopt A Class Team Leader Greater Cincinnati Water Works
BE NKY leads investment in Northern Kentucky’s students, future workforce
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
BOB DYLAN, ONCE HAILED AS “THE VOICE OF A generation,” famously sang that “the times, they are-achangin’.” Lee Crume, President and CEO of BE NKY Growth Partnership (BE NKY), says that’s never been as true as it is now regarding the next generation of talent in Northern Kentucky.
“If you think about most manufacturers and go back 30 years, they wanted a nice piece of land out in the countryside somewhere where they could set up their shop, even their corporate headquarters. (They’d say), ‘We'll put a help wanted sign up on the door and enough people will just trickle by, we'll make some hires and we'll be fine,’” says Crume about the way employers used to recruit talent. “The world is really different today, so – especially in the manufacturing world – (companies) realize they've got to be more proactive and engaged in their communities (following) a global pandemic, tariffs, (etc.) ... That’s why it's upon us as BE NKY and EducateNKY to give manufacturers and our large employers a very easy on-ramp, whether it's investing, in-kind service, (sharing) their knowledge, work-based learning, etc. We're trying to make it as easy for companies to get involved in developing our region’s workforce as we can."
How is BE NKY “making it easy?” Leading an initiative to fund career exposure, exploration and engagement for K-12 students, all while working to encourage business leaders and employers to join the effort.
YOUTH IS SERVED
As Northern Kentucky’s economic development growth company, BE NKY specializes in marketing and promoting the region to new and expanding businesses. But what good does it do to attract a business to a region where the workforce is unaware of/not interested in the opportunities the area has to offer?
Resolving those employer concerns is why BE NKY has invested significant funding in three Northern Kentucky education nonprofit organizations that work with kindergarten through high school students on college and career readiness. That includes: (1) $100,000 with a matching grant from partner organization EducateNKY to Adopt A Class, the Cincinnati-based organization connecting businesses and civic groups to K-8 students in underserved communities through mentorship and relationship building; (2) $220,000 over fiscal years 2025 and 2026 alongside a $200,000 donation by The Spirit of Construction Foundation to co-fund an expansion of TradesNKY, which promotes career opportunities in skilled trades, beyond its current footprint in Campbell County Schools; and (3) $120,000 with a matching grant from EducateNKY to Learning Grove’s NaviGo College and Career Prep to help schools and high school students with college and career programming.
The investments are designed to address two of the five critical needs for a more competitive region as detailed in BE NKY’s April 2024 analysis of Northern Kentucky’s competitiveness: (1) Growth through attraction, retention and work-ready skill alignment and (2) improving private/ public collaboration. That report followed a March 2024
study by Northern Kentucky University (NKU), funded by BE NKY, showing the region could expect a population increase of nearly 59,000 people between 2020-2050. However, that study also determined Northern Kentucky could expect its labor force of people ages 16 to 64 to only grow by some 8,450 people, showcasing the need to significantly expand the upskilling of its workforce and educate students in the region about the career opportunities Northern Kentucky’s employers offer.
“We started talking to our partners in the K-12 system earlier this year and there was a number that jumped out: About 1,000 kids a year become disengaged from our school systems and they just kind of drift off,” Crume says, noting how that is potential energy not being maximized and at risk of being impacted by automation and artificial intelligence (AI). “We really need to build a pipeline for these kids that are becoming disengaged, because we need them in our workforce.”
Continuing, Crume notes, “As we started thinking in that mindset, it just kept pulling us into the school and into a partnership with the K-12 system; we started looking at the landscape, we found these partners that were already out there doing good work. They were already addressing the very problems that we were seeing, so the best solution for BE NKY became investing in them and putting new funding inside of their organizations to help them be successful.”
HEAD OF THE CLASS
“We need you guys in the room.” That’s the message BE NKY has shared with many major manufacturers regarding the need to sponsor programs in local schools to help educators know what they will need in the future – and Angela Easton has heard it loud and clear.
Duke Energy’s Supervisor of Warehouse Operations in the Midwest, Easton is also the co-chair of the company’s Adopt A Class program. Joining the effort in 2022, she now works in six classrooms across the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region, including Glenn O. Swing Elementary in Covington, Newport Intermediate and Ludlow Independent Schools. She is heavily involved not only with providing students with career exposure, but mentorship and leadership, often showcasing Duke employees benefitting from opportunities in the same communities where the students live.
