GO Chamber - Special Edition 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

FROM THE CHAMBER

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE President & CEO

JACK WELLS 2020 Board Chair

Welcome to a special edition of GO

obstacles for small businesses.

Chamber. This second edition for 2020 was

scheduled to be out at our May Rooster Booster,

been challenged to adapt, to innovate and to

but as we all know, we had a bit of an interruption

solve problems that just a few short months ago

in business as usual. We backed up for a moment

were inconceivable. It has been remarkable to

and decided that this edition would be released

serve these pioneers. It has given us even more

during our reopening phase.

of a sense of purpose too, knowing that we as a

Chamber are so fortunate to have such a resilient

We are still reeling — all of us are— over

Every business, without exception, has

what has taken place here since March. But we

group of people to serve.

are also all hard at work to continue to move

What can we do now?

forward.

We can come together to support our small

Everyone here has done their part. Our

businesses. We can continue to treat ourselves to

local governments stepped up in many ways

carry-out knowing we are helping businesses

including extending tax deadlines, and the

who are providing new ways to feed us. We

City’s grant program for small businesses as

can have a date night and enjoy sitting outside,

well as rent relief for citizens. The County took

people watching for the first time in a while.

it upon itself to assist businesses and non-profits

in obtaining PPE; GRADD continues to offer

Owensboro powered by Independence Bank.

low interest loans. United Way and the Green

River Community Foundation joined forces

sacrifices of social distancing and wearing masks

and created the COVID-19 Response Fund

will help prevent a surge here and keep things

for non-profits, and the community had an

up and running. This small inconvenience is

overwhelming response.

nothing compared to the sacrifices so many

others have made to keep us safe.

And let’s just take a moment to consider

We can participate in July’s Shop We can continue to remember that the

the health care in Greater Owensboro. We often

hear how Owensboro Health is ranked in the top

is all around us. Our Chamber rolled out GO

of the nation in quality of care. And, at times, that

Together — Greater Owensboro Together —

is something we all take for granted, but we saw

and aired it in the middle of the shutdown. The

it play out in real time over the past few months.

segment highlights acts of kindness all over our

The quality of care, the dedication of staff, the

community. And believe us, there are too many

innovations that were made at tremendous

to name. Check it out on Facebook or Instagram

speed to address the pandemic - we were most

at @gochamber. And please tag us in posts of

certainly ahead of the crisis, and it showed. This

businesses, organizations and people going

is something to remember and to celebrate in

above and beyond to serve.

the future. Each person who lives in our region

has a vested interest in that quality of care.

love for our community. It has been a distinct

honor to be able to serve the Chamber during

Our lenders, accountants and financial

advisors worked double time to interpret and

We can also look for the good. Because it

Thank you for your hard work and for your

this time. We are here alongside you.

access relief programs, protect their clients and create solutions to seemingly insurmountable

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

—Jack and Candance

PUBLISHER Jason Tanner jason@tannerwest.com

SPECIAL EDITION 2020

CONTENTS

MANAGING EDITOR Benjamin Hoak ben@tannerpublishing.com

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

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COPY EDITOR Ashley Gleason

GRAPHIC DESIGN Andrea Roberson Monica Smith

PHOTOGRAPHER Jamie Alexander

PRINTING

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Greenwell Chisholm Owensboro, Kentucky

CONTACT INFORMATION: Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce 200 E. 3rd St., Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-1860 chamber.owensboro.com

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

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8 13 18 20 22

THE CHAMBER REPORT

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CRISIS BRINGS EMERGENCY SERVICES TOGETHER

TOGETHER BUT SEPARATE RESTAURANTS AND RETAIL ADAPT TO CHANGE STEPPING UP SCHOOL SYSTEMS MAKE USE OF NONTRADITIONAL INSTRUCTION DURING PANDEMIC

ON THE FRONT LINES PROFILES OF COMMUNITY HEROES Special Advertising Section

GO FORWARD TO GUIDE ECONOMIC RECOVERY 10 QUESTIONS

Clayton Horton, MPH

THE FINAL ANALYSIS Jaclyn Graves

DID ?

YOU

KNOW For the first time ever, most community foundations have put their resources together to donate to non-profits in need. What is the fund they are donating to?

FIND OUT ON PAGE 41 7

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

THE CHAMBER REPORT

EXECUTIVE ANSWERS

ON THE RECORD

With the COVID-19 crisis affecting every aspect of life, GO Chamber asked local business executives two questions:

What have you done to manage and lead your team virtually?

What does it mean to you to put the health of your team and customers over profits?

ADAM HANCOCK

MANAGING SHAREHOLDER/PRESIDENT, RINEY HANCOCK CPAS

QUESTION 1: Moving to a virtual workforce had its challenges, especially during the middle of tax season, however, we are dealing with uncertain times and we had to do what

is in the best interest of our team members, their families, and our clients. Communication is very important in this environment. Before everyone moved to their new “home office,” all internal communication was set up on Microsoft Teams. By using this application, we could communicate and send information to all of our team members in real time as opposed to whenever someone checked their emails. We intend to make this permanent because it has been widely successful for communication and we have received very positive feedback.

It is also important to maintain a consistent level of customer service. Although we knew that we had the technology in place that would enable our employees to efficiently and effectively provide client service remotely, honestly, we had never really tested how it would perform when basically everyone was working remotely. There were initial hiccups, but after about 11 a.m. on the first day, those were resolved and we were off to the races. Additionally, there were so many small problems along the way with how we move projects from A to Z, but each issue was met with a solution and new processes were initiated.

If I could offer one tip it is this: challenge everyone to continue exceeding expectations during this time in whatever they are doing. We as a firm were so fortunate and thankful to be able to operate in some capacity during this time, however, with the recent CARES Act we quickly realized why we were. Tax season was here, the world was beginning to feel the burden of COVID-19, and overnight businesses and individuals received welcome relief with the passage of the CARES Act. We were bombarded by questions from our clients, financial institutions, and non-clients alike. Wow, did our team step up and embrace it. This was one positive I took from this, if you ask someone to exceed expectations, they generally strive to do so and will! I cannot thank the team here at Riney Hancock CPAs more for how well we have performed during this time.

QUESTION 2: It means everything to our team because we are family. It would be hard for anyone to be thinking about profits right

now and for me as a boss, I am just trying to make it to the other side, whenever and wherever that may be, as a stronger team. I was blessed with the ability to be positive in most circumstances and I am sure the staff makes fun of me, but I have tried to be positive in all of my messages. Doing small things like making everyone stop work on a sunny day at 3 p.m. and telling them to go outside, providing lunch for those in the office weekly, and continuing to communicate about the state of the firm hopefully help them. I have communicated that we all need to practice generosity, caring and patience and encourage others to do so as well. It makes the hair stand up on my arm remembering events of the past in American history because there is one thing that I know for certain, that when America comes back, it comes back with absolute and unwavering fierceness, tenacity, and a powerful desire to put America first. We will get through this, stronger.

CARL GREENWELL

OWNER, GREENWELL-CHISHOLM PRINTING COMPANY

Managing a team virtually definitely had its challenges, especially when you’re a manufacturer and need your production employees at the plant. We made sure to set up all front office employees with the ability to work remotely, if possible. We had a skeleton crew in place at the shop, while others who could worked remotely. We utilized Zoom and conference calls for daily management meetings and FaceTime for client meetings. I think the key to managing a team virtually is to maintain open lines of communication at all times. We had to be flexible and adapt to this changing environment.

QUESTION #1:

QUESTION #2: The health and safety of my employees and customers are of utmost importance. I would also include our suppliers

in this category as well. Keeping our supply chain intact is critical to the timeliness of delivery of final product to our customers.

Profits, although important, have to take a back seat during times like this. It does me no good to cut corners on keeping our facility clean at the expense of having us shutdown because of contamination. One of our retired employees even volunteered to make masks for our employees to protect them. We have been practicing social distancing since mid-March, our employees are required to clean their work area with a bleach and water solution two to three times a day, and we have a cleaner coming in nightly to disinfect offices and all common areas and surfaces. We are closed to walk-ins and instead of customers coming in the office to pick up their order, we bring it out to their vehicle. Also, we are not allowing truck drivers to enter our facility, rather we are going outside to unload materials and bring them inside.

