Rooster Booster to feature Joe Frazier
The Public Life Foundation was founded nearly two decades ago to engage and empower citizens to take meaningful action in community decision-making and public policy.
In recent years, the Foundation has expanded its scope by committing over $4 million of its assets to enhance early childhood education opportunities in our community. In 2020, the Foundation announced a multi-year partnership with the Prichard Committee for Academic Excellence to help make this vision a reality.
After several months of research, analysis, and deliberation, PLFO announced the formation of the Greater Owensboro Partnership for Early Development. This coalition of community leaders—representing the
Joe Frazier (M.S. Sociology & M.A. Philosophy) is the founding Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Center for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion. Prior to his role at the Chamber Frazier served in Diversity and Inclusion related roles at different institutions including Bellarmine University as the Director of the Dr. Patricia Carver Office of Identity and Inclusion, and at Virginia Tech where he served as the Assistant Director for the Asian Cultural Engagement Center. Frazier also started his own DE&I consulting practice Education to Action LLC.
Frazier serves on a number of boards and taskforces for Kentuckians including the Board of Directors for Volunteers of America Mid States and the Louisville Association for Community Economics (LACE), the Kentucky Non-Profit Network’s Racial Equality Taskforce, and the President’s Advisory Council for the Noir Black Chamber of Commerce. He is also recognized among Louisville’s 2021 40 Under 40.
business, early and K-12 education, nonprofit, higher education, faithbased, healthcare, and government sectors—is dedicated to developing bold and innovative solutions to improve early learning outcomes.
The partnership discovered that access to high quality early childhood education is not accessible to all children in Greater Owensboro for a number of reasons, ranging from affordability and availability of high quality early learning environments to issues pertaining to recruiting and retaining early childhood educators.
Why early learning? Research clearly illustrates that children who participate in quality early learning are prepared for kindergarten, ultimately increasing their likelihood of securing proficiency in reading and math by the
2023 Board of Directors
Board Chair Sarah Murphy Ford Hartz Contracting, LLC
Past Chair Brenda Clayton Brenda Clayton, CPA
Chair-Elect John Marshall Moore Don Moore Automotive Legends Team Sports Marshall Ventures
Vice-Chair, Finance Clay Ford EM Ford
Vice-Chair, Advocacy Shawn Patterson Southern Star Central Gas Pipelines, Inc.
Vice-Chair, Administration Father Larry Hostetter Brescia University
Vice-Chair, Legal Susan Montalvo-Gesser Catholic Diocese of Owensboro
Vice-Chair, Membership Development Michael Johnson Truth Outreach Inc.
Vice-Chair, Membership Services Olga McKissic Western Academy at H.L. Neblett Community Center
Board Member Dr. Thomas Mitzel Kentucky Wesleyan College
Board Member Joanna Shake Green River Area Development District
Board Member Dr. Wanda Figueroa RiverValley Behavioral Health
Board Member Jacob Call Western Kentucky Distilling Co.
Board Member Jean Wells Wells Health Systems, Inc.
close of the third grade. Such gains in early learning mean that these same children are 40% less likely to drop out of high school, more likely to pursue higher education opportunities, and become valuable participants in our community’s workforce.
As Chamber members and business owners, each of you understands that attracting and maintaining a quality workforce is perhaps the most important factor in determining a community’s long-term economic success. It is our hope that building a robust early learning ecosystem will create opportunities for every child in Greater Owensboro maximize their potential, and that of our community.
We invite you to learn more about our work by visiting www.plfo.org and www.prichardcommittee.org/goped/
Board Member Joan Hayden Hayden Electric Inc.
Board Member Mark Marsh Owensboro Health
Board Member Suzanne Cecil White Cecil Farms Produce, LLC White Chateau
Board Member Matt Hayden Gulfstream Commercial Services, LLC
Special Director, Daviess County
Fiscal Court Commissioner Chris Castlen
Special Director, City of Owensboro
Commissioner Bob Glenn
Special Director, Economic Development Corporation Tom Ed Booth US Bank
Special Director, Chamber Young
Professionals Chair Ellen Ebelhar Independence Bank
greater owensboro chamber of commerce CHAMBER MATTERS FEB. 2023 Vol 21/Issue 2 The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, February 2 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Public Life Foundation. Featured speaker will be Joe Frazier, founding Executive Director of the Kentucky Chamber Foundation’s Center for Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion and Louisville’s 2021 40 Under 40. Reserve your spot now at www.chamber. owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at (270) 926-1860 by noon on Wednesday, February 1. COST IN ADVANCE: $15 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members. COST AT THE DOOR: $20 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members.
