March/April 2024 Chamber Current

ROOSTER BOOSTER RECAP p. 54

CHAMBER MEMBERS OF THE WEEK p. 56

CHAMBER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE p. 60

FROM THE CHAMBER

Welcome to the Chamber Current Volume II of 2024. This publication is possible because of a partnership with Tanner Publishing, a premier multi-media group that acts as an extension of our team. As another issue hits the stand and we begin work on the next, I am consistently amazed at how ideas seem to be limitless. And how there is so much to celebrate.

That energy and innovation is a microcosm of what I see from our members every day. Across the economic spectrum, our members are dreaming of ways to make their product better, to develop future markets and to serve their existing customers… and in the process, they are driving our economy forward.

To that end, in this issue we celebrate our members. We celebrate the accomplishments of Greater Owensboro and the excellence in our business community. There is a special feature section on our Chamber Celebration and our 2024 Awards for Excellence Winners. That evening was a powerful reminder to our team of the depth of innovation and hard work of each member… no matter how big or how small. Each storefront, social media post, business quote or project proposal represents hours upon hours of hard work and the pouring out of people who are trying to realize their dreams.

At our Annual Celebration, our 2023 Board Chair Sarah Murphy Ford passed the gavel to John Marshall Moore. Sarah has left an indelible mark on our organization. Her heart for service and her love for Greater Owensboro inspire us all to do better and to be better. John’s energy and creative way of approaching problems and issues will be true assets to the Chamber as 2024 will certainly unfold with its set of opportunities. Thank you, Sarah and John! This time of year, as we celebrate achievements, we also thank our members for their investment in our work. We hope we successfully demonstrate that investing in our Chamber is about more than growing relationships and “marketing” your business. It is MUCH more.

Investing in any chamber says that you value your community and that you are interested in the direction it is headed.

We hope you enjoy this edition. Thank you for your investment in our work. Working for you each day is a privilege.

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE

President & CEO,

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce

MARCH CALENDAR

7 ROOSTER BOOSTER, SPONSORED BY WENDELL FOSTER

7:30 a.m.

Owensboro Convention Center

8 RIBBON CUTTING: CONFETTI BOUTIQUE

12:15 p.m.

201 E 18th Street

9 LEGISLATIVE UPDATE

8:00 a.m.

Commerce Center

Third Floor Conference Room

12 EDUCATOR’S IN THE WORKPLACE HEALTHCARE DAY RiverValley Behavioral Health

Owensboro Health

13

CYP PROJECT EMPOWER: GIRLS AND GOALS

4:15 p.m.

14 CYP GUYS AND TIES

12:00 p.m.

Burns Middle School

19 CYP COFFEE AND CONVERSATIONS

7:30 a.m.

10 CYP PROJECT EMPOWER: GIRLS AND GOALS 4:15 p.m.

11 CYP GUYS AND TIES 12:00

20 CHAMBER AMBASSADOR FORMAL MEETING

12:00 p.m.

Commerce Center

Third Floor Conference Room

RSVP required to Shelly Nichols at shelly@owensboro.com

21 LEADERSHIP OWENSBORO JUSTICE DAY

22 RIBBON CUTTING: JAGOE MODEL HOME 12:15 p.m. 1096 Quartz Drive

26 CYP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEETING 11:30 a.m.

26 ATHENA AWARD LUNCHEON 11:30 a.m.

Owensboro Convention Center

27 CYP FORMAL MEETING 11:30 am.

Commerce Center

Third Floor Conference Room

RSVP required to Ashtin Warren at awarren@owensboro.com

28 ROOSTER BOOSTER, SPONSORED BY ODDBALL CREATIVE FEATURING A MAYORAL FORUM 7:30 a.m.

Owensboro Convention Center

APRIL CALENDAR

OWENSBORO ARTS AND CULTURE DAY

24 CYP SOCIAL MEETING 11:30 a.m.

This event is open to CYP Members ONLY

30 CYP COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MEETING 11:30 a.m.

NEW MEMBERS

Accurity Industrial Contractors, LLC

Barrel Heads Liquor Market & Tasting Bar

Benchmark Properties, Inc

Caldbeck Farm Enterprises

Carpenters Local Union #224

Confetti Boutique

Elite Risk Advisors

Epic Realty

Gray Elephant Travel Company, LLC

HealthForce Kentucky

Hilltop Stables

Kentucky K-9 Search and Rescue Foundation

Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance – Jamie Wright

Muhlenberg Job Corps

Pepsi Beverages Company

Perry County Memorial Health

RepresentGPA Government and Public Affairs

S&S Earthscapes, LLC

Shelter Insurance®, Krystal Roark Caudill

Sunbelt Rentals

Take 10 Market

TCG Continuum

The BHG Realty, Robin Osborne

Up Up and Away Balloon Creations, LLC

RENEWALS

Affordable Care Health Insurance, LLC

Aflac Keller & Associates, LLC

Alcoa Warrick Operations Altstadt’s

American Engineers, Inc.

