greater owensboro chamber of commerce
CHAMBER MATTERS 2022
MARCH
Vol 20/Issue 3
Rooster Booster sponsor Wendell Foster celebrates 75 year anniversary
The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, March 3 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Wendell Foster and will feature Peter
Kline, founder of Marathons with Meaning. Reserve your spot now at www.chamber. owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at (270) 926-1860. The April Rooster Booster, sponsored by Green River
Distilling Co., will be held on Thursday, March 31. 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.
Peter first visited ple with disabilities. Owensboro last NovemNow, at 69 years old, ber to par ticipate in the Peter has competed in Wendell Foster Half Marover 100 marathons and athon pushing 11-year-old has dedicated more than rider-athlete Jesse Gon60 of those to helping a zalez as part of his “Maryoung person with disathons W ith Meaning” abilities cross the finish campaign. line. Peter is sponsored His r unning jour ney by Brooks Running Shoes began at the age of 52 and has been featur ed with his first 10K, a St. in The New York Times, Patrick’s Day fun r un in People Magazine, CBS San Diego. W ithin two News, and more. years he was running full Peter is also a Senior Peter Kline marathons and tr ying to Vice President and wealth qualify for the Boston Marathon, which management advisor at Merrill L ynch ended up taking another two years. A Wealth Management in Bellevue, Washclose friend of Peter’s who had been ington where he lives with his wife, diagnosed with an aggressive brain Michelle. He joined Mer rill L ynch in cancer later challenged him to run the 1988 with prior experience as a managBoston Marathon to raise money for er of a regional firm. His special areas cancer research. Running for a cause of focus in his wealth management sparked a new passion within Peter to practice are simple; working with good not just run, but to run with a purpose. people who need help planning their In 2012, he connected with Taylor, a financial future. He graduated with honrider-athlete who has cerebral palsy, ors from the University of Wyoming, and helped her complete the Rock n’ earning a Bachelor of Science degree Roll Las Vegas Marathon. Peter went on in Business with an emphasis in Investto form “Marathons With Meaning” to ment Analysis and Por tfolio Managemake running more accessible for peo- ment.
Wendell Foster, a non-profit organization located in the heart of Owensboro, is celebrating its 75th anniversary in 2022. For decades, Wendell Foster has supported people with intellectual and developmental disabilities by providing services such as: on-site and community-based residential housing and supportive programs, physical, occupational, and speech therapy, assistive technology, a transportation program, day training, community programs, and more. With 370 employees, Wendell Foster is ranked among the largest employers in Owensboro. In 2021, they were named the Gold Winner of “Best Places to Work” by Owensboro Living and received the “Best Places to Work” award from the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce in 2017. Over the years, Wendell Foster has grown from a single residential home at 815 Triplett Street to an extensive campus occupying six city blocks. In 2021, the organization provided more than 65,000 services to over 2,000 individuals across 34 counties in Western Kentucky and Southern Indiana. In honor of its rich history and dedication to those in need, Wendell Foster invites everyone to celebrate their milestone anniversary by saying “YES!”“Yes” to becoming a “75th Year Partner,”“yes” to attending fundraising events, and “yes” to donating to the “75 Donation Drive” through their website at wendellfoster.org/donate. Popular fundraisers such as the 75th Birthday Celebration: Benefit Dinner and Auction on June 4th, the Annual Golf Scramble at Ben Hawes on September 16th, and the Wendell Foster Half Marathon on November 12th will be making a return for 2022. Wendell Foster thanks everyone who has played a part in continuing their mission of empowering people with disabilities to realize their dreams and potential. To learn more about how you can say “YES” and get involved as a Wendell Foster Difference Maker, contact the Community Engagement Department at (270) 852-1458.
2022 Greater Owensboro Chamber
BOARD OF DIREC TORS
Tom Ed Booth U.S. Bank
Jacob Call Green River Distilling Co.
Brenda Clayton Brenda Clayton, CPA
Bart Darrell Foreman Watson Holtrey, LLP
W. Clay H. Ford EM Ford
Sarah Murphy Ford Hartz Contracting, LLC
Joan Hayden Hayden Electric Inc. Hayden Farms
Matt Hayden Gulfstream Commercial Services, LLC
Father Larry Hostetter Brescia University
Michael Johnson Owensboro Public Schools Board of Education Truth Outreach Inc.
Mark Marsh Owensboro Health
Olga McKissic Western Academy at H.L. Neblett Community Center
Susan MontalvoGesser Catholic Diocese of Owensboro
John Marshall Moore Don Moore Automotive Legends Team Sports Marshall Ventures
Shawn Patterson Southern Star Central Gas Pipeline
Commissioner Jeff Sanford City of Owensboro
Rick Searcy Wendell Foster
Joanna Shake Green River Area Development District
Mario Vizuet Old National Bank
Commissioner George Wathen Daviess County Fiscal Court
Jean Wells Wells Health Systems, Inc.
Brian Wright Owensboro Riverport Authority