Vol 16/Issue 1
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
JAN.
CHAMBER MATTERS 2018 Mattingly, Watson to present State of the Community addresses at January Rooster Booster
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aviess County Judge/ Executive Al Mattingly and City of Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson will make their “State of the Community” addresses at the January 4 Rooster Booster breakfast. Daviess County Fiscal Court and the City of Owensboro are the co-sponsors of the breakfast, which starts at 7:30 am at the Owensboro Convention Center. A large crowd is expected for this annual event and seating is limited. Please call the Chamber Office at 270-926-1860 to RSVP by noon Jan. 3. Al Mattingly is the Daviess County Judge/Executive and was sworn into office on January 3, 2011. Judge Mattingly, born to Alfred and Commie Marie Mattingly on May 23, 1947, is the eldest of 12 siblings. He graduated from Owensboro Catholic High School in 1965 and in 1969 received his Bachelors degree in Biology from Brescia College. Judge Mattingly served in the United States Army from 1969 until 1972. In 1971, Judge Mattingly married Ms. Judy (Wolfe) and they have one son, Will. In 2003 and 2007, Judge Mattingly was elected and
Al Mattingly
Tom Watson
Daviess County Judge/Executive
served as an Owensboro City Commissioner. In 2007, he served the Owensboro City Commission as Mayor Pro Tem. Judge Mattingly has always been active in his community and church, Our Lady of Lourdes. He is a member of various civic and professional organizations. He is President of a family-owned plumbing, heating, and cooling business, Acme Plumbing and Heating, Inc. Since his election as Judge Executive, Al Mattingly has not only reorganized and refocused county government, but has also partnered in regional
City of Owensboro Mayor
and state-wide initiatives. Regionally, he negotiated with McLean County in order for Daviess County to provide Animal Shelter services and Jail facilities which benefit both counties. Additionally, he worked with the City of Henderson to contract running its Transfer Station and providing disposal of its solid waste. On a state level he has been active in the Metro Alliance for Growth, including testifying in Frankfort on the Local Option Sales Tax. In 2017 he received the Wendell H. Ford Regional Legislative Leadership
Award from the Green River Development District for his work with legislative issues that benefit the citizens of the region. Tom Watson is the president and co-owner, with his wife Barbara, of Tom Watson’s Prosthetic and Orthotics Labs, Inc. with offices in Owensboro and Evansville. Tom studied at the Northwestern University Medical School at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. In 1970 Tom was crushed by a bulldozer resulting in the amputation of his right leg above the knee. Tom changed his career path in 1972 and entered the field of prosthetics and orthotics mainly because he was in need of a new prosthesis and had no insurance or money for one. In 1978 Tom moved back to Owensboro to open an office for Snell’s Prosthetics and Orthotics Inc. In 1981 Tom and his wife Barbara purchased the business from Snell’s and are currently practicing as Tom Watson’s prosthetic and orthotic lab. Tom has served on many local, state and national boards and has spent many years as a paraprofessional football and baseball coach at
the high school and collegiate level. Watson served as Mayor of Owensboro from 2005-2008. He was a founding member of the newly formed youth football league called the KFL as player safety coach where he was honored with a lifetime achievement award for his work with youth sports. He is on the Foundation Board for the Owensboro Community and Technical College. He recently served on Governor Matt Bevin’s transition team for Economic Development and currently serves on the Veterans committee for prosthetic technology. Watson was recently honored with the Owensboro Public School Hall of Achievement Award and the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Assn. Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in prosthetic care for people with limb loss. In 2016 Watson ran successfully to return to the Office of Mayor of Owensboro. Tom is married to the former Barbara Aull. They have two sons, David and Jeff Phelps, two daughter-inlaws, Trisha and Krystal and seven grandchildren.
Record attendance expected for Awards Program
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t the Chamber Celebration on Januar y 26, 2018, eight Chamber members will be recognized as Business Members of the Year. The 2018 Chamber Celebration, presented by Owensboro Health will be a night to celebrate the nominees in the categories of: Emerging Business, 1-10 Employees, 11-50 Employees, 51+ Employees, Non-Profit, Education and Workforce Development, Manufacturing Business and the Rick Kamuf Agri-Business. Awards will also be presented to the Director of the Year, Ambassador of the Year Leadership Owensboro Member of the Year, Chamber Young Professional Member of the Year and the Kentucky Innovation Network Award. "Our awards program is an opportunity to celebrate our members who make the best of the Owensboro busi-
ness community. The level of excellence displayed throughout the lists of nominees is remarkable. It is yet another example of how Owensboro truly is a shining community. Our Chamber staf f is honored to be able to ser ve our members and to be a small part of their journeys," said Jessica Shely Kirk, Chamber Programs and Events Manager.
2017 BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNERS
Business of the Year (1-10 employees) - Blossoms Apparel & Gifts B u s i n e s s o f t h e Ye a r (11-50 employees) - Keller Williams - Kelly Anne Harris Team Business of the Year (51+ employNon-Profit of the Year - Boulware o p m e n t P r o g r a m o f t h e Ye a r ees) - Independence Bank Owensboro Community & Technical Emerging Business of the Year - Mission Education and Workforce Devel- College GO FAME and GO CAREERS. Dalishas Desserts
Chamber Celebration tradition continues
The Chamber’s largest annual event, the 2018 Celebration presented by Owensboro Health gathers members of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for an evening of networking, celebration and vision for the future. The event continues to grow as members see the value and excitement in kicking off the year with the GO Chamber. Sponsors of the event enjoy excellent visibility to the largest and most distinguished audience of the year. The 2018 Celebration will take place on Friday, January 26 at the RiverPark Center in Downtown Owensboro. The reception including heavy hors d’oeuvres begins at 6 pm. The program and Awards
Presentation begin at 7:30 pm. Admission to an exclusive celebration featuring live music and crafted cocktails will be provided following the program. Tickets are $50 per attendee. Seating is limited. Kindly RSVP to the Chamber at 270.926.1860.