“One of the things I love to explore with students is what they think they'd like to be when they grow up ... Somebody raises their hand and they'll say, ‘I want to be a teacher.’ I can say to them, ‘At Duke Energy, we have a lot of teachers –they train our line workers, our gas technicians,’” says Easton. “I’ve explained how I leveraged the education program at Duke Energy and they paid for my bachelor's degree. You’ll have a line worker come in and say, ‘I didn't go to college, I got hired in at Duke Energy and today, I make six figures ... That’s when the kids say, ‘If they can do it, I can do it.’”
Dr. Shelli Wilson, Superintendent of Campbell County Schools, agrees, noting her district’s partnership with TradesNKY has been “a powerful catalyst for advancing our students’ learning and future readiness.”
Under the leadership of Phil Griffin and Brandon Bray, TradesNKY has helped build what Dr. Wilson calls “authentic” opportunities for students. These include direct curriculum
development, sharing practitioner expertise and connecting the district with visiting industry partners, all of which has developed innovative programming reflective of “what it takes to create a truly college, career and life-ready student.”
The key to that work? BE NKY’s investment, enabling TradesNKY’s impact to be both “immediate and inspiring.”
“We have seen a notable increase in student interest and engagement in trades and engineering concepts as well as small business and entrepreneurship aspirations. Our Board of Education allocated a teaching position specifically for a construction trades exploratory pathway at our middle school,” Dr. Wilson says. “This year, our largest ever percentage of incoming middle school students, 41%, requested a construction trades course. This ensures a sustainable pipeline into our high school pathways, directly supporting workforce readiness in our region.”
Continuing, Dr. Wilson says, “What excites me most about this partnership is that it exemplifies how education and economic development can intersect to benefit both students and our community ... Ultimately, our partnership is about investing in students as the future leaders, innovators, and workforce of our region, and there is nothing more important or promising than that.”
Given how the organization is focused on “looking (at) the future and for opportunity,” Easton says BE NKY deserves recognition for the work it has done and continues to do on the region’s behalf.
“When they connect all of us together, it generates this fuel and we all are stronger for that,” she says. “When the time comes, we will be ahead and that really puts everyone in a position to win. BE NKY has found some hidden gems and with their support, it's going to be a real challenge to beat the Northern Kentucky workforce over the next 20 years.”
PUTTING POSSIBILITIES WITHIN REACH
Collaborations like those mentioned above, Crume says, are key to Northern Kentucky’s future. He says this was made clear to him earlier this year in a rather unexpected manner regarding how much the average graduating high school senior knows about Chipotle versus other employers.
“They've been there, they know what Chipotle is – but they don’t know Mazak, what Citi is, what PPD Labs in Highland Heights is, so we've got to bring those companies into our schools so kids can see first-hand what cool careers they can have here in Northern Kentucky,” he says. “Collaboration's going to be a piece all the way through this.”
For those wondering how they can collaborate with BE NKY, Crume’s message is simple: Pick up the phone and give his organization a call.
“We know what our remit is: growing the economy of Northern Kentucky and we are focused on that – we’re never going to lose sight of that ... (But), if we don't take positive steps to maximize both the efficiency and the effectiveness of our workforce, meaning continuing to participate at a high quantity and elevating the skill levels, we run the risk of falling behind – that’s why this is important,” he says. “This is going to be a very important channel of work for us over the next couple of years ... We will help our companies find the right way to plug into this.” NKY
BE NKY AT A GLANCE
BE NKY Growth Partnership OneNKY Center 209 Greenup St., Suite 400 Covington, KY 41011 (888) 874-3365 be-nky.com
MISSION:
BE NKY Growth Partnership is the economic development company for Northern Kentucky, providing businesses with the expertise to build opportunity in Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. The organization works with both new and existing area businesses “to create innovative, forward-thinking, and attractive environments for companies and community success.”
BY THE NUMBERS: BE NKY Growth Partnership launched in March 2023. Since its founding in 1987 (as Northern Kentucky Tri-ED), BE NKY has led successful relocation or expansion efforts for almost 800 business projects, representing more than 77,000 primary industry jobs created with a capital investment of nearly $10.2 billion.
Annual Golf Outing & Clinic
Title Sponsor:
Photo Credit: Leigh Taylor Photography
NORTHERN KENTUCKY BUSINESS
UNLOCKING TEAM POTENTIAL
How leadership assessment tools can help business leaders optimize teams
By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media
TO DR. ANGELA CRAWFORD, LEADERSHIP ASSESSMENT isn’t a luxury. It is a valuable tool that can improve all aspects of the workplace – even for those leading only themselves.
