CHAMBER MATTERS
Vol 19/Issue 5
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
MAY
2021
Join us! Join us via Facebook Live @gochamber To register for the event via Zoom, fill out a registration form on www. chamber.owensboro.com.
CELEBRATING SMALL BUSINESS RESILIENCY The Chamber invites you to join us for this Thursday’s Remote Rooster Booster, sponsored by EM Ford. To celebrate the resiliency of our local small businesses throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our program will feature a panel of local small business leaders and owners who have adapted their businesses to better serve our community despite the challenges of the past year. We invite you to join us and hear from some of the most innovative and passionate small business owners in our community. The panel will be moderated by Madison Silvert, President of the Malcolm Bryant Corporation. This virtual Rooster Booster program will stream live on the Chamber’s Facebook page and on Zoom starting at 7:30 a.m.
Armando Ortiz, Owner Real Hacienda Mexican Restaurant
Natasha Stanley, Owner Bella Regazza Boutique
Jason Tanner, Owner Tanner Publishing & Tanner+West
Sally Ward, Owner Welborn’s Floral and Events
Matt Weafer, Owner Niko’s Bakery
Jigna Wilson, PharmD, Owner Wilson Family Pharmacy
Suzanne Cecil White, Owner Cecil Farms Produce & White Chateau
Jessica Woods, Owner Byron & Barclay
Madison Silvert, President, Malcolm Bryant Corporation Moderator
Ribbon Cuttings
Last May, EM Ford sponsored the first-ever virtual Rooster Booster. I never imagined that we would be in the same situation a year later – still unable to gather, shake hands and visit with our Member friends. Heck, a part of me is even missing the Mingle Minute! As we all know, the pandemic brought many challenges to our businesses and our community. So many thanks are owed to our city’s front-line workers, elected officials, the Chamber, and many other organizations for keeping Owensboro informed and up and running on a daily basis. In “The Art of War,” Sun Tzu states, “Victory comes from finding opportunities in problems.” While the pandemic has been very hard on many in our community, I am a firm believer that Owensboro rose to the challenges and continuously found opportunities to be better and will emerge victorious – stronger in compassion, cooperation, and civility – when the pandemic is behind us. Our business has certainly looked different this past year with virtual meetings and working from home, but the same principles and values that have guided us for 95 years have not changed: delivering best in class services and strategies for your insurance, employee benefits and financial planning needs. If you are experiencing challenges in your business as you get back to work, please give us a call. Our advisors will help you assess the risks that are involved and find strategies that work best for you to be successful moving forward. — Ryan McDaniel Financial Advisor, EM Ford
Last month the Chamber hosted a Ribbon Cutting with Murphy Excavating to celebrate their opening of a new location at 2601 West Fourth Street. Murphy Excavating has been a Member of our Chamber for 15 years, and their role as agricultural and job-creating leaders in our community continues to grow. We are so proud to have Murphy Excavating as a part of our Chamber and our community! Their services include excavation, tree removal, demolition and more. Learn more at www.murphyexcavatingky.com!
Hemingway receives 2021 Athena Award
Congratulations, Sara Hemingway, recipient of the 2021 Athena Award! Sara is a native of Owensboro and serves as the Executive Director of the Marilyn and William Young Charitable Foundation. The Chamber is honored to partner with Girls Inc. to present the Athena Award annually to an individual in our community who has achieved excellence in business or a profession, who has served the community in a meaningful way, and has assisted women in developing their leadership potential. Sara’s professional and volunteer involvement includes currently serving as a Director of the Felix E. Martin Jr. Foundation in Muhlenberg County and a Board Member of Leadership Kentucky. She served as a founding Board Member of Impact 100 Owensboro and originator of the Impact 100 Next Generation program. Previously, Sara served as a member of the Steering Committee of Grantmakers of Kentucky, the Cultural Review Panel of Owensboro, co-chair of the
RiverPark Center’s 25th Anniversary Committee and President of the Junior League of Owensboro. She and her husband David have three children. Sara joins a group of 22 notable women who have received the Athena Award since 1999. These women
represent the many strong, smart, and bold women who are leading our community. When we take the time to invest in our girls, there is no limit to what they can achieve. To learn more about Girls Inc. and their mission, visit www.girlsincowensboro.org.