GO Chamber - Q2 2018 by Tanner Publishing

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

FROM THE CHAMBER Last year, Chamber Talent Programs Director, Jessica Kirk, visited Metalsa with a group of educators as part of our Teachers in the Workplace Program where teachers and counselors learn about the skills students need for today’s jobs.

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE President & CEO

She came back to the office full of pride in what she saw there that day. Pride in the process, the workplace, the management team and the employees she saw doing their jobs. It was then we decided that we would highlight our Chamber manufacturers and the people who make the products, and we would roll it out in October 2018 during National Manufacturing Month. This issue attempts to highlight the contributions of the working men and women in Greater Owensboro that comprise the best manufacturing workforce in the

Our economic region is quite diverse with many business and professional sectors merging to create one of Kentucky’s most vibrant economies. In this issue of “GO CHAMBER” we have chosen to focus on the importance of the manufacturing sector in our local and regional economy.

BART DARRELL 2018 Board Chair President, Kentucky Wesleyan College

No matter the advances in technology or the continued evolution of product and service distribution formats, there will always be a need and demand for companies, large and small, who still “make things.” The Owensboro/ Daviess County region has so many manufacturers who through their work have not only regional economic and cultural impact, but also have national and international influence. Our vibrant manufacturing sector has tentacles that touch lives and economies all over the globe. The ingenuity and business acumen of these men and women constitute the manufacturing sector of our community and should be consistently appreciated. They are vital ingredients to the formula that has made

United States. They produce food that feeds people all over the globe, they manufacture goods that make our homes beautiful, auto frames and parts that move people from place to place and create high end metals that grace skylines. And they move our national economy forward. They are quite literally making Owensboro greater. And as always, we continue here at the Chamber to collaborate across our community to create infrastructure and quality of life that makes it easier for our manufacturers to move goods around, access new markets and recruit and retain top employees. Our strengths and successes happen because of the partnerships and collaborations across the community who are committed to creating a place where we can all live, work and play.

the Owensboro/Daviess County region what it is and the region that it will become. Beyond the economic impact of our manufacturing sector, we owe a great debt of gratitude to these businesses and their people for the contributions they make to the strong cultural and civic elements of our community. They volunteer in our non-profit organizations. They invest in our culture. They are an essential fabric in our schools. They are are pillars in our faith communities. They mentor our youth. Quite simply, they serve Owensboro/Daviess County. So, on behalf of the Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors, I offer a heartfelt “thank you” to our manufacturing businesses, large and small, for their commitment to and investment in the Owensboro/ Daviess County region, and for the positive impact you have on the lives of its people.

ON THE COVER: Robbie Ferguson from Castlen Steel works on a metal Chamber logo created using a state-of-the-art plasma cutter. Photo by Jason Tanner

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

FOUNDER/CREATIVE DIRECTOR Jason Tanner

FEATURES:

PUBLISHER

Taylor West taylor@tannerwest.com

3RD QUARTER 2018

MANAGING EDITOR

Benjamin Hoak ben@tannerpublishing.com

ADVERTISING SALES

Brock Quinton brock@tannerpublishing.com Robert Williams robert@tannerpublishing.com

COPY EDITOR

Ashley Gleason

GRAPHIC DESIGN Jamie Alexander Jason Tanner Taylor West

LAYOUT DESIGN

Andrea Roberson

PHOTOGRAPHERS Jamie Alexander Taylor West

PRINTING

Greenwell Chisholm Owensboro, Kentucky

CONTACT INFORMATION:

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce 200 E. 3rd St., Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-1860 chamber.owensboro.com

TANNER PUBLISHING CO.

8 16 18 20 24 32 36 38 42

THE CHAMBER REPORT LOCAL COMPANIES MAKING HIGH-TECH IMPACT IN MANUFACTURING REFUGEES BOOST LOCAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE A DAY IN THE LIFE: SOUTHWIRE ROD & CABLE PEOPLE OF MANUFACTURING Special Advertising Section

EXPERT ADVICE FROM INSURANCE AGENTS Special Advertising Section

GO VOTE! 10 QUESTIONS Mitch Federman

THE FINAL ANALYSIS Jaclyn Graves

DID ? YOU

KNOW What local company supplied many of the materials for the recent $380 million renovation of The Gateway Arch in St. Louis?

FIND OUT ON PAGE 41

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

THE CHAMBER REPORT

FAMILY: Married to Rachael (a kindergarten teacher at Sutton Elementary) with two daughters, Gracie, 16 and Annie Kate, 11. HOW DID YOU END UP IN OWENSBORO? I was born in Owensboro, went to Apollo High School and Murray State and got an MBA at Ole Miss. I majored in operations and finance and am certified in industrial engineering. I worked for Toyota before coming to Unifirst. The opportunity to be here and raise our kids in this community was a driving factor to come back here.

MEET THE

2019 CHAMBER BOARD CHAIR DAVE ROBERTS General Manager of Distribution, Unifirst

WHAT’S UNIQUE ABOUT UNIFIRST? Unifirst is one of the leading workwear and industrial services companies in North America. The Owensboro facility is a one-of-a-kind centralized distribution center—we are part fulfillment and part manufacturing. We ship over 18 million garments a year out of here. We have 86 plants around the country, but this is the central nervous system of the company. We've got a strong team here.

WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FORWARD TO AS BOARD CHAIR? It will be an honor to represent the Chamber. When I look at our community, I don't know that there's an organization that has the reach that the Chamber has. With 38-40,000 employees represented, it serves as somewhat of the lifeblood of our community. They’re doing so much behind the scenes, mentoring young people who can learn about entrepreneurship, getting in front of elected officials and communicating the needs of our community. We’re fortunate to have a great staff there—they do yeoman’s work every day. WHO IS THE MOST FAMOUS PERSON YOU HAVE EVER MET? I met Michael Jordan at a restaurant in Chicago. WHAT’S AN UNUSUAL FACT ABOUT YOU? I have run back-to-back half-marathons. WHAT’S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? The Goonies, Remember the Titans and Karate Kid. WHAT BOOK HAVE YOU MOST RECOMMENDED TO PEOPLE? The Energy Bus—it tells a pretty interesting story.

H A N D - P I C K E D What is the toughest job you have ever had? “Recruiting my teenage friends to join me in hauling hay in the summers and convincing them it was a good idea. (It took a bologna sandwich and a swim in the creek.)”

“When I was a teenager, I worked for my stepfather Allan Quinn, who owned Allan Quinn Music. I spent a summer of high school working, traveling and installing digital pipe organs in churches around the state. I literally had to crawl up into the rafters of churches holding speakers that weighed about the same as a small utility vehicle. It was hot, sweaty, daunting and I felt like Quasimodo.”

-Malcolm Bryant, CCIM

-Chadwick J. Benefield

CEO, THE MALCOLM BRYANT CORPORATION

OPERATIONS MANAGER, TOWNSQUARE MEDIA OWENSBORO/EVANSVILLE BRAND MANAGER/MORNING GUY, 92.5 WBKR AND 99.1 FM/1490 AM WOMI

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

“September – December 1997: Jamie Stanley Custom Log Homes in Bend, OR building a log home with two other crew members. Ah, to be young again.”

-Steve Johnson VP OF GOVERNMENTAL COMMUNITY & LEGISLATIVE AFFAIRS, OWENSBORO HEALTH

“During the summer before my senior year of college, I sold home security systems and monitoring services, door-to-door, in Orlando, FL. It was so hot and it was a big challenge to sell to customers that way!”

-Scott Walters

STORE MANAGER, STARBUCKS COFFEE COMPANY – FREDERICA

“While on summer break in college, painting pipes of a cooling tower on the roof of an office building!”

-Michael F. Beckwith

PRESIDENT AND CEO, FIRST SECURITY BANK

“I remember earning money during the summer to pay for my next semester at KWC. My job would be spreading fertilizer at a farm in Utica. Didn’t sound too bad—ride a tractor and apply fertilizer to different crops. Not bad for a city boy. Oh, was I surprised to find out I was in charge of cleaning out all the cow barns of manure with a pitch fork, loading it onto a flatbed trailer and pitching it out into the fields.”

-Jack Wells

OWNER, WELLS HEALTH SYSTEMS; CEO, CANTEEN

CHAMBER BEHIND THE SCENES:

CYP MURAL PROJECT A new Owensboro mural is the product of a partnership between Chamber Young Professionals, Daviess County Fiscal Court, Visit Owensboro and local artist and Daviess County High School art teacher, Austin Casebolt. CYP met with Judge/Executive Al Mattingly for assistance, and CYP presented the project to the Visit Owensboro Board, which provided the space on the side of their building. “We want it to be a place for people to come, gather and take photos,” said Jessica Kirk, who is helping head a community development committee for CYP. She credited the idea for the mural to excitement among the city’s young adults who want to help turn downtown Owensboro into an active, thriving area. Casebolt designed the mural to reflect Owensboro. “The color blue symbolizes loyalty, strength, wisdom and trust, just like the qualities we found in our community,” he said. “This work of art was designed to complement its surroundings, especially the regional impact of bluegrass music, our famous blue bridge and the bright blue Owensboro sky.”

“The most physically demanding job I ever had was unloading, by hand, 100 pound sacks of potatoes off of locomotive box cars at a warehouse one summer. It was a good thing I was young!”

-Dr. Scott Williams

PRESIDENT, OWENSBORO COMMUNITY AND TECHNICAL COLLEGE

“In the summer of 1971, I worked construction in Henderson carrying the bricks to the bricklayers. On my way home, I listened to the radio station and thought 'that DJ is sitting down in a chair in an air conditioned studio playing music and probably drinking a Dr. Pepper.' That sounded like a much better job to me and the next year summer, I landed a job as a DJ.”

-Kirk Kirkpatrick BOARD MEMBER, FRIDAY AFTER 5

PHOTO BY AP IMAGERY, COURTESY OF THE OWENSBORO TIMES

“By far the hardest job I ever had was working for Reid’s Orchard in the summer while still in high school. The people were wonderful, but picking tomatos and jalapeños was incredibly hot and tedious. I vividly remember them telling me not to touch my skin when picking jalapeños; unfortunately I did not listen and was left with a burn on my face for days. As bad as this is to say, I did not last long!”