"As a leader, we often feel we must be perfect. But real leadership is about leveraging the strengths and talents of those around you,” says Dr. Crawford, president of Crawford Partners, LLC. “Leading others is a significant responsibility and not for everyone. However, even if you choose not to lead other people, you still have an accountability and responsibility to lead yourself well as well as your family and people around you. These assessments are not only helpful for people in official leadership roles; they can be transformational for anyone wanting to be the best version of themselves.”
Leadership assessments come in many forms, each offering a unique perspective on individual strengths, communication styles and personal growth. Commonly used tools include
CliftonStrengths, which helps identify natural talents; the DiSC assessment, which focuses on behavioral tendencies; and the Enneagram, which explores core motivations and emotional patterns, among others.
Learn why Dr. Crawford, Angel Beets, CEO of Gilman Partners, and Tarita Preston of Tarita Preston Coaching agree why these tools are worth the investment.
CLIFTONSTRENGTHS
Background knowledge: Formerly known as StrengthsFinder, CliftonStrengths presents a 30-minute test featuring paired statements to measure thinking, feeling and behavior patterns. In focusing on strengths and managing areas in which they’re less proficient, CliftonStrengths seeks to help individuals identify and focus on their top five strengths out of 34 possibilities.
Beets says learning someone’s top strengths helps teams know where a person shines, which supports stronger collaboration and building a healthier culture.
“One of the things I love about CliftonStrengths is that there are 34 strengths we all have within us and none of them is better than the other,” she says. “Using this assessment helps teams and leaders understand that each person on their team comes to their role with a different set of strengths and even if they were to be the same strengths, they each still use them differently.”
That is one reason Beets says routine assessment of workplace culture is essential.
“When someone operates differently than we do, it can be incredibly frustrating. But if we view those differences through the lens of a strength as opposed to a deficit, you begin to see how the team is stronger when everyone’s strengths come together. This is a great example of how slowing down can help you move faster,” she says. “Once you better understand your team, you can collaborate more effectively.”
Why assessment matters: Beets says she’s learned a great deal about herself through CliftonStrengths, including what she brings to the table and how that may differ from others. Recognizing what’s different, she says, is important to making sure everyone is one the same page.
“One of the benefits is that it starts a conversation about topics that can feel a little taboo or vulnerable,” Beets says. “It's easier to start that conversation through the lens of an assessment and I've seen many teams that have struggled to communicate finally have honest, productive conversations using this framework.”
She adds that CliftonStrengths are useful for addressing ongoing challenges in the workplace, too.
“Anytime you can have conversations with your colleagues about how you work and how they want to work, it makes people feel seen and valued,” she says. “It also creates a chance to provide feedback to others in a very constructive way.”
“If I share, ‘I've noticed you've been having a hard time meeting deadlines, but I also know you have the Input strength,’ we can have a conversation about whether this person might feel like they never have enough information and wants to dive deeper. That opens the door to coaching them on strategies for managing their time. It's a more positive approach versus saying, ‘Why can't you hit your deadlines?’”
EVERYTHING DISC®, VIA CHARACTER SURVEY AND WORKING GENIUS
Background knowledge: In addition to CliftonStrengths, Dr. Crawford uses Everything DiSC®, VIA Character Survey and Working Genius leadership assessment tools with clients:
The Everything DiSC® model looks at four personality profiles – Dominance, Influence, Steadiness and Conscientiousness – and what leaders value most: Accomplishing bottom-line results, relationships and persuasion, cooperation and sincerity or quality, accuracy, expertise and competency.
“When you can recognize a person’s DiSC style, it can reduce conflict and improve connections,” Dr. Crawford says. “DiSC is all about personality styles, improving the way you communicate and understanding how others communicate to create those connections. This assessment has transformed both personal and professional relationships for many of my clients.”
The Values in Action (VIA) Survey, created by VIACharacter. org, identifies “what brings you joy.” Focusing on 24-character strengths – the positive parts of your personality that impact how you think, feel and behave – aims to boost well-being and happiness because the happier a person is at work, the more productive they will be.
Developed by Patrick Lencioni in 2022, the six types of Working Genius – Wonder, Invention, Discernment, Galvanizing, Enablement and Tenacity – examine the three stages to any project and how people respond to them. Depending on where a person shines brightest, that is where their working geniuses, competencies and frustrations are revealed, helping them understand the type of work that makes them thrive.