American Grease & Septic

American Red Cross

Aquatic Resource Center

Ashley Furniture

Audubon Area Community Services, Inc.

AXIOM Architecture

B & B Extermination Inc

Barron Commercial Group

Beef O’Brady’s

Big Rivers Electric Corporation

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Boardwalk Pipelines

Boulware Mission, Inc.

Bruce’s Tri-State Roofing & Sheet Metal

C12 Group TriState / Ron Seib

Carpenters Local Union #224

Carpets Unlimited Flooring Center

Catholic Diocese of Owensboro

Cedarhurst of Owensboro

Champion Ford Lincoln Mazda Cheer Zone

City of Owensboro

Clemens, Guthrie & Wurth

Commodity Marketing Services

Community Ventures

Dahl & Groezinger

Daviess County Public Schools

Domtar Paper Co., LLC

Don Mario’s

Don Moore Chevrolet, Buick, GMC

Donald R. Neel, MD

Dream Riders of Kentucky

Dunkin’ Donuts

Edward Jones - Financial Advisor, Kevin Young

Enterprise Rent-A-Car of Owensboro

Enterprise Truck Rental

Fastek Services, LLC

Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Louisville Branch

First Presbyterian Church

Foster Farms

Free Your Mind, Body and Soul Wellness LLC

Gilles Farms, LLC

Glenn Funeral Home and Crematory, Inc.

Goodfellows Club

Green River Distilling Company

Greenwell Chisholm

Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory

Harry Roberts Plumbing & Heating

Helton Insurance Group

Ivy Trellis Floral

James H. Davis Funeral Home & Crematory

KB’s Kid Zone

Kenergy Corp.

Kentucky Farm Bureau Insurance - Mandie Hicks

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Kenway Distributors Incorporated

KORT Physical Therapy- Wesleyan Park

Kroger Wine and Spirits

Kuegel Farms

Lamar Outdoor Advertising

Lawrence & Augusta Hager Educational Foundation

Legends

Lipscomb Hydra Cleaning / Professional Carpet Cleaning

Malco Theatres

Marshall Ventures

Mattingly’s Automotive Repair

McCoy Construction and Forestry

MediaWorks Advertising

Messenger-Inquirer, Inc.

Murphy Sewing Machine Company

Musick Studios

Oddball Creative

Owensboro Catholic Schools

Owensboro Goodwill Industries & Goodwill Job Placement Services

Peacocks and Pearls Boutique

PNC Bank

Research Integrity, LLC

Rotary Club of Owensboro

South Central Bank, Inc.

Southern Tank & Manufacturing Co., Inc.

Specialty Foods Group, LLC, makers of Kentucky

Legend

St. Mary of the Woods Parish

Storm Insurance LLC - Scott Stoermer

Tanner+West

The BHG Realty

The Center

The Cottage Farm Stand

The Fathers House of Owensboro

The Owensboro Times

Thompson Benefits & Enrollment Group, LLC

Thompson Homes, Inc.

Twin Rivers Nursing and Rehab

U.S. Bank

Unique Granite & Marble

VFW Post #696

Volunteer Owensboro

Warren Farms-Dustin Warren

WBKR/WOMI

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

Western Kentucky University - Continuing and Professional Development

White Chateau at Cecil Farms

Wills Animal Hospital

WKU Owensboro Alumni Chapter

Yeiser Excavating Inc.

ROOSTER BOOSTER RECAP

Sponsors:

January's Rooster Booster featured the City/ County Addresses from Mayor Tom Watson and Daviess County Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen. The State of the City and State of the County Addresses have been a January Rooster Booster tradition for decades. This gives the community the opportunity to hear from local government leaders, what their plans are, and how they intend to move OwensboroDaviess County forward.

The program was sponsored by the City of Owensboro and Daviess County Fiscal Court.

Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen

County Judge/Executive Charlie Castlen was elected to serve the citizens of Daviess County in 2022. He served for the past twelve-years (three terms) as the Central Division County Commissioner and prior to that, served tenyears (five terms) over a 12-year period as an Owensboro City Commissioner, four of which were as Mayor Pro Tem. He is a graduate of Brescia University and was a self-employed CPA with more than 38 years of experience in banking, public accounting, and government. Charlie has been married to his wife, Lisa, for 38 years and together they have three children, Sarah, Theresa, and Daniel and enjoy their 2 grandchildren - Maddie and Griffin. As a social and fiscal conservative, Charlie is a committed friend of the taxpayer and humbled to be your County Judge/Executive.