-J. Adam Hancock, CPA, CVA, CFE

MANAGING SHAREHOLDER/ PRESIDENT, RINEY HANCOCK CPAS

“Raising children is by far the hardest job I have ever had and I didn’t even do most of that—my wife, Molly, gets that credit. She stayed home while raising the children. From a business perspective, my very first job was my most difficult. My job was to sickle by hand (pre-weed eater days) the large hill at Chautauqua Park. I was working for the City Parks Department.”

“Growing up on a farm, we sold alfalfa hay, which is bright green when freshly baled. We also bought cattle regularly, so Dad had the bright idea to load a cattle trailer with alfalfa hay to backhaul it. I was the only one short enough and strong enough to be in the cattle pot stacking the hay. I looked like the Incredible Hulk or Poison Ivy when I came out, covered in bright green leaves! And I smelled terrible… like fresh cattle manure!”

-Carl Greenwell

-Amy Jackson

PRESIDENT, GREENWELL CHISHOLM

EVP – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER, FIRST SECURITY BANK

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

THE CHAMBER REPORT

LEADERS EAT LAST AUTHOR: SIMON SINEK

Overview:

THE

READING LIST

REVIEWED BY: Mike Baker

Current Director, Economic Development, Hancock County Industrial Foundation

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

Attracting and retaining the best and brightest talent is a major challenge for today’s business and industry. The workforce is losing around 10,000 baby boomers a day, and with the new generations of employees, the workplace is changing daily. These changes require serious soul searching of organizational culture and management style. An old but accurate idea states “people quit their boss, not their company.” Simon Sinek in his book, Leaders Eat Last, takes a good look at leadership qualities and those traits, behaviors and values that enable individuals and teams to excel.

WELCOME TO THE CHAMBER TheraTree, LLC. Diamond J Trucking Titus Search Group, LLC Qualmedica Research, LLC. Maddox Insurance Group Compass Counseling of Owensboro, LLC State Farm Insurance, Drew Cunningham Delta Management Custom Staffing Services Retirement & Financial Strategies Adorn Boutique ED's Automotive, Inc.

The Takeaway:

The book takes a new look at old traditional leadership characteristics such as empathy, integrity and trust while introducing an interesting glimpse into the “brain chemicals” that literally impact how we feel, react and behave. When truly thoughtful leaders understand the “why” and “how” and combine that knowledge with time-tested leadership behaviors and values, powerful outcomes occur. Both individual and team performance is enhanced. The book further validated my personal belief and passion that “people” are the main ingredient for success of any organization. Capital, technology, and processes are table stakes in today’s competitive market. Inspired, capable and creative people are the key to continuous improvement, sustainability and growth. Creating an environment where these traits flourish is leadership's accountability. It also reminds us that these values provide sustained long-term success often traded for the quick shortterm financial gain. This book gives today’s leaders and those who aspire to leadership roles powerful tools and insights for success.

State Farm Owensboro Sales Territory Heartland Payroll and HR Saint Stephen Cathedral Mary Kendall Campus, Methodist Homes of KY Owensboro Area Building & Construction Trades Perdue Foods Driven Solar Sheffer Law Firm PLLC River City Pawn Dandelion Wishes PeopleReady Ruoff Home Mortgage Freddy's Frozen Custard The Crème Coffee House Holiday World & Splashin' Safari Be Real Sports Cycling & Fitness El Bracero Fuji of Japan The Veranda Green River Asset Building Coalition, Inc. Keller Williams Elite, Anndrea Mahoney Morton Holbrook, III

BY THE NUMBERS

FROM OWENSBORO TO THE WORLD

Millions of products manufactured in Owensboro go around the country and the world. Here's a look at a few Owensboro manufacturers by the numbers. They are eye-opening!

O.Z. TYLER

UNIFIRST OWENSBORO DISTRIBUTION CENTER YEARLY STATS

15,000,000 emblems created

MILLION

garments shipped

325,000,000

70,000

6,000

gallon tankers of bourbon shipped to Europe, China, New Zealand, Japan, Germany and Spain

2,000

yards of thread used

(That's enough to circle the earth seven times!)

3.5

MILLION

garments embroidered

barrels of bourbon produced a year

1,000,000

bushels of corn used a day

DAICEL

pounds of cardboard recycled

Manufactures airbag inflators that deploy an airbag in

GLENMORE DISTILLERIES Glenmore Distilleries has been continuously operating at the same location since

1869

25-50 MILLISECONDS

(An average eye blink is 300-400 milliseconds.)

1 of 6

distilleries that were allowed to continue to produce “medicinal” alcohol through Prohibition

OMICO

55%

of America's vehicles, including Honda, Toyota, and Lexus have shock covers produced by Omico

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

THE CHAMBER REPORT

EXECUTIVE ANSWERS GO FAME is an Advanced Manufacturing Technician (AMT) program that allows participating students to earn an industry recognized, multi-craft technician degree while gaining valuable experience working in a manufacturing company. Students attend college two days a week while working three days a week at a sponsoring employer. In as little as 18 months (five semesters), they can earn an Associate in Applied Science degree in Industrial Maintenance Technology-Advanced Manufacturing Technician Track. They can then work full-time with the sponsoring employer or choose to obtain an engineering degree or other bachelor-level degree. GO Chamber asked four local manufacturing executives and students to share their experience with GO FAME.

How has participating in GO FAME changed or improved your company?

FRANK ANDERSON PRESIDENT, SUN WINDOWS, INC.

WILLIAM MOUNTS

The GO FAME program has positively changed and improved the culture in our company by integrating and embracing the millennial talent within the local area. The factory of the future is here today, and the modern technologies we are using require the latest and greatest advanced manufacturing technicians to set up, troubleshoot, program and operate. Our GO FAME students are always ready to meet these exciting challenges. To remain leaders in our field, we must always be searching for more efficient ways to run our business and build our products, and that is exactly what the GO FAME program helps us do. The collaborative efforts of the Economic Development Corporation, Owensboro Community and Technical College, and sponsoring GO FAME companies has been phenomenal in making GO FAME the most successful chapter in the state.

VICE-PRESIDENT, OMICO PLASTICS

Sponsoring and hiring GO FAME candidates has allowed OMICO to look at more innovative ways to produce our products. We have been able to incorporate robots as well as highly automated finishing equipment. This has allowed us to improve our quality and on-time shipments, as well as reduce the work load on our team members. This new equipment has impressed both current and potential customers, which has allowed for expansion. This ability to focus on innovation, due to having the skills in house to process and maintain the equipment, has allowed us to go from producing 12.5M shock covers per year to over 18M in three short years. We are producing and selling one part every 1.7 seconds. OMICO is now on 53 percent of all the automobiles produced in North America—something we take great pride in.

JARROD RICKARD PLANT MANAGER, METALSA

Participating in the GO FAME program with Owensboro Community and Technical College has been instrumental in allowing our company to maintain a pipeline of Skilled Trades talent. There is a high level of competition amongst companies in the field of Skilled Trades—there seems to be more positions available than candidates to fill those positions. By participating with the GO FAME program, Metalsa has been able to identify and select students to work with us and build long-term employment relationships. Upon graduation, the students are engaged in the organization and are given the opportunity to move into full-time Maintenance Technician roles. Metalsa has sponsored a total of five students through two waves of the program. All five students are still with our organization and continue to grow and excel. The GO FAME program is a win-win for all involved: students, business and community. Metalsa-Owensboro is proud to be a partner in this program and we look forward to continuing to support OCTC and the community in developing Skilled Trades talent.

SHANNON ROSS

PLANT MANAGER, KIMBERLY CLARK

Kimberly Clark was a founding member of GO FAME, and it has broadened our ability to recruit potential employees who are wanting to work in the manufacturing field. The current economic environment requires that as a manufacturer we think differently about how we recruit potential employees. This also gives the GO FAME student an opportunity to experience working in a manufacturing facility. We have hired and will continue to seek out GO FAME students because we believe that education combined with work experience makes for an excellent employee who can immediately impact our advanced manufacturing facility.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

ON THE RECORD

STUDENT ANSWERS

How has participating in GO FAME changed your life and career?

COLBY JARBOE MAINTENANCE COORDINATOR, SUN WINDOWS, INC.

The GO FAME program has been a huge game changer for me. I was able to work in maintenance while going to school to obtain my associates in applied science for advanced manufacturing technology. When you’re working out in the factory it’s a real eye opener to see why companies want technicians with work experience more than anything. School teaches you a lot, but nothing will ever teach you like workplace experience. You can sit in a classroom for an 8-hour lecture and forget what you learned by the next week, but you will never forget the two or three hours you spent trouble shooting why a machine is malfunctioning. You learn the best when you’re actually fixing machinery. You learn how to troubleshoot efficiently, and what works and what doesn’t.

COREY MARCHAND ENGINEER/MAINTENANCE, OMICO PLASTICS

I honestly can’t begin to explain the impact that the GO FAME program has had on my life and career. GO FAME helped me with the things I was learning in my classes because I was able to put it to practice at least three days a week. GO FAME also helped me in my career by allowing a smooth transition from college to career by having almost two years of experience under my belt when I graduated.

GO FAME also allowed me to discover my love for electrical work. I am currently one semester away from obtaining another associates in applied science for electrical. None of my achievements or success would have been possible without my sponsoring company through GO FAME—Sun Windows. They took a risk on some 18-year old kid from Ohio County who had no recommendations and no experience. In return, I worked and studied as hard as I could to become the best maintenance tech I could be.

Besides equipping me to be career ready, I also feel that GO FAME gave me social and teamwork skills. Through the duration of the program, I got to meet and know the people who were also in the program and it really encouraged me that everyone else was on the same page with the same goal in mind. I also got to join a team at the college to enter the NASA Human Exploration Rover Challenge. I really enjoyed working with my team to build a humanpowered rover that we entered to compete against universities from around the world. I can’t thank the staff at the college, the members of the GO FAME board, and the wonderful mentors I had at my sponsored company enough.

