Go Chamber - Third Edition 2021

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PUBLISHER

Jason Tanner jason@tannerwest.com

THIRD EDITION 2021

MANAGING EDITOR

CONTENTS

ADVERTISING SALES

IN EVERY ISSUE

Ashley Wedding ashley@tannerpublishing.com

Brock Quinton brock@tannerpublishing.com Robert Williams robert@tannerpublishing.com

GRAPHIC DESIGN Andrea Roberson Monica Tapp

6 From the Chamber 8 Meet the Chamber Staff Kenzie Tomes

10 Executive Answers On the Record

11 Welcome to the Chamber New Members

PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Alexander

CONTENT TEAM Chamber Staff

PRINTING

Greenwell Chisholm Owensboro, Kentucky

CONTACT INFORMATION Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce 200 East Third Street Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-1860 chamber.owensboro.com @GOchamber

12 The Reading List Father Larry Hostetter

13 Behind the Scenes

Go behind the scenes with the Chamber

33 Five Questions With Mark Marsh

BENEFIT FEATURE 16 Member Resources

MEMBERSHIP FEATURE 18 Membership Development Together We Are Stronger

EVENT FEATURE TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

24 Rooster Booster

TALENT PROGRAM FEATURE 28 Chamber Young Professionals The Future is Bright

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FROM THE CHAMBER

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE President & CEO

Welcome to the last GO Chamber of 2021. As we close out the last quarter of the year, we do so with a sense of gratitude. We are grateful to the businesses and organizations who continue to adapt and improvise each day to move not only their own shops forward, but the entire community. We are grateful for each one of them who invests in the work of the Chamber. They understand that investing in the Chamber’s work is investing in our community.

We are grateful to our program participants. The Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021 graduated in June and we are in the middle of the class year for the Class 2022. Each one of these individuals applied to become more involved in the community and to identify their pathways to be a part of the legacy of positive change that the 1,200 alumni of the program have created.

We are grateful to all of our sponsors of various events and programs who continue to believe in the importance of supporting networking opportunities.

W. CLAY H. FORD Board Chair

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We are grateful to our Ambassadors who show up ready to work at events such as Rooster Booster, Golf Classic and Annual Celebration and always come with smiles on their faces. They have made our Ribbon Cuttings this year some of the best attended in history.

We are grateful to our Chamber Young Professionals who are forever finding new ways to connect, are always up for helping newcomers feel welcomed and are consistently developing philanthropic opportunities to build our community.

We are grateful to members who attend events. Ask anyone around the state or country who has been to a Rooster Booster what their impression is. There is nothing like it. Why? Because of the crowd. And because of the crowd’s energy. At 7:30 a.m.

We are grateful to the Chamber Board for their leadership, for taking time away from their businesses and to always say yes when asked to step up.

We are grateful to the Chamber staff who work tirelessly for the membership, trying to find new ways to develop talent, to fill a community need, to connect our members with opportunities.

We all know we have something special here. And there are close to 1,000 reasons. Our membership is extraordinary. And to be able to serve such a special group, well that is why we are grateful.

- Clay and Candance

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Tell us about yourself.

I grew up in Island, Kentucky, surrounded by my amazing family.

MEET THE STAFF

KENZIE TOMES COMMUNICATIONS & EVENTS COORDINATOR

Literally, I could look across the field and see my grandparents sitting on their back porch and my younger cousins chasing each other around the yard next door. Growing up in such a close-knit family, I have always valued relationships and the connections I make with others.

When I first stepped on campus at Kentucky Wesleyan College, I felt a sense of community that reminded me of home. The faculty, staff, and students became an extension of my family. In my four years there, I studied Communications and English, graduating with bachelor’s degrees in both areas. I was given opportunities at Wesleyan, from summer jobs and internships to leadership roles in various clubs and organizations, that prepared me for the position I am in now.

What are you looking forward to most in your new role?

