Evansville Business June/July 2023

PUBLISHER

Todd A. Tucker

EDITORIAL

Kristen K. Tucker Editor

Jodi Keen

Managing Editor

John Martin

Senior Writer

Maggie Valenti Staff Writer

DESIGN

Laura Mathis

Creative Director

Morgan Dean

Graphic Designer and Advertising Administrator

Emma Bayens

Photography Fellow

ADVERTISING

Jessica Hoffman

Senior Account Executive

Jennifer Rhoades

Senior Account Executive

Logen Sitzman

Sales and Marketing Coordinator

CIRCULATION

Gregg Martin

Distribution and Circulation Manager

CONTRIBUTORS

Mary Bolin, Kate Durchholz, Gordon Engelhardt, Jo Ann Learman, Zach Straw

TUCKER PUBLISHING GROUP

Todd A. Tucker President

Kristen K. Tucker

Vice President

What are some of your favorite small-town places to visit?

“I loved growing up on the mean streets of Newburgh. I like to run on the Rivertown Trail.”

-Todd

“I hold a special place in my heart for New Harmony, Indiana, where Todd and I spent our wedding night.”

-Kristen

“I feel like a Mellencamp-style Hoosier every time I get a chili dog from TF Ice Cream in Boonville, Indiana.”

-Jodi

“I enjoy wandering through The Mews in New Harmony, Indiana.”

-John

“I want to pay a visit to The Hope Gallery in Newburgh, Indiana.”

-Maggie

“Simon Shoes in Henderson, Kentucky has amazing customer service and selection.”

-Laura

“I enjoy drinking a cup of coffee from Honey Moon Coffee Co. along the riverfront in Newburgh, Indiana.”

-Morgan

“I am excited to go to Simon Shoes in Henderson, Kentucky while I’m here this summer.”

-Emma

“Beachbum Farms in Henderson, Kentucky, is a great place to go for a gift.”

-Jessica

“When I’m in New Harmony, it’s fun to pop by Capers Emporium.”

-Jennifer

“I want to try Firedome Wood Fire Pizza and Wings in Henderson, Kentucky.”

-Logen

“One of my favorite spots is Aigner Hardware in Boonville, Indiana.”

-Gregg

Tucker Publishing Group

25 N.W. Riverside Drive, Ste. 200 Evansville, IN 47708 812-426-2115 evansvillebusiness.com

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IN THE NEWS

Evansville Business welcomes submissions for our business social page and corporate news. Please mail or email these items eight weeks in advance of the magazine cover date to the address above or events@evansvilleliving.com.

LETTERS TO THE PUBLISHER

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ADVERTISING INFORMATION

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Evansville Business is published bimonthly by Tucker Publishing Group, 25 N.W. Riverside Drive, Ste. 200, Evansville, IN 47708, and printed at KODI Collective, Lebanon Junction, KY. Any views expressed in any advertisement, signed letter, article, or photograph are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the position of Evansville Business

Copyright © 2023 Tucker Publishing Group. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from Tucker Publishing Group.

Glory Days, They’ve Passed Him By

s a lifelong athletics fan who is significantly more knowledgeable about sports than my sons, I have enjoyed following local athletes through the years. This spring, we have been fortunate to have had some extremely noteworthy performances. Let’s start with University of Evansville graduate student Eric Roberts. He plays outfield, third base, and even pitches for the Aces. His recent performance against the University of Illinois Chicago was one of the most outstanding baseball performances in UE history. Hitting for the cycle is rare, but combining that with a grand slam and a win really is quite an accomplishment. That young man has to be getting some attention from the MLB.

I recently attended the IHSAA boys’ track sectionals, which I always try to do each May, at Central High School. Despite the person next to me repeatedly reminding me of his former glory days (“Glory days, they’ll pass you by”), the action was on the track. Reitz’s Xavier Thomas won the 100-, 200-, and 400-meter titles and looked really good doing it. No one else ever really challenged him. And what a great way to spend a beautiful spring evening, company excluded.

Two of the most impressive athletic feats this year were turned in by the ladies. Evansville Christian School freshman Elise Sloan pole vaulted 11 feet 5 inches. This was ECS’ first track sectional, and she is the school’s first track and field sectional champion. This also qualified her for the Adidas Track Nationals in June in Greensboro, North Carolina, which is a really big deal. A freshman pole vaulter going 11’5 is a rarity. It will be fun following Elise’s career.

I don’t even know what to say (which never stops me) about North Posey High School softball phenom Erin Hoehn. Wow. The University of Michigan signee has had so many dominant games pitching and at the plate, it is difficult to single one out. How about a recent

Afive-inning perfect game, when she struck out all 15 batters and went 2-4 with a home run and four RBIs?

An out-of-shape Newburgh sports fan tells me Castle High School’s Cameron Tilly, an Auburn University pitching commit, is a “can’t miss.” As old as this “observer of baseball” is, he is bound to have seen a lot of games over the years. Everyone I have discussed this with, though, says the same about Cameron. I’ll enjoy watching his career, as well.

A “can’t help myself” remark would be this: After a door to Lloyd Pool was found to be wide open two years after closure, the pool seems to be in the same shape as the last swim meet I attended there.

Congratulations go to Jon Mark Hall, who was promoted to associate vice president and director of athletics at University of Southern Indiana. He’s a great guy with a great family, and it’s a well-deserved promotion. It will continue to be fun to watch the progression of USI Division I sports under Jon Mark’s leadership.

Speaking of leadership, I congratulate the now-retired Rev. Gerry Arnold for 25 years at the helm of the Evansville NAACP. Cool, calm, and collected, Gerry cuts an impressive figure in Evansville. Read about him in “Bringing People Together” on page 11 of this issue. When starting his career in Evansville, Gerry said he just wanted to contribute to our community. This has turned out to be a huge understatement.

I had the pleasure of attending the Junior Achievement of Southwestern Indiana Hall of Fame breakfast in May. This year’s two living laureates — retired German American Bank CEO and board chairman Mark Schroeder and retired President of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership Greg Wathen — both have made innumerable contributions to this community, and it is terrific to see this tremendous honor bestowed on them. Well done, gentlemen.

As always, I look forward to hearing from most of you.

Todd A. Tucker, President

PHOTO BY LAURA MATHIS

©2023 Authorized Mercedes-Benz Dealers For

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From startups, transitions and change of ownership, to mergers, acquisitions and franchise development, a government-backed Small Business Administration (SBA) Loan could be a game-changer for your business.

Read how Evansville-based Cloud Defensive positioned their operation for growth with an SBA Loan from First Bank at MyFirst.Bank/SBA.

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When your small business starts to think big –think of First Bank first.

Cloud Defensive CEO, Sean McCauley and First Bank Relationship Officer, Matt Whetstone share some ‘bright ideas’ during a recent on-site visit.

MAKING AN IMPACT

Thank you for publishing the interview with me in Evansville Business and for helping make more people aware of Youth First’s impactful work in the midst of a national youth mental health crisis. I have already received many kind comments from those who have read it (“Back Talk,” April/May 2023).

Parri Black, president and CEO of Youth First Inc.

FAMILY FIRST

Thank you, Evansville Business, for recognizing the family dynamic we have here (“All in the Family,” April/May 2023). McMahon Exterminating via Facebook

PROUD SPOUSE

Just a moment to say how proud I am of my wife, Selena Claycamp! She graduates college after she completes the entrepreneurship program at Ivy Tech Community College. Check out this article about her class (“Be Your Own Boss,” April/May 2023).

Codie Claycamp via Facebook

FRESH LOOK

LIFE IN FOCUS

Howie and Tina Rumjahn have such commitment to this community (“In Focus,” February/March 2023).

Timothy Weir via Facebook

SUPER STAR

Praise for Senior Account Executive Jessica Hoffman’s “Sales Superstar” award from Editor & Publisher magazine

So proud of you, Jessica. You are a wonderful young lady and work so hard.

Diane Tucker via Facebook

OPEN DIALOGUE

It was a pleasure to speak with John Martin about the gun violence problems facing Evansville and all of the Southern District of Indiana, and the work our office is doing with law enforcement partners to make our communities safer (“‘One Piece of the Puzzle,’” April/May 2023).

U.S. Attorney Zachary Myers via Twitter

Thank you for featuring us and sharing our renovation story (“A Fresh Start,” February/March 2023)!

Shannon Aleksandr’s Salon & Spa via Facebook

TOP MARKS

A great piece on one of our members, Benjamin Bosse High School Principal Aaron Huff (“Back Talk,” February/March 2023). Evansville Morning Rotary Club via Facebook

Congratulations, Jessica!

Morton Solar via Facebook

Way to go, Jess. Evansville Business sets the bar high.

Scott Sternberg via Facebook

Congratulations, my friend! So very well deserved!

Karen Gourley-Lemond via Facebook

HENDERSON DUNKIN’

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE SOFTBALL FIELD

UNIVERSITY OF EVANSVILLE WHEELER CONCERT HALL

BELL ROAD APARTMENTS

DIAMOND EQUIPMENT

ROMAIN SUBARU

MCMAHON PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW

Troy Schreiber and Tammy Evans, Owners Third Generation Family-Owned Business

Drake’s

Rapp Granary

Engelbrecht Carousel

Deaconess Aquatic Center

Cowork Through It

This business model remains steady in Evansville

Cowork Evansville launched in 2018 at Innovation Pointe, and in the February/March 2019 Evansville Business article “Work Together,” “coworking” still was a local buzzword. Having endured a pandemic in the time since, is the same still true?

When Frank Peterlin IV, owner of Market Realty, first got into what was called the “executive suite” business in 1996, large companies were interested in leasing an entire office. Today’s market has expanded for individuals. Now, renting a desk for a day at a local coworking space can cost around $20, and monthly memberships for access to a conference room can go for more than $300. Peterlin, who now runs coworking and business service provider U.S. Incubator, notices more startups and freelancers using his leased spaces.

Lisa Kelsey Moore, who owns and operates The Foundry on Main at 100 N. Main St.,

says demand has exceeded expectations since opening in 2021. Most of the interest in her coworking space is from remote workers who travel and businesses needing to rent a communal workspace.

BY MAGGIE VALENTI

“There is still a lot of community engagement needed to define what coworking is and how it can be helpful,” says Elizabeth Alvarez, who opened Newburgh, Indiana’s Coworking Cottage at 117 Plum St. in 2021. “With many businesses now requiring their teams to be back in the office, that is definitely going to impact us.”

Cowork Evansville remains at Innova tion Pointe, 318 Main St., and is run by the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership. On the residential side, coworking space comes as a perk for Post House tenants at 215 Vine St.

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The Foundry on Main

CRUISE CONTROL ANIMAL TAMERS FULL OF PROMISE

Bringing People Together

Now-retired NAACP President Gerald Arnold bridges communities, businesses, and politics

BY MAGGIE VALENTI

The Rev. Gerald Arnold first came to Evansville in 1986, working in international sales for BristolMyers. Since, his involvement with the community bridged the gap between local groups, businesses, and politics to achieve justice and equity.

Being a licensed minister — Arnold currently preaches at Independence Baptist Church at 2301 W. Virginia St. — gave him a unique insight into the problems facing Evansville residents, especially its Black community. He was elected president of the local NAACP in 1996. He recently handed the reins to the Rev. Connie Baltzell, who became president in October 2022.

“Evansville has been nice to me,” Arnold says. “I felt that my best opportunity would be here, a place I could make a contribution to.”

His 25 years leading the NAACP were impactful. He helped create the Evansville Diversity Distinguished Lecture Series, bringing together area

banks, corporations, higher education institutions, unions, and government agencies to create it. He landed a high-profile speaker for the inaugural lecture in former U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, and subsequent speakers have included retired NBA star Magic Johnson, rapper and actress Queen Latifah, and the late musician Harry Belafonte.