DYLAN JOINES

CHASE SMITH MAINTENANCE TECHNICIAN, METALSA

When I found out about the GO FAME program, I was a senior in high school with no scholarships and a really bad GPA. When I went to the college to see if I could afford to go and try to get financial aid, they told me that my family made too much money for financial aid. So, I was stuck without a way to go to college until I found out about the GO FAME program. With the help of GO FAME, I was able to get a sponsorship from Metalsa which paid for all my college. Being a part of the program changed my career because at the time I signed up, I had no idea what it really was and what I wanted to go to college for. With the help of the program, I have found a career as a maintenance technician at Metalsa, which I really like doing. I still have some close friends who were a part of the first class with me, and I found my career that I plan on doing until I retire.

MACHINE OPERATOR, KIMBERLY CLARK

After high school I was undecided about my career path. My mom told me about the GO FAME program. I applied and was accepted into the program and started to work at Kimberly-Clark. I had never worked in manufacturing and was impressed with Kimberly-Clark and this drove me to work hard and complete my degree. I then had the opportunity to get hired full time by Kimberly-Clark and because it was such a great company I decided to accept the offer and make a career out of manufacturing.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

THE CHAMBER REPORT

MEMBERS ON THE MOVE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCES APPOINTMENT OF J. TODD INMAN AS DEPUTY CHIEF OF STAFF Washington, D.C. – the U.S. Department of Transportation today announced that J. Todd Inman has been promoted to Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations.

design and maintenance of data bases relating to land use information and special studies. She will also supervise many administrative areas of the Planning Commission.

Since January 2017, J. Todd Inman has served as Director of Operations for the Department of Transportation. His promotion to Deputy Chief of Staff for the Department was effective in July.

Raised in Owensboro, Evans graduated from Apollo High School and Western Kentucky University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Interdisciplinary Studies with an emphasis in Social and Behavioral Sciences.

As Deputy Chief of Staff, Inman is responsible for over 54,000 full-time employees. In the 2018 fiscal year, the Department’s budget was over $88 billion, including essential functions such as air traffic control, highway, rail, and shipyard funding, and pipeline oversight. The Department’s top priority is safety. Inman was a small business owner for over 20 years in his native Kentucky, and was involved in a variety of non-profit boards and organizations. In addition, Inman served as a consultant for the National Republican Senatorial Committee, and was a Kentucky state delegate to the Republican National Convention in 2016. JERRY GOETZ RECOGNIZED AS ONE OF LPL FINANCIAL’S TOP FINANCIAL ADVISORS Jerry Goetz, an independent LPL Financial advisor and president of Retirement & Financial Strategies, announced his inclusion in LPL’s Director’s Club. LPL awards select advisors, out the more than 15,000 LPL-affiliated advisors nationwide, with this distinction based on an advisor’s business success. Goetz has been providing financial services to his clients for 19 years. “On behalf of LPL, I congratulate Jerry,” said Andy Kalbaugh, LPL managing director and divisional president, National Sales and Consulting. “Jerry has demonstrated tremendous value to his clients with the service he provides to help them pursue their financial goals. We thank Jerry for the contributions he makes to his clients, his commitment to offering his clients independent financial advice and his ongoing relationship with support of LPL. We wish him continued success.” MELISSA EVANS, AICP, NAMED ASSOCIATE DIRECTOR, PLANNING FOR OMPC Melissa Evans has been named Associate Director, Planning for the Owensboro Metropolitan Planning Commission. As Associate Director, Melissa will assume long-range planning duties including the preparation of updates of the Comprehensive Plan, revisions to the Zoning Ordinances and Subdivision regulations as required, coordination with census tract data,

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

BELLA RAGAZZA LAUNCHES NEW WEBSITE Bella Ragazza Boutique has just launched a website to enable customers to shop online: shopbellaragazza.com. The site is updated daily with new arrivals. TROGDON PROMOTED TO MORTGAGE LOAN OFFICER Lindzey Trogdon has been promoted to the role of Mortgage Loan Officer in the Owensboro Region of First Security Bank. Trogdon will now be working with First Security customers and their home purchase, construction or refinancing needs. She will be based at the Downtown Owensboro banking center, located at 313 Frederica Street. “Lindzey is an extremely dependable, enthusiastic employee. Her outgoing personality and willingness to work until she has found the best solution are some of her best qualities,” stated Krista Niehaus, Senior Vice President – Sales and Service Manager. “She has so much knowledge about the mortgage industry; I knew she was the perfect person for this position.” Trogdon started at First Security Bank in July of 2015 in the role of Mortgage Loan Processor. In June of 2017, she was promoted to the Mortgage Loan Processing Supervisor. “After six years of being behind the scenes, I am very excited to start interacting with customers face-to-face, where I can make a difference in our community both in my personal life and at work! Being part of a community bank makes this new role even better and easier to do,” said Trogdon. Trogdon received her Bachelor of Arts in Visual Studies from Western Kentucky University. First Security Bank, with $600 million in assets and more than 120 employees, has 11 banking centers in four major markets including Lexington, Owensboro and Bowling Green, Kentucky and Evansville, Indiana.

PHYSICAL THERAPY RESIDENCY PROGRAM STARTING IN OWENSBORO Rehabilitation & Performance Institute and the University of Evansville Physical Therapy Program have partnered to start the tri-state’s only Orthopaedic Physical Therapy Residency in Owensboro. The program began in July. The first Resident is Cody Doerflein, DPT, CSCS. It is a 14-month program that will help a licensed physical therapist gain the skills and knowledge required to take and pass the Orthopaedic Clinical Specialist Examination. The certification requires a minimum of 2,000 clinical hours of training along with passing the certification exam. In addition to training physical therapists to become experts in helping people with muscle, tendon, and joint injuries, the Rehabilitation & Performance Institute and University of Evansville Physical Therapy Residency will prepare physical therapists to treat the whole person – incorporating important factors like sleep, nutrition, and activity. Dr. Kathryn Schwartzkopf-Phifer, a recent PhD graduate from the University of Kentucky and professor in the physical therapy department at the University of Evansville, said, “With only 15% of all licensed physical therapists in the US having a board certification in orthopedics, this residency offers an opportunity to advance clinicians' skills, knowledge, and experience under the guidance of highly trained mentors. RPI's investment in this program demonstrates their commitment to not only furthering our profession, but to advancing the quality of care of community receives. It's fantastic to have a such a high caliber program in our area.” For more information, contact Rehabilitation & Performance Institute at (270) 926-8145 or email at styler@rehabilitationperformance.com. HOSPICE AND PALLIATIVE CARE OF WESTERN KENTUCKY Hospice and Palliative Care of Western Kentucky is excited to announce two of our nurses have passed their exams and are now officially hospice and palliative care certified. Congratulations to Bethany Mulligan and Emily Paris! Your dedication and commitment is beyond admirable. Our Hospice Caregiver Award as presented by Haley-McGinnis Funeral Home & Crematory goes to Outreach Liaison Emily Cadiz. She has a cando attitude and a willingness to help out when she can no matter what area of the organization needs a helping hand. She wears her huge heart on her sleeve and her passion

for hospice is very apparent to anyone she talks to. She excels in connecting patients of our healthcare community to hospice and palliative care services and has such a passion to educate within both the healthcare community and community as a whole. THE GREEN RIVER ASSET BUILDING COALITION MAKES NEW HIRE Tina Ray Lynch, volunteer for 14 years with the Green River Asset Building Coalition (GRABC), has been named the Executive Director for the newly established independent nonprofit organization. Her office is located inside the Owensboro Community & Technical College downtown campus in room 14E. Tina’s passion for the community, as well as her understanding of its needs is heartfelt. She has a desire to break down barriers and develop solutions to real financial opportunities and find success for families working hard to build a brighter financial future. She excels in volunteer recruitment and retention. Lynch claims, “Volunteers are the lifeblood of GRABC Inc. We tap into the skill, expertise, and generosity of 140+ people to help working families and individuals move from getting by to getting ahead.” Tina trains and motivates those volunteers, who sit through hours of hands on tax law and software training courses to become IRS certified tax preparers each year. They then assist over 5,000 working families and individuals, in our community, prepare and transmit their federal and state tax returns for free, all while educating them to save a portion of that refund. OWENSBORO BEEF ‘O’ BRADY’S ON TOP OF THE FRANCHISE The Owensboro Beef ‘O’ Brady’s was recognized last month at the annual Beefs Retreat held at The Diplomat Resort in Hollywood, FL. Out of over 200 Beef ‘O’ Brady’s franchises, the Owensboro Beefs had the highest 2017 sales. This is the third year in a row that the Owensboro location has been on the top of the franchise. OWENSBORO MEDICAL PRACTICE EXPANDS Owensboro Medical Practice announces the expansion of Research Integrity, LLC, a renowned leader in medical research studies. Research Integrity has become a world-known research group, conducting studies for many pharmaceutical and device companies. Research Integrity is dedicated to the care and improvement of human life through the development of innovative medicines and devices that help patients prevail over disease. Research Integrity is located at 1200 Breckenridge St. and you can visit them online at www.ResearchIntegrityLLC.com.