Why assessment matters: Dr. Crawford says many people become attached to a single assessment tool; however, she believes the more we learn about ourselves and others, the better we will be for it. For this reason, she prefers utilizing multiple assessment tools, especially in today’s evolving workplace.
“Especially now that we have five generations in the workplace, we have people with different backgrounds and perspectives,” Dr. Crawford says. “Many leaders may have taken these assessments early in their careers and now believe it’s common sense and everyone knows them. But they are realizing they still need to conduct leadership assessments for the newer workforce. Everyone needs to learn how to adapt their styles to be more effective. The younger generations coming into the workforce are not responding to traditional ways of leadership, so leaders today may need to adapt to help others grow and leverage their strengths.”
She says human interactions will matter even more in the wake of the artificial intelligence (AI) revolution.
“I use AI in my work daily, but the one thing that AI will not replace is real human interactions and connections,” she says. “If we can get people to understand the value of completing assessments and reflecting on their strengths and what makes them unique, they will be better prepared to adapt and connect with others, which will be a superpower in this AI world.”
THE ENNEAGRAM
Background knowledge: The Enneagram is a personality framework that explores nine personality traits – the Reformer, the Helper, the Achiever, the Individualist, the Investigator, the Loyalist, the Challenger, the Enthusiast and the Peacemaker –and what they reveal about your thoughts and beliefs.
“Some people walk into a room and think, ‘Who's in charge? Should you be in charge?’ If I don't think you should be in charge, ‘I'm going to be in charge,’” says Preston. She uses this example to highlight how individuals can approach meetings very differently depending on their Enneagram personality traits. “Some people create a leadership vacuum while others enter a space asking, ‘What do you need? How can I help you?’ The Enneagram helps you become more self-aware of your strengths, your challenges and how to work through them. It also supports you in understanding where other people are coming from.”
Someone who “likes to think big, dream and imagine,” Preston believes many people don’t focus on or understand the ‘why’ behind what they do, but ‘what do I do about it now?’ That’s where she believes an Enneagram assessment can provide deeper leadership insight.
FOLLOW THE LEADERS
Meet our Leadership Assessment Tools Specialists
ANGEL BEETS
Gilman Partners
Angel Beets has served as CEO of executive search and leadership development firm Gilman Partners since 2023. She sets the strategic direction of the firm and plays a hands-on role in its leadership development work— providing oversight for GP Elevate, the firm’s program for high-potential leaders, creating custom training experiences for leadership teams across the region, and facilitating strengths-based sessions for businesses and nonprofit groups.
A graduate of Leadership Cincinnati’s 44th class and president of her Leadership Northern Kentucky class of 2018, Beets received her bachelor’s degree from Ball State University and her master’s in interpersonal communication from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
DR. ANGELA CRAWFORD Crawford Partners LLC.
Dr. Angela Crawford is passionate about helping people and organizations grow. With over 20 years of senior leadership experience and consulting, she has worked across diverse sectors including financial services, healthcare, technology, government, education and retail. She brings a unique blend of practical experience and academic insight, having also served in higher education as a faculty member, Dean and Vice President for Adult and Graduate Education.
Today, she delivers strategic consulting, leadership development programs and executive coaching for organizations committed to growth and transformation. She is the author of Leaders Succeed Together, a book and integrated system designed to help organizations build leadership capacity at every level.
Dr. Crawford graduated from the University of Cincinnati with a BBA in Marketing and Management, holds an MBA from Cleveland State University and earned her Ph.D. from Case Western Reserve University.
TARITA PRESTON
Tarita Preston Coaching
A seasoned professional life and leadership coach located in Cincinnati, Ohio, Tarita specializes in partnering with leaders, executives and teams to enhance communication, foster creativity, instill accountability and elevate emotional intelligence. She is the creator of Advanced Leadership for Women: A Bold Vision, a two-day professional growth workshop held in August at Music Hall in Cincinnati. Preston honed her leadership and coaching skills working for General Electric (GE), providing guidance to senior managers during plant closings, national union negotiations and establishing a shared services organization.
Prior to joining GE, Preston held an array of positions in and outside of the United States, including working in London as a Parliamentary Assistant at the UK Parliament and as an English Teacher in South Korea. Preston holds two master’s degrees in Labor Employment Relations and Political Science from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign.