As NAACP president, Arnold has helped lead the charge to ensure equity across a wide range of issues, including housing and health services. When Toyota began building its plant in Princeton, Indiana, Arnold pushed for collaboration with Black-owned businesses. More recently, he advocated for the building of a pedestrian bridge on U.S. Highway 41 at Washington Avenue, where Benjamin Bosse High School and Washington Middle School students often cross.

“We partner with people who we think can make a change and uplift

things that will be beneficial to the Black community in particular,” he says but stresses that “the NAACP is for everyone.”

Issues persist such as housing, which he says was “then and still is the biggest need,” and diversity. He stays involved with the NAACP as the Evansville chapter’s legal redress chair and on the state level as the chair of the Housing Committee for Indiana.

Arnold also often mentors youth at the CenterPoint Energy YMCA at 1930 S. Garvin St.

“It is the best investment a person can make, in our kids,” he says.

The Rev. Gerald Arnold has led Evansville’s chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People since 1996, advocating for equity across a wide range of issues, including housing and health services. Arnold recently retired as Evansville’s NAACP president after 25 years at the helm.

‘Part of the Story’

Dave Lowry closes his three-decade sales career

BY MAGGIE VALENTI, WITH JODI KEEN

After purchasing a new vehicle from D-Patrick in Evansville in 1987, Dave Lowry seized an opportunity and went to work in sales for the dealership in February 1989. He faithfully logged 34 years with D-Patrick before retiring in May.

When Lowry started, the Owensboro, Kentucky, native was selling Audi, BMW, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche, and Volkswagen, and his learning curve was steep. He studied product literature on videotape before hitting the sales floor. He came to appreciate the loyalty of D-Patrick’s clients and the dealership’s close-knit atmosphere.

“I’ve known and worked with Dave for over 30 years,” says D-Patrick Inc. President Ray Farabaugh. “With Dave, one could always take him at his word and count on him to deliver. He sold vehicles ranging in price from $1,000 to $200,000 and always offered the same impeccable service. His product knowledge is unmatched, and he built an incredibly loyal customer base that trusted him.”

Lowry has enjoyed a front-row seat to auto industry changes, such as anti-roll collision sensors and the sophisticated energy consumption of electric vehicles. The job

For Lease

Half of SS&C’s building is available after the pandemic stifled the company’s expansion plans

has perks: Lowry has visited the Mercedes-Benz Museum and plant in Stuttgart, Germany, and attended a Porsche Cayman event in Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

In retirement, Lowry and his wife, Beth, plan to travel and visit family, including their two children and four grandchildren in Indianapolis, Indiana.

“I really appreciate the loyalty of our clients. We have a lot of repeat clients, and their family comes in and asks for you. That means a lot,” he says. “You feel like you’re part of the story.”

The four-floor office building at 110 N. Fulton Ave. that since 2016 has housed SS&C Technologies’ Evansville operations is leasing its top two floors.

SS&C’s arrival at the property seven years ago was a big occasion, with ceremonies that drew then-Indiana Gov. Mike Pence as well as Bill Stone, an Evansville native and the company’s founder, president, and CEO. Based in Windsor, Connecticut, SS&C sells software, as well as accounting and software services, for the financial industry. SS&C had a presence at two Evansville locations prior to 2016, but the move to the former Sterling Brewery site brought the company’s local workforce under one roof.

Stone was quoted at the time saying the company employed 211 people in Evansville and wanted to grow. SS&C staff occupied the first and second floors.

“They had plans to expand to the third floor, but I think COVID put the brakes on that and changed trajectory,” says John Rogers, vice president of Jack Rogers Realtors, Inc., which is leasing the available space.

While SS&C maintains first- and second-floor offices for employees, the top two — at 25,000 square feet each — are open. The realty company “has some leads,” Rogers says. “It’s definitely been a bit more challenging for large office space users in the post-COVID world, but I think we’re past the inflection point on that.”

PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW

PHOTO BY MORGAN DEAN

DPAT.COM

BY THE NUMBERS

Hole in One

Golfing scores big for Indiana’s economy

BY JODI KEEN

Golf is big in Indiana. How big? A 2022 report by the National Golf Foundation found that in Indiana, the industry contributes more than $2 billion in total economic impact and $1.042 billion in direct expenditures annually. That includes creating more than 23,300 jobs and driving in at least $147 million in state and local taxes.

The Evansville area contributes to the industry with seven public courses and four private golf clubs.

400+

Number of golf courses in Indiana

82 Percent of Indiana courses that are public access

554,000

Approximate number of Hoosier golfers

$152.9 million

Spending generated by golf for Indiana’s tourism industry

$50.4 million

Amount the industry has contributed to charities and foundations

3,750

Number of golf-related charity events held in 2021

3,000

Approximate number of youths served in the First Tee - Indiana program

Keeping ’Em Out

F ur sometimes flies in T&G Pest Control’s wildlife removal services

BY MAGGIE VALENTI

When Ryan Fleming bought T&G Pest Control from Glenn and Janet Williams in November 2019, he came with 20 years of experience in the industry and a desire to expand how the company thought about pest control.

Since its founding in 1984, the company has been a family business and dealt with primarily pests and termites. Fleming’s wife, Stephanie, is the company’s director of customer service.

Fleming relocated the company from Warrick County to Evansville and added services dealing with wildlife making unwanted visits to Hoosier homes. Most work involves wildlife-proofing and exclusion so critters cannot burrow, slither, or crawl their way into any part of a house. It also involves the humane removal of wildlife from a home. Some animals require a bit more finesse to remove than using a trap or catch pole.

“If they can fit their head in, they can get in, typically. They are skilled at squeezing through areas,” says Fleming, a graduate of Central High School and Vincennes University. “Professionals have to be careful about how they treat wildlife and make sure we’re taking care of wildlife properly.”

The most common animals T&G Pest Control encounters are raccoons and skunks who slip inside homes,

but bats and birds on the premises also are common.

Fleming once needed a 40-foot boom lift to remove bats from the roof of a historic home in Newburgh, Indiana. Another incident involved a raccoon peering down from above a closet. The smell of spray made it clear a skunk had dug its way underneath the foundation of an Evansville home.

It’s not glamorous work, but it’s necessary, and sometimes exciting.

“We run into a lot of creepy crawling pests in dark and damp cave-like spaces,” Fleming says.

No two wildlife captures are the same. Ryan Fleming, owner of T&G Pest Control, uses a variety of methods and tools to safely rid homes and businesses of unwanted animals. Whether it’s a boon lift, a catch pole, traps, or baits, it can take anywhere from a few hours to several days to successfully remove critters from the premises.

Showing Promise

Evansville secures Promise Neighborhood education funds

BY JODI KEEN

Evansville has received a $30 million grant from the U.S. Department of Education to establish a Promise Neighborhood, the most recent development in the city’s Promise Zone designation. The program aims to prepare youth for an upward trajectory toward academic excellence and, ultimately, a successful career.

The University of Evansville led the grant application in conjunction with the Evansville Promise Zone. Twenty-three local partner agencies have matched federal funds to the tune of $32.5 million, making the total Promise Neighborhood investment more than $62 million. Federal funds will be disbursed over five years.

Evansville’s Promise Neighborhood will include Evans Elementary School, Delaware Elementary School, Lincoln School, Benjamin Bosse High School, Lodge Community School, and Glenwood Leadership Academy. UE’s Center for Innovation & Change will house the staff leading the Promise Neighborhood.

Evansville had applied for Promise Neighborhoods four times, most recently in 2022. Ninety-one grants have been disbursed around the country since 2010. Only three applications, including Evansville’s, were awarded Promise Neighborhood funds in 2023.

“This grant we received is a result of this community coming together and collaborating for the common good of Evansville,” Evansville Promise Zone Director Silas Matchem says. “This really solidifies all the work we have been doing since the culmination of the Promise Zone designation. I can’t emphasize enough how big of an impact this will truly have for not only the neighborhoods it serves but for our Promise Zone and the City of Evansville as a whole.”

What is the Promise Zone?

A Promise Zone is a federal designation to identify and support at-risk yet promising urban neighborhoods around the country. Each 10-year designation provides access to federal funding for initiatives related to education, crime reduction, housing, health care, poverty, transportation, and more. Evansville was designated a Promise Zone in 2016. More than 20,000 people live in the designated area, which is bordered by Veterans Memorial Parkway to the south and west, Diamond Avenue to the north, and Green River Road to the east. Results of local Promise Zone initiatives include:

• Installing five free public Wi-Fi beacons for residential internet access

• Securing a Dollar General fresh food market for a former food desert

• Establishing the Promise Kids mentoring program at Lincoln School and McGary Middle School in early 2023. Young & Established and the Southern Indiana Mentoring Academy will provide mentors

Surface Tension

Evansville drivers already are in the thick of summer road projects

BY JODI KEEN

After a winter complicated by persistent precipitation and freezing temperatures, road improvement projects have begun in earnest in and around Evansville.

As this issue of Evansville Business went to press, at least 10 road closures and lane restrictions were reported by the city engineer’s office.

Construction continues on the Toyota Trinity Stormwater Park in Downtown Evansville, keeping portions of Court, Vine, Northwest Third, and Northwest Fourth streets closed through at least September.

Indiana Department of Transportation projects include shoulder work and lane restrictions through mid-June where U.S. 41 meets Interstate 69. Although the Diamond Avenue exit now is open on U.S. 41 South, the northbound on-ramp is closed while construction continues on the Pigeon Creek overpasses through June 30. Lane restrictions from a Diamond Avenue bridge deck overlay between Saint Joseph and Fulton avenues were expected to wrap up in late May. Just east of the Vanderburgh-Warrick County line, drivers will encounter a temporary traffic light at the intersection of Grimm Road and the Lloyd Expressway in anticipation of work through December where Epworth Road meets the Lloyd.

On the East Side, the Lincoln Avenue artery between South Green River Road and Newburgh Road was closed for water line work more than three months after it initially was projected to reopen.

Meanwhile, Phase 2 of the Walnut Street storm sewer replacement has shifted east of Boeke Road to Vann Avenue. The half-mile stretch of Walnut west to Weinbach Avenue remains closed to through traffic due to sidewalk pouring and yard restoration. Resurfacing on the entire one-mile project is slated to begin in late November, with a February 2024 anticipated completion date.

Explore Evansville Celebrates our Faces of Hospitality!

Faces of Hospitality is designed to highlight outstanding service providers in our local tourism and hospitality community. It takes special people from across a wide and diverse industry to make our visitors and guests feel welcome, and we recognize all of our partners that make those experiences unforgettable!

Our organization has had a variety of names over the years since our establishment in the late 1970’s. We couldn’t be prouder to continue to serve you under our new name, Explore Evansville. It is our hope that as we transition into our new identity our community is reminded that whether you’re a native or a newbie, we are all explorers.

Natasha Douglas Director of Sales, Hyatt Place Michael McElroy Bartender, Mo’s House

-Rebecca Solnit

On the Down-low

Dave Clark overcame childhood challenges to quietly craft his own rules of success

BY GORDON ENGELHARDT

Overcoming tremendous obstacles, Dave Clark is a self-made man who prefers to stay under the radar.

“I try to keep it discreet,” Clark says. Although he has achieved a notable level of success, Clark hasn’t forgotten his roots and stays firmly grounded. He grew up poor and remains humble.

Clark owns several businesses — so many, in fact, his friends don’t always believe him. Take Steve Bennett, owner of the East Side restaurant Cork ‘n Cleaver, who once said: “You don’t own a tree business.”