SPECTRA PROMOTES ALEXANDER, MAKES NEW HIRES Spectra, the providers of Venue Management and Food Services & Hospitality to the Owensboro Convention Center and the Owensboro Sportscenter, is pleased to announce the promotion of Laura Alexander to the position of General Manager. Alexander, a graduate of Western Kentucky University, started her career with Spectra as Director of Sales and Marketing in 2012 at the Owensboro Convention Center prior to its opening. Since January of 2017, she has held dual roles of Assistant General Manager and Director of Sales and Marketing and has lead the staff as interim General Manager since March. In her new role as General Manager, she will be responsible for the overall management and staff of both facilities. Executive Chef Matthew Dewalt joins the Owensboro team from another Spectra Venue, Talen Energy Stadium in Chester, PA. A graduate of the Pennsylvania Institute of Culinary Arts in Pittsburgh, PA, he has over 18 years of experience, including country clubs, restaurants and the Ritz Carlton. Natalie Russell has been promoted to Sales Manager. A graduate of the University of Kentucky, she has been with Spectra since 2015. Most recently as the Sales and Marketing Coordinator, she became the Event Producer for the two largest signature self-promoted expos the Convention Center produces – Kraftucky in November and the Your Perfect Day Wedding Show in January. Her new role will also include booking consumer and trade shows. Mallori Betz joined the Spectra team as an Event Manager in July of 2017 and has been promoted to Wedding Sales Coordinator. A graduate of IUPUI, Mallori has 5 years of event experience, most of which has been driven by the wedding industry. She previously worked as a Day of Wedding Coordinator in Indianapolis, IN. For more information about the Owensboro Convention Center or the Owensboro Sportscenter, please visit OwensboroEvents.com. TAYLOR WEST PROMOTED TO PUBLISHER OF TANNER PUBLISHING CO. Tanner Publishing Co., the premier publisher of city magazines and niche publications in Western Kentucky, announces the promotion of Taylor West to Publisher. He will have the primary responsibility of overseeing all of the company's titles including Owensboro Living and Bowling Green Living magazines.

“Taylor has the creativity, drive, and experience to lead Tanner Publishing Co. into an exciting new era for our brands,” said Jason Tanner, Founder of Tanner Publishing Co. “He is a proven leader and I can't wait to see him implement new ideas that will benefit readers and advertisers alike.” Taylor is a founding member of Tanner Publishing's sister company, Tanner+West, and for the past 5 years, he served as Art Director. While not his primary role, Taylor has worked extensively with the magazines throughout his tenure at Tanner+West. Taylor is a native of Horse Cave, Kentucky and received a Visual Communications degree from Kentucky Wesleyan College. He is married to Katelyn. For more information on Tanner Publishing Co. and to view all the magazine titles, visit tannerpublishing.com. TCRG GROWING Triple Crown Realty Group recently moved to a new office at 4th and Frederica. President Chad Day said, in less than 3 years, their team has grown from one broker and two agents to 14 total agents in their office. Triple Crown Realty Group handles residential and commercial real estate sales. GRANT FROM DART FOUNDATION BRINGS CLINICAL SIMULATION DEVICE TO OWENSBORO HEALTH Owensboro Health has purchased a new Apollo Adult Patient Simulator, thanks to a major grant provided to Owensboro Health Foundation from the Dart Foundation. The Apollo Adult Patient Simulator is a “high-fidelity simulation mannequin.” The mannequin can replicate the vital signs of a patient, including heartbeat and pulse, blood pressure and breathing. The mannequin can also be used to practice a number of clinical skills, such as CPR, defibrillation, chest tube insertion and breathing tube placement. The mannequin was funded by a $45,970 grant from the Dart Foundation. Debbie Enoch, RN, manager of Clinical Education, said the Apollo simulator will allow Owensboro Health to provide hands-on training in a safe and realistic environment. The simulator can help students, nurses, doctors and other caregivers learn and develop skills needed to deliver care, safeguard patients’ health and save lives.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

LOCAL COMPANIES MAKING

HIGH-TECH

IMPACT

IN MANUFACTURING BY REBECCA BARNHART

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

. PHOTOS BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

n over 70 years of business, Sun Windows, Inc. of Owensboro has seen significant changes in technology in the three-generation, family-owned business. Frank Anderson, President, traces much of the technological advancements back to the Y2K scare of 2000 when everyone thought computers would shut down. “We made a serious commitment to technology at that point and we’ve seen such tremendous benefits in embracing technology since then.” Anderson said the company has invested millions in software, computers and technology, which has increased productivity, efficiency and safety. Sun Windows now employs several IT folks, who are constantly looking at the latest and greatest technologies that will benefit Sun’s customers. Some of that “latest and greatest” has come in the form of software that Anderson said has improved efficiency and accuracy of its customized orders. When

JESSE BASHAM EXPERTLY PREPARES A PIECE OF CUT GLASS FOR A CUSTOMIZED ORDER AT SUN WINDOWS.

a customer orders and hits “submit order” the software relays the pertinent information to each of the machines involved in that particular order. The software tells each department what it should do before it moves to the next phase. The software doesn’t replace the personal contact with the customers, Anderson said, because folks still come to the showroom to “feel and touch” while they’re in the decision-making process. But, once the decision has been and the order is placed, it’s all automated, and it runs much more efficiently and accurately. One of Sun’s newest acquisitions is a five-axis robot that can fabricate pieces for their doors and windows in 27 seconds; previously, it took nearly six minutes using five different machines. Designed by an Italian firm, Sun’s newest machine also produces within 5/1000 accuracy and has the capacity to fabricate up to 6,000 pieces daily. Anderson says the machine has not only increased efficiency and safety, but the quality of the product. Sun Windows is a founding member of GO FAME, which connects college students with local manufacturing companies to create a highly-skilled and trained employee base. Two other GO FAME companies—OMICO Plastics and Hollison—developed a partnership to increase efficiency and employee morale with cutting-edge robotic arms. Hollison has customized four robotic arms for OMICO, according to David Humphrey, Hollison’s Chief Operating Officer. The primary reason for adding the high-tech robotic arms, said William Mounts, vice president at OMICO, is for the ergonomic and safety issues of its employees. “We’re producing products every six seconds, which could mean between 13,000-20,000 parts depending on the

machine—and this can be an issue because it’s a lot of repetitive motion in the shifts we work.” Using cutting-edge technology, such as robotics, increases safety and morale for OMICO and its employee owners, Mounts said. He added that the robotics do not replace workers, but helps OMICO keep up with its 20-25 percent annual growth rate. “It’s kind of hard to find those people to keep up with the growth, so we needed to look at technology in order to help us grow and move forward as an organization,” Mounts added. Anderson agrees that investing in technology is critical in keeping up with growth and the demands of the workforce. Sun Windows has also incorporated robotics into their 186,000-square foot manufacturing space, which Anderson noted has replaced about 30 different machines. “We’re not wanting to replace workers, but we can’t find them to do the labor-focused jobs.” He added that it has been easier to find a tech-savvy person who will engage with fresh and innovative technology within the window and door industry, in order to keep up with growth. Investing in technology is the key, and Anderson noted that staying on top of newer technologies allows Sun Windows to focus on “lean manufacturing concepts in a smaller footprint.” “We’re relatively small, which allows us to be more nimble and adaptive to new technologies,” Anderson said. “We can experiment and integrate [new technology] more efficiently.” Sun Windows also invests about 80 percent of their retained earnings back into capital purchases, new product development, software and their historic building. In January, Sun Windows was named as the Business of the Year for Manufacturing by the Chamber of Commerce.

HOLLISON CUSTOMIZES CUTTING-EDGE ROBOTIC ARMS FOR OMICO, WHICH ALLOWS THE COMPANY TO KEEP UP WITH ITS 20%-25% ANNUAL GROWTH.

SUN WINDOWS ALSO INVESTED IN A FIVE-AXIS ROBOT THAT REVOLUTIONIZED THE WAY THE COMPANY PROCESSES WOOD PARTS FOR THEIR CUSTOMIZED DOORS AND WINDOWS.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

REFUGEES BOOST LOCAL MANUFACTURING WORKFORCE BY DANNY MAY

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

LIAN SIAN IS A BURMESE REFUGEE FROM MYANMAR WHO HAS WORKED AT SPECIALTY FOODS GROUP FOR FOUR YEARS. PHOTO BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

SHARIFO ABDULLAHI, PRODUCTION ASSOCIATE AT PERDUE CROMWELL

hroughout United States history, immigrants and refugees have come to this country to pursue the American dream and provide a better future for their families. Here in Greater Owensboro, immigrants have been an integral part of the workforce for generations, especially across agriculture and food production industries. And with recent world events, refugees from Myanmar (formerly Burma), Somalia, and other countries have relocated to this region. Several Chamber members are taking full advantage of this influx of available workers and finding great success in hiring refugees. Perdue Farms in Cromwell, Kentucky, for example, currently has 15 different cultures represented at the plant, speaking about 19 different dialects, according to Human Resources Manager Sidney Vowell. “We’re proud of the way Perdue Cromwell brings together different nationalities, cultures and beliefs into a unified team, but we also celebrate that diversity.” Sharifo Abdullahi is one of those faces of diversity at Perdue. Sharifo Abdullahi Nur of Somalia was in a refugee camp before coming to the U.S. through the International Center in Bowling Green. She later found employment at Perdue as a production associate, a position she’s held since 2013. Vowell says Abdullahi translates for other Somali associates, helps train new associates in the department, and has earned the respect of her co-workers and supervisor. Most of the immigrants and refugees start as hourly production associates at Perdue, but can move up from there, just as any other associate. “We have immigrants who have advanced into supervisory roles in the plant. Some, like Sharifo, take on additional responsibility as translators,” Vowell said. Lebon Duada, who has worked as Lead Trainer and Translator at Perdue Cromwell for the past five years, is another great example. No longer feeling secure in war-torn Congo, Duada left his homeland for Zimbabwe and came to the U.S. in 2013 when a representative of the United Nations moved him and his family to the United States. “Between helping associates fill out vacation paperwork, translating for new hires in orientation, giving fellow associates rides to and from work or just lending a helping hand on the production floor, Lebon is a tremendous asset for us here at Perdue Cromwell,” said Wes Riley, First Processing Shift Leader. “We look forward to watching him continue to grow and develop in his career.” As part of Perdue’s ongoing community outreach, Vowell continues to work with local groups supporting immigrants and