JOE FRAZIER
Affordable Care Health Insurance, LLC
Aflac Keller & Associates, LLC
Alzheimer’s Association
Ashley Furniture
Atmos Energy Corporation
AXIOM Architecture
Beef O’Brady’s
Blue Bridge Homes, LLC
Boardwalk Pipelines
Cardinal Selling Services, LLC
Champion Ford Lincoln Mazda
Cheetah Clean Carwash City of Owensboro
Clemens, Guthrie & Wurth
Commonwealth Title and Mortgage Services, Inc.
Contour Fabrication & Mechanical, Inc.
de AM-RON Building Systems
Domtar Paper Co., LLC
Ebelhar Whitehead PLLC
Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Owensboro Gilles Farms, LLC
Goodfellows Club
Greenwell Chisholm
Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory
Hayden Farms
Helton Insurance Group
Homes by Benny Clark, Inc.
Ivy Trellis Floral
J.J. Fosters
James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory
Kamuf Brothers Farms
A Monogram Boutique 3149 Commonwealth Court, Suite D (502) 554-3155 Facebook.com/amonogramboutique. ky
Advanced Investment Management 725 Harvard Drive, Suite #1 (270) 215-1955 advinvmgt.com
American Legion Post #9 James L. Yates 736 Frederica Street (270) 683-1633
Amvets Post # 75
2600 West Second Street (270) 240-3041
Berry Home Solutions, LLC 8175 State Route 81 (270) 314-1600 berryhomesolutionsllc.com
CJ Kassinger Properties, LLC 1548 Frederica Street (270) 570-4994 cjkassingerproperties.com
Kenergy Corp.
Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance -
Mandie Hicks
Key Heating and Cooling, Inc.
Kuegel Farms
Lawrence & Augusta Hager
Educational Foundation
Malco Theatres
McCoy Construction and Forestry
Moorman Farms Inc
National Commerce Group
Old National Bank Payne Construction & Remodeling, LLC
Peacocks and Pearls Boutique Smith & Butterfield Office
Products
South Central Bank, Inc.
Standard Sales of Owensboro
Storm Insurance LLC - Scott Stoermer
Sullivan Mountjoy, PSC The Earle
Thompson Benefits & Enrollment Group, LLC
Trunnell’s Market & Gourmet Deli on 54
Volunteer Owensboro WBKR/WOMI
Western Kentucky Botanical Garden
Western Kentucky University - Continuing and Professional Development
Wills Animal Hospital
WKU Owensboro Alumni Chapter Yeiser Excavating Inc.
CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE
PRESIDENT & CEO cbrake@owensboro.com
SHELLY NICHOLS VICE PRESIDENT shelly@owensboro.com
ASHTIN WARREN
DIRECTOR, TALENT PROGRAMS awarren@owensboro.com
SUSAN HIGH BUSINESS MANAGER susan@owensboro.com
KENZIE TOMES COMMUNICATIONS AND EVENTS COORDINATOR ktomes@owensboro.com
LYDIE BOONE EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT lboone@owensboro.com
Chamber Matters is published monthly in the Messenger-Inquirer for the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, P.O. Box 825, Owensboro, KY 42302-0825 (270) 926-1860 • chamber.owensboro.com
BOARD CHAIR
SARAH MURPHY FORD HARTZ CONTRACTING, LLC
Follow us on Twitter, Facebook & Instagram @GOCHAMBER
Enterprise Truck Rental 2101 East Parrish Avenue (270) 926-7641 enterprisetrucks.com
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch 101 South Fifth Street 1-502-568-9206 stlouisfed.org
Veterans Empowered Together 4343 Strickland Drive (270) 231-1488 veteransempoweredtogether.com
VFW Post #696 311 West Veterans Blvd. (270) 683-8621
Warren Farms – Dustin Warren 10639 Hwy 56 (270) 316-4469
Wethington Family Practice 3271 Alvey Park Drive West (270) 240-2344 wethingtontelemed@outlook.com
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 CHAMBER MATTERS 2
MEMBERS OF THE MONTH
Affordable Care Health Insurance, LLC 2824 Farrell Crescent (270) 684-3711 affordableinsuranceky.com
Alexander & Company CPAs PSC 2707 Breckenridge Street, Suite 1 (270) 684-3237 acocpa.net
H.L. Neblett Community Center 801 West Fifth Street (270) 685-3197 hlneblett.org
KimiWeb 2412 Little Brook Trail (270)683-7530 kimiweb.com
Swank Style & Boutique 1210 East Byers Avenue (270) 685-0010 swank-salon-llc.com
Justin, a native of Whitesville, graduated from Madisonville Community College in 2011 with his Associates in Physical Therapist Assistant. Employed by ADVANCED formally
Ambassador of the Month Justin Merritt
know as OSMO for 11 years. He is certified in Functional Movement Systems, Level 1&2 Selective Functional Movement Assessment, and Y-balance.