In fact, he does. Owner of two mortgage companies and a construction company, among various other

businesses, Clark is a firm believer in the do-it-yourself theory. Tired of handymen not showing up to help after a storm to repair tree or roof damage, Clark simply started his own businesses in those areas. He purchased the necessary equipment and had his own handymen take care of the problem.

The January 2009 storm in which five inches of snow and 1.25 inches of ice fell on Evansville presented an opportunity.

“Trees were down on my rental properties,” Clark says. “I told my guys, ‘Find out where the ice storm wasn’t.’’’

His crew had to travel to Ohio to pick up tree equipment.

“Everybody said, ‘You’re nuts. Don’t buy all that equipment.’ I had to,” Clark says. “I couldn’t get anybody to show up.”

“He’s the hardest-working man I know. He’s a workaholic,” says Jonathan Weaver, a broker associate with F.C. Tucker Emge and an Evansville City Council member since 2012. “Everybody trusts him to get the job done. He’s the number one problem solver in the community.”

Newburgh, Indiana, native and local entrepreneur Dave Clark’s friends call him “the hardest-working man I know” and “the kind of person that you trust” for his noteworthy work ethic and steadfast values. His dogged determination to blaze his own trail has resulted in several business ownerships and a trail of good deeds in his wake.

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On one occasion, Weaver and Clark were talking on the phone about a small sapling somehow sprouting from Weaver’s chimney. Instead of waiting for his crew, Clark grabbed a ladder, drove to Weaver’s house, and took care of the problem himself.

“I hear a loud noise on the roof, and it’s Dave picking up a little sapling,” Weaver says. “He’s always looking out for people.”

Clark has had to work hard since he was young, when his family was in poverty. His father, George, died by suicide when Clark was 11. His mother, Connie,

had cardiomyopathy and died at 49 when Clark was 25. He became a father while still attending Castle High School in Newburgh, Indiana. It all drove Clark to work that much harder.

Despite their hardships, the Clark family — including brothers Dale and Danny — managed to stay afloat with the aid of Social Security. Each family member also worked and contributed; Clark began mowing lawns at age 11. Their mother worked until her health began failing.

“I used to love government cheese with a sandwich and hot dogs through

the microwave,” Clark says.

A solid swimmer at Castle, Clark blossomed under the tutelage of Western Kentucky University coach Bill Powell, who retired in 2005 as the second-winningest NCAA Division I coach in history with 336 dual meet victories.

“I was fortunate to swim for such a great coach,” says Clark, who earned the team’s “most improved swimmer” award in 1990. He majored in advertising and marketing and minored in finance at WKU, graduating in 1992.

He was a senior at Castle when Michael Rosenbaum was a freshman.

“He grew up very poor and lost his dad when he was 11. Obviously, that can be very damaging to a child. I believe it’s why friendships are so important to him. You have to find your people, where you belong.”

— Michael Rosenbaum

Ÿ

Ÿ

Tad Dickel, Ph.D.

They had mutual friends and gravitated toward each other as the years went on because both were so driven to succeed.

Clark knows what it’s like to have nothing, says Rosenbaum, an actor who portrays Martinex in the recent Marvel movie “Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3” and is best known for his role as Lex Luthor in TV’s “Smallville” from 2001 to 2008. (Rosenbaum is the stepson of this article’s author.)

“He grew up very poor and lost his dad when he was 11,” Rosenbaum says. “Obviously, that can be very damaging to a child. I believe it’s why friendships are so important to him. You have to find your people, where you belong.”

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Clark’s road to success hasn’t been smooth. Instead of panicking when the Great Recession collapsed financial markets in 2008, Clark didn’t flinch. He doubled down.

“From 1992 to 2008, I worked my ass off, but I made a lot of easy money,” Clark says. “But when the Great Recession hit, everything I did was shut down immediately. At the same time, taxes went up.”

He had to change virtually everything he did in his business practices.

“I knew I could literally lose everything,” Clark says. “Most mortgage companies shut down.”

Instead of folding, he took the money he did have and started “buying low.” His bold moves dramatically increased the solvency of the businesses.

“It was a game-changer,” he says.

Brimming with confidence and determination, he simply outworked the problem.

Dave Clark and Mark Albini review a business plan at the office of Clark’s mortgage company. He also owns a tree service, real estate, and a construction company.

PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW

Behind his strong work ethic is his understanding wife, Kimberly, a broker sales associate in real estate.

“She never questioned my work, and she never questioned my business decisions,” Clark says. “She said, ‘I know he knows what he’s doing.’”

Rosenbaum says Clark is just a regular guy who faced a lot of adversity and made something of himself.

“I think what we share in common is that we both could have easily been content working a normal life and having a simple job, enough to get by,” Rosenbaum says. “But I guess there was something deep inside of us that pushed us for wanting a little more than that. Maybe it has something to do with the underdog wanting to prove to everyone that he’s not a failure, that he does have something to offer or about proving it to yourself.”

For Clark, it was never wanting to go back to figuring out where his next meal would come from.

“And being a father, he never wanted his children to go through what he went through,” Rosenbaum says.

“We all have that something deep inside of us, something that makes us tick … a passion. Some of us ignore it, and some of us just can’t. Dave and I have talked about how mean kids can be in any high school. Some would get real joy in putting you down once they figured out you had nothing. I can’t say that doesn’t light a fire under your ass sometimes.”

“And when things end up working out … nothing is more rewarding,” he adds.

Clark’s son Jackson just completed his sophomore year at Castle, while middle child Ashley is a University

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Dave Clark’s family has grown to include wife Kimberly Clark, son Jackson Clark, granddaughter Ella Weinzapfel, daughter Meghann Weinzapfel, son-in-law Zach Weinzapfel, daughter Ashley Putnam, granddaughter Lainey Weinzapfel, and son-in-law Kyle Putnam.

of Southern Indiana graduate and married. His elder daughter, Meghann, now is 36 and also married.

Nate Monroe, who has known Clark for about 15 years, underscored that Clark is understated in several respects.

“To this day, I don’t think I know how many organizations and businesses that he has involvement with, but he is very involved in real estate, which is also how I know him,” says Monroe, a wealth advisor and senior vice president at Old National Bank. “Dave is my mentor in real estate rentals and is the reason why I have almost three dozen of them today.”

Clark’s secret to success? He likes to help people and cares about them, Monroe says.

“Dave surrounds himself with great people, but he is never shy about helping those that he stands nothing to gain from,” Monroe says. “Invariably, many of these people become Dave fans. His ability to ‘pay it forward’ has been a key component to why people like Dave and why he is so well known and respected in many different circles in town. What he has given to me as a friend, mentor, and customer I can never fully repay, nor does he expect me to. He takes this attitude with all he comes into contact with. He gives more than he ever receives or expects to receive.”

If you ever can’t find Clark, it’s because he is always working.

“He does so for his family’s wellbeing, helping other people, and adding value to our community,” Monroe says. “Dave is the kind of person that you trust. He never loses his cool and is quick to bring calm to situations when they escalate. I don’t know how he manages all his businesses and organizations he is a part of. He is a master at time management and never seems like he is in a hurry.”

Now 54, Clark jokes that he’s slowing down a bit.

“I had an epiphany,” he says. “I have enough money to send Jackson to college and enough money for retirement. A light flickered. I don’t have to work 100 hours a week. I can start working 60.”

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function of an in-house accounting/finance operational team, including books and records management, treasury operations/ controls, audit and tax management and coordination, service provider oversight, and advisory solutions.

Shane Bates, Partner , noted: “It is exciting to bring a company like Bridge to Evansville. We have sophisticated clients from all over the world and the Evansville talent to deliver a best-in-class service

Bridge Alternatives, Partners Kyle Fields, Nick Gilliam, Clay Scarafia, and Shane Bates

offering. It is extremely rewarding to build such an innovative company in our hometown.”

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B ridge offers solutions to address the unique challenges businesses face today. The experienced team handles every aspect of the business that an in-house CFO, Controller, and/or COO would undertake. Clay Scarafia, Partner, explains: “We work across a wide range of industries with many clients, all with their own unique challenges. At Bridge, we take a team approach in every engagement to deliver exceptional service on a personal level. Our outsourced accounting and financial services provide our clients with scalable and dynamic business solutions tailored to their needs, leveraging a depth and breadth of knowledge that is difficult to duplicate with internal resources alone. Everyone wins.”

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Amanda

, noted: “We are thrilled to have partnerships with such diverse and dynamic clients. Bridge provides financial, operational, and strategic solutions to deliver a tailored service to maximize business performance for our clients. We are more than consultants; we are an extension of our client’s team.”

Client & Team Demographics

B ridge services clients based in Australia, Canada, Germany, France, Switzerland, UK, and all across the United States; ranging from prelaunch startups to mature investment managers with more than $800 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM). The clients include hedge funds, private equity funds, venture capital firms, foundations, and portfolio companies. Nick Gilliam, Partner , comments: “In addition to our Evansville headquarters, we have offices in Atlanta, Chicago, and Detroit. The team’s expertise allows us to add value to our clients’ global footprint.” +

B ridge has a fast-growing business consultancy solutions platform that provides financial analysis & reporting services, as well as strategic business development and deployment solutions. Whether the aim is to improve operational efficiencies, streamline internal controls, or simply look for better ways to manage growing investments, Bridge provides the solution. FOR MORE INFORMATION

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Gonterman, Managing Director

The Leading Ladies Bissy Keown, Amanda Gonterman, Lauren Friars, and Misty Murty

Amanda Gonterman, Sam Stratman, Shaun Kingston, and Jacob Graves

How area businesses are big on grit, determination, and heart

By John Martin and Maggie Valenti

The merits of small businesses are well known. They help keep dollars at home and circulating in the local economy. They create jobs for friends and neighbors. But to be a small business in a less-populated area adds an extra challenge. How does one carve out

individuality and draw customers in? What incentives should a town offer to attract small businesses? Here, business owners and officials in five area communities share how they create a unique identity, and the pride they take in their towns.

PHOTO BY LAURA MATHIS

Town square upgrades create a ‘Hallmark movies’ vibe

Pam Trickey is relishing the opportunity to live, work, and play on the revived, picturesque, flag-laden town square in Boonville, Indiana.

Her business, Trickey’s Brews and Bevs, is open five days a week at 120 W. Locust St. There’s coffee (the special house blend was concocted by Alex Gale, owner of New Harmony, Indiana’s Black Lodge Coffee Roasters), tea, local Derr’s soda, and a sandwich, soup, and baked goods menu, with beer and wine available, too.

Live music is scheduled every Friday and many Saturdays through the end of this year, with an emphasis on local talent. This includes younger musicians just entering the entertainment industry.

Its story dates to 2019, when Trickey and her husband, Ken, bought the empty building. They lived on Evansville’s West Side at the time.

“It needed a lot of work,” says Trickey, who grew up in Warrick County. The building has 3,000 square feet and tall ceilings on each of its three floors, and the couple’s vision was to live on the second floor and have a business on the ground level.

Trickey’s Brews and Bevs opened in late 2021 and has found a niche alongside Downtown Boonville restaurants such as Commander’s Grill, 3rd Street Saloon, and Yesterdaze Bar & Grill.

It’s an environment where folks often traipse from one establishment to the next, Trickey says, and “with the small-town vibe, a lot of people have said it’s like the Hallmark movies.”

This is the image of Boonville’s town square that Mayor Charlie Wyatt had in mind upon taking office in 2016.

From that year until 2019, the city spent $2.5 million to give Boonville’s historic Downtown a facelift, with refreshed sidewalks, decorative lighting, new parking lines, and a whopping 65 flagpoles. At the same time, the Warrick County government completed a courthouse improvement project.