LEBON DUAD, LEAD TRAINER AND TRANSLATOR AT PERDUE CROMWELL

refugees to make them aware of employment opportunities. “We value a diverse and inclusive workplace in which all of our associates feel welcomed and valued. We strive to make sure they understand our orientation process, especially safe work practices, how to sign up and use their benefits and that they don’t feel isolated when they come to work. We think that pays dividends in performance and retention.” Kevin Clark, Director of Human Resources for Specialty Foods Group (SFG), says the Owensboro-based company has seen a dramatic increase in Burmese hires in the past five years. “Currently we have 40 full-time refugee employees onsite with another 10 hired as temporary laborers. We have recently added an additional interpreter which will help us to break down the language barrier as we intend to keep training them for more responsible roles throughout our process.” Lian Sian, a Burmese refugee from Myanmar who relocated to Owensboro, worked several temporary jobs before finding permanent employment at SFG the old-fashioned way; he walked right up to the guard shack and asked if they were hiring. Sian, who is also a pastor and a highly respected member of the workforce at SFG, started out as slicer on the ham line his first year, then worked on the box line for two years, and has been a net puller (covering hams with netting as they go through the line) for the past year. Clark recognizes the Burmese population in particular as an asset to the company because they add stability and have a low turnover compared to the rest of the workforce, a trait that Sian says is a cultural norm among Burmese. “My people, we find something good and we stay. We provide for our families. We don’t quit.” For employers who may be considering hiring refugees, Sian offers this advice. “Don’t be afraid of Burmese workers because we may not speak English. We can watch you teach what to do and learn, even if we can’t understand the words. We’ll do exactly what you show us. We obey—always—our leaders. And rarely complain. We never argue what we’re told from our leaders.” It’s that type of can-do spirit and attitude of gratitude that makes the refugee population a very loyal and appreciative workforce, as employers like Perdue Cromwell and Specialty Foods Group can attest.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

A D AY I N T H E L I F E

SOUTHWIRE ROD & CABLE FOR THIS SPECIAL EDITION MANUFACTURING ISSUE, GO CHAMBER TAKES YOU INSIDE THE SOUTHWIRE ROD & CABLE PLANT TO GET A “DAY IN THE LIFE” PERSPECTIVE IN A MA JOR INDUSTRIAL PLANT. BY DANNY MAY - PHOTOS BY TAYLOR WEST

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

n the south bank of the Ohio River in Hancock County’s aluminum industrial district lies Southwire Rod & Cable. The Hawesville plant is a major producer for Southwire

LLC, a 7,500 person company headquartered in Georgia with 32 manufacturing facilities. Half of the cable used to distribute electricity throughout the United States is produced by Southwire. One-third of the homes built in the United States contain wire produced by Southwire. And half of the world’s processed copper passes through Southwire.

Visionary founder Roy Richards, Sr. started Southwire as a way

to bring electricity to Georgia in the 1950s. As the company grew, Mr. Richards saw the potential for aluminum manufacturing in Hawesville, Kentucky and built the Hawesville plant in 1969. Harvey Aluminum (later Commonwealth Aluminum and today Aleris

Rolled Products) was already in existence just a stone’s throw

many forms of rod or aluminum transmission cables that

downriver and the Century Aluminum smelter was later

provide power in different markets. A few examples of the

built, making Hawesville a hotbed in the aluminum industry.

most popular end products include: bare overhead conductor,

All three plants coexist and fill distinct niches within the

which is the large electrical wire you often see strung on

aluminum industry.

overhead utility poles; OEM rod for magnet wire customers

On a Monday morning, just two days before a visit from

who build small motors; deox (deoxidation) rod, which is

U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Plant Manager

used in steel mills; and various gauge wire that gets turned

Brian Blair and Operational Support Manager Donnie

into articulated metal clad cable, which can be seen at any big

Sanders gave GO Chamber a tour of the Hawesville plant,

box home improvement store. (For example, if you buy metal

walking the factory floor among 400 workers busily forming

clad aluminum conduit from any Home Depot or Lowes,

molten aluminum into round rods, smaller sizes of wire, and

there’s an extremely high chance that aluminum came from

strands of cable which can then be shipped to customers all

this plant, according to Sanders.)

over the country.

the furnace as either hot molten aluminum or cold metal

The end results roll out of Southwire Rod & Cable in

But at the Hawesville plant, all those things start in

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

Southwire founder Roy Richards, Sr., negotiated one of the largest wall street bonds in history ($142 million) to help build their current Hawesville facility in partnership with National Steel in 1968.

bricks that get heated and dried and then added to the furnace, depending on the needs for the day. This is where being business neighbors with Century Aluminum comes in. Century supplies 15 million pounds of molten aluminum a month from their smelters directly to Southwire in huge crucibles, making Southwire Century’s largest customer. “It’s advantageous to Century because their transportation cost is 300 yards down an access road,” Blair explained. “And it helps us because their potline burns much hotter than our furnace, so they bring us a very pure aluminum.” Depending on the needs of the customer and the purpose of the cable, other elements or ingredients can be added to the aluminum bath in the furnace. The aluminum alloy then runs through a machine that forms it into a continuous cast bar that is rolled into aluminum round rod. The rod is then watercooled by running through a series of machines that reduces it down to a small cable strand, which is wound onto a spool. In a different section of the plant, those individual cable strands are spun together with other strands into a larger, thicker cable of strands. Each section of the plant is specialized to make different gauges of wire and cable specifically for the customer or desired finished product. The plant floor is in constant motion, but it’s methodical. There’s a rhythm to it. A perfected pattern. Each worker efficiently managing their particular job in their particular area. But the entire workforce at Southwire is considered one cohesive team.

ONE TEAM Employees are expected and encouraged to think critically and help offer suggestions and solutions. The increase in productivity in the past several years is a concrete example of that mentality. Ten years ago, a big cable month was 2.5 to 3 million pounds. Today the plant regularly produces 9 to 10 million pounds of cable. And since the plant has not tripled the amount of equipment and machinery, Blair completely gives credit for the increase in efficiency to the operators who are empowered to find better ways of doing things. That improvement is all by design because Blair says the leadership 22

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

team is in constant communication with the workers on the

by. He has credibility because of his experience in almost

floor. He describes himself and the rest of the leadership team

every aspect of the plant. Donnie was hired at Southwire

as “table waiters” whose real role is to “get the workers what

in 1989 as an operator and has since served as team leader

they need to get their job done and then get out of their way.”

in rod mill, supervisor in rod mill, rod mill manager, plant

Sanders attributes the team approach to their OPS

superintendent, production manager, and manager of

(Operational Perfection at Southwire) philosophy. “We rely

maintenance and engineering, which makes him well-suited

on people on the floor to come up with better ideas. We have to continually get better and keep costs down or our jobs are not secure because our customers will go somewhere else.”

Here’s how it breaks down. Once every four hours,

supervisors

have

really because they couldn’t find one thing I was good at so they let me help with everything,” he said with a laugh.

COMMUNICATION

for his current role as Operational Support Manager. “It’s

face-to-face

But even with 29½ years of experience, Sanders is not

the most senior employee. There are four employees who have been working at Southwire Rod & Cable for 45 years and many over 30.

conversation with operators to talk about how things are going and have a safety check-in. There is also a “daily huddle” where operators come together by departments to go over month-to-date numbers: safety, quality, delivery costs, inventory, etc. There is also an employee sounding board meeting every Thursday where a dozen different operators from throughout the plant are invited to have a conversation during lunch in an informal setting. Any and all of those meetings are prime times to bring up ideas and suggestions.

“I tell this management team

to be servant leaders. You’ll see us

“We truly believe if we don’t involve the workforce, we’re not going to succeed long term. This is a very competitive field we’re in. We’re not out there on the floor 24/7 like they are. They see the problems and have suggestions to be part of the solution, rather than just identify the problem.” DONNIE SANDERS, OPERATIONAL SUPPORT MANAGER

reason; to make a living and provide for our families. We just have different roles in that one goal.”

WALKING THE FLOOR

Blair is a self-proclaimed “gear head” who grew up in

Pennsylvania working on cars with his dad and says he would have been a mechanic if it would have afforded him to put

Like in many industrial plants,

safety is paramount at Southwire Rod & Cable. The first thing Sanders explained to GO Chamber about the company was their “culture of zero,” meaning zero accidents is the goal. Blair reinforced that emphasis, adding that the best employee is safety minded. “We demand that if you’re going to be a part of this team you have to work safely. Not just for yourself but for your co-workers. This is manufacturing. It’s heavy industry. You’re on your feet all in the summer and cold in the winter.

to be done whether it’s cleaning, safe and efficient,” Blair said. “We’re all here for the same

day. Our indoor temperatures are hot

out there doing whatever needs addressing a problem, or whatever it takes to make things

WHAT MAKES A GOOD EMPLOYEE AT A PLANT LIKE SOUTHWIRE?

This is not keyboard work. There’s no app for this stuff.”

Some jobs are more physically demanding than others,

but all have systems and procedures in place to minimize risk and fatigue. There are cranes, lifts, pulleys and forklifts to move the large spools. Operators filling the biggest spools have stepladders to help with ergonomics and harness systems to keep them secure.

What you see in the plant are people who like to work

four kids through college. Instead, he became a degreed

hard, who like to work with their hands, who are good

mechanical engineer. All the workers greet him with a smile

at critical thinking and problem solving, and who enjoy

and a wave, as if seeing the Plant Manager at their station is

knowing their work is helping power America—and beyond.

as normal as a visit from a co-worker in their department.

to work hard, you have the opportunity to advance,” said

Sanders is also clearly in his element on the floor, making

small talk and cracking jokes with employees as he walks

“This is a great company to work for. If you’re willing

Donnie Sanders. 23

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

GO Chamber Magazine would like to recognize these member businesses and organizations in a unique way by putting faces to the company name. This People of Manufacturing special advertising section is our way of showcasing the people behind the businesses that support this community so well. Please thank them with your patronage.

k REDWINGS SHOES

OWENSBORO COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE KENTUCKY LEGEND

k UNIFIRST

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION PROFILES OF

quality Footwear Jarrad Beard-Area, Retail Manager Chelsea Smith, Manager in Training

RED WING SHOES 2928 Heartland Crossing Blvd. // Owensboro, KY // 270-713-0298 // rwss548@redwingshoes.com Red Wing Shoes provides dedicated one-on-one customer service, customized fitting and a wide selection of footwear. Located at 2928 Heartland Crossing Blvd. in front of Meijer and Menards, the store opened on Jan. 23, 2017, and serves Owensboro and the surrounding areas. All Red Wing employees are Certified Fit and Product Specialists who will measure your feet, discuss your safety and environmental conditions and provide a quick digital foot scan to identify arch type, foot size and under-foot pressure points. They then use this data to select the ideal purpose-built footwear for you and your work environment, while suggesting an optional custom footbed to optimize all-day comfort.

