greater owensboro chamber of commerce
CHAMBER MATTERS 2022
MAY
Vol 20/Issue 5
The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, May 5 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Visit Owensboro and will feature Jeff Berry, Co-Head of CAA Sports’ baseball division. Reserve your spot now at www.chamber. owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at (270) 926-1860 by noon on Wednesday, May 4. 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.
Premier MLB Agent to address Rooster Booster
He graduated from Leominster Owensboro, KY, native Jeff Berry High School in 1988 and was a has been a Major League Baseball member of the varsity basketball player agent and attorney since and baseball teams. A three1998. He started his career with year starting catcher for the the famed Hendricks Brothers baseball team that won State before moving on to IMG in 1999 Championships in 1986 and 1988, and then eventually to CAA, where Berry was inducted into the LHS in 2006 he was one of the original Athletic Hall of Fame in 2018. employees of the newly formed Berry played college baseball CAA Sports. at Northeastern University and As the long time Co-Head of CAA UNC Charlotte. He graduated from Baseball, Berry has led tremendous UNC Charlotte with a Bachelor of growth and success in the baseball Science in Business Administration division. Since its inception in 2006, in 1992 and went on to play one CAA Baseball has negotiated more season in the Boston Red Sox than $3 billion in multi-year player Jeff Berry minor-league system. Following contracts and advised 56 firstround picks. In 2021, CAA Baseball represented 10 his playing career, Berry attended Oklahoma MLB All-Stars and over the last 16+ years the client City University School of Law and served three list has included four MVPs, five Cy Young winners years as the Graduate Assistant Baseball Coach. He earned his Juris Doctor from OCU School of and seven Rookies of the Year. Berry has been repeatedly recognized by Forbes Law, graduating cum laude in May of 1998 and was admitted to the Oklahoma Bar Association in Magazine as one of the World’s Most Powerful September of 1998. Sports Agents and is known as a fierce advocate Berry was recently appointed to serve on the for players. Berry’s advocacy has sparked two board of directors of the V Foundation for Cancer major rule changes, protecting catchers from home-plate collisions (The Buster Posey Rule) and Research. Comprised of prominent business leaders, award-winning athletes and coaches, making it possible for players to be traded soon distinguished physicians and world-renowned after being drafted (The Trea Turner Rule). He has entertainers, the Board is entrusted with and also been outspoken on various labor issues, the accountable for the strategic leadership and amateur draft and salary arbitration. The son of Owensboro natives David and Jeanie governance of the organization. Founded by ESPN and legendary basketball coach Jim Valvano, the Berry, Jeff attended Blessed Mother School V Foundation funds game-changing research and through the 8th grade and played baseball at all-star scientists with one goal in mind: to achieve Eastern Little League where his dad was the Victory over Cancer. coach. In the summer of 1984, after his father’s Berry has been married to wife Sarah since job transfer with W.R. Grace, the Berry family, 2005 and they have 3 children. Jax (14), Clark (12), including younger siblings Brent and Emily, Whitney (9) and they reside in Bradenton, FL. moved to Leominster, MA.
TIME TO PUNCH THE GAS
The road to recovery for the hospitality industry has been long and hard. We’re on the right path, heading in the right direction, and now’s the time for our community to leverage every asset we have and put our foot on the gas. COVID-19 has taught us that things are unpredictable, and we must be ready for obstacles. Financially, 2020 was the worst year in the history for the tourism industry. Vacations were canceled. Meetings canceled. Conventions canceled. Sports tournaments canceled. Jobs canceled. The good news is that the hospitality industry in Owensboro-Daviess County is resilient. We’ve shifted and adapted to what the customer wants and needs, and we’ve turned that into our advantage. Whether it’s a safe place for a meeting or a world class facility for a tournament. Producing the best bluegrass music in the world or an authentic bourbon experience. Owensboro is delivering on its reputation of being one of the best small cities in America. Now is Owensboro’s time to move forward. We must take risks, work harder, and try new methods and concepts to promote Owensboro as a place to visit, host meetings, and sports events. We have a lot to be excited about and we must not become complacent. Continuing to take care of our hospitality workforce and investing in Owensboro’s future as a world class destination is our priority. Economic development and creating an economic impact all starts with a visit.
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