“Knowing your strengths and challenges is impactful, especially when everyone must contribute,” she says. “The Enneagram system brings to light all these things we aren't conscious of, especially in the workplace, where people are so goal oriented.”
Why assessment matters: Thinking we know what people should be doing or how to inherently lead others, Preston says, runs the risk of ‘should-ing’ on others – “They should know this” or “They should be doing that.”
“When we create ‘shoulds,’ we aren’t in reality. We are living and working in a distortion,” Preston says. By assessing and learning what motivates someone, Preston says leaders can avoid blind spots fatal to workplace harmony and productivity.
“I don't know everything. I want to know what I don't know and want to hire people who can help me figure that out,” she says. “My temperament is more high energy, so when I encounter people who may not match my energy, I might think, ‘Maybe they aren't interested or this isn’t a good fit,’ when really, that's just their personality style and everyone doesn’t need to be like me.
“I grow by putting myself in situations that stretch me. I can only take my clients as far as I have gone,” she says. “Therefore, how can I help someone with their fear or being uncomfortable if I have never been uncomfortable or afraid myself?” NKY
AROUND THE CHAMBER
FUSION: A MULTICULTURAL EXPERIENCE | METROPOLITAN CLUB, COVINGTON
EGGS 'N ISSUES: STATE OF MANUFACTURING | RECEPTIONS, ERLANGER
FLORENCE BUSINESS COUNCIL – EMPOWERING EMPLOYEES | TURFWAY PARK RACING & GAMING, FLORENCE
NKY UNITED | HOTEL COVINGTON
NEWPORT BUSINESS COUNCIL – LICKING RIVER UPDATE |
RIVERBOATS, NEWPORT
NKY COMMUNITY AWARD – DONNA SALYERS
FORT THOMAS COUNCIL – CAMPBELL COUNTY’S TRANSFORMATION | FORT THOMAS MESS HALL
AROUND THE CHAMBER
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE CONNECT
| PERFORMANCE LEXUS, FORT WRIGHT
HR 100: HAPPY HOUR NETWORKING SOCIAL | DAVE & BUSTERS, FLORENCE
HOUR
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE COFFEE CONNECT | ELITE MEDSPA
GOVERNMENT FORUM: LOCAL LEADERS, REGIONAL CHANGE | RADISSON HOTEL CINCINNATI RIVERFRONT
NEWPORT BUSINESS COUNCIL - MONMOUTH ON TAP SOCIAL | 927 RESERVE, NEWPORT
MILESTONES
After a decade of dedicated service, Beatrice Insurance Agency is proud to announce LeeAnn Bentley as an official partner of the firm. This milestone reflects LeeAnn’s unwavering commitment to excellence, integrity, and clientcentered service.
Since joining the agency, Bentley has consistently demonstrated exceptional leadership and professionalism. Her ability to build strong, lasting relationships with both clients and carrier partners has been instrumental in advancing the agency’s mission and has helped to shape the culture and direction of the business.
Beatrice Insurance Agency is an independent medical insurance agency providing affordable insurance plans tailored to the client’s needs and with 12 years of Medicare experience. To learn more about the agency, visit beatriceinsuranceagency.com.
Bud’s Automotive Service LLC., a Highland Heights company now in its third generation of family ownership, celebrated its 60th anniversary earlier this year.
Founded as Bud’s Pure Oil by Harold “Bud” Moermond on March 13, 1965, the family-run automotive repair shop is now co-owned by Moermond’s grandson, Greg, and his wife, Lisa. Changing its name to Bud’s Union 76 in 1971, it became a second generationowned business in 1989 after being purchased by Bud’s son, Jeff, and his wife Vicki. Greg and Lisa would purchase the business in 2022, renaming it from Bud’s J&M Service, Inc., to its current moniker.
“It has everything to do with our customers. Greg’s grandfather built up a huge customer base who found him trustworthy and I’m sure it was important for Jeff and Vicky, as well as Greg and myself, to carry that on,” said Lisa Moermond in reference to the milestone. “That’s why we have 60 years in the business. We have grandchildren whose grandparents first brought their cars here 60 years ago, so without them, we wouldn’t be here.”
Bud’s Automotive Service LLC, located at 2029 Alexandria Pike, is open from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday–Friday. budsautomotiveservicenky.com
Red Hawk Technologies, a custom software development firm located in Wilder, Kentucky, has been named to the prestigious 2025 Inc. 5000 list of America’s fastest-growing private companies for the second year in a row. This honor highlights the company’s sustained growth and innovative Development-as-a-Service (DaaS) model.