I would say what I look forward to most in this new role is learning.

In this office, each day brings an equal number of opportunities and challenges. Our Chamber team is made up of six women, myself included. The atmosphere in our office is always positive, creating a healthy working environment that has grown my capabilities and confidence.

What were you doing before joining the Chamber team?

I was finishing up my final semester at Kentucky Wesleyan College when I interviewed for this position. I was a college student stressing over final papers and where to start with my career, unaware I would have an incredible job awaiting me once I walked the graduation line.

What’s your favorite spot in Owensboro?

I love walking along the Downtown Riverfront! It is a beautiful and safe place to escape to when you need a little peace and quiet.

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ON THE RECORD

EXECUTIVE ANSWERS How do you make room for continuing to learn while leading?

TISH CORREA-OSBORNE

CEO, GIRLS INC. OF OWENSBORO-DAVIESS COUNTY

To me, learning happens all the time. Every interaction with a person, with a group, with a book, a TV show or an experience of any type, is an opportunity to learn. We just have to be open to it.

I truly enjoy learning from the people I lead, serve and work with in the community. Being involved in a variety of organizations insures that I get different perspectives to guide me in my personal growth and the individuals I connect with are pretty quick to recommend books, classes, etc. that they have

OLGA MCKISSIC

WESTERN ACADEMY AT THE NEBLETT, DIRECTOR

We all have 24 hours in a day, no more, no less. How we manage that time keeps us sane. My learning is done throughout the day. I am listening and asking questions for understanding, to learn what the next step should be to move forward in the plan. I believe everyone has a part in the process and we all can learn from each other in order to be better leaders. As leaders, we have to set time aside to relax and refresh, which could be a staycation at one of our local hotels on the river, a walk on the Greenbelt or watching a good movie and then back to work. It is also important to attend leadership conferences to share best practices with others who are facing the same challenges and successes.

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SCOTT WILLIAMS, PH.D.

PRESIDENT, OWENSBORO COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE

As with most things that are important, a leader must be deliberate in scheduling the necessary time to grow professionally. Quite often the demands of the job can take over and it is too easy to push lifelong learning to the back-burner.

I purposefully set time aside, usually at the end of the work week, by scheduling a few hours to read and study current research in my field. In addition, I make it one of my annual performance goals to attend at least one major conference or professional development forum each year. I have found that if I am not intentional in setting aside the time to learn more about my craft, I get caught up in the whirlwind of work and do not give it the attention it deserves. Making the time to focus on lifelong learning is as critical as setting time aside for one’s physical and mental health.

enjoyed. Serving in leadership continually opens doors to learning.

I love continuing education courses and would probably go to school full time if I could. I have audited classes and look for things that stimulate different parts of my brain. I do happen to be a big fan of Audible and podcasts and sometimes have to make myself turn it off to allow myself to think and plan. I am also intentional about reading books and attending lectures about topics that do not flow with my usual line of thinking. I switch to radio or tv channels that I might not agree with but they do give me better perspective on where others are coming from. I am all about biographies and historical based novels and movies. History fascinates me and provides guidance to keep us all from repeating mistakes, so books are always with me wherever I go to fully utilize every free moment to learn and grow.

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER Alpha Solutions Medical Billing & Consulting Blinds For Every Size Browns Valley Vineyard Cabinet Outlet, LLC. Captured Moments Photography of Kentucky Comfortech Heating & Cooling, LLC Community Ventures Counseling Connections, LLC Cross Check Quality Inspection, LLC DAM Good Business Advisors David P. Taylor Antiques Efficient Air Heating & Cooling Empty Bowls of Owensboro KY Inc. Fairway Independent Mortgage Corporation First Bankers Trust Company Future Forward Behavioral Health, LLC Gramps Coffee and Donuts J&M Contracting Jason Pagan Kaiser Aluminum Warrick