Mayor Tom Watson

Tom Watson is the former president and coowner, with his wife, Barbara, of Tom Watson's Prosthetic and Orthotics Labs, Inc. He recently retired after fifty years in the prosthetics industry. Tom studied at the Northwestern University Medical School at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago. He entered the field of prosthetics and orthotics in 1972 after a construction accident left him in need of a prosthesis but without resources to procure one.

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. He was a founding member of the KFL youth football league, for which he was honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for his work with youth sports. Watson was a recipient of the Owensboro Public School Hall of Achievement Award and was honored by the American Orthotic and Prosthetic Assn. as a recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence in prosthetic care for people with limb loss. He currently serves on the Foundation Board for the Owensboro Community and Technical College, the You Decide, Kentucky! (YDK!) Board, as well as the Kentucky League of Cities, Inc. Board of Directors.

Watson first served as Mayor of Owensboro from 2005-2008. He was re-elected for a second term in 2016 and is now serving his third term. Tom and his wife Barbara have two sons, David and Jeff Phelps, two daughter-in-laws, Trisha and Krystal, and seven grandchildren.

MINORITY BUSINESS COALITION

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce is so proud to announce the launch of the Chamber’s Minority Business Coalition.

“The Coalition will offer networking and support for the unique challenges and barriers often faced by minority owned business leaders,” says Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake. “We have seen such a significant rise of minority business start-ups and second-stage growth businesses recently in Greater Owensboro. It is vital to our

economic growth that we do our part to grow and nurture these ventures as we continue to build a community business culture based on innovation and entrepreneurship.”

This business alliance will offer support, promote collaboration, and encourage networking along with other local businesses. The group also hopes to make presentations to local youth, offer advice and encouragement for those interested in starting a business, and will also serve as a voice of our local minority businesses and community leaders who hope

to connect and embolden minority business ownership.

“While we look forward to the day where we won’t need to have coalitions such as this, the fact is that they are needed. We are thrilled to be a part of this effort and look forward to celebrating more successful business stories… of ALL of our members. And we look forward to a day soon where children can look around Owensboro and see people who look like them in any role imaginable.”

February’s Rooster Booster featured a Minority Business Panel discussion highlighting best practices and innovative regional solutions for employers. The panel included Ticy Cox (Kahawa Java), Ulysses Johnson (Strength Renewed), Oralis Radilla (Don Mario’s and Real Hacienda), and Allyson Sanders (Owensboro Community & Technical College, The Party Space Place and Something Borrowed) and it will be moderated by El’Agance Shemwell (44News).

The program was sponsored by River Valley Behavioral Health.

With 36 accredited programs in 25 locations, RiverValley Behavioral Health’s dedication to access and expansion of high-quality care has led to the creation of 100 new jobs since 2020 and five new programs in 2023, including a men’s residential treatment center, a recovery community center, two gender-specific recovery housing programs, and a drop-in wellness and service navigation concierge located in the heart of downtown Owensboro.

During 2024, RiverValley Behavioral Health will complete and unveil an amazing $10 million renovation of the historic Cigar Factory Building and expand its treatment and recovery housing services to three more locations in the region. These are all part of our steadfast dedication to wellness, community development and social entrepreneurship.

“We are incredibly honored to serve our community and take pride in the growth and development RiverValley has seen throughout 2023. As we look forward to 2024, we are enthusiastic about expanding on these initiatives in the coming year and beyond,” stated Dr. Wanda FigueroaPeralta, President & CEO of RVBH. “Our heartfelt thanks go to our community and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for their unwavering support, which empowers us to persist in our mission to enhance the well-being of the communities we serve.”

Sponsor:

MINORITY BUSINESS PANEL

TICY COX

JAVA

ORALLIS RADILLA

HACIENDA

CHAMBER MEMBERS OF THE WEEK

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with a membership base of nearly 1,000, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives, serving as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region.

JANUARY

STEPHEN LAWRENCE LTD

Brandy Hamilton opened Stephen Lawrence LTD – an upscale consignment boutique – in Wesleyan Park Plaza this past summer. The original Stephen Lawrence location is still open in Lexington, where it has been a mainstay in for over three decades.

FLOURISH COUNSELING

Beth Partain created Flourish Counseling in 2020, offering counseling services for women seeking guidance with anxiety, depression, mood disorders, neurodivergence, and life transitions. Partain specializes in prenatal, postpartum, and perinatal counseling for new and expectant mothers.