Red Hawk Technologies achieved a national ranking of No. 1,065, a significant jump from last year’s No. 3,313. The company also secured No. 5 in Kentucky, No. 7 in the Greater Cincinnati region, and No. 113 among software development companies nationwide.
Matt Strippelhoff, Partner, CEO/CRO of Red Hawk Technologies, credited the team’s dedication. “Making the Inc. 5000 list once is an achievement; doing so for a second year is a powerful statement about the people who make Red Hawk what it is,” said Strippelhoff. “This recognition belongs entirely to our team. We are incredibly proud of what we have built and grateful to our clients who inspire us.”
For more information, visit redhawk-tech.com.
BUD'S AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE
RED HAWK TECHNOLOGIES EARNS INC. 5000 RECOGNITION
TOOLS OF THE TRADE
NKY
Chamber membership benefits that can help you achieve your business goals
SAVINGS, SUPPLIES AND MORE
HEALTH INSURANCE – The NKY Chamber has teamed up with Anthem to offer ChamberAdvantage, a health coverage solution that gives small businesses an easy, affordable way to offer health benefits to employees. Save 20% to 25% on your monthly medical spend with ChamberAdvantage
DENTAL INSURANCE – Through our partnership with Delta Dental of Kentucky and OneAmerica Financial, members gain access to comprehensive, affordable benefit plans.
OFFICE SUPPLIES – ODP Business Solutions offers members up to 55% off their most purchased office supplies both in-store and online with no contract. VIE Ability, which was launched by the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, has 60,000+ office products and supports people who are blind or have severe vision loss.
MARKETING AND COMMUNICATIONS – NKY Chamber members can receive discounts on advertising courtesy of Adsposure and Everything Cincy, both of whom can help you save on social media, ad packages and more.
HR SERVICES – In need of human resource help? NKY Chamber members can save on a variety of HR services through partnerships with ClearPath Mutual and MPI Management Consulting.
MEMBER DIRECTORY – Leverage the Chamber’s online Member Directory to connect with fellow NKY Chamber members, build valuable business relationships, and keep your dollars within the community.
BUSINESS TOOLS & TALENT
RESOURCES
BUSINESS & TALENT RESOURCES HUB (NEW) - A one-stop hub for Northern Kentucky’s business and talent development needs. Whether you're launching a startup, growing a small business, or focused on attracting and retaining top talent, the NKY Chamber’s Business and Talent Resources Hub offers curated links to essential tools, programs, and best practices to help.
BUSINESS REFERRAL NETWORKS – The NKY Chamber’s Business Referral Networks (BRN) can connect you to teams of 15 to 30 people to help you learn how other members can help you grow your business.
THE VOICE OF BUSINESS IN NKY – The NKY Chamber advocates on members’ behalf on key legislative and regulatory issues in Northern Kentucky, Frankfort and Washington, D.C.
HR 100 – HR professionals and small business owners can utilize timely programs centered on talent recruitment and retention issues while also often earning SHRM-credits in the process.
HR TRIFECTA – Hosted in partnership with NKY SHRM, HR Trifecta brings HR leaders together to discuss three unique aspects of the workforce pertinent to industry professionals.
WORKFORCE BEST PRACTICES SYMPOSIUM – Brings regional experts together for discussions and breakout sessions highlighting strategies employers can use to attract/retain talent and promote workforce development.
INCLUSIVE IMPACT BREAKFAST – Features discussions around the critical role inclusion plays in attracting talent, driving investment, and ensuring our region remains competitive in the global economy.
TALENT STRATEGIES SPOTLIGHT – This regular feature of the NKY Chamber Spotlight podcast features employers and workforce practitioners discussing tactics, resources and more centered on talent attraction, retention and inclusive business strategies.
INCLUSIVE BUSINESS STRATEGIES SERIES – This workforce programming series empowers businesses with actionable strategies to overcome employment barriers, enhance talent attraction and retention and unlock the benefits of cultivating an inclusive workplace.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE REGIONAL SUMMIT – Powered by PNC, this daylong learning event for women of all career stages features speakers who present inspirational content for professional women.
LEADERSHIP NORTHERN KENTUCKY – Powered by Citi, this popular program uses the community as a classroom to develop leaders that will serve the region.