KeeFORCE KimiWeb Liquor Barn Maria Clark Photography, LLC Molly’s Mixins New Career Creations Office Pride of the Greater Owensboro Area Owensboro Bourbon Society Panda Express Professional Properties and Construction LLC Pure Barre Owensboro Raymond James Riney Farms TBF Mortgage Company Terri Knott, Picture This Travel The Blake Hayden Group, Mary Ann Steele, Realtor The Skin Therapist The Unique Nest, LLC Truth Outreach, LLC

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THE READING LIST

MYTHOS WRITTEN BY STEPHEN FRY

REVIEWED BY FR. LARRY HOSTETTER PRESIDENT, BRESCIA UNIVERSITY

I picked up Stephen Fry’s book Mythos by accident looking for something light and fun to read. On that basis Mythos, written in 2017, was not a disappointment.

Some of you will recognize Fry for his career as an actor, especially his comedic roles in Fry and Laurie and Black Adder along with many other dramatic roles in a long career. I didn’t know that Fry is also a writer, but he published his first novel in 1991.

Mythos is a funny retelling of Greek mythology for a modern audience. The Greek gods and mythical creatures are presented in a humorous, if not always authentic, way.

By that I mean that I often feel as if these ancient divine beings were actually characters in an episode of Upstairs, Downstairs, or Downton Abbey. While unconventional, I think this made the characters and their situations less abstract and more relatable. From childhood, I’ve been fascinated by mythology and couldn’t get enough of reading the ancient tales. If this book were just a classic retelling of those stories, I probably would not have bothered, but, because of Fry’s unique retelling, I discovered anew why these tales fascinated me.

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Fry does an especially good job of connecting the Greek myths with common words that we use today.

Sometimes we forget how dependent English is on the ancient Greek language. If you’ve ever looked at an atlas to find a map, you may know that the word comes from the Titan with the same name who was forced to hold up the heavens (sometimes depicted as a world) on his shoulders. The words chronology, chronograph, chronic are related to Chronos, the god of time. Others include hypnosis, morphine, echo and fury, all named after creatures and beings from Greek mythology. Fry sprinkles these explanations throughout his story telling, which has the effect of instantly connecting these ancient stories with the reader’s experience today.

For sensitive readers, Mythos might be a little disturbing. The Greek gods were violent and their morality wasn’t exactly puritanical, so be warned. But, for those who want to learn about Greek mythology or just refresh old learning, this book fits the bill. There is much we can learn from the ancient tales of other cultures, especially the fact that, in our humanity, we are more alike than not.

BEHIND THE SCENES T H E L E A D E R S H I P O W E N S B O R O C L A S S O F 2 0 2 2 K I C K E D O F F O N S E P T E M B E R 2 3 - 2 4 W I T H A L O C A L R E T R E AT C O M P L E T E W I T H E N G A G I N G A N D I N F O R M AT I V E S P E A K E R S A N D T E A M B U I L D I N G A C T I V I T I E S .

OUTDOOR ROOSTER BOOSTERS WOULDN’T BE COMPLETE WITHOUT THE CHAMBER LOGO!

VISIT OWENSBORO, THE CHAMBER AND CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONALS WERE ALL PROUD TO L E N D A H A N D AT T H I S Y E A R ’ S R O M P F E S T.

C O M M U N I T Y R O U N D TA B L E D I S C U S S I O N W I T H CONGRESSMAN BRETT GUTHRIE

B R I G H T A N D E A R LY O N T H E K E N T U C K Y L E G E N D P I E R P R E P A R I N G FOR OUTDOOR ROOSTER BOOSTER

C A N D A N C E J O I N E D K E N T U C K Y W E S L E YA N C O L L E G E P R E S I D E N T T H O M A S M I T Z E L O N T H E W E S L E YA N A I R - W A Y

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PROMOTIONAL FEATURE

OCTC: FOCUSING

ON WORKFORCE NEEDS NOW AND FOR THE FUTURE

DR. SCOTT WILLIAMS

F

For 35 years, Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) has been the primary provider of transfer and career technical education in our region. Recent examples of being responsive to workforce needs include additional cohorts of GO FAME due to employer demand, Fast Track Plumbing, and the recently established CDL program. We continue to focus on “Improving our community’s economic development and competitive advantage by providing high-quality, world-class learning experiences through career degree programs, workforce development, and transfer to baccalaureate degree programs.”

