12 minute read
THE CHAMBER REPORT
FAMILY: I'm married to my college sweetheart Katelyn, a science teacher at Owensboro Middle School. I'm also a proud dog dad to Harvey, who I talk about way too much.
MEET THE GO CHAMBER PUBLISHER
TAYLOR WEST Publisher, Tanner Publishing Co.
HOW DID YOU END UP IN OWENSBORO? I moved from my small hometown of Horse Cave, KY to Owensboro to attend Kentucky Wesleyan College. After graduation, I loved the city so much I just couldn't leave.
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN AT TANNER PUBLISHING? I started helping design ads back when Owensboro Parent was first published over eight years ago. It's been cool to watch the publishing company go from one magazine to now six on-going publications.
WHEN DID YOU BECOME PUBLISHER? August 2018
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT
YOUR JOB? When I was in college I always assumed I'd have to move to a bigger city to do the creative work like we do here at Tanner Publishing Co. To do high-caliber work with such a creative team here in Owensboro is really a blessing.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE GO
CHAMBER COVER THAT YOU HAVE
BEEN INVOLVED WITH? I'd probably have to say the rooster cover (GO Chamber Quarter 1 '19). When we had people coming up to us after Rooster Booster asking how we got a rooster to cooperate with us, we knew we did our job. (Spoiler alert... it's Photoshopped).
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE MOVIE? The Sandlot. You're killing me smalls!
WHO IS SOMEONE FAMOUS YOU HAVE MET? When I was 8 the UK basketball star Jeff Sheppard was signing autographs at the grand opening of South Central Bank in Cave City, KY. When I went to hand him my basketball to sign I accidentally knocked over his drink, spilling it all over his white polo and khaki pants. I like to leave an impression.
WHAT'S A HIDDEN OR UNIQUE TALENT YOU HAVE? I've played the saxophone since fifth grade. I surprised my wife at our wedding reception by playing Aerosmith's "I Don't Want to Miss a Thing."
MEMBERS ON THE MOVE
HOME REALTY NAMED ONE OF TOP 45 FIRMS IN THE NATION Home Realty, Inc. was honored to be named one of the Top 45 Real Estate Firms in the Nation for Exceptional Customer Service.
“This is the third year in a row our Agents have earned the National QE Award. We are committed to raising the bar for customer service. We know that consumers are tired of seeing meaningless “perfect” reviews. That is why each client survey is sent and tallied by an independent firm. This is what makes the award so meaningful to us – that a third party oversaw the results.” said Broker/ Owner Connie Lou Barnett.
“This award truly honors the hard work and dedication of our agents and we are grateful to have these top-quality people on our team” added co-owner Gordon Barnett.
Home Realty has been serving the Owensboro area since 1963 and has a sales force of 15 licensed, professional REALTORS. Home Realty is located at 3424 Frederica St, Owensboro, KY. On the web at www.HomeRealtyOwensboro.com
OWENSBORO HEALTH FOUNDATION Tracy Naylor has been named Director of Major and Planned Gifts at the Owensboro Health Foundation. She previously served as the VP for Institutional Advancement at Brescia University.
THE DANIEL PITINO SHELTER The Daniel Pitino Shelter is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2019. The shelter also recently named Dr. Michele Johnston as the Executive Director and Maryanne Mountain as the Financial Director.
OWENSBORO COMMUNITY & TECHNICAL COLLEGE OCTC is proud to announce that Sheri Plain, Director of Workforce Services in OCTC's Workforce
Solutions department,
has been named one of twenty-seven honorees recognized as 2019's Influential Women in Manufacturing. Chosen from more than 120 nominations, Sheri joins the ranks of CEO's, senior engineers, and members of Congress, and she was one of only two honorees unanimously selected by the review panel.
OCTC President, Dr. Scott Williams said, "We are so proud of the great work Sheri is doing to advance women in manufacturing. Her passion, professionalism and dedication certainly set her apart and we are so excited to see her recognized for outstanding work. Sheri is very worthy of this national recognition."
OWENSBORO COMMUNITY HEALTH NETWORK Dr. Jenny Jackson of Owensboro Community Health Network recently earned the Certified Professional in Medical Services Management designation. This credential identifies commitment to the education and advancement of medical service professionals. In October, Dr. Jackson was selected to present on both provider enrollment and servant leadership at the National Association of Medical Staff Services 43rd Annual Education Conference in Philadelphia, PA.
ON TIME FAB Cheri Middleton of On Time Fab (and a Chamber Board Member) was recently appointed to The National Board for Certification in Hearing Instrument Sciences.
The National Board for Certification is an independent, non-profit, credentialing organization, established to promote continuing competency assurance of
hearing healthcare professionals and to provide a standard of excellence in hearing healthcare for the consumer.
CHAMBER BEHIND THE SCENES
The Owensboro community gathered to hear from State Candidates on October 29 for the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce's 2019 Red, White & Blue event, presented by Big Rivers Electric Corporation. The non-partisan event allowed individuals to hear old-fashioned "stump" speeches from those seeking offices.