Red Wing partners with many local industries including Aleris, City of Owensboro, Metalsa, Owensboro Municipal Utilities and Mizkan America. They also have many different programs available to help companies achieve their safety footwear goals. Red Wing employees also provide comprehensive care after the sale. That includes complimentary oiling and lace replacement for as long as you own your footwear, plus convenient access to minor and major shoe repair. To learn more and receive a free fitting or boot conditioning, call 270-713-0298 or email us at rwss548@redwingshoes.com

People of ring manufactu 25

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

OWENSBORO COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE 4800 New Hartford Road // Owensboro, KY // 270-686-4400 // owensboro.kctcs.edu The OCTC Advanced Manufacturing and Transportation Technologies divisions encompass eight programs related to regional manufacturers, and includes: Air Conditioning Technology, Automotive Technology, Computerized Manufacturing & Machining, Diesel Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering & Electronics Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, and Welding Technology. In addition, OCTC offers the GO FAME and Tech X programs. GO FAME is in partnership with the GO Economic Development Corporation and GO FAME member businesses. This innovative program uses a “work and learn” model where students attend classes two days per week and works at a sponsoring business three days per week. Designed with the adult learner in mind, Tech X offers handson construction, fabrication, fitting, welding, and manufacturing training in a real-world, self-paced, industrial environment. Students

Amanda Saam, Advanced Manufacturing Walt James, Diesel Technology Vickey Wood-Grasela, Welding Ryan Johnson, Automotive Technology Dean Autry, Advanced Manufacturing

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

work independently and in teams with problem-based scenarios that related to the manufacturing processes. Each module is progressive and participating students earn a Gas Welder Certificate, Arc Cutter Certificate, Production Line Welder Certificate and a Forklift Operators Certificate upon successful completion of the coursework. Two tracks will be offered that provide flexibility for a variety of non-traditional, time-challenged adults. The daytime option will allow students to attend classes eight hours per day, three days per week for a seven-month period. The evening option will allow students to attend classes four hours per evening, four nights per week for a nine-month period. Interested in Tech X? Information sessions are scheduled for October 2, October 16, and November 6 at OCTC’s Industry Innovation Center, all sessions will begin at 5:30 p.m. For more information please contact katie.vincent@kctcs.edu

PROFILES OF

Advanced Manufacturing &

Transportation Technologies

People of ring manufactu 27

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

Tim Webb, Vice President of Operations Rick Watson, Plant Manager

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

PROFILES OF

Your Very Own kentucky legends

KENTUCKY LEGEND 6 Dublin Lane // Owensboro, KY // 270-926-2324 // kentuckylegend.com

Kentucky Legend has its roots firmly planted in Owensboro, Kentucky. So firmly in fact, that the manufacturing plant that now produces 200,000 pounds of delicious natural juice hams per day was actually built in 1906. Though the times may have changed, our devotion to quality meats is still our number one focus. Maintaining our age old process of hand selecting our award winning hams isn’t easy. That is why we scoured the U.S and brought in the experts. Today, our plant works much more efficiently and effectively, thanks to the dynamic duo of Tim Webb, Vice President of Operations and Rick Watson, Plant Manager. This partnership is unlike any other as Tim and Rick’s friendship and mutual respect for each other began more than 21 years ago when they both worked in Enid, Oklahoma at a processing plant in the mid 90’s. Rick and Tim found themselves both working at Advance Food Company briefly before Rick left to pursue other initiatives. Soon after, Rick brought Tim onboard to assist in building a new plant for Simmons Foods in Arkansas. As time passed, manufacturing equipment improved, technology increased, and meat processing techniques quickly advanced. Tim

and Rick were well on their way to an advanced career in meat and poultry processing. Lucky for the city of Owensboro, Kentucky Legend caught Tim’s eye and he made his way to the Bluegrass state in 2015. In the past three years, Tim has successfully led the force to procure, install and train staff on our newest innovation, the resealable pack line. This impressive piece of machinery cost $2.4 million and has added the capacity to produce more than two million pounds of product in 2017 alone. With such a win under his belt and capacity increasing, it was time to bring in a plant manager to oversee operations at floor level and exceptional experience was a prerequisite for the job. Rick Watson was his first and only call which resulted in his debut at the end of 2017. Together, Tim Webb and Rick Watson occupy their time by renovating a manufacturing plant that is over 112 years old and spearheading the charge of bringing it into the 21st century. When you have two individuals who have over 40 years of meat and poultry processing experience plus a 21 year friendship under their belt, there is nothing they cannot achieve and Kentucky Legend is proud to be where they call home.

People of ring manufactu 29

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

UNIFIRST 2801 UniFirst Dr. // Owensboro, KY // 270-683-5250 // www.UniFirst.com

What makes UniFirst so unique?

It’s a good question, and one we love answering. The fact is, UniFirst is a company that’s worked hard to foster a unified, family-like culture where colleagues treat one another as they’d like to be treated themselves, having fun as they work together to achieve great things! Our Team Partners bring their very best to work every day and have created an environment where maintaining our core values is key. Through our customer focus, commitment to quality and respect for others, we recognize that it’s important for Team Partners to feel they have a purpose and a voice within the

organization, and that their opinions matter. To say that UniFirst Team Partners are motivated to succeed is only part of the picture. In addition to outfitting nearly two million people in uniforms each day, we strive as an organization to identify and implement advanced technology solutions to pave the way for a customer-driven future that continues to sustain our growth. We serve 300,000 business customers in the uniform and textile industry. That success is no accident. Empowering our team in a technology-driven environment has led to enhanced customer service levels and fuels our company’s continuous success and prosperity. Keep watching – exciting times are ahead!

Supervisor Duncan Ka’ai-Ebert Heather McCarthy Receiving Brian Bradley Chris Samdahl Team Leader Faith Slack Desmond Nichols Sew and Seal Sidney Board Anna Rudd

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

PROFILES OF

BeUnique. Be Unifirst.

Human Resource Bridgett Brown

Maintenance

Paula Schrecker

Eddie Tooley Baylen Pickle Manager Charlie Payne Nancy Daniels Customer Service

Direct Embroidery

Stacy Taylor

Suzette Edge

Kirsten Billings

Deborah Pauhkum

People of ring manufactu 31

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

INSURANCE AGENTS

EXPERT ADVICE FROM

HOUCHENS BENEFITS

JONATHON ESTES E M P LOY E E B E N E F I T S A DVISOR

It is nothing for MRIs to range from $500-$4,000,

for colonoscopies to range from $1,500-$7,000. In fact, it is very common to see an 800% variance in costs of procedures with no direct correlation of price and quality. There is, however, a direct relation between those numbers and why healthcare has become the international juggernaut it is today.

Healthcare is a $3.3 trillion business. To put a

worldly spin on it, if healthcare was a country, it would be the third largest one in the world. Let that sink in for a second. Then ask yourself, “How?”

The more confusion insurance can bring and the

less that people shop around for their healthcare, then the more expensive health insurance will continue to be in North America. If a mystery remains a mystery, even the slightest solution will seem mandatory, prudent—a primary.

As an employee benefit advisor and partner for

many employer groups, we work extremely hard to assist in three things extremely well: Shop, Strategize, and Educate employers/employees on their benefits options. At the end of the day, healthcare claim dollars make up the cost of health insurance premiums, a not-

THE POWER OF

EDUCATION H

ealth insurance is only expensive because healthcare is expensive. Healthcare is the only product in North

so-little thing called the Medical Loss Ratio for groups.

As I always tell my mother, I could go up to

Washington, D.C. and fix health insurance in one week by putting everyone on a straight consumer-driven plan, an H.S.A. that motivates them to shop around for healthcare services, but health insurance costs will continue to climb as long as there is confusion and lack of involvement by consumers. Knowledge is power.

America that we actually purchase before knowing the

price. Imagine buying groceries or shopping for cars

truths” to describe a number of national hot topics, yes,

like Americans buy healthcare today?

but the reasons are there and the truth is this:

Everyone knows what a gallon of milk or a gallon of

We’ve thrown around the phrase “inconvenient

There are 3,300,000,000,000 reasons why the fix for

fuel will cost, or the price tag for their favorite automobile

Healthcare is not around the corner anytime soon.

at Champion Ford or Don Moore Automotive, but very

few, if anyone, knows the costs of their doctor visits, test

or as frugally as he spends his own.” - Milton Friedman,

procedures or even medicine.

Economist and recipient of the 1976 Nobel Memorial

Prize in Economics

And yet the fluctuation is clear.