The result of those efforts, Wyatt says, is an inspired new Downtown Boonville where small businesses can succeed, bringing in local residents as well as those from elsewhere seeking something new. He says special events such as Boonville Square Flair and Halloween Boo in Boonville lure people Downtown, as do Christmas activities when the square shines for the season.

“I know that especially at Christmastime, we scour the parking here in Boonville,” Wyatt says. “I’ve been pleased to see that it’s not all Warrick County license plates. I think we have made a little bit of an impact.”

trickeysbrewsandbevs.com cityofboonvilleindiana.com

With about 6,600 residents, Boonville was founded in 1818 and is the largest city in Warrick County and also the county seat. Famous natives include James Hemenway, a U.S. representative from 1885 to 1905 and U.S. senator from 1905 to 1909, and Jeremy Spencer, a drummer who in 2005 co-founded the heavy metal band Five Finger Death Punch.

Pam Trickey opened Trickey’s Brews and Bevs on Boonville’s town square in 2021 and relishes the entrepreneurial spirit Downtown. “With the small-town vibe, a lot of people have said it’s like the Hallmark movies,” she says.

TRICKEY’S BREWS AND BEVS PHOTOS BY BREE NEELEY DOWNTOWN STREET PHOTO PROVIDED BY WARRICK COUNTY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Pam and Paige Trickey

Small business owners harness Newburgh’s history and charm

Support for small business is no small thing in a town like Newburgh, Indiana, which has cultivated a commerce ecosystem where anyone can make their mark as a small business owner, from the seasoned to those trying something new.

Rita Simmons grew up shopping at 224 W. Jennings St. at the Newburgh Country Store, which was owned by the same family, the Klugers, for nearly 50 years. Before that, it was built for and housed St. John the Baptist Catholic Church from 1867 until 1964.

The historic building, complete with belltower, has seen turnover since it was sold in 2013. It housed multiple incarnations of The Refinery, including a coffee shop, boutique, and “soul space” offering quiet coworking options. When the building again went up for sale in 2022, Simmons jumped at the chance to buy it.

Simmons opened The Newburgh Mercantile on July 1, 2022. Daughter Christen Angermeier, a North High School graduate, left life as a hotel and restaurant manager to become the store’s general manager.

Newburgh in 1812 became the first town established in Warrick County. The town of about 3,300 people enjoys several footnotes in history, including as a regional riverport, a stop on the Underground Railroad, and the first town north of the MasonDixon line to be captured during the Civil War.

The Newburgh Mercantile offers gifts — really, “everything you could ever think of,” Angermeier says — and capitalizes on nostalgia by splashing local images, landmarks, and town names across shirts, mugs, jewelry, puzzles, and more. A coffee and tea bar includes an 1867 blend, named for the year the building was constructed.

Simmons had previous experience in boutique businesses as owner of R4 Design, with storefronts in Newburgh, French Lick, and Carmel, Indiana. The French Lick and Carmel locations closed during the COVID-19 pandemic, while R4 Design was revamped into The Newburgh Mercantile.

Due to Downtown Newburgh’s creation options and regular foot traffic, Simmons also plans to open a nearby bike rental shop offering both electric and traditional bicycles.

Newburgh is a tale of two cities: the historic district along the Ohio River, and the spate of newer small businesses that have turned the area around State Road 66 into a shopping, dining, and service destination. But through holiday events, walking tours, and small business shopping nights, Downtown has harnessed a mix of nostalgia and history to remain Newburgh’s public gathering place.

The old town’s foot traffic has helped The Newburgh Mercantile increase its presence each month as more people stroll by and learn about the shop — and celebrate the historic building’s reinvention.

Rita Simmons and Christen Angermeier

thenewburghmercantile.com historicnewburgh.org

The Newburgh Mercantile fills what used to be the Newburgh Country Store. It took around a month and a half to move into the new space, but mother-daughter duo Rita Simmons and Christen Angermeier have seen their gift shop succeed from street traffic and word of mouth.

Small business entrepreneurs in Mount Vernon are finding their niche

Running a small business is hard, as anyone who’s tried it would tell you. But 3 Chicks Fudgery in Mount Vernon, Indiana, has made it through 10 years thanks to bold steps and a supportive home base.

Owner Rachel Rainey began her journey selling specialty fudge at Second and Main streets. She outgrew that space and moved a block away, to 305 Main St., expanding her offerings from decadent homemade sweets to include gifts, ice cream, coffee, smoothies, and lattes. A popular recent addition was mini doughnuts.

Rainey also recently started a 3 Chicks Fudgery food truck, giving the business more regionwide exposure. She had already been visiting events such as farmers’ markets in Evansville.

All roads lead back to Mount Vernon, however, where 3 Chicks Fudgery’s storefront continues to lure customers. Rainey says the town’s robust calendar of local events, like classic car shows and September’s annual River Days festival, gives her and other local small businesses a boost.

During Independence Day festivities, “we’re slammed,” Rainey says, and she’s open for extended hours prior to Christmas.

“There’re two or three other gift shops in town, and around Christmas time, people hop around and shop at the different locations,” Rainey says.

Special events are vital for small businesses, Mayor Bill Curtis says, noting several years’ worth

of upgrades to the town’s core. He says Mount Vernon is blessed to have a quaint courthouse square alongside a majestic Ohio River view.

“In the last 7-8 years, we’ve totally redone Main Street up to where City Hall is,” Curtis says. “We have new sidewalks, streetlights, a walkway, and bicycle bath. We’ve worked to make downtown a bit more of a destination, a place people can go and walk. And the riverfront, I think, is as pretty as any.”

For Gerton Auto Sales, which has sold classic cars, RVs, and late-model vehicles in Mount Vernon for nearly 20 years, a combination of small-town flavor and effective social media marketing is bringing big success.

“We’ve literally had people fly in from Alaska to get their RV from us,” owner John Gerton says. “We have an exceptional reputation.” Case in point: Winnebago has bestowed its Flying W Award for top customer service to Gerton’s dealership.

Gerton notes the advantage of Mount Vernon’s proximity to clients from major cities such as Indianapolis, Indiana, St. Louis, Missouri, and Louisville, Kentucky. He says his customers enjoy doing business in a small community, and today’s technology gives local businesses a wider reach.

“Social media and internet presence is everything right now,” he says. 3chicksfudgery.com • gertonautosales.com mountvernonin.gov

Eighteen miles west of Evansville is Mount Vernon, the seat of Posey County. With about 6,400 residents, the community is rural but also a major manufacturing hub in the Tri-State. SABIC (Saudi Arabia’s Basic Industries Corporation), a chemical manufacturer, has its largest North American plant in Mount Vernon, and AstraZeneca, a

British-based pharmaceutical company, employs about 680 people at its Mount Vernon plant. The Port of Mount Vernon, near the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers, is a major gateway for regional agricultural, energy, and manufacturing industries, generating an estimated $54.2 million in annual tax revenue.

The Port of Mount Vernon keeps this river town active, but so do its savvy marketing, community connectivity, and Main Street upgrades.

3 CHICKS FUDGERY STORE FRONT AND JOHN GERTON PHOTOS BY KATE DURCHOLTZ. PHOTO OF RACHEL RAINEY

BY SOURCE. MOUNT VERNON COURTHOUSE PROVIDED BY VISIT POSEY COUNTY. RIVER BARGE PHOTO BY ZACH STRAW

John Gerton

Mount Vernon, Indiana | Population 6,400

Rachel Rainey

A town defined by its ingenuity welcomes young creatives

New Harmony, Indiana, has seen a resurgence of young entrepreneurs opening and reviving local businesses while keeping the town’s historic integrity.

In March, Adam Williams and his fiancée, Nikki, reopened Firehouse Antiques and Advertising on 608 Main St., a business in a historic late-1800s building that was once New Harmony’s firehouse — hence the name.

Upon buying the 20-year-old business and historic building in 2021, Williams, a North High School graduate, remodeled the downstairs while still keeping many original aspects, including the wood floors, exposed brick, an old belltower, and even a firepole on the upper floors where Williams lives with his growing family, which includes two children.

“People come to New Harmony for the history, and antique shops go hand in hand with that,” Williams says. “We find stuff that means something to us and potentially someone else.”

The couple particularly are fond of authentic antique advertising pieces, traveling all over the U.S. knocking on doors, following leads, and purchasing from other collectors to find unique items that stand out. Buyers like knowing the story behind the items they purchase, Williams says. Many shoppers also are interested in the firehouse’s history, and the owners often take visitors upstairs to view the living space as well.

There is a lot of opportunity in New Harmony, Williams says, noting that many of the

area’s successful businesses are antique dealers and restaurants. In that vein, the Williamses plan to open a sandwich, soup, and ice cream shop next door this summer called Fire & Ice.

What also attracts people to New Harmony is its tranquil atmosphere, something unattainable in a city, says Kari Mobley, the executive director of Visit Posey County and a member of the One New Harmony board. She says many younger people are buying up older buildings to fit their businesses, maintaining the history of New Harmony while bringing in something new.

“We offer something that you can’t get in a big city. We’re more of a small-town charm, locally owned community that really supports each other,” she says.

History defines a large chunk of New Harmony’s out-of-town attraction, as it was the home of two early Utopian communities. More recently, New Harmony — with a population of just under 700 — joined Indiana Main Street, a branch of Main Street America, which helps revitalize Downtown areas of Hoosier cities. The towns of Boonville and Newburgh are members of the same program, which Kari Mobley says will help rebrand Visit New Harmony as One New Harmony. One economic obstacle has been the 2012 closure of the bridge linking New Harmony with Crossville, Illinois, over the Wabash River. In need of repairs, the decade-long closure significantly impacts transportation of the region’s oil and agriculture industries. The New Harmony Toll Bridge was given a top priority of rural bridge repair in a 2021 transportation bill that was killed in Congress.

Part of the charm of Downtown New Harmony’s Main and Church streets is the historic architecture of its buildings. Visitors can shop at clothing boutiques, art galleries, and record stores.

Firehouse Antiques & Advertising on Facebook visitnewharmony.com • visitposeycounty.com

ADAM

PHOTO BY LAURA MATHIS

Adam Williams

Long-Established companies and new businesses root hard for one another

Henderson, Kentucky, takes pride in being a place where southern hospitality begins. Community advocates say the U.S. 41 bridges represent not only a state border but also a paradigm shift in culture, and this is especially evident in small businesses.

Bradley Hebert has experienced Henderson’s warmth first-hand since arriving from Waco, Texas. Hebert runs Whims & Wishes at 112 N. Main St. with his wife Allison, a Henderson native, selling custom-made signs for home décor, children’s rooms, weddings, holidays, and occasions.

The business also can host up to 40 people for private sign-painting parties.

Hebert relocated to Henderson in 2018 to work for former Whims & Wishes owners Leslie and Tore Stuen and bought the business from them in 2021. Hebert met Allison shortly after arriving in Henderson, and the couple now have two young children.

Small business owners in Henderson, Hebert says, “are a close-knit group. Everybody watches out for each other. We’re all just making a living, supporting our families. It’s a humbling thing to be a part of.”

Whims & Wishes is next door to the Henderson Chamber of Commerce, which cultivates this type of environment.

Chamber President Lindsay Locasto says Henderson’s small business base is solid for many reasons, including loyal local customers, a robust calendar of festivals that draw thousands of outsiders, and Ohio River cruise lines that bring passengers into town.

“Our community prides itself on having a collaborative nature and wanting everybody to have success,” Locasto says.

Perhaps no Henderson small business has succeeded on a greater level than Simon’s Shoes, which is around the corner at 100 N. Main St. and has been a Downtown stalwart for 104 years. Henderson residents love to shop local, but thirdgeneration owner Bruce Simon estimates that 90 percent of his sales come from outside the community’s 42420 zip code.