Our employees are like family to us, and we are doing everything we can to protect them while continuing to keep the business going.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

NEW MEMBERS

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER A Better Weigh MD Altstadt’s Alzheimer’s Association Bell, Orr, Ayers & Moore PSC

COVID-19 RESOURCES

Borrowed Hearts Owensboro Briarpatch Restaurant Carts Gone Wild, Inc. CherriCare Medical Equipment & Supply Community Dental Clinic Cooking 101

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked hard to provide resources for member organizations during the COVID-19 crisis. Links to this information can be found on the Chamber’s website at chamber.owensboro.com/covid19.

THIS INFORMATION INCLUDES GUIDELINES IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:

Daviess Treatment Services Days Inn Franey Trucking LLC Fuller Physical Therapy Keller Williams Elite Realty, Rachelle Johnson Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance Mandie Stone Lucas Oil Center Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana McBrayer PLLC Musick Studios Our Technology Group, LLC Owensboro Atlas Center Owensboro Family Wellness Owensboro Thoroughbreds

Reopening Resources PPE Resources Relief Programs Unemployment Resources General Resources The Chamber also hosted several webinars focused on the crisis that can be found on their website.

BUSINESS TOPICS: Healthy at Work Guidelines and Your Workplace Return to Work Guidelins for Employers The GRADD COVID-19 Business Relief Working Capital Loan Program SBA Webinar Primary Election Updates Unemployment Information for Employees

Spero Health

EMOTIONAL WELLNESS TOPICS:

The Blake Hayden Group

Finding Balance in a Global Pandemic Emphasizing the ME in Mental Health Emotion Coaching for Kids Families First Coronavirus Response Act

The Ryan Rutman Real Estate Group Thryv Willow and Pine Market, LLC Women’s Guild of Owensboro

HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE FOR MUCH M O R E I N F O R M AT I O N O N T H E S E T O P I C S !

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

THE CHAMBER REPORT

M AY R O O S T E R B O O S T E R SPONSORED BY

CH A M B E R B EH I N D T H E S C E N E S :

GOING VIRTUAL

SPEAKER

Governor Andy Beshear Commonwealth of Kentucky

T O TA L REACH

44,130

N E W M E M B E R B R E A K FA S T

JUNE RO OSTER BO OSTER SPONSORED BY

SPEAKER

Tyson Helton WKU Head Football Coach

MEETINGS Chamber Board CYP Executive Committee GO Forward

J U LY R O O S T E R B O O S T E R SPONSORED BY

L E A D E R S H I P OW E N S B O RO Economy & Innovation Session

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

SPEAKER

Dan Issel Basketball Legend

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE HEMINGWAY NAMED TO LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY BOARD Sara Hemingway, Executive Director of the Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation, has been named to the Leadership Kentucky board. She is a 2017 graduate of the program, which brings together a selected group of people that possess a broad variety of leadership abilities, career accomplishments, and volunteer activities to gain insight into complex issues facing the state.

EM FORD CELEBRATES ANNIVERSARY In 2020, EM Ford is celebrating 95 years in business. The fourth generation family-owned business has offices in Owensboro, Henderson and Louisville, KY PROJECT VOLUNTEER GOES NATIONAL Volunteer Owensboro’s TV series has gone national! Project Volunteer is a TV series that spotlights non-profit organizations and their volunteering needs as hosts Randy Lanham and Theresa Rowe walk in the shoes of a volunteer for a day. The series features many different organizations showing what it would be like to be a volunteer and hear some great testimonies from real volunteers and the recipients of their care.

The show is now broadcasting on four different networks including: KET KY (covers all of Kentucky) NRB TV (reaches into 45 million households nation wide) Faith Unveiled Network (125 countries) WKYU TV (250,000 households around Bowling Green, KY)

WATSON NAMED CIO OF ATA Alexander Thompson Arnold CPAs created a chief information officer position and deemed award-winning executive, Alan Watson, as CIO. In today’s rapidly changing digital world, this leadership position was implemented to further guide ATA into the technology realm to achieve the goals of their firm and clients.

ATA has 14 office locations in Tennessee, Kentucky and Mississippi. Recognized as an IPA Top 200 regional accounting firm, it provides a wide array of accounting, auditing, tax and consulting services for clients ranging from small family-owned businesses to publicly traded companies and international corporations. The firm was recognized by Forbes in 2020 as a top recommended tax firm in the country.

PANNELL AWARDED GOLD STATUS Karen Pannell of Home Realty, Inc in Owensboro, KY was granted Quality Service Certified® Gold status in recognition of exceptional service satisfaction measured and compiled for 2019 by Leading Research Corporation (LRC).

FRANCIS NAMED A LEADER TO LEARN FROM DCPS assistant superintendent for teaching and learning Jana Beth Francis has been selected as a 2020 “Leader to Learn From” by Education Week. Francis was selected from a pool of hundreds of nominees submitted by readers, staff reporters and other education writers, state school administrator groups and experts in the field of K-12 education. “It’s a great honor to be recognized as a Leader to Learn From,” Francis said. “My love of learning is why I’m an educator and I think we never stop teaching others.” Her contributions to the Daviess County Public Schools district are profiled on the EdWeek website and will be featured in the print edition of Education Week.

HAMILTON JOINS FOUNDATION FOR DCPS BOARD The Foundation for DCPS Board of Directors recently welcomed Casey Hamilton to the board. Casey joins board members Jeff Hagan, Matthew Johnson, Michael King, Rachel Mann, James Morgan, Dr. Mahesh Moolani, Matt Robbins, Jen Vogel and Clay Wilkey in working toward achieving the Foundation’s mission of alleviating barriers to education for Daviess County Public School students.

FORD AND MARTIN CHOSEN FOR LEADERSHIP KENTUCKY Congratulations to Neel Ford of E.M. Ford Insurance and Mark Martin of Atmos Energy, who have been selected to the Leadership Kentucky Class of 2020!

THE BIG PICTURE

OWENSBORO REGIONAL FARMERS MARKET ADAPTS TO NEW REALITY The Farmers Market is encouraging all vendors and guests to wear masks as well as follow social distancing guidelines. This year’s set up provides ample space between vendors for everyone’s safety. The Farmers Market is asking that customers use the designated entrance only and exit only points to help with crowd flow.

Those are the main changes — all vendors will still accept most forms of payment and the market is also a location for customers to use benefits like WIC, SNAP, Senior Nutrition and more. The full schedule is open and operating now so there a multiple days and times to visit the market. Check out www.owensbororegionalfarmersmarket.org

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

THE CHAMBER REPORT

THE

READING

LIST

THE DAILY STOIC: 366 MEDITATIONS ON WISDOM, PERSEVERANCE, AND THE ART OF LIVING

my desk. Inside it was an inscription from my predecessor, Dr. Nick Brake.

He paid it forward in suggesting that I read each day. His hope for me was one of optimism and realism, knowing there would be difficult days. But the daily and consistency in message hammers home

AUTHOR: RYAN HOLIDAY

the “live well” philosophy.

I have since developed a ritual when I arrive at the office every morning. I take

Overview: From classic philosophers like Epictus and Marcus Aurelius to respected statesmen like George Washington, the Daily Stoic provides a daily nugget of wisdom that seems to be entirely appropriate for the life and times we are now facing in 2020. The book takes each day of the year and offers a devotional that

REVIEWED BY:

includes a powerful quotation as well as

Matthew Constant, Ed.D.

reflection/call to action.

Interim Superintendent Owensboro Public Schools

The Takeaway:

five minutes to read each day’s message.

And, I’ve found it completely relevant and pertinent during the COVID-19 days. For instance, the last day students were in our schools was March 13, 2020.

Part of the message for that morning read: “We need to remember that all things are guided by reason - but that it is a vast and universal reason that we cannot always see. That the surprise hurricane was the result of a butterfly flapping its wings a hemisphere away or that misfortune we have experienced

As I assumed the superintendency on

is simply the prelude to a pleasant and

January 1st, 2020, I found this book on

enviable future.”

H A N D - P I C K E D What did you miss most during the COVID-19 crisis?

“As always, my faith, family, and friends.