RIGHT TO LIFE

Virginia Corley formed Right to Life Owensboro in 1973 to educate the community about the sanctity of life from the moment of conception until natural death. Executive director Stacey Davis said the mission remains unchanged despite the evolving social landscape.

JERRY RAY DAVIS

Jerry Ray Davis purchased the Chrysler dealership in Owensboro in 2020, effectively changing the name to Chrysler Dodge Ram+Jeep. After navigating the pandemic for 2 years, he invested $7 million in a sales and service automotive facility at 3900 Frederica Street at the former Texas Gas property. The dealership employs over 50 people and prides itself on remaining active in the community.

JANUARY

STEPHANIE BERTRAM

As a dedicated and community-involved individual, Stephanie Bertram brings a wealth of experience and a passion for service to everything she does. Recently embarking on a new journey as a realtor, she is thrilled to be part of the seasoned team at BHG Realty. Her approach to real estate is grounded in her deep-rooted values of integrity, transparency, and genuine care for her clients’ needs. She is excited to make a positive impact in the world of real estate and beyond.

20/20 WALKER CONSULTING

To build on her experience as a human resources representative at Advantage Eye Care, Nikie Walker formed 20/20 Walker Consulting, offering HR services to optometrists. Walker has a master’s in human resources and a doctorate in education.

FINESSE FENCE, LLC

FEBRUARY

KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU

Gavin Roberts began with Kentucky Farm Bureau in 2001, opening his own agency just 7 years later. Since 2008, the agency has grown exponentially, adding Alex Bryant to the team in 2014 and Mandy Hicks in 2020. Roberts attributes the agency’s success to its commitment to the community, stressing that he, Bryant, and Hicks are all Owensboro natives and care deeply about their hometown.

THE FUNCTIONAL FAMILY

The Functional Family was born out of a shared passion among a group of healthcare professionals who recognized the need for a holistic and patient-centered approach to wellness. They are dedicated to understanding your health needs, guiding you on a journey of wellness and ensuring optimal health for every patient.

BHG REALTY

Finesse Fence, LLC stands out for its exceptional craftsmanship and commitment to customer satisfaction. With a reputation for delivering durable and aesthetically pleasing fences, they combine expertise with quality materials, ensuring clients receive the best fencing solutions tailored to their needs.

After spending five years working at a nonprofit, Stephanie Bertram decided she wanted to continue serving the community in a different capacity. So, last spring, she obtained her realtor license through the Greater Owensboro Realtor Association and went full-time with BHG Realty.

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Shelly Nichols, Chamber Vice President, at 270-926-1860 or shelly@owensboro.com.

FEBRUARY

JUSTIN MERRITT

Justin, a native of Whitesville, has been employed by ADVANCED for 12 years as a physical therapist assistant and outreach coordinator. Justin is very motivated by helping people reach their goals, rather it be excelling at a particular sport, being pain-free, or just moving better. Improving the quality of life in his patients is his drive.

ROOSTER BOOSTER / MARCH 28 AT 7:30AM / OWENSBORO

Featuring all five candidates in the upcoming Mayoral Election

Make reservations to attend at chamber.owensboro.com/calendar.

Sponsored by:

SHARON CASTLE FORMER MAYOR RON PAYNE

COMMISSIONER PAM SMITH-WRIGHT

INCUMBENT TOM WATSON

TITUS WILLIS

CHAMBER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: 2024 NOMINEES

EMERGING

Becca Bakes

Elevate Insurance Agency

Flourish Counseling

Kahawa Java

Lillianne Sharp Photography

Meadow House Flowers and Gifts

Orangetheory Fitness

Something Borrowed Spirit Spa

The Party Space Place

Western Kentucky Distilling Co.

Willow and Pine Market, LLC.

1-10 EMPLOYEES

Byron & Barclay

Chicken Salad Chick

Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel

Dermatology Center of Owensboro

Fast Lane Auto Repair

Hafer

L. Ruth Interior Design

Musick Studios

Retirement and Financial Strategies

SIP Owensboro

The Skin Therapist

TrueNorth Treatment Center, LLC.

Wonder Boy Media

11-50 EMPLOYEES

German American

Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown/ Waterfront

RBS Design Group Architecture

R.W. Baird

Riney Hancock CPAs PSC

U.S. Lawns- Owensboro

Ward Family Dentistry

51 + PLUS

Atmos Energy Corporation

Cedarhurst of Owensboro

Kenergy Corporation

Owensboro Municipal Utilities

RiverValley Behavioral Health

MANUFACTURING

Kaiser Aluminum Company

Cleveland-Cliffs

Daramic, LLC.