“Nobody spends somebody else’s money as wisely

2009 Frederica Street // Owensboro, KY 42301 // (270) 313-2111 // jestes@higusa.com

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

KENTUCKY FARM BUREAU

GAVIN C. ROBERTS AG E N C Y M A N AG E R

KEEP YOUR INSURANCE

UP-TO-DATE

ow often do we go to the mailbox and find that we received a package of documents from our insurance provider? I know the first thing we do is to set aside some time to review our coverage. Has anything changed? Are we over-insured? Did our coverage go up, did we lose coverage on something, or do we have less coverage now? Are there new endorsements that we need to be aware of? Did our premium increase or decrease? Stop! The typical consumer would agree with the statement “Insurance is confusing!” Insurance documents are not meant to be confusing; they are legal documents that lay out our coverage and exclusions. And yes, there are exclusions in every insurance policy. This is why we need to read our policy and/or review the coverage with our insurance agent on a

routine basis. Have our circumstances changed since we last met, have we added on to our home, have we updated our home, have we had more children, have we purchased a nice piece of jewelry, do we now have a golf cart or four wheeler, have we purchased a new car? These are just a few common things that occur in one’s life that we forget to call our insurance agent about. This is a mistake; we can’t assume we are covered for something. Like most relationships in life, communication is important, and we have to be able to communicate with our agents on a regular basis. This is a good reason to have a local agent you can talk to face to face. As an insurance agent, it is always a bad day when we have to let someone know that something is not covered. Fortunately, this is a very uncommon occurrence. Take for example homeowner policies, which contain many defined exclusions within the policy provisions of the declaration. Because they are exclusions does not mean you may not be able to purchase an endorsement that will allow you to add that coverage onto your policy, but in the basic provisions of the insurance policy they are excluded. We see this many times with flood insurance, earthquake insurance and/or back-up of water and sump overflow coverage. These are three common examples that are excluded on the typical homeowner policy, but can be purchased back through endorsement or a separate policy. This allows you to have coverage up to the limits of the endorsed policy provisions. The same applies with buying a separate policy for flood insurance through the Federal Flood Insurance Program. Please be aware of what you are purchasing when you purchase an insurance policy. Try to be as educated about the policy provisions as you can, and find a reliable insurance agent you trust. Communicate with them often about your specific situation. Call me if you are not comfortable with your current insurance situation. With almost 20 years of experience and being recognized with local, state and national awards, I am here in Owensboro as your resource for your insurance needs.

Gavin C. Roberts is a licensed insurance agent with Kentucky

Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company in Owensboro, KY. These are his thoughts and are in no way to reflect the beliefs or policies of Kentucky Farm Bureau Mutual Insurance Company or any of its affiliates.

2645 Frederica St Ste 100 // Owensboro, KY 42301 // (270) 926-9600

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

EXPERT ADVICE FROM

INSURANCE AGENTS

SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION

AFLAC GARETT KELLER AG E N T

JENNIFER KELLER R E G I O N A L S A L E S C O O R D I N ATOR A N D CEO

For more than six decades, their strategy for growth in these

segments has remained straightforward and consistent—develop relevant voluntary insurance products and sell them through expanded distribution channels.

With more than 11 years of experience, Jennifer deals with the

day-to-day operations of the company, leadership, coaching, and expansion of the local branch, which currently includes 30 agents. Garett, with more than nine years of experience, focuses on sales and service.

Aflac is the leader in voluntary insurance sales at the work site

in the United States. The Kellers and their associates work with local companies and business owners to enhance their health insurance options for employees. Jennifer said workplace culture and climate increase when employees know they have something extra to protect themselves and their family.

Aflac is not just another kind of insurance. The company pays

cash benefits to help protect what their customers love. They cover what health insurance may not after an accident or illness, including things like deductibles, co-pays, out of pocket expenses and travel for care.

More importantly, Aflac replaces lost income, which helps

with the monthly expenses that flow into a household, even when a paycheck does not. This includes the customer’s mortgage or rent, car payment, utilities, etc. “It’s very important for anyone that relies on themselves,” Jennifer said. “We are our most valuable asset. Even when we are hurt or sick, bills have to be paid.”

Because Aflac replaces your income, Garett said this lets you

save your vacation days for family trips instead of using them up recovering from an accident or illness. “Think about all the things you buy insurance on,” he said. “Your home, auto, cell phone, even your pet. Why wouldn’t you buy insurance on your paycheck?”

In this changing healthcare landscape, Aflac provides coverage

for every lifestyle by offering a complete suite of services and plans— accident, cancer, critical illness, short-term disability, hospital, dental, telemedicine, identity theft protection and college assistance planning.

OWENSBORO AFLAC OFFERS INSURANCE, PEACE OF MIND

ennifer Keller and her husband Garett are passionate about their jobs helping to protect working employees in the Owensboro

area. Jennifer is the Regional Sales Coordinator for Aflac, Keller and Associates, and Garett is District Sales Coordinator.

Aflac, which stands for American Family Life Assurance

Company, is made up of thousands of people who are dedicated to providing exemplary service and solutions for businesses and individuals. The company does business in two of the largest insurance markets in the world, the United States and Japan, and their policies help cover more than 50 million people worldwide.

Aflac pays out the cash benefits regardless of any other insurance

coverage employees have in place, including policies available through government healthcare exchanges. By providing employees with the resources to keep their minds off of their finances and on their jobs, this helps local companies thrive as well.

Jennifer, who recruits customers as a main part of her job, said

she loves that she gets to help people on a daily basis.

“We get to be the sunshine during rainy times,” she said. “I work

with purpose. There are a lot of opportunities in what we do. Every day, I am excited to go to work.”

With Aflac, whether you're a large business or small one, you

can provide your employees with world class coverage that comes with local support and assistance. Research shows attracting and retaining employees are at the forethought of most business owners, so let Garett & Jennifer Keller assist you in an out-of-the-box approach to keep the best employees while attracting the most talented.

Jennifer said the job is not always easy, but is so worth it. Give

Aflac, Keller and Associates a call today!

For more information contact Jennifer at 270-993-3492 or Garett at 270-993-7738

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

PAID ADVERTISEMENT

OCTC OFFERS MANY PATHWAYS TO ADVANCED MANUFACTURING CAREERS By: Dr. Scott Williams, President, Owensboro Community & Technical College

wensboro Community & Technical College is a proud partner of manufacturing in our region. We are extremely fortunate to have longstanding relationships with business and industry and rely on them to provide guidance on our curriculum, feedback on the preparedness of our graduates, and support when we are building new initiatives. GO FAME is a great example of how these partnerships can pay big dividends to the manufacturer, the students, OCTC, and ultimately the community. Initially focused on the Industrial Maintenance Technician degree, GO FAME has embarked on a fourth cohort in that area and has expanded the program to include Computerized Manufacturing and Machining. The GO FAME program has graduated 37 of students, many of whom still live and work in the region. The GO FAME model has been expanded to GO Careers and includes the business program. Today’s pathways to advanced manufacturing careers have multiple options and many can be structured to fit a working adult’s schedule. They provide our students with sustainable careers that can support a family and create opportunities for advancement. The career paths can include associate degrees, certificates, and diplomas. This allows adult students to set and attain goals depending on their interest and commitment levels. The programs include: Automotive Technology, Business, Computer & Information Technologies, Computerized Manufacturing and Machining, Diesel Technology, Electrical Technology, Engineering and Electronics Technology, Industrial Maintenance Technology, Welding Technology, and our new TechX program. TechX is the ideal program for a student exploring new high-tech career options while continuing to work full-time. It is a short-term program offering students an introductory experience in multiple areas, allowing them to gain enough proficiency and skills to be prepared for an entry level job in the field. It was designed with the adult student in mind with flexible offerings during the day or evenings. All the programs mentioned above qualify for the Work Ready Kentucky Scholarship (WRKS) program. Funded by the state and administered through KHEAA this last dollar in scholarship was created to increase the pipeline of skilled workers in the Commonwealth. The WRKS is applicable for five high demand program sector areas: advanced manufacturing, business and logistics, construction related trades, and healthcare career options. Eligible students

must be a U.S. citizen, a resident of Kentucky, have not previously earned an associate degree or higher, and have no outstanding debt with KHEAA. Interested students can begin by applying at OCTC and enrolling in a qualifying program. Our Financial Aid Office will help guide you through the process. For more information about the Work Ready KY Scholarships please visit workreadykentucky.com and select your program area of interest and apply today or contact the OCTC Financial Aid Office for a personal appointment (rebecca.simon@kctcs.edu). Businesses interested in GO FAME or GO Careers opportunities please contact (katie.vincent@kctcs.edu). An additional facet of increasing the pipeline of skilled workers is enhancing the number of underrepresented groups that are currently in manufacturing in our community. OCTC has received a grant from the National Science Foundation Advanced Technological Education program to reach these groups that have traditionally not looked at these highly skilled manufacturing jobs as a career. The grant will focus on exposing them to the multitude of options available and train this sector to enhance the economic vitality in our region. The $523,171 grant project will capitalize on the success of GO FAME and work to increase the number of female students in an apprenticeship-like training model. Students in the program will attend college classes two days per week and work at a sponsoring manufacturing company three days per week. The ultimate goal of OCTC’s project is to increase the number of females participating in manufacturing training programs and careers in the greater Owensboro region. According to Project Director, Sheri Plain, currently, 44% of technical students enrolled at OCTC are female. However, only 7.4% of those female students are enrolled in manufacturing programs. The grant project will focus on increasing the number of females in manufacturing programs by 50% of the current enrollment. The pathway between OCTC and our advanced manufacturing partners is a two-way street. Our students can become their future workforce, the manufacturing partner can utilize OCTC’s Workforce Solutions and design a custom training schedule for current employees, and employees who decide to pursue additional skills and credentials can return to OCTC and complete multiple credentials.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

One of our most important duties as American citizens is to vote for our elected officials. Whatever your political persuasion, head to the polls on Tuesday, November 6 to vote.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

IMPORTANT DATES FOR 2018 GENERAL ELECTION DAY: October 9th: last day to register to vote October 30th: last day to return an application for an absentee ballot (must be returned by mail or in person by the voter only at the close of business) THESE CAN BE APPLIED FOR NOW—THE SOONER THE BETTER. October 15th–November 5th: absentee voting in office (Monday–Friday 8 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. and Saturday, November 3rd from 8 a.m. until Noon) November 6th: Election Day; polls are open from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Here is a list of all races you will be able to vote for in Owensboro/Daviess County.