Two recent milestones speak to our efforts. First, OCTC has surpassed serving more than 80,000 individuals in our community since 2000, having reached more than half of the citizens in our four-county service area of Daviess, Hancock, McLean, and Ohio. Second, OCTC was named a 2021 Great College to Work For by The Chronicle of Higher Education. We were recognized as a top performer in 4 categories: Supervisor/Department Chair Effectiveness; Confidence in Senior Leadership; Faculty & Staff Well-being; and Diversity, Inclusion & Belonging. I am particularly proud of the last two as they were earned during a pandemic and a year of increased social equality awareness.

Both are a testament to the hard work and dedication of our faculty, staff, and students.

These milestones demonstrate our commitment to improving our region’s economic and competitive advantage by creating and maintaining a talent pipeline. We are working to ensure that all community members take advantage of educational opportunities and we must engage and attract individuals from diverse backgrounds. OCTC has implemented a new diversity plan that the Kentucky Council on Postsecondary Education (CPE) scored 31 out of 34 possible points, one of the highest in the state. This year, in partnership with Owensboro High School and the Owensboro Black Expo, OCTC has implemented an Academic Career Exploration (ACE) mentoring program for underrepresented minority (URM) high school students. The initial cohort of the ACE program has 20 students, and it will be expanded to Daviess County Public Schools next fall. We are conducting career exploration camps

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OCTC PRESIDENT

focusing on local family-sustaining wage careers in advanced manufacturing, computer information technology, and healthcare for URM youth. OCTC has restructured its diversity training and recruitment to attract more URM students and employees. Fall 2021 enrollment so far has shown an increase of over 100 more URM students compared to Fall 2020.

For a successful talent pipeline, graduates need to 1) be aware of available career paths, and 2) understand the professional behaviors—soft skills—critical to success in the workplace. To facilitate this, OCTC secured $2 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Education to create an Experiential Learning Center (ELC) that supports experiential/work-based learning, engages educators and employers in collaborating on experiential learning, and provides wraparound career exploration, development, and placement services. The ELC has increased the number of students engaged in career exploration and placements in internships/practicums. Through its new Handshake software, students will have additional opportunities for engagement with employers.

In addition, the ELC continues to use its “Am I Job Ready?” program with hundreds of students annually to ensure that OCTC graduates gain the essential professional behaviors/soft skills necessary to be successful in today’s workforce.

In its first two years the ELC has already helped to improve student outcomes.

The number of faculty offering experiential learning opportunities has increased 70%, students enrolled in an experiential learning course/program has increased to 33%, and our fall to fall retention percentage has increased 5%.

OCTC’s commitment to diversity and experiential learning are helping to enhance and sustain our region’s talent pipeline. Working together we are ensuring our community’s economic development and competitive advantage, creating better lives for everyone.

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FEATURES // BENEFITS

GO CHAMBER

MEMBER RESOURCES It is our goal at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce to provide exceptional value and service to our Members. One of the most tangible benefits Members cite are the extensive online resources available to them. Pull up the Chamber website and discover all of the resources that are just a click away!

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MEMBER CORNER This is a great promotional tool that Members can use to post their job opportunities, upcoming events, deals and discounts. Once it is posted to our Chamber website, anyone can view the information. It is a tool our Members can use to stay connected with their Chamber community. The information posted to Member Corner is also shared to our social media pages each week.

MEMBER DIRECTORY This provides a detailed listing of our Chamber Members in an easily accessible format. Categories in our Member Directory make it easy to navigate and the search bar allows you to look up keywords to quickly find what you are looking for.