Justin is very motivated by helping people reach their goals, rather it be excelling at a particular sport, being painfree, or just moving better.
Improving the quality of life in
his patients is his drive.
Justin is married to a local Physical Therapist Assistance, Lacey, they have four children together; Elias, Justus, Logan, and Matthias. He enjoys spending time with his family, continuing his education, playing golf and table tennis, projects on his home, and visiting with friends.
3 Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 CHAMBER MATTERS
270- 691-1835 www.neurolog ist.ky George Woodard MD • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome • Myopathy Paresthesia • Cervicalgia, Dystonia • Multiple Sclerosis • Parkinson’s Disease • Gait Disorder s • Peripheral Neuropathy • Headaches, Migraines • Radiculopathy • Memory Impairment • Seizures, Spasticity • Electrodiagnostic Studies (E MG /NCS) • Botox Injections • Trigger Point Injections • Occipital Nerve Block 270- 683- 8672 Accept ing New Patients All Conveniently located at Owensboro Medical Practice 1200 Breckenridge St - Corner of East Parrish Ave. - Owensboro Kishor Vora MD FACC FSCAI, CCDS Kishor Vora MD, FACC, FSCAI, CCDS Chad Sanders DN P, APRN WE AR E RE ADER S’ PL ATIN UM CHOICE! 270-683 -2 083 www.woundca re.us “Faster Outcomes, Less Expensive” Treatment for wounds including: • Diabetic Foot Ulcer s • Leg Ulcer s caused by vein or ar tery problems • Ulcer s caused by auto -immune diseases & medication reactions • Pressure injuries • Open surgical wounds • Burns • Acute wounds that are not expected to heal due to underlying conditions. Brandy Abell APRN READERS G LDCHOCE MESSENG - NQUI ER Car diac • Coronar y / Cardiac cath & Inter vention • Atherectomy, Angiopla st y and stents • Structur al Cardiova scular Disea se • Cardiac Rhythm Management • Implantable Loop Recorder Pacemaker and ICD • ECP for angina Diagnost ics • PE T/CT/Nuclear • Echocardiogram • General Ultrasound Va scular Ultrasound including penile and testicular • Holter and Event monitor s, Telemetry • Exercise Stress Test (Treadmill) • Tilt table test • Endothelial Function Test • PF T Vascular • Peripher al angiogr am Atherectomy Angiopla st y and Stent Varicose vein treatments including LASER /RF ablation, Venaseal, Varithena • Acute and Chronic DV T Thrombolytic Ther apy, Angioplasty and Stent Coi Embolization for pelvic pain • Sclerotherapy • Limb Salvage Brandi Kost APRN • Open 7 days a week! Extended Hour s! • Minor injuries and illnesses • On-site X-ray, Ultrasound, CT & Full Lab MESSENGER-INQUIRER READERS PLATINUMCHOICE 2019 270- 683-7553 READERS GOLDCHOICE MESSENGER-INQUIRER 2021 270- 663-7546 www.rejuve.us Of fering RHA Collect ion of Fillers The world’s first and only collection of dermal filler s for dynamic folds and wrinkles Check our Facebook and Instagram pages for our monthly specials. 270- 685 -8224 We Treat: High Blood Pres sure • Diabetes Management • Choles terol Management Lung Diseases • Suboxone Clinic • Gener al Health Issues We Of fer On-Site: Immigr ation Physicals • Insurance Physicals • Coumadin Clinic Adult Immunizations • CT Scans Ultra sound • Full Service Labor ator y • X- Rays PE T/CT Clinical Research Annual & Spor ts Physicals Bone Density Whole Body Scan • Nuclear Medicine Infusion Clinic Chace Franks APRN Mahesh Moolani MD Inter nal Medicine Aseedu Kalik MD Inter nal Medicine • mir aD ry (for excessive sweating) • Emsella (for bladder leak) Hor mone Optimization for Men & Women • Botox • Fille rs Vampire PRP • Other Aesthetic Pr oce dures - www.OwensboroMedical.com yaVISA® Credit Card* German American to atement,request lines, andmore! 313FredericaStreet• 3560 FredericaStreet 3264 Highway54 Learn more at COMPETITIVERATES! Forfull details or to apply online,visit: germanamerican.com/personal/credit-cards Choose a Credit Card backed by local customer service excellence. When youchoose to c with us,you speak direc getanswers about yo increasesincredi *Subject to credit approval.