More specifically, during this time and moving forward, my clients. Every day, as business professionals, we become inundated in our operations and completing tasks. The COVID-19 pandemic caused such an emergent strain on many of my clients. Once the Small Business Administration announced the Payroll Protection Program, I knew immediately what had to be done to assist the businesses in need. Graciously, I want to thank all my clients for their continued trust.”

- Bradley Osborne

EVANSVILLE TEACHERS FEDERAL CREDIT UNION

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

“There are many things I won’t take for granted when this is over. Above all, I will not take for granted the embrace, hug or time spent in close proximity of those I love the most.”

- Lindsey Lanham, LPCC-S COMPASS COUNSELING OF OWENSBORO

“Hugs.”

-Aaron Nacey AXIOM ARCHITECTURE

“The importance of being able to communicate face to face. So much of what we do in our investigations involves interacting with people. Once COVID-19 forced places to close and limited people’s ability to move around openly, it had an effect on law enforcement investigations as well. Detectives had to decide who we would talk to in person and who we would talk to over the phone so that we could assist in stopping the spread. By speaking on the phone you lose a lot of the indicators that we rely on to see if someone is telling the truth or if they are nervous or if they are afraid to reveal something. You also aren’t able to apply pressure or compassion in order to assist people in being forthcoming.

Ordinarily we would try to speak to everyone involved in a case—victim, witnesses, suspects— in person so we can pick up on all of those things and more. Like everyone else, we have done the best we can under the circumstances. But we are looking forward to resuming life as normal as soon as it is safe to do so.”

- Brad Youngman

DAVIESS COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE

“Two things — going to church, and banker’s hours.”

-Chip Pride

INDEPENDENCE BANK

“HUGS! I miss being able to walk up to friends, family and those that just need a hug and giving them one without thinking twice about it. I would encourage everyone to remember the things that once seemed ordinary, are now the best things to appreciate in life and that our future can be filled with gratitude!”

-Charlene Salpietra EXPRESS EMPLOYMENT PROFESSIONALS

Together but

SEPARATE

CHURCHES RESPOND TO CORONAVIRUS CRISIS

BY DANNY MAY

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Reverend Chris Michael, Pastor of First Christian Church • Photo by Jamie Alexander

W

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Reverend Christine Coy Fohr, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church • Photo by Monica Smith

ith “Healthy at Home” orders in place and no

for those who do have internet. But since broadcasting

mass gatherings allowed, churches in Greater

their worship service was the only way for people to

Owensboro scrambled to figure out ways to

participate during COVID-19, Pastor Michael says they

connect with members by live-streaming or broadcasting

unexpectedly discovered that people were listening or

services online.

watching from around the country.

“Like a lot of other business leaders out there,

So he now sees being pushed out of his comfort zone

adapting to this [pandemic] was sort of like drinking

as an unintended blessing of this crisis because it forced

from a firehose,” said Reverend Chris Michael, pastor

more ways of connecting with people. For example,

of First Christian Church. “As a 54-year-old, trying to

several people called elderly church members to check

figure out all this tech was fun, let me tell ya!”

on them. And Pastor Michael sent a newsletter through

Fortunately, First Christian was already recording

the mail, made Facebook posts and recorded Facebook

their services through a phone app so people could

Live videos. “Contact is crucial, so some of those things

listen via telephone and another app on their website

we’ll have to continue once this is all over,” he said.

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Serving Those Who Serve the Community YMCA director John Alexander has only been in Owensboro almost a year, so the pandemic gave him a quick sense of how this community comes together. “From my outside view, I’ve been very encouraged to see how the people of Owensboro have responded to this crisis. So many congregations have stepped up.

And it seems like so many people have found their own way to help and give what they can - making masks, donating supplies, giving resources of time and money. I’ve heard so many reports of people checking on friends and neighbors. And people took the stay at home orders seriously. So it’s encouraging to live in such a great community.”

Serving the community is part of the mission of the YMCA. When Governor Beshear ordered all non-essential businesses to close, the YMCA board and leadership started finding the needs in the community they could serve. “When the childcare centers were shut down, we knew it would create a need,” Alexander said. “The YMCA is not a childcare center directly, but when you consider after-school care, summer camp, and holiday camp when school is closed, the YMCA is the largest child care organization in the United States.

“So the Kentucky YMCAs reached out to the Governor’s St. Stephen Cathedral Business Manager, Eddy McFarland • Photo by Jamie Alexander

office to say ‘how can we help fill a need?’ while staying in the parameters of groups less than ten and appropriate social

“This is a scary time and there is a lot of anxiety,” said

Reverend Christine Coy Fohr, Pastor of First Presbyterian Church. “Church is something people can hold on to. It’s attractive to people because of the message of hope. It feels comforting.”

Like most churches in Greater Owensboro, Fohr admits

distancing,” Alexander explained. “We did some survey work here in Owensboro and found a need for child care for first responders, health care workers, and other essential employees.”

As a result, the YMCA opened for the exclusive purpose of providing childcare for essential workers, with a few modifications. Staff disinfected and cleaned the facility thoroughly. Children were checked for temperature and any

First Presbyterian was “figuring it out as we went” the

breathing troubles. And parents dropped kids off curbside for

first couple services via Facebook Live. While one laptop

registration so as few people were in the building as possible.

was recording Fohr in the sanctuary, she kept an eye on

Staff also maintained a 2:8 ratio of adults to kids so each small

comments on her phone app, which allowed members to express prayer requests via comments in real time during services.

(continued on next page)

group remained at 10.

The YMCA also made other adjustments such as virtual workouts for people to watch at home, calling to check on members, and offering assistance to the Salvation Army and Owensboro Senior Center.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Christine says the Holy Week services at First

Presbyterian were better attended online than they were the few previous years in person. That was true during the Facebook Live feed, and that’s not counting views from replays and shares.

So in one sense, the congregation felt more connected

than ever. Members were “gathering” online each day for prayer and a daily check-in on the church’s Facebook page. Committees were holding meetings through Zoom. And another group was gathering virtually for fellowship. “They normally go out to eat together. So they got carry-out at Colby’s and then met together over Zoom as they ate at home.”

St. Stephen Cathedral stayed connected by checking

in on members over 60, many of whom live alone. “A lot of people said they appreciated us checking in on them,” said business manager, Eddy McFarland.

The parish youth minister and children’s ministers

delivered Easter treats and prayer cards to kids stuck at home and held youth meetings through Zoom. Pastors made phone calls in lieu of visitations. McFarland also took advantage of the empty church by scheduling maintenance and needed repairs. “This was a good time to put scaffolding up. If you would have told me we’d be doing window repairs in church on Holy Thursday I would have said ‘no way.’ But with all this, it was a great time to do it.”

The parish’s St. Vincent DePaul Society is more

active than ever. Before this crisis, St. Vincent DePaul volunteers met with people a few hours a week. With the

It was a blessing in disguise that St. Stephen just

parish offices are closed, there was a sign on the door

installed a four-camera system for live streaming services.

to call a number for assistance. “We had bags filled and

“Then, this hit. So even though the church was empty for

ready to go,” McFarland said. “We just set them outside

Holy Week, except for the Bishop, the presiding priests,

and they could pick them up.”

a reader and a musician; if you count the viewers online

it was like we had a full house,” McFarland said.

moving forward is for small business owners and

Like First Christian and First Presbyterian, St.

Stephen saw a great benefit in offering services online.

“We noticed several people watching online who had been disconnected for a while. Maybe people felt more inspired this Holy Week, but we hope they’ll be more

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At First Christian, Pastor Michael says his concern

restaurants. “We’re re-evaluating how we can help our community the best,” he said. The church could double down on their food giveaways. But just like the urgency of figuring out how to stream services on social media,

invested in church when all this is over. Maybe that’s

those decisions will be made in the moment. “We don’t

another way the Lord was working through this,”

have time for a committee to decide in a month. If the

McFarland said.

need hits immediately, we’ll need to take it day by day.”

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Restaurants and Retail

ADAPT TO CHANGE

By Meghann Richardson- Photos by Jamie Alexander

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

T

he Owensboro community has shown its resiliency and

called Bill’s Pick Six.

empathy toward its neighbors time and time again. During

“We offered six bottles of either red, white or a mix of red and

the aftermath of tornadoes, floods and, most recently, during a

white chosen beforehand, which were available at the drive-thru

pandemic, local residents have lent a helping hand wherever

at a reduced price,” he said.

there is a need.