Dart Polymers

Green River Distilling Company

Hollison, LLC.

Southwire Company

Toyotestsu Mid America

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR - FINE ARTS

Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Owensboro Symphony

Western Kentucky Botanical Garden

NON-PROFIT OF THE YEAR - HUMAN NEEDS AND SERVICES

Aubrey’s Song Foundation for Eating Disorders

Beverly’s Hearty Slice

Borrowed Hearts Owensboro

Boulware Mission, Inc.

CASA of Ohio Valley, Inc.

Cliff Hagan Boys & Girls Club, Inc.

Daniel Pitino Shelter

Friends of Sinners

Green River Asset Building

Coalition, Inc.

Help Office of Owensboro

International Center of Owensboro

Issac Sterett Adventure Foundation

Matthew 25 AIDS Services

Opportunity Center of Owensboro

St. Benedict’s Homeless Shelter

The Center

United Way of the Ohio Valley Volunteers of America – Mid States

Volunteer Owensboro

Wendell Foster

Western Academy at the Neblett

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE

Daviess County Public Schools

Detention Center- Reentry Success Program

Kentucky Wesleyan College

Owensboro Catholic Schools

Owensboro Community and Technical College

RICK KAMUF –AGRI BUSINESS

Riney Farms

CHAMBER AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: 2024 WINNERS

EMERGING: WILLOW & PINE

1-10 EMPLOYEES: BYRON AND BARCLAY

11-50 EMPLOYEES:

RINEY HANCOCK CPAS PSC

51+ EMPLOYEES: RIVERVALLEY

BEHAVIORAL HEALTH

MANUFACTURING: SOUTHWIRE

NON-PROFIT - FINE ARTS: BLUEGRASS MUSEUM AND HALL OF FAME

NON-PROFIT HUMAN NEEDS AND SERVICES: ISAAC STERETT

ADVENTURE FOUNDATION

EDUCATION AND WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT: DAVIESS COUNTY DETENTION CENTER REENTRY SUCCESS PROGRAM

MINORITY OWNED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR: KAHAWA JAVA

RICK KAMUF AGRIBUSINESS: RINEY FARMS

CHAMBER AMBASSADOR OF THE YEAR:

JUSTIN MERRITT

CHAMBER YOUNG PROFESSIONAL MEMBER OF THE YEAR: ELLEN EBELHAR

LEADERSHIP OWENSBORO CLASS MEMBER OF THE YEAR:

CHERYL BURKES-MCCARTHY

DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR: W. CLAY H. FORD

BILL YOUNG COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP AWARD: KEITH SANDERS

CHAMBER MEMBER OF YEAR: GREENWELL CHISHOLM AND WELBORN FLORAL AND EVENTS

LEGACY AWARD: TISH CORREA-OSBORNE

PRESENTING SPONSOR

AWARDS FOR EXCELLENCE SPONSOR:

AFTER-PARTY SPONSOR: RECEPTION SPONSOR:

CHAMBER AWARD SPONSORS:

PLATINUM SPONSORS:

Atmos Energy

Don Moore Automotive

German American Bank

Greenwell Chisholm

McEnaney Family McDonald’s

NextEra Energy Resources

RiverValley Behavioral Health

Swedish Match North America

UniFirst Corporation

GOLD SPONSORS:

Boardwalk Pipelines

Brenda Clayton, CPAs

Cleveland-Cliffs

Old National Bank

Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport

Red Wing Shoes

Riney Hancock, CPAs PSC

SILVER SPONSORS:

Brescia University

Daviess County Fiscal Court

E.M. Ford

Fastek Services

Heritage Federal Credit Union

Houchens Insurance Group

Kenergy

MPD, Inc.

Owensboro Municipal Utilities

Owensboro Riverport Authority

Peoples Bank

R.W. Baird

South Central Bank

U.S. Bank

BRONZE SPONSORS:

323 Staffing Solutions

Kaiser Aluminum Warrick

Owensboro Community & Technical College

DÉCOR SPONSOR:

Welborn Floral and Events

PRODUCTION SPONSOR:

Wonder Boy Media

RIBBON CUTTINGS

A TIME-HONORED TRADITION

Ribbon Cuttings are so special to local businesses and organizations. The tradition of a Ribbon Cutting is most commonly known to celebrate a grand opening, but Chamber Members also use a Ribbon Cutting to celebrate renovations, anniversaries, new locations and joining the Chamber.

CALUMET TRACE SENIOR LIVING

THE BACKSTAGE

GREEN RIVER ASSET BUILDING COALITION