P U B L I C AT I O N S As Chamber Members, you have access to all of our latest publications, online and in our Chamber office.

EVENTS CALENDAR Stay in-the-know by regularly checking our events calendar which has details on all of our upcoming Chamber events.

SOCIAL MEDIA Not only do we highlight the many things that are happening at the Chamber each day, but we also feature YOU, our valued Members!

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and LinkedIn.

MAILING LIST Although this is not online, Members have access to the Chamber’s evergrowing membership list. All you have to do is ask! Use our mailing list to reach your fellow Chamber Members.

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The Chamber has always been a “cheerleader” for what we are pouring out into the community. They’ve always been there asking “How can we help you with this?” When I tag them in our social media, I do so to let them know, “Hey, we have something good going on here!” In-turn, when it relates to or is an opportunity for their Members, they are quick to share and let others know about it.

I’ve also learned to utilize the resources they offer on their website to post and share about our upcoming events that may interest the public or Chamber community. They really have many opportunities to help us grow our business and audience if we just take the time to reach out and make use of them! That is what the chamber is here for—you and your business, to make the greater Owensboro region better for all!

SUZANNE CECIL WHITE DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, CECIL FARMS AND WHITE CHATEAU

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The Member Corner is another means offered by the Chamber to its Members to get not just your name, business, or nonprofit out there, but opportunities to offer your services. This allows Audubon Federal Credit Union to share its mission, which is to help people in our community improve their financial situation. So, it works in a variety of levels, not just with events, but with special offers. It is well worth your time.

CYNTHIA TONG MARKETING DIRECTOR, AUDUBON FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

These opportunities provide us an opportunity to show support for our local business partners with whom we share this beautiful and growing community. We are not only a college in Owensboro but a College for Owensboro. Showcasing our support for these events and initiatives is a tremendous opportunity to reinforce that, and also learn more about how we can further impact the workforce development, cultural and arts scene, and share the faith-based liberal arts education delivered here in Owensboro.

The additional exposure provided by Chamber membership to promote campus events such as guest lectures and speaker series, Homecoming, athletic competition, and more is an added bonus. We want our community friends and neighbors to be aware of these activities and events and to take part. The Chamber provides vehicles to spread that word and extend those invitations.

DR. THOMAS MITZEL PRESIDENT, KENTUCKY WESLEYAN COLLEGE

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FEATURES // COMMITTEE

TOGETHER WE ARE

STRONGER

SARAH MURPHY FORD VICE CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP DEVELOPMENT HARTZ CONTRACTING, LLC

JOHN MARSHALL MOORE VICE-CHAIR, MEMBERSHIP SERVICES DON MOORE AUTOMOTIVE LEGENDS TEAM SPORTS MARSHALL VENTURES

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BY

joining

the

Chamber,

you

Chair John Moore agree that the Chamber is

made a commitment to join a

an integral part of our community, and plays

group of businesses and organizations that

a vital role when it comes to state and federal

are actively investing in their community

funding.

and advocating for a better, more business-

“Owensboro/Daviess

friendly Owensboro. You are an integral part

campaign with a united message if we want

of engaged citizens who inspire a collective

to compete with Louisville, Lexington and

vision and deliver a united voice as your

Northern Kentucky for funding from state

Chamber advocates on your behalf at the local, state and national levels.

For this reason, the Chamber held a Membership Drive this fall, which was a coordinated effort with our Board, our Staff and local businesses to educate the community of the importance and value of membership in the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

“We obviously want as many Members to join as possible, but our main objective is to make everyone aware of the opportunities,” said Sarah Murphy Ford, Vice Chair, Membership Development. “The Chamber

County

must

and federal governments,” Moore said. “Our chamber provides a united voice to ensure our business community is well represented. infrastructure like roads and buildings. This also plays a role in making sure we are taxed fairly and a fair portion of our taxes stay in our community.”