During the pandemic to practice social distancing, they were

When the owner of Real Hacienda, Armando Ortiz, posted

only allowing 10 customers in the store at one time.

a video to social media one afternoon during the COVID-19 crisis offering free meals to those in need, he never could have imagined the response he would get.

Days later he was giving away thousands of meals to those in the community, no questions asked. He said he didn’t do it for any reason other than he felt it was the right thing to do.

“I believe it was our civic duty to do something for the community,” he said.

Ortiz served about 4,000 meals total, including more than 1,600 in one day. But after about a week of serving, he decided to make another change.

He said it was a tough decision to stop, but Ortiz quickly came up with other ways to give back.

One of those was to buy more than 200 spray bottles and fill them with a disinfectant solution. In a video posted to Facebook, he told the community the spray bottles would be available for pickup with food orders.

Bill Armendarez, Wine Manager at J’s Liquor and Cheese Shop, said he has three main responsibilities at his job — wine buyer, event planning, and organizing and displaying the wines throughout the store.

Once the coronavirus hit Owensboro, two of Armendarez’s

Armendarez said, for the most part, customers were very supportive of their efforts.

“We stressed to our staff to keep in mind that many of our customers were under great stress, so we worked to maintain our professional and friendly demeanor at all times,” he said.

“Personally, I saw the people of Owensboro coming together during this tough time,” he said. “We have a great town filled with great people and whether I was at work, watching one of our employees walk a customer’s purchases out to them or as I look around my neighborhood and saw all the families coming together to help one another, I couldn’t help but feel Owensboro is going to come out of this better and stronger than ever.”

Another example of Owensboroans helping others came from Jared McDonald and Matthew Hudson, who created two different online platforms to help those in need while they were out of work.

A Facebook group, Owensboro Service Industry Appreciation was created by Hudson and a GoFundMe, Owensboro Service Industry Support Fund, garnered hundreds of members and raised more than $1,200 in 24 hours time.

Hudson’s Facebook group provided information from a

most important duties changed dramatically.

variety of resources including unemployment information, ideas

“Obviously, we were no longer having events and as for

for stocking a pantry, foods that boost your immune system and

displays, they lose much of their utility when the store has as little

the best items to buy at the grocery.

foot traffic as we experienced,” he said.

While these are just a few examples of the kindness shown

But since overall sales were up, his focus changed to improving

since the start of the pandemic, there were many more stories just

the drive-thru service, including a new service for wine customers

like these across Owensboro.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

STEPPING UP

By Ashley Wedding Photos by Jamie Alexander

HELPING OTHERS DURING A WORLDWIDE HEALTH PANDEMIC

O

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wensboro has always been a community to help its

needs of Owensboro’s less fortunate. The shelves had been cleared of

neighbors. Nonprofits, churches and businesses have

all sanitizer and only two bottles of organic, and therefore expensive,

always stepped up when a need is presented.

sanitizer remained.

But that Good Samaritan mentality was perhaps most evident

“I just remember thinking, how will other people without the

as the community reeled from the COVID-19 crisis. Local social

ability to get to the store or afford these items stay safe?” Hunt said

media groups aimed at helping those in need quickly formed.

The 23-year-old Owensboro High School graduate took to

Armies of neighbors with the ability to sew stepped up to make

Facebook, asking if anyone had a surplus of supplies to please

masks for healthcare workers. Restaurants gave away meals to the

donate them and he would ensure that they were delivered to those

hungry without asking any questions.

in need. Owensboro answered the call.

Here’s a look at two Owensboro men who stepped up in a big

The post “blew up,” according to Hunt, who turned the

way by organizing large-scale efforts to give back during this health

momentum into Share to Save Owensboro.

crisis.

Hunt said the concept was simple.

Joseph Hunt said when he was walking through a local grocery

“In order to help our most vulnerable residents, it takes more

store at the onset of the pandemic, he came to quickly realize the

than one person,” he said. “It takes people sharing to save lives.”

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Share to Save Owensboro brought in over $850 in monetary

equipment (PPE) for Owensboro Health and other local healthcare

donations through Venmo by early April and enough supply donations

facilities.

to assemble nearly 120 care packages of soap, laundry detergent and

“Healthcare workers are on the frontline,” Taylor said. “If we can

sanitizing spray.

provide better ways to protect themselves, why not help them get

But Hunt didn’t stop there. When a former teacher from OHS

ahead of the game if this gets more severe?”

contacted him about serving meals through the Salvation Army, he

Taylor partnered with the Quilter’s Guild of Owensboro, who was

quickly jumped on board. He used some of his donations to help

instrumental in supplying material, which is pre-washed and pressed

serve 300 meals. And when Easter came, he chose 15 families he knew

so that the masks do not shrink after production. Once Taylor cuts the

needed help for the holiday and filled 50 eggs each with scripture

material, it is picked up by Guild members and assembled into kits

verses, candy and positive messages.

with thread and elastic and made available for pickup at the Daviess

“I will do anything that gets the word of God out there,” he said.

County Extension Office or dropped off at the sewer’s door.

Hunt was a one-man operation and took all necessary steps to stay

“We have cut over 4,000 masks for the hospital and nursing homes,”

healthy and prevent the spread of the virus. But with enough need still

Taylor said. “And we are still trying to keep up with demand. We won’t

present in Owensboro, he welcomes anyone who wants to help. Hunt

stop until this is over.”

said to make a donation or to help him with volunteering, people can

But masks were not the only PPE Taylor made. By mid-April, he

text or call 270-220-7180.

had also made nearly 700 acrylic mask clips, which prevent irritation

Glenn Taylor, Jr., of Glenn Family Services, also stepped up to help

from the mask’s elastic bands. He also created 13 ventilation boxes for

the community, particularly Owensboro’s healthcare workers. When

Owensboro Health. These boxes are used when patients are intubated

Taylor realized that the laser engraving machine used at his family’s

and extubated, allowing healthcare workers to safely perform these

funeral home could be used to cut fabric, he immediately began

procedures without the spread of Covid-19.

educating himself on the process and got to work.

The machine, which was typically used to make memorial keepsake

refreshing to see a community come together to help others. Made me

gifts, was used 55 hours per week to make personal protective

proud of my hometown.”

“We were just a small part of the operation,” Taylor said. “It was

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SCHOOL SYSTEMS

MAKE USE OF

NON-TRADITIONAL

INSTRUCTION DURING

PA N D. E M I C

BY MEGHANN RICHARDSON

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

PHOTOS BY MONICA SMITH

A

cross Owensboro and Daviess County, educators worked hard to bring some type of normalcy to

students as they worked and learned from home.

Kentucky schools closed as of March 18 and ended up not reopening at all for the rest of the school year.

Both Daviess County Public Schools and Owensboro Public Schools had to majorly shift their focus as they worked from home, virtually taught and met with students, and handed out meals to ensure students had food to eat.

SCHOOL FOOD SERVICES Kaitlyn Blankendaal, nutrition director for OPS, oversees the day-to-day operations for the school nutrition program and said since the COVID-19 pandemic hit, she had to quickly adapt to a whole new environment.

“Working in food service, we had to adapt quickly and often,” she said. “No one really knew what to expect with the pandemic.

What we did know was that we had to feed the kids and we would do whatever it took to make that happen. We looked at our resources and laid out a plan that would work for us.”

The school had to make several adjustments to their original plan

“COVID-19 changed the world of education as much as any other

of action. While the kitchen staff has always worn hairnets and gloves,

facet in our society,” he said. “Within a week of Kentucky’s first

they had to add in things like face masks and limiting the number of

confirmed case, our 40-hour-per-week experience in person changed

employees who could work at any given time.

into an online digital existence. As parents with two children under

They also had to move away from taking the meals out to certain

3 years old, we basically ran our own private daycare for two during

sites to drive-through only in order to cut down on the interaction

the daylight hours and then moonlighted as online educators until we

with the general public.

went to bed ourselves.”