“The key to our business is customer service and inventory,” he says. “We carry a lot of shoes and sizes most stores don’t carry. We get people from

HENDERSON COURTHOUSE

PHOTOS BY ZACH STRAW

Henderson, Kentucky | Population 27,697

Lexington, Louisville, Indianapolis, Nashville, all over Southern Illinois. We carry a lot of narrow to wide sizes … (and) we are always trying to find something new in designs and styles.”

Simon’s Shoes still is going strong at a time when its surrounding area also is demonstrating small business strength, drawing visitors from near and far.

“Right now, the Downtown area is booming - new restaurants, shops, and boutiques,” Simon says.

Despite its presence directly across the Ohio River from Evansville and a 30-mile drive west of Owensboro, Kentucky, Henderson – population 27,697 in a July 2022 update to the 2020 U.S. census – has a flair all its own. A 700-acre state park is named for French-American painter, orthinologist, and naturalist John James Audubon, who lived in Henderson from 1810 to 1819. Another green space, Audubon Mill Park, overlooks the river and is home to major events such as the W.C. Handy Blues & Barbecue Festival and the Bluegrass in the Park Folklife Festival.

Local businesses in Henderson, Kentucky, speak of an environment where customers come first and entrepreneurs unfailingly support one another’s efforts. Bradley and Allison Hebert bought Whims & Wishes in 2021, while Bruce Simon is the third-generation owner of Simon’s Shoes, which has had a storefront in Henderson for 104 years.

woodworksandwishes.com facebook.com/simonshendersonky hendersonkychamber.com

MAIN STREET PHOTO BY LAURA MATHIS. WHIMS & WISHES AND SIMON SHOES PHOTOS BY EMMA BAYENS

Granger, Bradley, Allison, and Olivia Hebert

Sydney, Bruce, and Stacey Simon

Operating Partner, Milton is responsible for running all facets of the business. Milton has a proven management track record and over 20 years in the title industry.

Dedication to Real Estate

Hometown Title takes a seamless, professional approach to real estate transactions with support from Gonterman & Meyer Law.

With over 150 years of combined real estate title experience, Hometown Title is here to serve the Tri-State community. Locally and veteran owned, Hometown Title was established by Rhett Gonterman, Greg Meyer, and Milton Norman in 2022. Managing Member, Rhett Gonterman, explains that Hometown Title’s success proposition is rooted in communication, professionalism, and speed to market.

“Our clients appreciate our ability to effectively communicate with our local partners and deliver timely real estate title services and solutions. We do that by relying on extremely

talented team members who have over 150 years of combined real estate title experience. We are also truly blessed to have a phenomenal leader in Milton Norman, President of Hometown,” Gonterman says.

Hometown Title is located on downtown Evansville’s riverfront at 25 N.W. Riverside Drive. Members of Hometown’s leadership team continually stress the importance of having internal expertise to deliver timely services.

“It was important for us to be located in the heart of Evansville and deliver a

Rhett’s legal expertise includes specialization in a wide variety of areas: estate planning and estate administration, corporate law, employment law, creditors’ rights, real estate law, and data privacy/cyber-security.

first-class experience for residential and commercial real estate transactions,” Gonterman says.

“We feel that we are unique in that we do not outsource any aspect of the title process; from searching, examining, clearing, and closing real estate transactions – everything is completed right here in Evansville. Hometown Title can also lean on its relationship with Gonterman & Meyer Law when needed.”

Gonterman & Meyer Law

Members, Rhett Gonterman and Greg Meyer also founded Gonterman & Meyer Law, LLC to service Tri-State families with their real estate, estate planning, long-term care (Medicaid/Nursing Home) planning, and business-related legal needs.

Partner, Greg Meyer grew up in Holland, Indiana. As a young adult, he became an integral member of the Boy Scout community and eventually attained the distinguished title of Eagle Scout. He graduated from Indiana University in 1982 with his law degree. Over the past four decades, Greg has served clients across the southwestern Indiana region. He has a proven track record of winning, and he was extremely successful in his role as lead counsel — which ultimately led to the second-highest jury verdict in the entire history of the State of Indiana. Over time, he’s practiced law in a varied selection of specializations including elder law (estate planning/administration), Medicaid eligibility, and representing countless small and mid-size businesses with a variety of legal needs.

Managing Member, Rhett Gonterman, grew up locally and attended Indiana University after graduating from Reitz Memorial High School. Before attending law school, he served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2000 to 2006. After returning home, he attended Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law and graduated with his law degree in 2010. He is now

About Gonterman & Meyer Law

We specialize in real estate, business law, estate planning and administration, banking, and long-term care and asset preservation planning (Medicaid/Nursing Home planning).

married to his high school sweetheart Amanda Gonterman, and they have four incredible children: Elsie, Colt, Wyatt, and Hazel. Rhett says that his diversity of experience is what helps him propel his clients towards success having worked in a full-service law firm and as the assistant general counsel for a multi-billion-dollar bank with locations across the central and upper Midwest.

Yvette LaPlante is also an integral part of Gonterman & Meyer Law’s continued success. After graduating from Indiana University’s McKinney School of Law in 2007, Yvette returned to her Evansville roots. She began her law career at a small local firm, where she helped clients who were involved in civil disputes, facing criminal charges, or needed assistance with transactional matters. Yvette also continues to assist clients with litigation, appellate, and business matters. She’s advocated in over 100 appellate cases, arguing before the Indiana Supreme Court and the Indiana Court of Appeals. Her experiences in the courtroom and the boardroom help her to craft novel arguments and obtain favorable outcomes for her clients.

Rhett Gonterman, Member at Gonterman & Meyer Law, LLC

Alyssa Kendall, Kelsey Stroud, Natalie Foley, and Lana Harper Yvette LaPlante, Rhett Gonterman, and Greg Meyer

Alex R. Schmitt Schmitt Law Office, LLC

Establishing the solo firm of Schmitt Law Office in 2016, Alex R. Schmitt focuses his practice on Civil Litigation, Business and Commercial Law, and Estate Planning and Probate.

Perhaps you’ve had the misfortune of someone not holding up their end of a deal; or you’ve recently started a family and want an estate plan in place; or a family member has recently passed away; or you’re ready to break off on your own but need someone to guide you through the complexity of commercial law and business organizations.

Whatever your situation may be, you need an experienced attorney who still believes that the world revolves around fairness and justice, will be by your side every step of the way, and will ensure that your best interests are protected.

223 S.E. Second St., Third Floor 812-425-4687

schmittlawoffice.com

Patrick Duff Duff Law, LLC

Duff Law brings a fresh, professional approach to the representation of their clients. This is accomplished by placing the client’s interests first and treating them as if they were their own.

When it comes to criminal defense, our practice provides counsel for all major felonies and misdemeanors. A criminal conviction can be life changing for you and your family. It is critical to have the right legal counsel that is experienced, trustworthy, and dependable. Recently, Duff Law participated in a seminar through the National Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, “Making Sense of Science: Forensic Science & the Law” in Las Vegas, Nevada. This is one of many seminars through the NACDL that Duff Law has participated in through past years.

Family has always been important for Duff Law, whether it is the strong team that makes up the practice, or the families that turn to us for help. The already demanding process of navigating some of life’s hardest challenges can be even further complicated by decisions relating to child custody, parenting time, child support, and the division

of marital property. Duff Law can not only give you the advice you need, but will also handle your case with dignity, compassion, and respect.

It can be easy to feel overwhelmed, but Duff Law is here to listen to your needs and help make decisions moving forward with your case. We look forward to helping you through any issues life brings your way.

Attorney Profiles Special Advertising Section

Kevin M. Halter

Angela L. Freel

Lucero Tennis Kieffer

Mark T. Abell

Justin Johnson

Chad J. Sullivan Cassee L. Vivian

Charles Compton

Diana L. Wann

Ryan Parker

James D. Johnson

Joshua A. Claybourn

Marc D. Fine

Timothy A. Klingler

We are grateful for the privilege of helping clients pursue opportunities since 1822. We’ve grown from a single attorney to 160 attorneys across 10 offices in 6 states.

The one thing that hasn’t changed throughout our history is our focus on serving our clients. Our attorneys deliver thoughtful advice and cost-effective solutions in virtually all aspects of law –from litigation and commercial finance to tax matters, employee benefits, and real estate. Whether you are embarking into new endeavors, require resources for expansion and growth, or need a legal obstacle moved out of the way, our top-tier legal talent is available, ready to bring the results for your future.

Over the course of his professional life, Glenn Grampp has had extensive experience in practicing in the areas of criminal defense, personal injury, and domestic relations. Glenn has had numerous jury trials and considerable experience in defending all areas of criminal offenses. He is admitted to practice in the judicial districts of the State of Indiana, U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana, the U.S. Court of Appeals Seventh Judicial District, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

Nathan B. Maudlin joined workers’ compensation attorneys Klezmer Maudlin in 2003. He graduated cum laude from the Indiana University School of Law — Indianapolis in 1995 and is admitted to practice in Indiana and Illinois. Nathan is a fellow of the College of Worker’s Compensation Lawyers, and coauthor of Indiana Worker’s Compensation Law and Practice.

Glenn Grampp

Attorney at Law

Nathan B. Maudlin

Klezmer Maudlin, PC

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Diversity and inclusion are the backbone of a healthy community. They elevate talent attraction and retention, foster engaging arts and dining scenes, and give residents an opportunity to experience a global perspective right here in Evansville. Learn how businesses and educational institutions are paving the way for inclusivity in the Tri–State.

LATINOS IN EVANSVILLE 2023

he growth of the Latino community in Evansville has been beneficial in many ways. It has brought diversity to the city and contributed to the local economy. The community has enriched the city’s cultural landscape, bringing new traditions, music, art, and food to the area. It has also created new opportunities for professional development, including jobs in various industries and businesses that cater to

LATINOS BY THE NUMBERS

Empowering People to Achieve Their Dreams

How does Easterseals embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion?

We believe that each person is deserving of high quality services provided with expertise, compassion, and respect. We strive to make profound, positive differences in people’s lives, empowering everyone we serve to attain their greatest potential for personal independence and to enhance their physical and mental well-being. As part of our mission, Easterseals also works to change the way our community defines and views disability. We envision a community in which all individuals and families are accepted, valued, and included, and have equal opportunity to achieve their goals, dreams, and aspirations.

How does Easterseals work to make your programs accessible to everyone in our community?

Since our foundi ng locally in 1946, Easterseals has welcomed individuals with disabilities from all backgrounds. We offer a sliding fee scale for our essential core services — physical, occupational and speech-language therapies, audiology, and psychology — so children and adults can receive the quality services they need regardless of their financial situation. This is why the community’s support of Easterseals’ year-round fundraising efforts is so important and so very much appreciated.

How is your organization’s approach to DE&I reflected in the way you work with children and adults?

Our Easterseals Early Learning Center — Evansville’s onl y fully inclusive early care and education

program — is a prime example of our focus on diversity, equity, and inclusion. Children with disabilities, delays, or significant health conditions thrive alongside their classmates, so all can enter school ready to achieve their greatest potential. Across our wide range of lifechanging services for both children and adults, we utilize a multidisciplinary approach. Our team works to understand the unique needs of each individual and to treat the whole person.

Does Easterseals strive to employ a diverse staff?

Yes! Easterseal s believes the organization is stronger with staff members from diverse backgrounds as part of the team, and we value different ideas, talents, skills, experiences, and perspectives. Working together, we strive to reflect our core values of excellence, stewardship, respect, commitment, and teamwork. To learn more about opportunities to join the team, visit eastersealsrehabcenter. com/who-we-are/careers-ateasterseals.