Chamber Membership is a great way for a business to show their support for our community, while at the same time receiving the benefits of networking, education and helping market their business.

“Fortunately, with such a supportive

businesses and their leaders to network,

community, we are able to keep membership

market and educate their team. Rooster

dues very low because so many are willing to

Booster,

Leadership

and

give their part,” Ford said. “Businesses should

Chamber

Young

all

be proud to display their membership stickers

opportunities to learn, grow and improve our

as a sign they are helping to make Owensboro

community.”

a better place to not only do business, but a

Both Sarah and Membership Services Vice-

better place to live.”

Professionals

are

The Chamber serves a membership of nearly

1,000

This is very important when it comes to

provides many opportunities locally for

Owensboro,

MEMBERSHIP

BY THE NUMBERS

75

In 2021, we welcomed 75 New Members to the Chamber!

106 YEARS

Dahl & Groezinger is the Chamber's longest running member. The 5th generation scrap iron & metal recycling business joined the Chamber January 15, 1915!

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FEATURES // EVENTS

ROOSTER BOOSTER

BY ASHLEY WEDDING // PHOTO BY JASON TANNER

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W

hen a global pandemic changed all of our lives in 2020,

New Member Introduction - New Members who have joined the

our staff at the Chamber made it a priority to continue to

Chamber in recent months are introduced at Rooster Booster.

offer the things Members know and love, even if those things—

They provide a bio about their business or organization, which

including Rooster Booster—were a little different than normal.

is read at the Breakfast and also posted to Chamber social media

We opted to take Rooster Booster virtual, encouraging the

pages. Being introduced as a New Member at Rooster Booster is

community to attend from the comfort—and safety—of their

a fun way to familiarize yourself with your Chamber community

own homes. We held our very first Remote Rooster Booster Breakfast on May 6, 2020, leading off with Governor Andy Beshear and sponsor EM Ford. The transition was smooth, and Rooster Booster via Facebook Live and Zoom was a success.

Virtual Rooster Booster events lasted a full year. The beloved

and it is great exposure due to the high attendance each month.

Chamber Matters - This is a monthly publication produced by the Owensboro Messenger-Inquirer. It is featured in the newspaper and handed out at Rooster Booster Breakfasts. Chamber Matters features the month’s happenings and highlights from the previous

networking breakfast that has become a community tradition

month such as Ribbon Cuttings, new Members, and news of

event celebrated its 60th birthday virtually. But on July 1, 2021,

upcoming events with the Chamber.

we returned to meet in-person at the Owensboro Convention Center, where the event has been held since 2014.

Rooster Booster Bluegrass Band - Since returning to in-person

Rooster Boosters, we have had Chris Joslin and his crew from the

Since our return to in-person, the breakfast has also been

held outdoors behind the Convention Center on the Kentucky Legend Pier. Having Rooster Booster outside through the summer and fall months made for a beautiful view on the riverfront and

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum brighten our mornings with their musical talents. They have been dubbed the “Rooster Booster Bluegrass Band” and it stuck!

the weather always seemed to be on our side, thankfully!

Rooster Booster Traditions Mingle Minute & Secret Shaker - At the beginning of each Rooster Booster, the crowd is encouraged to mingle and network with others around them. This was put on pause as a health precaution during COVID-19. Chamber staff identify a member at each Rooster Booster to be a secret shaker. The third person to shake hands with them during the Mingle Minute will receive a special gift from that day’s event sponsor. We have had to exclude these from Rooster Booster due to the pandemic, and we are looking forward to the day when we are once again able to shake hands with one another!

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Why is Rooster Booster important to our community?

Rooster Booster gives the business community the opportunity to come together in a casual atmosphere, break bread, enjoy some fellowship and learn a little bit along the way. The program is put together in such a way that everyone finds value.