“We dealt with a lot of change, and overall, the response was

Brown said with all the craziness and uniqueness of this situation,

overwhelmingly positive,” Blankendaal said. “Seventy-six percent of

most teachers banded together in a unified front to keep what mattered

our student population relied on these meals daily, so it was important

central.

for us to be able to serve them as much as we could. Owensboro showed

“As educators, we realized we had an impossible task in front of

a lot of strength. Not only did you see schools banding together to

us to provide relevant, fair and nuanced instruction without actually

feed kids, but you saw community partners coming together to make

seeing our students,” he said. “Some of our students were alone while

sure that kids had nutritious meals too. It was definitely a team effort

their parents were working, some did not have an internet connection,

throughout the whole city.”

and some were simply overwhelmed with being thrust into such a self-

On the Daviess County Public Schools side, approximately 75

motivated, intrinsically-difficult world of online schooling.”

food service workers ensured that children across the county school

Hardesty said along with the curriculum, the WLES staff created

district were fed regular meals -- around 30,000 per week -- during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“This term we all qualify as ‘essential employee’ has a deep meaning,” DCPS School Nutrition Director Lisa Sims said. “What we do is essential to the health and well being of many of our students throughout the community. Staff that were able to work, were working, and proud to be doing so.”

Meadow Lands Elementary School Cafeteria Director Donna Richard said that she and her staff are used to serving around 350 breakfasts and lunches per day, but with the help of many food service staff from other schools, they prepared four times that amount every day during the pandemic.

“Although the job was tiring mentally and emotionally, our food service staff knew that if we were not preparing these meals, there

picture collages and dance videos to share with students and families

would be many students and families going hungry,” Richard said.

with the hope that it would make them smile and laugh.

TEACHING ONLINE

“While this was not how we usually teach, we did our best to make sure our students were still able to learn and be successful,” she said.

Along with the food service workers, educators had to change

“We did whatever it took to help them continue to learn and grow

how they interacted with students on a daily basis. Owensboro High

during this time.”

School teacher Daniel Brown and West Louisville Elementary School

Tanya Lancaster, who is a special services teacher at Heritage Park

teacher Brittany Hardesty both agreed their respective school districts

High School, said her workload doubled since starting NTI.

did all they could to make Non-Traditional Instruction simple and

“Due to not being the content teacher, I had to watch the videos

productive for the students.

the teachers uploaded, learn it myself, then get in touch with my

But this change did not come easily.

students to help them with it,” she said. “This made my job twice as

Brown and his wife are both teachers at Owensboro High School

difficult. Personally, I think I worked twice as much. I had to modify

and like many others, the change from working at the school full-time

my personal lessons and the teachers I collaborated with.”

to teaching from home with two young children was challenging.

While there were some challenges, Lancaster said learning new

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

technology that allowed her to connect with her students was fun.

“I just enjoyed doing my job and working with students in any way that I could,” she said.

IT WASN’T JUST SCHOOL - WE MISSED SPORTS TOO America’s pastime is something many people look forward to every spring. But amid COVID-19 concerns, baseball and other spring sports were canceled for local high schoolers.

Logan Johnson, head baseball coach at Owensboro High School, said the suspension of spring sports put things in perspective.

“We all know it wasn’t essential to hold sporting events and with the potential for spreading a dangerous virus, it would have been a bad idea, but not having baseball was hard on a lot of people,” he said. “Not only were the kids upset, but parents, families and friends were all doing without something they enjoy.”

Even without the practices and games, the community wanted to show their support for not only the baseball seniors, but for all the spring sports seniors who lost a part of their high school career.

At the beginning of April, a drive-by recognition ceremony was held with the community showing their support for the athletes.

“The best part is that these student-athletes got to see how much their community loves them,” Johnson said. “The players dedicated quite a bit of time and energy into preparing for the season and although seeing people that support them didn’t justify their efforts, it did give them something tangible to reflect on in the future.”

OHS baseball senior Tucker Hagan echoed a lot of Johnson’s statements and knew it was hard for more than just the players.

“These past few months have been very hard for me and my family,” he said. “We are a huge baseball family, so we didn’t really know what to do with ourselves. It’s hard to think that all of the hard work and dedication is somewhat going to waste.”

While things were tough for the senior, Hagan said he took everything

“I THINK THE COMMUNITY DID A GREAT JOB, EVERYONE WAS HELPING ANY WAY THEY COULD. IT WAS COOL TO SEE EVERYONE COMING TOGETHER AT THIS TOUGH TIME.” - Tucker Hagan, Owensboro High School 2020 Baseball Senior

day by day.

“I don’t really see any good from this virus, and lots of people are dying,” he said. “However, I spent more time with my family and that is good.”

Hagan was impressed with his community throughout these hard times.

“I think the community did a great job, everyone was helping any way they could,” he said. “It was cool to see everyone coming together at this tough time.”

Hagan said he knows there were a lot of 2020 seniors who were dealing with the same feelings.

“I feel bad for all of the seniors around the country who went through the same thing I did,” Hagan said. “It wasn’t easy, but we were able to get through this.”

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

T

HEALTHY AT OCTC Scott Williams, PhD. OCTC President

here is a certain point in any event where you move from managing the crisis to managing the recovery, and that point can be different for every community, institution, and even family. I am proud to say that Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) is poised to move into recovery and is planning and preparing for fall classes. We are ready because of community and statewide leadership, and because of our dedicated employees who met every challenge head-on with empathy, kindness and compassion. Four such examples of that can be found in our OCTC Community Heroes: Dennis Redd - Maintenance and Operations, Jeff Hendricks - Safety and Security, Lorraine Sturgeon - Training and Professional Development, and Dr. Ed Morris - Psychology Faculty and Coordinator of Online Learning.

Please see the profiles of our heroes in the special section included in this issue of GO Business.

Even with the major disruption due to the pandemic the majority of our students completed their spring courses on time and the skills-oriented labs and clinicals that were delayed by the health crisis are now underway. Now more than ever we are ready to change modes due to leadership at the local, regional, and state levels. OCTC is stronger because of your support. We are also more resilient and better prepared to serve our community because we persevered. As my Dad would say “hard times build strong backs”.

Our community truly came together by donating time, talent, and treasure to each other. I witnessed the community lifting up healthcare workers, honoring graduates, institutions donating PPE supplies to healthcare facilities, all for the betterment of our community.

OCTC has taken the time to build a comprehensive Healthy At OCTC phased reopening plan to ensure that safe and healthy

protocols are in place on all our campuses as we wait for the Governor’s approval to move forward. Please know that we take our role in the safety and health of our community seriously, and our campuses will look and feel different as these new protocols are put in place. For example, face coverings will be required, access will be limited, and designated entry and exit points will control flow. In addition, new sanitizing protocols, and physical distancing will be mandatory. We know that change can be daunting, but we must rise to meet the challenge of this new era and pledge to continue to support each other as we all get accustomed to this new normal.

We pledge to implement our Healthy At OCTC plan to the fullest extent, because that is something that we can act upon. I want to encourage each of you to do the same, to construct a plan of action that you can implement. Don’t let the impact of this crisis deter your dreams and goals. What your future looks like is totally up to you.

Whatever path you choose please know that OCTC is here for you whether you need a single course, a degree for transfer, a certificate or degree that leads to a career, or some training to skill up for a promotion. Don’t let the uncertainty of the future paralyze you into doing nothing. Take that bold step and do something to advance you on your path forward, whatever the destination may be.

Under the most difficult of circumstances it has been inspiring to see the way community, our employees, and students have all banded together to tackle this disruption in the most professional and compassionate manner. Obviously, we still have many opportunities to make this new normal work for all of us. But I am more confident than ever that our community, dedicated employees, and students will continue to put the health and safety of our people as a top priority.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

CRISIS BRINGS EMERGENCY SERVICES TOGETHER

BY BENJAMIN HOAK - PHOTO BY JAMIE ALEXANDER If you visited the Emergency Department at Owensboro

watch the news like everyone else and see the potential impact

Health anytime since the COVID-19 crisis began, you knew

the disease could have. “Everyone is a bit apprehensive – it’s a

something was different right away, thanks to the triage tents set

time when you could get sick and get your family sick.”

up in the parking lot.