DID WE MENTION YOU SHOULD GO VOTE?! US CONGRESS 2ND DISTRICT REP DEM

S. Brett Guthrie Hank Linderman

STATE SENATE DISTRICT 8 REP DEM

Matt Castlen Bob Glenn

7TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REP DEM

Suzanne Miles Joy Gray

DISTRICT JUDGE DIVISION II NP

David Payne

EASTERN DISTRICT CONSTABLE REP DEM

DISTRICT JUDGE DIVISION III Daniel M. “Nick” Burlew NP Misty L. Miller

EASTERN DISTRICT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE

CENTRAL COUNTY COMMISSIONER

JAILER

REP

Charlie Castlen

CENTRAL DISTRICT CONSTABLE DEM

Steve Nave

DEM REP

James Buckmaster DEM Robert “Rob” Wiederstein REP

12TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REP DEM

Jim Gooch Jr. Bruce Kunze

CENTRAL DISTRICT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE DEM

Chris Saalwaechter

DEM

Jennifer Besecker

DEM

Bruce Kuegel

13TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REP DEM

DJ Johnson Jim Glenn

14TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES REP DEM

Scott Lewis Elizabeth M. Belcher

DEM

Claud Porter

COUNTY CLERK DEM REP

Richard House Leslie Mccarty

COUNTY SURVEYOR DEM

William Weikel

EAST COUNTY COMMISSIONER DISTRICT JUDGE DIVISION I NP

Lisa Payne Jones

DEM REP

Mike Koger Jimmie Sapp

NP NP NP NP NP

Larry Conder Andy Gamblin Maegan Hagan Larry Maglinger Adam Marshall Joseph Martin Mark Mccoy Jeff Sanford Rick Searcy Charlie Shelton Pamela Smith-Wright Jay Velotta

WHITESVILLE MAYOR Rachel Foster

Jennifer Wedding Hardesty NP Patsy Mayfield NP

Keith Cain George Wathen

WESTERN DISTRICT CONSTABLE DEM

COUNTY ATTORNEY

WHITESVILLE CITY COMMISSIONER

CORONER Jeffrey Jones

Al Mattingly

WEST COUNTY COMMISSIONER REP

DEM

Deborah Duncan Arthur Maglinger

SHERIFF

COMMONWEALTH ATTORNEY

OWENSBORO CITY COMMISSIONER

PVA

CIRCUIT COURT CLERK DEM

Jerry Mccandless Anthony Cobb

JUDGE EXECUTIVE REP

11TH DISTRICT STATE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Daniel Bennett David Underhill

REP IND

Paul Westerfield Kris Crawford Charles Mccarty

WESTERN DISTRICT JUSTICE OF THE PEACE REP

Cathy Kramer

DAVIESS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 1 NP

James Morgan

DAVIESS COUNTY SCHOOL BOARD DISTRICT 2 NP

Tom Payne

Robert “Bob” Abell Joseph “Joey” Beatty NP Greg Beyke NP Shawn Crabtree NP Joseph “Buddy” Mattingly NP Clarence Merritt NP NP

OWENSBORO CITY SCHOOL BOARD NP NP NP

Michael Johnson John Blaney Jr Jeremy Luckett

SOIL & WATER CONSERVATION NP NP NP

Mark Irby Jeff Rice Suzanne White 37

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

QUESTIONS MITCH FEDERMAN

Plant General Manager for The Glenmore Distillery BY BENJAMIN HOAK - PHOTO BY JAMIE ALEXANDER

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

Mitch Federman is the Plant General Manager for The Glenmore Distillery. He is accountable for the safety, quality and performance of the facility. With 435

WHO HAS BE E N A ME NTOR TO YO U? I have been very fortunate to have multiple mentors throughout my career and my life. One of the

employees, Glenmore produces a variety of different

instances that sticks out is when I was 23 years old.

spirits products, including everything from cordials

I was a first time maintenance supervisor leading

and liqueurs that you would find in your favorite

a team of mechanics that were old enough to be

cocktail, to bar staples like vodka, rum and gin. Their

my father or grandfather. I was very fortunate that

product goes to all 50 states, and many countries all

one of my older mechanics took an interest in my

over the world.

development and helped to guide me in becoming a better supervisor and leader. It was a great lesson for me to keep my eyes open for folks that want to

WHAT I S YOUR BACKG ROUND, AND HOW D I D YOU JOI N G L ENMORE ? I spent the previous part of my career in the food industry. My last five years was spent with a company

help, regardless of their role in the organization. I have also had multiple opportunities to pay the kindness forward to other people that are earlier in their career.

that had contracting volume. After five years of

look for an opportunity to join a growing company/

WHAT ARE YOU PASS IONAT E ABO UT ? WHAT ’S YOUR MOT IVAT ION?

industry. I have always had a passion for wine and

I am incredibly passionate about developing myself

spirits, so when I was given the chance to come

and others. It is absolutely fantastic to work directly

serve the Glenmore team, I jumped at it.

with people and watch them grow. Every time I am

laying off people and closing plants, I decided to

able to promote someone out of my organization, I chalk that up as a win. My life’s motivation is to

WHAT ’S THE MOST I MP ORTANT THI NG YOU D O AT G L ENMORE ?

be able to provide for my family and to serve my community.

The most important part of my job is ensuring the safety of everyone on site. In addition, I am accountable to ensure that we get our high quality products out to our customers on time and in full, while always looking for ways to produce our products more efficiently. This is my fifth factory,

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO A COLLE GE GRADUAT E ABOUT TO E NT E R T HE RE AL WORLD? I would tell college graduates to not turn their noses up at the work associated with entry level jobs. In

and from day one, it was obvious that these are the

order to make a big difference in an organization,

nicest people I have ever worked with. I really enjoy

it is important to understand the fundamentals. It’s

working with a team that is passionate about the

not about “putting in your dues,” but getting a grasp

success of our business and the factory.

on your business and then growing from there.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

WHO AR E YOUR FAMILY MEMBER S, A ND WHAT ARE YOUR HOB BI ES AND INT E RES TS ? I am married to a wonderful woman, Becky. I have two sons Aidan (10), and Emmett (7). My boys keep me incredibly busy with sports and

“TREAT THE JANITOR THE SAME WAY THAT YOU WOULD TREAT THE CEO.” -Mitch Federman

highly recommend Made to Stick and Switch both by Dan and Chip Heath. They are highly actionable books that give a leader some good strategies on how to drive change in an organization. For fiction, I am a huge fan of John Irving.

activities. My wife and I are also pretty active in fostering animals. Over the past five years,

at fostering dogs and ended up adding those

IF YOU COULD P UT UP A GIA NT BILLBOARD WIT H ANY T HING O N IT, WHAT WOULD IT SAY ?

two to our permanent brood of animals (three

Treat the janitor the same way that you would

dogs and two cats).

treat the CEO.

we have had more than 40 dogs and 50 cats flow through our house. We have failed twice

WHAT I S ONE OF T HE BES T OR MOST WO RT HWHILE I NV ESTMENTS YOU HAVE E VE R MADE ? After my children were born, I started to work out every day before work. It is one of the best time investments I think anyone can make. It gets my day started out right, and makes it so I can’t talk myself out of the workout later on.

WHAT PUR CHAS E OF UNDE R $10 0 HAS M OS T P OS IT IVE LY I MPACTED YOUR LIFE IN T HE L AST SI X MONT HS ? Having a large golf umbrella to sit under this

BONUS QUESTIONS:

WHAT ARE HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR CARE E R—WHAT DO YO U RE ME MBE R T HE MOS T ? In every factory I have been, we have always served our teams dinner around the holidays. I love being here at all hours to serve a meal as a sign of gratitude for all of the hard work that our team puts in every day.

WHAT 'S A HIDDE N OR UNUSUA L TALE NT YOU HAVE ? I have an uncanny ability to remember random facts. It makes me a great partner for Trivial Pursuit, and regularly baffles my wife.

past spring while watching my youngest play soccer made me incredibly happy.

WHAT I S THE BOOK YOU HAVE G I V EN MOST AS A GIFT (OR R ECOMMENDE D)? As far as non-fiction business books go, I

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

WHAT 'S T HE NE X T T HING YO U WANT TO CHE CK OFF YOUR BUCKE T LIS T ? I like to dabble in woodworking and other projects. At some point, I’d like to take the time to become somewhat good at it!

DID HENDRICK ? YOU

KNOW

CORRECT ANSWER:

SCREEN COMPANY FROM PAGE 7

Hendrick Screen Company in Owensboro provided custommade exterior wall cladding, guard rails, trench grating, entrance grilles and ventilation grilles for the Arch project. The company began manufacturing operations in 1974.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

THE FINAL ANALYSIS JACLYN GRAVES

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

Membership Development Manager

My Dad was a proud blue-collar guy and a hard

His mindset and work ethic remind me of our

worker. He was extremely dependable and did

manufacturing community. These are people who

things without having to be told. A guy who didn’t

take immense pride in their work. They are the

always have a lot to say, but when he did everyone

driving force of this business community. They are

listened. A guy who didn’t need to hear someone say

a group of individuals who rarely get the praise they

he did a good job. The type who not only showed

deserve, but show up shift after shift and get the job

up, but showed up early and often. He was a simple

done. And, when there is a power outage you better

man who knew what he believed in, supported

believe they are still there, making sure orders are

causes and organizations for the betterment of his

filled. From the assembly line to the maintenance

community and not only made time for, but also

crew, they are an impressive force.

put his efforts toward those he cared about. And, he

Our Greater Owensboro manufacturers give

was proud of the life he built for us.

us the ability to brag on our community when we

At his funeral, the line of people to show their

talk about the long list of products that are made

respects was out the door. You see, my dad was a

here. I love telling my friends and family who aren’t

retired phone company guy and many in that line

familiar all that we have to offer. And, talking about

were his former co-workers and customers. One by

what leaves this city and then finds its way into their

one they walked up, shook my hand, told me how

homes is my favorite part.

proud my dad was of me, then told me how great of

Thank you for working hard and giving us all

a worker he was. I have and always will be proud of

something extra to be proud of. We tip our hard-

him for that.

hats to you.

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

200 E 3rd St, Owensboro, KY 42303 (270) 926-1860 http://chamber.owensboro.com

GO CHAMBER . THIRD QUARTER 2018

PRSRT STD US POSTAGE PAID OWENSBORO KY 42301 PERMIT NO 420