Does Easterseals offer DE&I committee groups or workshops for its employees?

In addition to an nual diversity awareness sessions, staff members are invited to participate in a continuing series of diversity lectures and workshops hosted by our Psychology & Wellness Department. The Easterseals Rehabilitation Center also recently completed an internal “Climate and Belonging” survey as part of our commitment to employees. The confidential survey gave all staff the opportunity to share their thoughts, opinions, and experiences around diversity, equity, and inclusion within the organization. Utilizing survey findings, our DE&I committee will develop goals to further enhance the work environment for all members of the team. u

Latinos in Evansville

EVANSVILLE PRIDES ITSELF ON being a city for everyone, constantly transformed and improved with the contributions of several cultures. Among these vibrant communities, the Latino population stands out as a fastgrowing demographic and shares the benefits of cultural enrichment, economic growth, and social unity.

Mayor Lloyd Winnecke and the Evansville Latino Advisory group met in 2015 to discuss how to celebrate and introduce the richness of our cultural diversity. Inclusion of Latinos’ deep-rooted and diverse traditions, art, music, cuisine, and literature through activities such as the annual Fiesta Evansville festival promote understanding and help break down barriers of prejudice and stereotypes.

The inclusion and empowerment of the Latino community also is vital for sustainable economic growth. There are more than 149 Latino-owned businesses in the Tri-State. By embracing and providing equal opportunities, Evansville and its surrounding municipalities can tap into the potential of a skilled and industrious workforce, foster innovation and entrepreneurship, and ultimately boost the local economy.

The Evansville Police Department’s Latino Citizen’s Academy started eight years ago to educate Latino residents about the role of law enforcement in our community and address cultural differences of policing in the U.S. versus Latin American countries. Based on the 2022 Latino Needs Assessment Conducted by the Evansville Latino Center, local Latinos showed a considerable increased trust in improved communication with law enforcement.

Inclusion of Latino residents in educational institutions is vital for their empowerment and advancement. Vincennes University’s Adult ESL (English as a Second Language) graduates hundreds of Latinos, and VU helps Latinos earn GED accreditation. The Abraham Brown Scholarship for Higher Education for Latino Students helps fund college studies. Voces en Accion provides young Latinas with opportunities to connect, explore their voices through artistic expression, and develop the skills needed to mentor and support their communities.

For more than a decade, institutions like the Welborn Baptist Foundation and ECHO Community Clinic have played an important role in promoting inclusion of Latinos in health initiatives, improving Latinx health in the Tri-State.

Through such inclusion, Evansville — and the TriState — truly can live up to its ideals of equality, diversity, and opportunity for all.

PHOTO PROVIDED BY EASTERSEALS

PHOTO PROVIDED BY FIESTA EVANSVILLE

Our Commitment to Community

How does ECHO Community Healthcare embrace diversity, equity, and inclusion?

We understand that DE&I is a fluid process and an expression of our commitment to create an equal and inclusive work environment. ECHO evaluates policies and procedures annually. We also consult with outside agencies to identify areas of improvement.

Does ECHO offer DE&I committee groups or workshops for employees?

We have a DEI committee made up of 10 employees that cover different disciplines within our organization.

How is your organization’s approach to DE&I reflected in the way you work with patients?

It is the mission of ECHO to provide quality healthcare to all members of our community, including the uninsured, underinsured, insured, and homeless. ECHO Community Healthcare lives out its mission of service to a diverse patient population, creating an open, inclusive, and equal environment.

How does ECHO work to make healthcare accessible to everyone in our community?

ECHO ensures accessibility to healthcare for all members of our community through strategic measures. Our clinic locations are situated within the center city area, which has the highest concentration of poverty. This geographic region encompasses over 22,000 residents in the Evansville area. This particular population faces significant challenges, including an unemployment rate of 12.86% and a poverty rate of 39.03%.

To address these issues, we have located our clinic sites that are easily reachable by foot, and also are conveniently located near public transit stops, further facilitating accessibility to our services. By employing these measures, we ensure that our healthcare services are easily accessible to those in need.

In what ways has ECHO recently made upgrades to its language services offerings?

We have certified Spanish Medical Interpreters employed at all sites. We also have contracted interpreters in other languages such as Russian, Marshallese, and Haitian Creole to provide a more

You Belong at Ivy Tech

IVY TECH COMMUNITY COLLEGE RECOGNIZES

that the value of diversity is at the heart of all we do. Our students bring their heritage, experiences, and authentic self to our institution, giving all the opportunity to be part of the culture of our community. We owe it to those students to provide not only an atmosphere of learning, but one where they can truly belong.

We work hard to recruit and retain talented faculty and staff who reflect our great state of Indiana and the many cultures and identities found here. By giving our students the opportunity to meet people from all different walks of life, we can help to develop culturally literate individuals who provide positive contributions to the communities we are in. We can produce leaders who share the values of diversity, equity, and belonging that Ivy Tech consistently shows.

Every day, we are learning and taking action to make Ivy Tech a place where people feel they belong. We want our students to not just have a better tomorrow, but a better every day after. u ivytech.edu/diversity

inclusive and personable experience. Patients also have access to Propio, the on-demand language service.

What are ECHO’S core values? How are they represented in your daily culture?

ECHO ’s five core values: I am ECHO –I nclusive, E quitable, C ompassionate, H onest, and O ptimistic. ECHO is committed to providing a daily culture that centers around our core values.

Does your staff participate in sensitivity training?

Yes, ECHO has an annual unconscious bias training with staff. While completing the interactive training, the staff learns the meaning of unconscious bias, to “think about their own thinking.”

u echochc.org

OUR COMMITMENT TO diversity and inclusion is unwavering. We embrace the unique perspectives, experiences, and talents of every individual. By fostering an inclusive environment, we celebrate diversity, encourage collaboration, and create a stronger, more innovative organization where everyone can thrive.

Impulse Salon & Spa

Kim Magee, Adam Cabello, Jaylyn Charleston, and Melinda Ude

AstraZeneca

AT ASTRAZENECA, WE ARE MOTIVATED by pushing the boundaries of science to deliver life-changing medicines to patients around the world. In short, our work has true value. We recognize our people are our greatest assets, and we know what is possible with talented and diverse teams who believe in what science can do.

We believe in building a workforce that reflects the communities we work in. By encouraging a rich diversity, we make space for fresh perspectives and new ideas. Different backgrounds allow us to see things from all angles and deliver the best for our patients. As a company who is often recognized for our commitment to diversity, we not only practice what we preach, we excel because of it.

We intentionally put inclusion before diversity. That’s because we are first focused on creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, which will enable us to attract and retain a rich and diverse workforce. We understand that our patients come from all backgrounds and cultures, all ages and genders. Our priority is reflecting the diversity of our patients and communities in order to ensure we are delivering the best care to our patients.

We are proud of our employees and what each of them bring to the table! We are at our best and most creative when we draw on our different views, experiences, and strengths. This is our competitive advantage, and this is what makes AstraZeneca a great place to work.

Bottom row: Gustavo Quintero, Bethany Bonifield, Anh Boester, and Holly Sanders; Second row: Kevin Smith, Kate Heilman, Emiley Chamberlain, and Kathleen Irwin; Third row: Femi D-Etti, Illya Williams, and Cindy Staples;

Top row: Basel Al Haj, Kadine Smith-Shirley, Jonathan Laboy, and Yitbarek Kebede

Southwestern Behavioral Healthcare

415 Mulberry St.

812–423–7791

812–422–1100 (Crisis Line) southwestern.org

AT SOUTHWESTERN BEHAVIORAL HEALTHCARE, INC., our mission is to Improve Lives Together – for the clients we serve, our employees, and the community at large. Southwestern is proud to have recently celebrated 50 years of commitment to high-quality, affordable mental health care to both children and adults. As a mental health provider, we value respect, safety, and fair treatment of our staff and the clients we serve.

In February 2021, Cedalia Ellis founded the Diversity, Equity, and Engagement (D.E.E.) Committee, under the leadership of President/CEO Katy Adams. Our mission is to foster a climate of mutual respect for clients and employees alike. D.E.E. understands that we must be intentional about keeping pace with the ever-changing needs of our community. D.E.E. develops and implements trainings rooted in the spirit of cultural humility to ensure that all employees feel equipped to identify, acknowledge, and address the barriers stemming from unique lived experiences.

D.E.E. operates under the values of respect, inclusion, social justice, and equity (R.I.S.E.), and we implemented our R.I.S.E. Up Challenge shortly after our inception as a way of providing staff with actionable ways of expressing their allyship. D.E.E. routinely hosts live panel discussions, celebrates cultural diversity and heritage, and provides ongoing assessments of our workplace climate and employee needs. Together, we hope to engage our staff, clients, and community partners in the shared responsibility of creating a community we can be proud of in which mental health is no longer stigmatized and barriers to treatment are a thing of the past.

Tyler Plogher, Subcommittee Chair; Jamie Childers, Subcommittee Chair; Cedalia Ellis, Founder & Chair; and Terry Gish, Subcommittee Chair

Enterprise Zone Community Service Center

CONNECTIONS DEAF CENTERS seeks to empower the deaf and hard of hearing community. American Sign Language (ALS) classes are also available.

EVANSVILLE URBAN ENTERPRISE ASSOCIATION works to improve the quality of life in Evansville’s Enterprise Zone and service area neighborhoods. It fuels employment opportunities for residents, facilitates business growth through tax incentives, and sponsors neighborhood beautification and safety programs.

HAITIAN CENTER OF EVANSVILLE was founded to help the Haitian community thrive and grow. We partner with other community organizations to meet the needs of the blossoming Haitian population in our area.

NAACP (NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF COLORED PEOPLE) seeks to ensure the political, educational, social, and economic equality of rights of all persons and to eliminate racial hatred and racial discrimination.

SUBSTANCE ABUSE COUNCIL OF VANDERBURGH COUNTY works to reduce alcohol abuse, drug abuse, and related addictive behaviors through three types of programs: treatment/intervention, prevention/education, and law enforcement/criminal justice.

euea.org

TRI-CAP nurtures self-sufficiency by providing health, housing, and education services that change lives, empower families, and improve the communities we serve. The Evansville reproductive health clinic is available for all individuals of childbearing age.

TRI-STATE ALLIANCE is a community-based organization that serves LGBTQ communities. We work to educate the public on LGBTQ issues and host educational events for the LGBTQ communities.

Jeff Gregory, Substance Abuse Council; Gelina Mascoe, Haitian Center of Evansville; Gene Smith, Evansville UEA; Brutsh-Shara Brunau, Haitian Center of Evansville; Connie Baltzell, Jr., NAACP; Julie Freyberger, Volunteers of America; Jen Henderson, Evansville UEA; Erin Schauss, Tri-Cap; and Olivia Snepp, Tri-Cap

River City Pride was founded in 2019 by local members of the LGBTQIA+ community to serve the Evansville region through leadership development, educational programs, and community events which achieve inclusivity, equality, strong community connections, and awareness of LGBTQIA+ issues.

By offering LGBTQ+ training programs and courses, businesses can create a more welcoming and inclusive workplace for all employees, and demonstrate their commitment to diversity and equality. Our River City Pride education team proudly offers the following training course opportunities:

• Diversity and Inclusion Training

LGBTQ+ Awareness Training

Pronoun Usage

Implicit Bias

LGBTQ+ Ally Training

LGBTQ+ Cultural Competency Training

LGBTQ+ Employee Resource Group Training

UPCOMING EVENTS

PRIDE FESTIVAL & PARADE

June 3, 2023 • 12 PM

Main Street, Downtown Evansville

The River City Pride Festival and Parade is the largest Pride celebration in our area. This day is full of fun and festivities, celebrating Pride for the LGBTQIA+ community. There are local vendor booths, food trucks, drag shows, entertainment, and even a kid’s play area. This event is for our entire community to unite together and celebrate diversity and inclusion for everyone.