Despite the uncertainty, as a leader in the department, Adams

Those tents, which helped separate patients with respiratory

has helped set the tone for how to deal with the crisis. “We want

complaints from patients with general medical complaints, have

to make sure the staff are safe and they know what’s going on,

been a visible example of how the emergency services team

and what we need to do to be as prepared as possible,” she said.

adapted to change during a difficult time, according to Alysia

“All the staff seem to be coping well.”

Adams, Director of Emergency and Trauma Services at the

Adams and her team make sure to communicate appropriate

hospital.

expectations to the entire staff: they must have and wear their

“What your complaint is determines where you go,” Adams

PPE (Personal Protective Equipment), practice good hand

said. For potential COVID-19 patients, “we minimize exposure

hygiene, be vigilant in screening patients, and adhere strictly to

to other patients and staff (by) seeing them outside in the

visitor guidelines.

respiratory tent.”

For COVID-19 patients who must be in negative-pressure

“It’s challenging and scary,” Adams said. She and her staff

isolation rooms, the team developed a buddy system. Two staff

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

members work together to don their PPE and communicate

She is thankful as well for the support health care workers

what must be done to care for the patient.

have seen from the community. “It’s very emotional,” she

The buddy system helps meet patient needs in a timely manner and eliminates much of the in-and-out that typically occurs in the room of an emergency department patient,

said. “We’re all here expecting the unexpected – it’s very nice and heartfelt to have those people reaching out. We

which is vital when dealing with an infectious disease.

have been very overwhelmed by all the love and support

If a patient begins to experience a decline, everyone on

that has been provided.”

their treatment team has a clearly defined role so they don’t

Support has taken the form of letters that have come into

all rush in at once. A primary provider and nurse first assess the situation and then communicate accordingly.

“WE HAD GOOD TEAMWORK BEFOREHAND,” ADAMS SAID, “(BUT) I’VE REALLY SEEN THE EMERGENCY DEPARTMENT PULL TOGETHER EVEN MORE. THERE HAVE REALLY BEEN MINIMAL COMPLAINTS.”

the department, along with donations of PPE, including almost 3,000 homemade masks as of late April, with more on the way. “The staff have loved them,” she said. “They provide a fun outlet and have some fun prints on them.”

Even in the face of difficulty, Adams and her team are committed to the greater good. “We all have taken that oath to provide,” she said. “I’m thankful they’ve all showed up every day. We are meeting challenges and exceeding expectations.”

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

ON THE FRONT LINES The COVID-19 crisis left the country, for the most part, shut down for several weeks.

Beginning in mid-March, Kentuckians across the Commonwealth listened to their governor as he issued orders for more and more businesses to temporarily close as a measure of social distancing. But some industries remained open through the pandemic, with dedicated employees who were deemed essential. Facing challenges and uncharted territory, these workers continued to show up, do their job and keep Owensboro running.

BY ASHLEY WEDDING

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

OWENSBORO-DAVIESS COUNTY AIRPORT The Owensboro-Daviess County Airport still operated with a majority of its staff for normal business hours. Director Rob Barnett said despite a huge downturn in passenger flights, the airport was bound by federal regulations to maintain its operations. Allegiant reduced its flight schedule drastically, laying off 10 part-time employees, but Cape Air was an essential air service and remained in operation with minimal passengers.

Therefore, Barnett said all of his management, operation and maintenance staffs still reported every day and accepted general, corporate and military aviation activity.

“The impact of this crisis to aviation was unbelievable,” Barnett said. “The passenger count across the country was down 96 percent.”

But Barnett said this didn’t stop the airport staff from reporting for duty. Management, operation and maintenance staff still operated on normal hours, and plans kept moving forward on three improvement projects.

With passenger flights down considerably while still maintaining normal hours, Barnett said the recently awarded $1 million grant from the Federal Aviation Administration

would mainly be put toward payroll.

all the work himself.

“This grant was to keep the airport operating,” Barnett said. “Our goal

“Due to the virus, I had to lay off my five employees due to lack of

was to get staff back to work when airlines came back.”

business,” he said.

Barnett said that all safety precautions recommended by the Center

According to Tichenor, he did his best to keep customers happy, pay

for Disease Control were implemented by all parties within the airport.

his bills and apply for loans to help him through the crisis.

“TSA, Cape Air and our airport were all working off the same sheet of music,” he said.

HAROLD’S CLEANERS Eddie Tichenor has owned Harold’s Cleaners since 1990 when he

“My customers that were in need of cleaning were very gracious that I was making an effort to stay open,” he said. “I have heard many of my customers thank me for being available for them.”

Tichenor said he knows his dry-cleaning business was not the only

bought the thriving dry-cleaning business from Harold Jones, who

one struggling through the pandemic. But he remained steadfast in

opened the facility in 1957.

keeping his doors open while trying to sterilize as often as possible to

Building and maintaining a loyal customer base over the last three

prevent any spreading of the virus.

decades, Tichenor was determined to continue the same level of service

“It seems like everyone I was dealing with was willing to go out of their

despite the trying times of COVID-19. But that meant that Tichenor did

way to get things accomplished,” he said.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Photo provided by Davis Funeral Home

LOCAL FUNERAL HOMES

anyway, but with only 10 in attendance, it was really sad not to have that

Three of Owensboro’s funeral homes also remained steadfast

support of family and friends.”

throughout the current health crisis, reinventing the way they offered

This was why it was important for funeral directors to “reinvent the

funeral services to local families.

wheel,” Hill said.

Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory turned to the virtual

Directors at Davis had Welborn Florist build an outside visitation

experience, implementing virtual arrangements via ZOOM and FaceTime and live streaming of funerals, while also offering options to have a funeral and memorial at a later date. Haley-McGinnis also began offering drive-through procession opportunities.

“Families deserved to know they were remembered,” said Nathan Morris, president of Morris Family Services. “We are people who long for a sense of community. Because of this understanding, we allowed

room.

“The family actually got to see friends waving from their cars,” Hill said. “The families who did this service seem to have handled this process better than the families who went through it alone.”

Glenn Taylor, Jr., of Glenn Family Services, agreed that both the uncertainty and the safety restrictions caused more grief for families

families to receive friends and family from the safety of their vehicles

who lost loved ones.

in an orderly line. Since we couldn’t receive loved ones into our home,

“Obviously, no one wanted to be in this situation,” he said. “It was

we brought the home and visitation experience to the people; photos,

uncharted territory for everyone. It caused some extra grieving, but

flowers lining the route, hospitable staff, music - all while honoring and

our families understood that it had to be done for the safety of the

adhering to the directives issued to us by our governor. Our focus was

community.”

the safety and well-being of those we serve.”

Glenn, like the other local funeral homes, began offering drive-

John Hill, vice president of James H. Davis Funeral Home &

through visitations in an enclosed carport at their facility.

Crematory, said COVID-19 regulations meant more digital options for their families as well. The funeral home bought an all-new HD camera system for their chapel so they could stream funeral services through their website. They also invested in new portable cameras, tripods and a drone so they could stream from cemeteries, churches or outside for their drive-by visitations.

“It really gave families the support that they needed,” Taylor said.

Glenn Funeral Home also implemented a program from a Paducah colleague called From Our Heart to Yours. Instead of attending a visitation, loved ones could leave a message for the family on Glenn’s website. Glenn Funeral Home staff then hand-wrote the note and

While most families were understanding of the funeral home’s

attached it to a balloon.

restrictions, Hill said it didn’t help with the families’ grieving process.

“The balloons were then placed throughout the visitation room to

“It was hard, really hard to see families having to choose 10 loved

represent the people that wanted to support the family, but couldn’t,”

ones to attend,” Hill said of the social distancing rule. “Funerals are sad

Taylor said.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

k

In this special edition of GO Chamber Magazine, we would like to recognize these member businesses and organizations in a unique way by putting faces to the company name. This Profiles of Community Heroes special advertising section is our way of showcasing employees that have gone above and beyond during the COVID-19 pandemic.

k PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

summit obgyn

1921 Leitchfield Rd // Owensboro, KY // (270) 478-5334 // summitob.com

SUMMIT SERVES PATIENTS THROUGH DIFFICULT TIMES The COVID-19 crisis affected every sphere of our lives, but had a particularly strong affect on the health care industry. When you know you could be exposed to a potentially deadly virus with every patient you see, how do you continue to treat them?