It may be the mingle minute, Chamber update, new Member update, learning about the sponsor, hearing the speaker(s), experiencing a “Chad” moment, celebrating something about the community or just sharing a laugh. For decades, Rooster Booster has provided the community a forum to come together to support each other, rally around an issue, showcase our community and sometimes just take a much needed pause.

What is your favorite Rooster Booster memory?

Digging deep into Rooster Booster archives…favorite memories of Rooster Booster are without a doubt the Good News Phone.

DOUG HOYT CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER, WENDELL FOSTER

What is your favorite part of Rooster Booster?

It is definitely the ability to see my friends and coworkers first thing in the morning as we catch up. Networking and seeing everyone is easily a highlight of the month and something I try not to miss.

What is your favorite Rooster Booster memory?

This is a hard one. We have had so many great memories but I cherish our announcement of our Oink for Owensboro Charity project and Aaron Kizer’s painting of the Pier. Both projects took a lot of time and dedication from all parties involved and it was great moment to finally announce them to our community.

BROOKLYN MAPLE BRAND MANAGER, KENTUCKY LEGEND® (A DIVISION OF SPECIALTY FOODS GROUP, LLC)

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FEATURES // TALENT PROGRAMS

C

hamber Young Professionals (CYP) provides a great

CH AMBER YOUNG PR OFESSIONALS BUILDS COM MUNIT Y AND FUTUR E LEADERS

THE FUTURE IS BRIGHT 28

GO CHAMBER . THIRD EDITION 2021

opportunity for professionals 40 years and younger to

network and educate themselves on important issues facing the Greater Owensboro area. Through community service projects, social events, corporate tours and professional development, CYP members develop strong ties in the Owensboro community.

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce encourages members to become more involved throughout the community and to serve as future leaders.

CYP Membership is $50 per year if you or your employer is a

Chamber member and $100 per year if you or your employer is a non-Chamber member. (Many employers will cover this fee.)

Contact cyp@owensboro.com to join now!

SARA WILLIAMS

MARIO VIZUET

CPA - SENIOR ACCOUNTANT, RINEY HANCOCK CYP CHAIR

WEALTH ADVISOR, OLD NATIONAL BANK CYP VICE CHAIR

Why did you join CYP?

Why did you join CYP?

I graduated from Kentucky Wesleyan College in 2015 and was starting my career at Riney Hancock CPAs. I did not grow up in Owensboro, so I was looking for a way to make new friends and get more involved in the community. Chamber Young Professionals was being revived by the Chamber and starting up again around that time, and it was a perfect fit for me!

Moving to a new city can be exciting but also a little intimidating. When I first moved to Owensboro, I didn’t know anyone. I went to work, the gym and home each day on repeat but knew I wanted more. Joining CYP helped spark conversations with like-minded young professionals that have grown to be some of my best friends.

Why is CYP important to Owensboro?

Why is CYP important to Owensboro?

CYP not only provides opportunities for its members to make connections, engage with the community, develop personally and professionally, and become stronger leaders, but CYP is beneficial for Owensboro as a whole. Having a place for young people, from all different occupations and backgrounds, to gather and talk about issues our area is facing, get out in the community and work on service projects together, socialize at local restaurants, and learn about our local businesses on corporate tours, is invaluable for Owensboro. CYP members develop strong ties in Greater Owensboro and will hopefully want to stay here and continue to make our community a better place.

What has been your favorite part of being a CYP member?

The friendships, for sure. Building relationships with people I may not have ever come into contact with if not for CYP has been so special. Owensboro has become home for me, and CYP has played a huge role in making it feel that way.

After 5 years of living in Owensboro, I can honestly say that CYP is one of the main reasons I’ve stayed. It’s where I met my closest friends, it’s brought many of my professional connections, but most important, it gave me a sense of belonging in our community. I hope I am able to do the same for new members that move to Owensboro.

What has been your favorite part of being a CYP member?