PRIDE NIGHT AT THE OTTERS

June 11, 2023 • 5 PM Bosse Field

Celebrate Pride Month with the Evansville Otters and River City Pride. There are special Pride-themed limited edition items handed out, and our very own LGBTQIA+ community representative is throwing the first pitch.

LGBTQ RESOURCE FAIR & MUSIC FEST

June 16, 2023 • Time TBA

Haynie’s Corner Arts District

Find LGBTQIA+ healthcare & support resources all in one place while also enjoying some fun and music outdoors in Haynie’s Corner Arts District.

WAG-N-DRAG PET ADOPTION EVENT

June 23, 2023 • 6 PM

Vanderburgh Humane Society ( VHS)

400 Millner Industrial Drive, Evansville, IN

A celebration of pets, people, and pride at the Vanderburgh Humane Society. This event has everything you and your four-legged friend could want! Extended adoption hours, raffle prizes, local vendors, and food trucks.

PRIDE WIFFLEBALL TOURNAMENT

June 25, 2023 • 1 PM

Haynie’s Corner Arts District, Corner of 2nd and Adams

This one-day wiffleball tournament features a showdown between the existing wiffleball divisions and local Priderelated nonprofits and companies. It is a single elimination style game all day with a final winner at the end.

MISS, MISTER, MX. PAGEANT

September 23, 2023 • 6:30 PM Location TBD

An evening of fun where we celebrate our current River City Pride reigning court and crown the new reigning three. There are drag performances from an array of performers in our city.

PRIDE TRUNK-OR-TREAT

October 28, 2023 • 2 PM Location TBD

A free, family-friendly community event where families can enjoy a fun and spooky time filled with free goodies, activities, and giveaways.

QUEER MONTHLY MEETUP

Every second Wednesday of the month • 6 PM

Haynie’s Corner Brewhouse

56 Adams Ave., Evansville, IN

This is a monthly meet-up for the Queer community to enjoy networking and quality time together in a relaxed and safe space.

Scan the QR code to visit our website and learn more!

NORTH HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT AI’ZSONI SHERMAN NAMED INDIANA BOYS & GIRLS CLUB’S 2023 YOUTH OF THE YEAR

April 14, Boys & Girls Club of Evansville

Ron Ryan and Ai’Zsoni Sherman

JD SHETH FOUNDATION OPENS “HOME OF THE BRAVE”

April 20, 920 Read St. Doug Minor, Allie Johnston, Alysia Rhinefort, Barb Abell, Jaimie Sheth, Julie Vandeveer, Karese Johnson, Andrea Hershelman, Sarah Schuler, Ron Beane, Drew Mathews, Kelly Sanders, Brenda Goff, and Lindsay Heilman

OLD NATIONAL BANK DONATES $25,000 TO CASTLE MARCHING KNIGHTS’ 2024 ROSE PARADE APPEARANCE April 10, Castle High School Community Room

OFFICIALS ESTABLISH PUBLIC NALOXONE VENDING MACHINE

May 5, Deaconess Midtown Hospital Justin Phillips and Lavender Timmons

IVY TECH’S INAUGURAL ENTREPRENEURSHIP STUDENTS LAUNCH START-UP COMPANIES

May 9, Ivy Tech Community College

Evansville

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1. Grant Winternheimer, Ethan Wilkinson, and Kortney Blaylock 2. Members of the Castle Marching Knights

PHOTOS BY MORGAN DEAN

1. Edward Donaldson and Tiffany Templeton 2. Joshua Marksberry

PHOTOS BY JODI KEEN

YWCA EVANSVILLE HOLDS TRIBUTE TO ACHIEVEMENT May 10, Evansville Country Club Linda White and Erika Taylor

PHOTO PROVIDED BY ERIKA TAYLOR

BRANDON MCCLISH

The University of Southern Indiana graduate most recently worked as general manager for Learfield Sports at the University of Evansville. His prior positions include director of operations and sales with the Evansville Otters. The Sports Commission is a nonprofit arm of the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership, and its mission is to attract, create, and promote high-profile sporting events for the region.

B BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

ROGER KALIA

The Evansville Philharmonic has signed a new three-year contract with Music Director Roger Kalia through May 2026. Kalia, who three years ago succeeded longtime Music Director Alfred Savia, has launched initiatives with the philharmonic such as the New Traditions Diversity Series featuring Eykamp String Quartet performances of works by diverse composers in community venues; the Uncorked Series blending drinks and musical performances in local establishments; Symphony Happy Hour pre-concert talks; and concerts at Bosse Field and the Evansville Wartime Museum.

Always Innovating

Pizza Marketplace, an industry media company, recognized Azzip Pizza with its Menu Innovation award. The Evansvillebased chain of restaurants was honored for its variety of crusts and toppings, including its Square Zip and ZeroCarb crusts. (Read more about ZeroCarb LYFE crusts in the February/March 2023 Evansville Business article “A New LYFE.”)

The company’s March Crabness and Pizza of the Month Club subscription program were singled out for praise. Azzip Pizza co-founders Brad and Andy Niemeier credit head chef Blake Kollker with his talent and dedication to innovation playing a big part in the company’s success.

“We are thrilled and honored to receive this award for Menu Innovation,” Brad Niemeier says. “Our team is constantly experimenting with new and exciting ideas to delight our customers, and this award is a testament to their creativity and hard work.”

In addition to 10 current locations in Indiana and Kentucky, Azzip Pizza plans to open a location in Indianapolis, Indiana, this summer.

AZZIPPIZZA.COM

Willard Public Library has announced George Carter as its new library director, starting in June. Carter has been in the library industry more than 20 years, including the last five as manager of the Victorville City Library in Victorville, California. While there, he led the library through significant growth and development and created several programs and initiatives. The graduate of the University of California in Riverside, California, and San Jose State University in San Jose, California, was active in the Victorville community, and he previously worked in a leadership capacity at the San Bernardino County Law Library in California.

A magistrate judge merit selection committee has selected Evansville native Crystal S. Wildeman as a United States Magistrate Judge serving in the Evansville Division. Wildeman will fill the vacancy created by the recent promotion of Matthew P. Brookman from Magistrate Judge to District Judge of the Southern District of Indiana. Magistrate judges are appointed by the Judges of the U.S. District Court for a term of eight years and are eligible for reappointment to successive terms. Wildeman holds Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Arts degrees from Indiana University, Bloomington, Indiana, and a law degree from DePaul College of Law in Chicago, Illinois. From

Julie McCullough, interim associate provost for academic affairs, has been appointed dean of the College of Nursing and Health Professions at the University of Southern Indiana, effective July 1. McCullough has served as interim associate provost since January and functioned as the assistant dean of health professions with the CNHP from 2017 to 2022. The graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana, and the University of Tennessee Knoxville in Knoxville, Tennessee, also serves as chair of the Food and Nutrition Department and is an associate professor of nutrition. McCullough will succeed Constance Swenty, who has served as the college’s interim dean since 2021 and will retire in June.

JULIE MCCULLOUGH

2006 through 2014, Wildeman worked as an associate at Evansville law firm Kahn Dees Donovan & Kahn, LLP, and then until 2022 was a partner at Wooden McLaughlin LLP, which has since merged into Dinsmore & Shohl LLP. She currently is a partner at Barber & Bauer, LLP, and works as a general civil practitioner. As a community member, she is involved in the Evansville Bar Association, Rotary Club of Evansville, and Youth First, Inc.

University of Evansville head men’s basketball coach David Ragland has elevated Craig Snow to the role of associate head coach. Snow was hired by Ragland last year to join the Aces’ coaching staff. A former UE player, Snow was a member of the Aces’ 1998-99 Missouri Valley Conference championship team and remains one of the program’s top-10 alltime scorers, with 1,530 career points.

Old National Bank has promoted George Day

CRAIG SNOW

Ashlyn Thompson has joined Camelot Jewelers as the new head of marketing. Thompson is an Evansville native and, while attending North High School in 2018, won full tuition to the University of Evansville during the fourth annual High School Changemaker Challenge. She and two teammates ideated a musical swing set that would serve as a stress reliever and community builder in Downtown Evansville.

The Evansville Philharmonic unveiled a new logo and branding when announcing its 2023-24 season lineup on April 21. The logo, simplified to “ep,” features four soundwaves emanating from it, with each philharmonic family member — orchestra, chorus, youth orchestra, and guild — representing a wave.

include $20,000 to Youth First, $16,000 to Albion Fellows Bacon Center, and $15,000 to Cops Connecting with Kids. Other donations include $15,000 each to Howell Booster Club, the Evansville Fire Department, Vanderburgh County Sheriff’s Office, and Evansville Police Foundation. Additional nonprofit groups and public safety agencies also received donations.

The University of Southern Indiana Intensive English Program has received a 10-year reaccreditation from the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation. This follows an original five-year initial accreditation by CEA, a specialized accreditation agency

B BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT

recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. During accreditation, programs undergo a rigorous review of their curriculum, faculty qualifications, student achievements, assessment practices, support and services, facilities, and fiscal and administered capacity.

Two Evansville-based companies, Atlas World Group and Old National Bank, are included on the 2023 list of Most Trustworthy Companies in America. Published by Newsweek in collaboration with market research firm Statista, 3,100 companies across 23 industries were evaluated based on an independent survey from a sample of 25,000

Honoring ONB Victims, Survivors

BY JOHN MARTIN

AWARDS/RECOGNITION

Deaconess Health System has pledged $550,000 to help Ivy Tech Community College expand its Evansville nursing program. The gift — made through the Invest IN Ivy Tech Capital Campaign — will allow four more cohorts of students to join clinical rotations by increasing space for classrooms and labs, providing scholarship support, enhanced training equipment, and added nursing staff.

The West Side Nut Club has donated $600,000 to several area schools and nonprofit agencies during its 101st Annual Founders Day and Awards Banquet. Among schools, Mater Dei and F.J. Reitz high schools received $27,000 each, while several other public, parochial, and private schools in Evansville received $2,000 to $5,000. Donations to nonprofits

Following a fatal shooting April 10 at an Old National Bank branch in downtown Louisville, Kentucky, the Evansville-based bank announced $1 million in donations for those impacted and in appreciation to those who responded.

Five Old National Bank workers – Josh Barrick, 40; Deana Eckert, 57; Tommy Elliott, 63; Juliana Farmer, 45; and Jim Tutt, 64 –were killed at the bank. Eight others were wounded, including two responding police officers.

The shooter, an Old National Bank employee, was killed by police.

The $1 million donation by Old National Bank includes $600,000 for the Love for Louisville Old National Survivors Fund, established by the National Compassion Fund in partnership with the Community Foundation of Louisville.

One hundred percent of the fund assists victims and survivors of the shooting.

“Old National is committed to providing continued care and support to all our impacted team members and the families of those who lost their loved ones,” Old National Bank CEO Jim Ryan says.

The remainder of Old National’s donations includes $150,000 for the Louisville Metro Police Foundation, supporting critically injured Louisville Metro Police Officer Nickolas Wilt; $150,000 for the University of Louisville Hospital Trauma Center; and $100,000 for the American Red Cross.

GOFUNDME.COM/LOVE-FOR-LOUISVILLE-OLD-NATIONAL-SURVIVORS-FUND

PHOTO BY JODI KEEN

EVANSVILLE PHILHARMONIC’S NEW LOGO

ASHLYN THOMPSON

consumers. Of the 700 companies that made the list, Atlas ranks 14th among 35 companies in the transportation, logistics and packaging category, while ONB is listed 12th among 37 honorees in the banking category.