At Summit Obstetrics and Gynecology, Emily, Leslie and Jennifer wanted their patients to know they were there for them no matter what. The moms they were caring for couldn’t put their pregnancies on hold, so the Summit providers reacted quickly and with the patients’ best interests in mind.

They had never done telehealth before, but reached out to colleagues in Seattle, where COVID-19 struck earlier, for advice on best practices. They set up the necessary technology so if patients were symptomatic, they could be treated virtually, either online or on the phone.

Obstetric patients without symptoms continued to visit the office, where providers implemented safety procedures such as patients waiting in their vehicles, masks for everyone and strict cleaning protocols.

While everything in the world seemed anything but normal, these Summit providers worked tirelessly for their patients to have as normal an experience as possible, and to keep them out of the hospital’s emergency department.

As health care workers, they knew their profession required some risk, so they put their heads down and kept working for the good of their patients.

While many difficult things have come with the COVID-19 crisis, here’s one positive: Owensboro women are now aware of just how blessed they are to have dedicated providers like Emily, Leslie and Jennifer caring for them.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

independence bank 2425 Frederica Street, Owensboro, KY 42301 // 270-686-1776

INDEPENDENCE BANK TEAM RESTORES HOPES FOR LOCAL BUSINESSES In the unprecedented times that surrounded COVID-19 during the economic shutdown, Independence Bank was able to restore hope to local businesses in their time of need thanks to the hard work and dedication of its commercial lending staff. The first application for the Paycheck Protection Program was taken on April 3rd and in just ten days, Independence Bank had gathered, submitted and received approval on more than 100 loans totaling over $32 million. By the end of April, the total number of approved loans had grown to 322 and had exceeded $55 million.

“While the sheer numbers are impressive, it’s the business owners, the employees and their families represented by each loan approved that is so moving,” said Darrell Higginbotham, Independence Bank President. “There just are no words to express my admiration for all involved. As a community bank, we had an overwhelming obligation to do all we could and time was of the essence. Our team members worked 70-80 hour weeks to make sure every single application was processed. Assuming that the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Small Business Association is met, most will qualify for forgiveness meaning more than $50M in grants to our business customers and our economy right here in Daviess County.”

The $349 billion emergency loan program was created in response to the hardship facing businesses due to the COVID-19 pandemic and funds were given out on a first come, first served basis. Independence Bank has always been dedicated to doing what is right and fair for its customers, but because of the effort Independence Bank staff dedicated to the process, offering themselves as a resource to business owners, many local businesses were able to pay expenses and payroll they may not have been able to otherwise. In a time when we were required to stay apart, Independence Bank and local businesses were still able to come together to help strengthen the community we all call home.

f

Profiles o

ty C o mmuneis Hero 33

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

LORRAINE STURGEON is a Training/Professional Development Specialist, she

DR. ED MORRIS teaches Psychology at OCTC

serves as a lead on the web services team, and also teaches courses in the Computer

online and in person, in addition, he coordinates

and Information Technologies and the Business Administration programs. Besides

OCTC’s online offerings and sits on the statewide

the many hats she wears, Lorraine was instrumental in assisting many faculty, for

online implementation team. During the transition

countless hours, as they transitioned face-to-face course content to remote delivery in

to remote delivery he helped coordinate the move for

Blackboard. She trained and provided support to numerous faculty, staff, and students

more than 500 classes, affecting 140 full and part-time

via online meetings in Blackboard Collaborate and Microsoft Teams. Co-hero recipient

instructors. When reflecting on the experience Morris

Dr. Ed Morris commented, “Lorraine is recognized as an expert in Blackboard Ultra, is

commented, “Throughout this crisis, the challenge

a regular presenter at our technology conferences, and a sought-after facilitator/trainer

as an instructor and as a person with leadership

for the KOOL Academy. She is appreciated locally and highly respected at the (KCTCS)

responsibilities in this field, has been to find ways

System Office.” Lorraine also worked with KCTCS Online Learning to provide online

to eliminate barriers students and faculty encounter

office hours supporting faculty throughout KCTCS during the transition to remote

in continuing the educational process. This was

teaching. Lorraine added, “I really enjoy helping faculty, staff, and students at OCTC.

particularly challenging since in some cases both the

We have a great group of people here who are always willing to help one another.”

instructor and students had little experience with an online format.”

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

owensboro community & technical college 4800 New Hartford Road // Owensboro, KY // 270-686-4400 // owensboro.kctcs.edu

DENNIS REDD is currently the Interim Supervisor

JEFF HENDRICKS is OCTC’s Public Safety

of the Maintenance & Operations (M&O) Team and

Director and is currently serving as the college’s Healthy

there is no one who works harder, longer or is more

at Work officer. Jeff is a Lt. Colonel in the US Army

adept at “making things work” at OCTC. During the

Reserves with more than 30 years of service. He began

transition to remote delivery Dennis led the M&O crew

his educational journey at Hopkinsville Community

who served as essential personnel, working tirelessly

College and now holds a Master of Science in Health

behind the scenes serving the college and students. He

services and Emergency Disaster Management and

moved countless computers and printers to ensure that

Planning, graduating Magna Cum Laude. Jeff and his

remote work continued. He added, “It has truly been

staff secured the campuses and worked with the M&O

a collective effort from everyone in Administration

staff during the crisis and helped coordinate the testing

and M&O with great results.” He also led the projects

while it was stationed on campus. He credits his staff,

preparing for a safe and healthy return to campus

and his supervisors, for making his job a pleasure. “We

including supply acquisition, installing foot pulls on

have a shared overall vision and goal of making all of

restroom doors, updated paint in labs and preparations

our OCTC campuses safe, secure, and prepared to serve

for a new fiber optics lab.

our students, and visitors, as possible” added Jeff.

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Profiles o

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

liberty financial

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

2925 Wimsatt Court East // 270-685-2085 // firstliberty.net

Thank you to all our staff for your perseverance and hard work to ensure our growing membership’s lending needs are met with friendly, efficient service!

We are helping more members than ever before save money as they take advantage of our incredibly low mortgage and automobile rates! Out of all the finance options available to consumers, it is an honor for new and existing members to choose us.

Here at Liberty Financial our goal has always been to make a difference in the lives of every member we serve and help make their financial dreams become a reality. Whether that dream is buying a new home, financing a new vehicle, or planning for retirement, we are fortunate to have the opportunity to support our community. Liberty Financial’s mission is to provide financial products and services with the greatest financial return to the membership!

Again, thank you to each and everyone one of you who have continued to serve our customers with the highest degree of professionalism, courtesy, and kindness.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

TO GUIDE ECONOMIC RECOVERY The collective mission of the Chamber of Commerce,

the community and make sure that there are no gaps in

Economic Development Corporation and Visit Owensboro is to

communication or services, providing resources and a framework

create a prosperous and vibrant community. Since March, the

to the community as reopening continues. The task force hopes

Greater Owensboro community has seen businesses, non-profits,

to raise awareness of individual challenges, and more importantly,

and public sector leaders step up and do what is necessary to move

how together the community might think and act collectively to

through the challenges created by the pandemic.

better address and tackle the priorities ahead.

“Now that our reopening process is in full swing, it is time

“Through the partnership of these three organizations,

to demonstrate that Greater Owensboro is open for business,

assistance will continue to be provided to corporations, small

said Mark Calitri, President of the Owensboro-Daviess County

businesses, non-profits and service organizations in any way

Convention & Visitors Bureau. “We will get through this time and

possible,” said Candance Castlen Brake, Chamber President

become even stronger than we were before.”

and CEO. “It is important for us to collectively demonstrate to

While the EDC, Chamber and Visit Owensboro have been

investors, mobile talent and visitors that Greater Owensboro is

engaged in ongoing efforts to achieve this end over the past few

ready to welcome them.”

months, the organizations are proud to have formalized their

This initiative gives Greater Owensboro confidence in knowing

efforts to create an economic recovery task force – GO Forward.

that YOUR staffs — the organizations that work for you and that

The GO Forward Economic Recovery Task Force is co-led by

you support — are working together as we go forward.

the Chamber, EDC and Visit Owensboro and includes members

“Our goal is to re-engage the workforce and be a resource in

of the local government, hospitality industry, riverport, airport,

providing opportunities for growth as our local economy moves

agri-business leaders, health care sector, school systems, higher

forward,” said Brittaney Johnson, President/CEO of the Greater

education institutions, workforce development leaders and non-

Owensboro Economic Development Corporation. “We will

profit leaders.

continue to work together, discovering opportunities to strengthen

The goal of GO Forward is to ensure collaboration across

our community as we build a prosperous tomorrow.”