We would like to thank all who joined us for the 2023 Chamber Celebration, Presented by Owensboro Health, on Friday, January 20! We had a wonderful time recognizing the accomplishments of our Members and the contributions they make to the Greater Owensboro area. We would like to congratulate the 2023 Chamber Awards for Excellence recipients below!
From heart attacktoback on the farm.
Tuesday, Jan. 31, 2023 CHAMBER MATTERS 4 Emerging Business of the Year – Gramps Coffee and Donuts Business of the Year 1-10 Employees – Red Wing Shoes Business of the Year 11-49 Employees –Fastek Services, LLC Business of the Year 50-249 Employees –Independence Bank Business of the Year Over 250 Employees –Big Rivers Electric Corporation Non-Profit of the Year – Fine Arts –RiverPark Center Non-Profit
Education and Workforce Development Institution of
Year – Puzzle Pieces Manufacturer of the Year – Domtar Owensboro Converting and Distribution Rick Kamuf Agri-Business of
Year –Mack Estes Farms 2022 Chamber Ambassador of
Year
Justin Merritt 2022 Chamber Director of
Darrell & Brian Wright 2022
Member
2022 CYP Member
2022 Member of
Year
Young Foundation 2022 Minority Business Leader of
Year – Allyson Sanders Bill Young Leadership Award –
Tyler Legacy Award – Keith Lawrence
of the Year – Human Services –Diocese of Owensboro Catholic Charities
the
the
the
–
the Year – Bart
Leadership Owensboro Class
of the Year – Blaine Mathew
of the Year – Keith Cottoner
the
– Marilyn & William
the
Bill and Susie
Beverly's Hearty Slice | (270) 903-4682 | 2400 Friendship Drive Fresh Start for Women, Inc. | (270) 315-8974 | 1821 West 2nd Street Cravens Elementary School | (270) 686-1010 | 2741 Cravens Avenue Fast Lane Auto Repair| (270) 231-8161 | 1709 Breckenridge Street January Ribbon Cuttings MESSENGER-INQUIRER READERS’ CHOICEAWARDS VOTE We Ap preciat eYou rB usine ss!Wesleyan Park Plaza 686-7508 OPEN 9AM-8PMMonday-Saturday 12 PM -6PMSunday READERS’ CHOICEAWARDS MESSENGER-INQUIRER TH IRTEEN TI ME PLATIN UM WI NN ER! Wesleyan Park Plaza 686-7508 OPEN 9 AM - 8 PM Monday - Saturday 11 AM - 6 PM Sunday Ow ensb or oHe al th .o rg /H ea rt Se rv in gWes te rn Ke nt uc ky and So ut he rn In di an a
To see whatexceptional heart care lookslike, look closer When it comes to caringfor yourheart, Owensboro Healthofferscomprehensive cardiovascularservices led by ateam of highly skilled, board-certified heart specialists. Here you’llreceive personalized care fromanexperienced staff who willguideyou through every step of yourprogram, so youcan getbacktoyour active life.From advanced diagnostics to minimally invasive surgical options to rehabilitation,ifyou want to seewhat exceptionalheart care lookslike, look closer We wanttokeep you healthy.Wewant to makeyou proud.