Evansville Deputy Mayor and Interim Parks and Recreation Executive Director

Steve Schaefer has received the 2023 Outstanding Public Official Award from the Greenways Foundation of Indiana. The foundation’s annual awards recognize those who contribute to the advancement of trail development in the state.

North Posey Junior High School business teacher

Matthew Winegar

named Posey County Teacher of the Year. A U.S. Navy veteran and North Posey High School graduate, Winegar was recognized at the recent 2023 Posey County State of the Schools event, sponsored by the Evansville Regional Economic Partnership.

The Evansville Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority has honored women leaders in Evansville during its Red Shoe Luncheon recently. Honorees are in fields that support economic development, educational development, international awareness and involvement, physical and mental health, and political awareness

STEVE SCHAEFER RECEIVING THE 2023 OUTSTANDING PUBLIC OFFICIAL AWARD

and involvement. Those recognized were Serita Cabell, executive director of Memorial Community Development

We are pleased to announce that Project Associates, INC. successfully acquired Precision Surveying, INC., now to be known as Precision Surveying, LLC!

Project Associates, INC. has been providing multi-disciplined engineering services to the heavy industrial, manufacturing, power, and energy industries for over 37 years. Precision Surveying, INC. has been providing industrial surveying services for the same industries for over 20 years.

This addition will allow us to combine our resources, experience, expertise, and design technologies to better serve you and meet your evolving needs.

As two companies that share a common vision of excellence in quality and services, we believe that this acquisition will create a stronger and more innovative organization that will be well-positioned to provide you with even greater value and benefits, as well as more services offered and faster results.

Project Associates: 812-473-2424 • 333 - D Plaza East Blvd. • projectassociatesinc.com Precision Surveying: 812-868-8011 • psisurveying.com

Lloyd Winnecke , has been named Leadership Everyone’s Alumnus of the Year during the organization’s annual meeting in May. Stubbs is a Leadership Everyone board member.

Evansville-based Berry Global Group has received a Climate Change rating of A- from CDP, an international nonprofit that helps companies and communities disclose their environmental impact. To earn an A score, companies must show environmental leadership by disclosing action on climate change; demonstrating best practices in strategy and action; and undertaking actions such as setting science-based targets or creating a climate transition plan.

AT

(PCS), we strive to provide dependable and consistent information technology services to our customers. We take the stress of managing technology off your shoulders by being your partner in providing secure, confidential, and cost-effective solutions to your business.

The 46th annual Easterseals Telethon has raised $936,339 for the Evansville rehabilitation center, which serves about 5,200 individuals with disabilities across 31 Tri-State counties. The telethon again was broadcast live April 14 on WEHT-TV, which continues to donate 100 percent of telethon-related production costs to Easterseals.

D-Patrick Boonville Ford has presented $1,000 to the City of Boonville for the purchase of new American flags for the Boonville Public Square Historic

PARRISH CONSULTING

NOAH STUBBS

On the Grow

BY MAGGIE VALENTI AND JODI KEEN

Chandler, Indiana, is adding to its ranks.

The town council voted 5-0 to annex three parcels of land on April 17. The annexation adds nearly 32 acres, three properties, and potentially 30 new residents to the municipality.

One parcel is 10.2 acres near Heim Road to the west. Another adds 11.75 acres off Gardner Road to the south. The third tacks on 10 acres off McCool Road to the northeast.

The new residents will have access to Chandler’s utilities, while the parcels open doors to more development for the town. The annexation bumps up Chandler’s population. The town recorded 3,693 residents in the 2020 census and experienced a 27.9 percent population increase in the 10 years prior. After Boonville, Chandler is the second largest community in Warrick County. Newburgh ranks third with 3,344 residents in the 2020 census.

“We are excited to welcome these new residents into our community,” Town Council president Tonya Wester said in a statement. “This annexation is a win-win for everyone involved.”

PHOTO BY JODI KEEN

District. D-Patrick Honda has presented $1,500 to various programs at the Albion Fellows Bacon Center , a nonprofit agency with the goal of preventing domestic and sexual abuse and assisting victims of such abuse in 11 Southwest Indiana counties. D-Patrick Ford/Lincoln has donated $2,500 to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southwestern Indiana , which provides mentoring for youths in Vanderburgh, Warrick, Posey, Spencer, and Gibson counties in Indiana and in Henderson County, Kentucky.

The University of Southern Indiana’s Historic New Harmony program has been awarded an implementation grant of more than $2 million from the Lilly Endowment Inc. The funding is through the Lilly Endowment’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative and will support a project that includes the restoration and renovation of two historic buildings for exhibition and programming space; development of a new permanent exhibit detailing New Harmony’s religious history; and the creation of community engagement programming, including a multi-day interfaith festival. The five-year grant also funds the development of a Collections and Exhibition Curator and student fellowship to work with exhibition design and programming. The Lilly Endowment’s Religion and Cultural Institutions Initiative has awarded more than $86 million in grants to U.S. museums and other cultural institutions to develop exhibitions and educational programs that fairly and accurately portray religion’s role in national and global history.

D-PATRICK FORD/LINCOLN DONATES TO BIG BROTHERS BIG SISTERS

your need is for ACCOUNTING, TAX or PAYROLL, we have the dedicated and knowledgeable staff to assist you. Over the last 25 years Vowells & Schaaf, LLP has assisted both individuals and businesses in their everyday needs. We appreciate the confidence you have placed in us and look forward to working with you in the future.

GROWTH/DEVELOPMENT

The University of Evansville and Warrick County School Corporation are offering a new program for high school students interested in careers in exercise science/ physical therapy and education. Warrick County students enrolled in the Exercise Science/Physical Therapy Pathway and the Education Professions Graduation Pathway can complete and earn credit for both high school and post-secondary courses simultaneously. These courses then may be transferred to UE or other colleges. Programs will be taught at the Warrick Pathways & Career Center, scheduled to open in fall 2023 on American Way in Boonville, Indiana. Scholarship support will be offered to students who complete one of the two Next Level Study Programs. Students will be offered a minimum $25,000 annual scholarship at UE upon admission.

Oak Street Health has conducted a grand opening of its new Riverside health care center at 2201 S. Weinbach Ave. The national company provides primary health services to adults eligible for Medicare. Oak Street

which will then sell it as part of Evansville Rescue Mission’s thrift store operations at 1107 Washington Ave. All proceeds from sales will help ERM provide clothing, meals, shelter, and programming for the city’s homeless community.

cal providers by helping set up necessary technology. Participating locations include EVPL Central and Oaklyn on Monday and Wednesday mornings, and EVPL North Park and Red Bank on Tuesday mornings and afternoons.

Nothing Bundt Cakes has celebrated a week of grand opening activities at its new Evansville store, 6436 E. Florida St., Ste. 100, in The Promenade. Customers can select a variety of tiered cakes, “bundtlet” single-serving cakes, “buntini” mini cakes, and more in flavors including blueberry bliss, gluten-free chocolate chip cookie, and snickerdoodle. The chain started in 1997 in Las Vegas, Nevada, and has grown to more than 500 locations in at least 40 states.

The University of Southern Indiana Geriatrics Workforce Enhancement Program has launched a new telehealth initiative to meet older Vanderburgh County residents’ health needs and improve their access to medical care through telehealth appointments. Four branches of Evansville Vanderburgh Public Library began assisting GWEP participants with telehealth appointments with Deaconess Clinic medi-

BUSINESSES CLOSING

Bed Bath & Beyond has announced it is seeking Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection and is closing all remaining retail stores, including the Evansville location at 280 N. Green River Road.

Crunch Fitness has opened at 306 N. Green River Road. The company has more than 400 fitness center franchises nationwide and offers circuit training, hydromassage, sauna, tanning, fitness classes, a HIITZone, personal training, and more.

Evansville Rescue Mission and Southwest Indiana Association of REALTORS have partnered with the Four Corners initiative to form the Thrift Store Furniture Warehouse The Four Corners community effort aims to collect unwanted or unneeded furniture and keep useful items out of local landfills. When clients move residences, realtors will transfer leftover furniture to Four Corners,

THRIFT STORE FURNITURE WAREHOUSE OPENING

OAK STREET HEALTH OPENING

Mike Connelly

EDUCATION: North Posey High School; National Fire Academy, certifications from Company Officer Development Institute and Safety Program Operations; Bachelor of Arts in Public Service, University of Southern Indiana

RESUME: Engineering laboratory technician at the U.S. Naval Nuclear Power School, stationed in Great Lakes, Illinois, Orlando, Florida, and Idaho Falls, Idaho; firefighter (1994-present) and chief (2012-present), Evansville Fire Department

HOMETOWN: Tacoma, Washington

Mike Connelly’s father was a police officer, but he says it was the fire station the family used to drive past that piqued his interest as a youngster. Years later, after his family relocated from the West Coast to Southwest Indiana, Connelly enlisted in the U.S. Navy and then decided to make firefighting his career. He’s done well — in a dozen years as chief of the Evansville Fire Department, his honors include being named the 2022 Fire Chief of the Year for the Great Lakes Division by the International Association of Fire Chiefs.

Connelly says it was his experience in the Navy, where he trained as a damage-control petty officer, that cemented his professional path.

“I saw the career opportunity with the fire department, and I took advantage of it,” he says.

WHAT’S THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE IN LEADING A FIRE DEPARTMENT THIS SIZE?

There are a whole lot of moving parts. Trying to get everybody aligned and focused on the same goal is probably one of the biggest obstacles. Funding for projects is an issue. You can’t do everything you want to do. Ensuring the safety of the members is paramount. That’s the No. 1 priority. We do achieve that to some degree, but there are always bumps and bruises with strains and sprains along the way.

OVER THE LAST YEAR, THE EVANSVILLE FIRE DEPARTMENT HAS RESPONDED TO A DEADLY HOUSE EXPLOSION AS WELL AS THREE MAJOR DOWNTOWN FIRES. IN YOUR 12 YEARS AS CHIEF, HAS THIS BEEN THE MOST HECTIC PERIOD?

It certainly has added to my to-do list. When there’s a large response like that, there’s a lot more equipment and expense involved. On my end, I need to worry about who’s being called in to backfill overtime or call-

ing people off duty to come and man the rest of the city during a major warehouse fire. I also ensure that my members are able to operate safely on scene and without interruption. So, in many cases, I will run interference, for lack of a better term, with the media to give them the information they need so that they won’t bother my guys while they’re out there doing the work. I also coordinate the resources. It is incumbent on the fire chief to take charge during major incidents when other agencies come into town. It’s really been a great growth spurt for me and my leadership experience to have assisted in managing those incidents.

WHAT DID YOU LEARN ABOUT YOUR DEPARTMENT DURING AND AFTER THOSE LARGE INCIDENTS?

What I learned — I mean, I always thought it, but to see it in action confirmed it for me — was that these guys are ready to go at a moment’s notice,

to do what needs to be done under any circumstance. I’d put these guys against any department around the country.

HOW DO YOU PLAN TO ADDRESS THE CONDITION OF AGING STATIONS?

The average age of a fire station in the U.S. today is 40 years. We’re not alone in trying to update our facilities. There are a lot of factors that need to be considered today that were not considered before when they built a fire station, including separation of the apparatus bay from the living area, to reduce the exposure of the firefighters to exhaust fumes from the vehicles. We’ve done a good job in trying to reduce the exposure by installing source capture exhaust systems in every fire station because of a federal grant from FEMA. So, even though we’re not able to update all our facilities, we are taking measures to protect our members.

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