I love that CYP has a great variety of events. Lunch meetings are great for breaking up the work day and getting a motivational message. Philanthropy always reminds me how fortunate we are for the community that always shows up to help. Our social events are a great time to celebrate our successes and meet new members. It gives me the opportunity to meet leaders in the community and develop close relationships with other young professionals.

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JAKE BOSWELL MORNING NEWS ANCHOR, WEHT/WTVW CYP PHILANTHROPY CHAIR

Why did you join CYP?

When I moved back to Owensboro in 2017, I wanted to find a way to connect to the professional community. CYP was recommended by a friend. Right away, I realized the group was filled with young, motivated people who really are invested in the city. I’ve since met several new people who’ve helped me grow professionally, and are now good friends.

Why is CYP important to Owensboro?

The group is made up of a good mix of Owensboro natives and people who’ve moved here from different parts of the country, and world, for their career. That mix creates not only a group of talented people, but also a stream of innovative ideas. Business owners around the city all agree, attracting young talent is extremely important. CYP provides a welcoming community for people who are working hard to be leaders at their workplace and the city in due time.

What has been your favorite part of being a CYP member?

Learning so much about our community. CYP offers a large amount of social events and volunteer opportunities. Each time we meet at a business, help students at a local school, or donate our time to a non-profit, I learn a great deal about people. The members of CYP never seem to stop thinking of what’s next. The next way to help a group in need. The next way to attract more talent to the area. The next way to help each other. It’s exciting to be a part of.

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Five Questions W IT H

MARK MARSH President & CEO Owensboro Health INTERVIEWED BY ASHLEY WEDDING PHOTO BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

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ONE

WHAT DREW YOU TO OWENSBORO? The opportunity to move back to Kentucky was a chance my family and I could not pass up. I attended college at WKU and worked in Bowling Green for several years, so I was frequently in Owensboro for swim meets, football games and Southern Little League. It is the perfect place to raise a family and be involved in the community. To be part of a growing health system like Owensboro Health makes it the opportunity of a lifetime.

TWO

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR OWENSBORO HEALTH TO BE A GOOD COMMUNITY PARTNER? Teamwork is always the key to success. Our mission is to heal the sick and to improve the health of the communities we serve, but we can’t accomplish this alone. There is excellent work being done by agencies and organizations across our region, and if we can support that work in any way, everyone wins—especially the people we serve.

THREE

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED IN YOUR FIRST FEW MONTHS IN YOUR NEW ROLE? There is truly amazing work happening everywhere, from the frontline of the pandemic to behind-the-scenes jobs that support patient care. I have great respect for our team members who are working together to deliver high-quality patient care every day. I have also learned how important Owensboro Health is to the community. The pandemic has shown the importance of having a strong health system right here in Owensboro.

FOUR

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO YOU TO BE ACTIVE IN THE COMMUNITY? Community involvement has always been a top priority for me.

I hope to demonstrate Owensboro Health’s commitment to service by being actively involved and by building relationships in our local communities. I believe if we engage our leaders and 5,200 team members, we can have a tremendous impact on this region.

FIVE

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS OWENSBORO’S BIGGEST CHALLENGE OR POTENTIAL FOR GROWTH GOING INTO 2022?

I prefer the term “opportunity” because there is so much potential all around us. While I am still in the process of assessing our opportunities, I can share some early observations. First, engaging our 5,200 team members is a top priority. Without them, we cannot deliver the high-quality care patients have come to expect. Second, there are many strong, robust service lines that people may not realize are available. For instance, the community may be surprised to learn the depth of our heart services or the technology at our cancer center. We want to be sure people know about these services they can get close to home. Third, we have an amazing story to tell at Owensboro Health, and I hope to give the community more insight into the work that is happening here. I am truly honored to be part of that story. There is much more to come, and I am excited to get started. The future is very bright at Owensboro Health.

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200 E 3rd St, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-1860 chamber.owensboro.com

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