NORTHERN KENTUCKY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS (NKYP) - Presented by meetNKY, NKYP connects YPs with peers by expanding their networks, programming and engagement while impacting their community through diversity and inclusion
NKYP EVENT PASS – Provides YP employees admission to nearly every event hosted by the NKY Chamber and helps them engage with the community, network with others, and take advantage of professional development opportunities.
WOMEN’S INITIATIVE MENTOR/MENTEE PROGRAM –
Designed to help female leaders in your organization, this program pairs like-minded individuals for a one-on-one growth period over one years’ time. These are just some of the resources and benefits that come with being an NKY Chamber member. To learn more, contact Lynn Abeln, Vice President of Membership, at labeln@nkychamber.com or call (859) 578-6390. You can also find information on all the programs and benefits included in this article at www.nkychamber.com. NKY
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EVENT CALENDAR
SEPTEMBER
9/17 Business After Hours | SparkHaus, Covington | 4:30-6:30 PM
FOR THESE EVENTS AND MORE AT
9/18 Florence Business Council: How to Attract and Retain the Right Talent | Turfway Park | 11:15 AM-1:00 PM
9/23 Newport Business Council: Business Social | Bourbon House Pizza, Newport | 4:30-6:30 PM
9/23 RYL Local Government | CVG Centre, Erlanger | 7:45 AM-3:00 PM (Class only)
9/25 Fort Thomas Business Council: Resource Roundtable Discussion | City Building Chambers | 8:15-9:30 AM
9/25 Annual Dinner | Northern Kentucky Convention Center, Covington | 5:00-8:30 PM
9/25-26 LNK 2026 Overnight Retreat | Camp Joy (Class only)
9/29 Women’s Initiative Connect Hour | AC Hotel, Cincinnati | 4:00-6:00 PM
OCTOBER
10/1 Getting the Most of Your Membership | NKY Chamber, Ft. Mitchell | 9:00-10:00 AM
10/9 LNK Inclusive Leadership Session | TBD | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Class Only)
10/9 NKYP Cocktails and Conversations | Highnote Roof Top Bar, Newport | 4:30-6:00 PM
10/16 Florence Business Council: Secretary Michael Adams | Turfway Park | 11:15 AM-1:00 PM
10/21 Eggs ‘N Issues: Fireside Chat with CVG CEO | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30-9:00 AM
10/23 Ft. Business Council - Unlocking Growth: Business Investment Opportunities | Mess Hall | 11:15 AM-1:00 PM
10/28 Women’s Initiative Coffee Connect | Baker Hunt, Covington | 8:00-10:00 AM
10/28 Newport Business Council: State of the City | Carnegie Hall, Newport | 11:15 AM-1:00 PM
NOVEMBER
11/5 Women's Initiative Regional Summit | NKU Student Union, Highland Heights | 8:00 AM-4:00 PM
11/6 RYL Health Session | SETEC, Erlanger | 7:45 AM-3:00 PM (Class Only)
11/12 HR Trifecta Strategic Leaders Conference | Kenton Co. Library, Erlanger | 8:00 AM-12:30 PM
11/13 Business After Hours | TBD | 4:30-6:30 PM
11/13 LNK Human Services Session | TBD | 8:00 AM-5:00 PM (Class Only)
11/18 Eggs ‘N Issues: Regional Economic Outlook | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30-9:00 AM
11/20 Florence Business Council: Cost of Neglect: Cyber Security | 7 Hills Church | 11:15 AM-1:00 PM
11/20 NKYP Next Generation Leader Awards | The Carnegie, Covington | 5:30-7:45 PM
11/21 LNK Economic Growth Pre-Session | TBD | 12:00 PM-5:00 PM (Class Only)
11/24 Women’s Initiative Connect Hour | The Southgate House Revival, Newport | 4:00-6:00 PM
Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017
859-578-8800
NKYChamber.com
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© 2025, The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and by the individual authors. All rights reserved.
CEO/Publisher Brent Cooper | bcooper@nkychamber.com
Marketing & Communications
Shannan Boyer | shannan@scootermediaco.com
Amber Potter | amber@scootermediaco.com
Design
Lindsey Vanderkolk | lindsey@scootermediaco.com
Vice President, Membership–Sponsorship Sales
Lynn Abeln | labeln@nkychamber.com
Director, Sponsor Investments
Diana McGlade | dmcglade@nkychamber.com
Staff Writer
Tabari McCoy | tabari@scootermediaco.com
Printing Black Tie Productions