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

10

QUESTIONS

CLAYTON HORTON, MPH

Public Health Director, Green River District Health Department

BY BENJAMIN HOAK - PHOTO BY MONICA SMITH

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Clayton Horton, MPH, is the Public Health Director of the Green River District Health Department (GRDHD).

W H AT ’ S T H E M I S S I O N O F G R D H D ?

H O W D I D Y O U E N D U P AT G R D H D ?

I’m from Owensboro, and had just graduated from college when I saw a classified ad for a Health Environmentalist job with the

The mission of the Green River District

health department. I thought that it sounded

Health Department is to promote, protect and

interesting and would be a good job for a

strengthen the health and well-being of all by

year or two until I decided on what to do for

helping develop and maintain healthy lifestyles

graduate school. It was great fit, and I decided

and environmentally safe communities. We

to make a career out of it. I ended up getting a

currently have 167 employees for our seven-

Master’s Degree in Public Health, but I never

county county district.

left the health department. I’ve worked for the

W H AT W O U L D P E O P L E B E SURPRISED TO KNOW ABOUT GRDHD? I think most of the time the general public associates us only with our clinical services and doesn’t normally see much of the behindthe-scenes work we are doing that is focused on the community as a whole. Those things include our Community Health Assessment and Community Health Improvement Plan where we are continuously working with many community partners to identify and influence our most pressing health needs. It includes our policy and health strategy work and our environmental health programs that work towards the safety of the food supply and other businesses.

Perhaps with COVID-19, our epidemiology

Green River District Health Department for 22 years, and I’ve been the director almost three years.

W H AT ’ S T H E M O S T I M P O R TA N T THING YOU DO THERE? My most important role is making sure the agency is ready to change and adapt to whatever needs arise in the community. The last several years have been challenging in public health.

We’ve become leaner and smaller. We’ve been able to adapt and continue to be successful.

However, it has not been easy and it hasn’t always been optimal. We have great staff and they always seem to make it work. My job now is making sure we are all moving in the same direction and to make sure we are focused on the right priorities and the right time.

and infectious disease control programs are

WHY DO YOU LIKE YOUR JOB?

more visible than normal, but this is the same

It’s easy to like your job when you believe the

type of work we have been doing quietly in the

work you are doing is important and fills a

background for years. The scale and speed of

role in your community. I’ve always believed

COVID-19 makes it much more visible.

that about GRDHD’s work.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

W H AT A R E H I G H L I G H T S O F Y O U R C A R E E R – W H AT D O YOU REMEMBER THE MOST?

“TRY TO LEARN TO BE COMFORTABLE DOING THINGS YOU ARE NOT COMFORTABLE DOING.” -Clayton Horton

I was fortunate to have supervisors

a lot of common sense.

outside of my normal programmatic duties. Some of the highlights that

It would not be correct to characterize

stand out in my mind were my time

it as an investment, but in terms

on an Environmental Health team

of a decision that I made that has

that Kentucky sent to Mississippi

continuously paid off and has always

after Hurricane Katrina, our response

been worth it, was marrying Davea.

gave me interesting assignments or let me work on projects that were

to H1N1, a multistate salmonella

and health project. There were a few

W H AT I S T H E B O O K Y O U H A V E GIVEN MOST AS A GIFT (OR RECOMMENDED)?

projects that weren’t that successful

I generally have recall bias and can

outbreak in 2012 that GRDHD helped identify the source, and a climate

of the lessons I learned almost as vividly. When it is all said and done, COVID-19 will undoubtedly make the list too.

TELL US ABOUT YOUR FA M I LY ?

My wife is Davea. She is an optometrist with Owensboro Family Eye Care.

My son Adam will be a 4th grader at Sutton Elementary. We love to travel.

We love to hike. Adam and I like to

GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

can be solved with a little research and

W H AT I S O N E O F T H E B E S T OR MOST WORTHWHILE INVESTMENTS YOU HAVE EVER MADE?

and leaders early in my career that

also. I remember those and some

40

clear instructions. But most of them

only remember the most recent book I have read rather than the one I should recommend. But lately I’ve been thinking about a couple of books that I read a long time ago but feel really relevant right now. Betrayal of Trust

by Laurie Garrett was recommended reading when I was in graduate school.

I’ve also been thinking about a book I was required to read when I was a student at Owensboro High School, The Jungle by Upton Sinclair. Even

fish – Davea not so much.

though it has been years since I read

W H AT A D V I C E W O U L D YOU GIVE TO A COLLEGE G R A D U AT E A B O U T T O E N T E R THE REAL WORLD?

of what they both described with the

Try to learn to be comfortable doing

feel like this was unexpected, but there

things you are not comfortable doing.

are old patterns and dynamics. It’s new

Your biggest challenges won’t have

to us, but it is not entirely new.

either one of those, I can see patterns work on COVID-19 that is completely consuming us at GRDHD right now. It is interesting to think about how we all

DID ?

YOU

KNOW QUESTION ON PAGE 7

CORRECT ANSWER: The Green River Area COVID-19 Response Fund.

As of mid-May the Fund had raised almost $760,000 and given approximately $190,000 in grants to community organizations for their fight against COVID-19.

Donations can be made at uwov.org/donate.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

THE FINAL ANALYSIS JACLYN GRAVES

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

Membership Development and Marketing Manager

I’ve tried to write this column at least six

dread not spending my weekdays with her.

times, but things kept changing, so I kept

I hope that we all are taking note at how

starting over. Little did we know back at the

productive we can be from anywhere. There are

beginning of March just how different our daily

many essential businesses out there who never

lives would be at this point. I guess that’s how

shuttered from normal business operations and

life goes though. We plan and plan and plan

that, my friends, has been impressive. Major

and life just takes us where it wants. And while

props to you for maintaining your goods and

we may not have any say-so in what happens,

services, because we needed you!

we sure do have a say-so in how we respond.

But for those of us who adjusted everything

No one really likes change, right? Right.

we knew about our industry, packed up our

Even though we all want to believe that we’re

offices and headed to the house, we quickly

adaptable and open-minded and progressive,

became proficient in video conferencing calls

it’s tough to roll with the punches sometimes.

and email streams that would have normally

A worldwide pandemic; wreaking havoc on our

been meetings. It has been a challenge. At

daily lives, way of living and kids’ schedules

least it was at first, a little intimidating even.

definitely qualifies as a tough change. I became

The Chamber staff has adjusted the way we do

a 5th grade teacher in a matter of moments,

business now for over three months and have

while working remotely full-time and trying to

not missed a beat. One main reason? Our leader

salvage any ounce of sanity I could manage…

isn’t afraid to go off script or to adjust our daily

what about you? What did you become? Here’s

practices and routines to what works best for

what I hope has happened, personally and

now. Which brings me to this last point…

professionally.

I hope that we all allow ourselves to continue

I hope that I never forget how happy it

this growth once this is all over. I am one of

made me looking across my dining room

those people who truly believes that you can

table at my daughter; me working, her doing

find something good in every situation, no

schoolwork, simply enjoying the fact that we

matter how challenging it may be. Let’s continue

had the opportunity to spend our day together.

to allow ourselves to do things differently. Less

Being a working parent presents its own set

“this is the way we’ve always done it,” more “let’s

of challenges. The constant struggle between

take a look and see if we can make this better.”

longing to have more time with your kids

Be adaptable, open-minded and progressive.

and the feeling of accomplishment for your

Don’t be afraid to delete the whole article and

professional successes is never-ending. I have

start again. Sometimes the greatest successes

cherished this time with my girl and I already

come from the toughest struggles.

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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

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GO CHAMBER . SPECIAL EDITION 2020

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