SARAH MURPHY FORD

of my dad. He cheers me on, and at the same time he helps me realize that I must continue to grow and challenge myself. He reminds me not to get too comfortable, and he challenges me to think bigger. Our team never stops and says, “Okay, we did it, we are done!” Money and hitting goals mean nothing if you don’t care about the people around you.

How do other Chamber board members inspire you?

I could write a book on how the members of the Chamber Board of Directors inspire me. Recently, I was so proud to see how many ATHENA Award nominees were on our board and how many past recipients had been Board members. The depth of conversation in our board meetings is unreal. Everyone genuinely cares about people in our community. Our board members speak with authority in a strong and uplifting way.

Please tell us about your role in your professional career.

As the Vice President at Hartz Contracting, I serve on our Board of Directors and oversee the operations of our three locations, which includes our strategies, processes, software, etc. I don’t get to physically be out on the job “building,” but I get to use my strategic mind and assist our team.

How do you hope to make an impact as board chair?

I feel that connecting with others is the most important thing our board can do, and it is what I have committed to as board chair. I think showing up creates ENERGY that makes people want to be better! It’s inspiring to feed off each other’s energy, which is why I think people come to Rooster Booster so early on a Thursday morning – YOU FEEL IT!

How long have you called Owensboro home?

I was raised in Bowling Green and went to Lexington for college. I moved to Owensboro in 2011 when I married my better half!

How can we make Owensboro more attractive to employers, small businesses and young people who want to find more opportunity and success here?

It is our responsibility to make people feel like Owensboro is home. People did that for me when I moved here. Community and connection are what makes a place feel like home. We take so many actions to build an appealing community for those that move here, PorchFest and ROMP to name a few. But we must be more intentional about showing people we want them to be here and be a part of our community.

What inspires you most about our community?

The people. We have so many passionate people in our community that have unique and innovative ideas and the follow-through to make things happen. It is so inspiring to see people come together to build up our community.

What is your definition of a mentor?

A mentor is someone who helps you get somewhere that you could not have gotten on your own. When I think of an example of a mentor in my life, I think

They still have their own vision. They accept others’ ideas. They understand when minds come together, the ideas are limitless. None of our board members settle. As soon as one thing is done, they are ready to take on the next or asking “Okay, now how can we make this even better?” Their love and passion for our community and their vision for a better future creates such possibility.

What is your favorite “Chamber moment?”

There are too many to count, but the first Rooster Booster this past March sponsored by Wendell Foster was unforgettable. It was so inspiring to hear from guest speakers Elizabeth and Stephen Wampler and to see so many people stand up and cheer for an amazing organization in our community. Watching Chad kick off the Steps Division of the Wendell Foster Half Marathon was both hilarious and moving. Events like this make me look at out community and smile.

What are you most proud of to date in your professional career?

Leading our company’s transition from paper to digital technology. Although we started this project to become more efficient and produce cost savings, the most rewarding part was training the men and women that swore they would never be able to transition. It was challenging and required a lot of energy to motivate, encourage and solve problems, but once it clicked, we were able to celebrate these new skills. It completely changed the dynamics of our company, and now they have their own creative ideas on how to continuously improve our processes. With that kind of collaboration and engagement, the sky’s the limit for us.

How do you remain fully present in all areas of life while running a family-owned business and being a wife and mother to three children?

I remain aware. You must be aware of what is going on around you and cautious of what areas of your life are requiring more of you than others. For example, there are times when work takes more time, but I follow up with intentional time spent with my family. Find your people that will hold you accountable and help you when you need it most, whether that be friends, family or a mentor. My advice is to remember you are in control of you. You must make the call and not let areas of your life become unbalanced.