It’s a Wonderful Life - T. Tommy Littlepage REGIONAL LAND TITLE COMPANY
Home Alone - Morton Holbrook, III -Mark Gentry RUOFF MORTGAGE
The Grinch - Michael Vanover HELTON INSURANCE AGENCY
Love Actually - David Epling THE EARLE
A Christmas Story -Danny Knott PEAK ELEVATOR -Armando Ortiz REAL HACIENDA MEXICAN RESTAURANT -Laura Ruth Edge L. RUTH INTERIOR DESIGN
Elf -Joe Jones LONGHORN STEAKHOUSE
KENTUCKY ENERGY PROFILE
Annual Energy Consumption Electric Power: 89.1 TWh (2% total U.S.) Coal: 40,100 MSTN (5% total U.S.) Natural Gas: 211 Bcf (1% total U.S.) Motor Gasoline: 45,400 Mbarrels (2% total U.S.) Distillate Fuel: 30,000 Mbarrels (2% total U.S.)
Annual Energy Production Electric Power Generation: 89.9 TWh (2% total U.S.) Coal: 82.8 TWh, 92% [18 GW total capacity] Petroleum: 1.5 TWh, 2% [0.1 GW total capacity] Natural Gas: 2.9 TWh, 3% [6.2 GW total capacity] Nuclear: 0 TWh, 0% [0 GW total capacity] Hydro: 2.4 TWh, 3% [0.8 GW total capacity] Other Renewable: 0 TWh, 0% [0.1 GW total capacity] Coal: 90,900 MSTN (9% total U.S.) Natural Gas: 110 Bcf (<1% total U.S.) Crude Oil: 3,200 Mbarrels (<1% total U.S.) Ethanol: 800 Mbarrels (<1% total U.S.)
W E L C O M E T O THE CHAMBER
Behavior Associates, LLC Best Western Plus Community Ventures Delta Dental of Kentucky Drake's Edward Jones Investments, Ed Krahwinkel Home Inspired, Inc. Naturaleigh Owensboro Dream Realty Premier Home Inspection Ky LLC Rayelle Collection Red Lobster Reflections By Talea Photography Scentsy, Leslie Roberts Sonitrol of Evansville Staves Occupational Therapy Services
KENTUCKY QUICK FACTS:
Kentucky is the fifth-largest coal producer in the nation and about one-fifth of all operating U.S. coal mines are located in Kentucky, more than any other state except Pennsylvania.
Kentucky has two oil refineries with a combined processing capacity of about 283,000 barrels per calendar day.
In 2018, about 75% of Kentucky's net electricity generation was coal-fired, the third-largest share of any state after West Virginia and Wyoming.
Hydroelectric power provides nearly all of Kentucky's renewable electricity generation, and in 2018 about 6% of the state’s electricity was produced at nine hydropower dams.
In 2018, Kentucky had the seventh-lowest average electricity price of any state and the lowest price for a state east of the Mississippi River.
KNOW YOU DID ?
How much energy does the average U.S. household consume?
FIND OUT ON PAGE 41
THE READING
LIST
THE SECOND MOUNTAIN… THE QUEST FOR A MORAL LIFE
AUTHOR: DAVID BROOKS
REVIEWED BY: Candance Castlen Brake President & CEO Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce
The Takeaway: David Brooks latest book is a mustread as we close out 2019 and set our professional and personal goals for the coming year. The book tackles the journey that we all make through our lives and our careers. And Brooks has his own story as the center tracking his personal evolution. The goal is to live life on the second mountain. The first mountain which we all climb in life is the mountain of professional success. The mountain where our goals are more societal trappings… the new car, the high-profile position, the big house, being a part of the in-crowd. Once those goals are met, most people are left with the feeling of “is that all there is?” Instead of having the fulfillment that was expected, we can feel empty or even disillusioned. Other people get knocked off the mountain because of a defining event, illness, tragedy etc. These feelings of emptiness or being thrust into a valley create opportunities for personal growth and transitioning to the second mountain. The second mountain is living a life of purpose. And Brooks asserts that living a life of purpose occurs when we reject the rugged individualism that we are taught is the path to success and begin living as a member of a community, living deep commitments whether they be in your professional life, your spiritual journey or your personal relationships. We all know what it is like to be around people who live on the second mountain. They emanate light. To be in their presence somehow makes us strive to be better people. You know who they are. We always feel better after spending time with them. People on the second mountain have made commitment to one or more of the following: a vocation, a spouse and family, a philosophy or faith, a community. They are “deeply rooted and deeply committed.” Brooks then takes his premise from the individual life to the life of a community. He talks about how relationships and social fabric can make a community stronger and its people more apt to find joy. In my line of work, this was particularly interesting. We have spent a significant amount of energy this year on Engage Owensboro offering people an opportunity to connect with community service and leadership roles. So much of what we do at the Chamber is about building relationships, partnerships and creating paths for people to connect. Reading the book reinforced my belief in what we do every day. And I am grateful for that privilege.
EXECUTIVE ANSWERS
How is Owensboro a leader in the energy industry?
MARK MARTIN VICE PRESIDENT – RATES & REGULATORY AFFAIRS ATMOS ENERGY
When most people think of energy, they think of Houston. Houston is the natural gas capital of the world. At one time, Owensboro was a smaller version of Houston in that Owensboro was home to two interstate pipeline companies (Texas Gas and Southern Star), a local distribution company (Atmos Energy f/k/a Western Kentucky Gas Company) and several natural gas marketing companies. Today, Owensboro is still home to Boardwalk (parent of Texas Gas) and Southern Star, and Atmos Energy maintains a regional office.
These companies are great employers, and their employees are heavily involved in the Owensboro community. These companies and their employees donate considerable time, money and resources to help the community. The economic benefits that these companies and the corresponding jobs provide to the local economy is immeasurable. Due to the number of employers, the number of jobs and the commitment to the community, I believe that Owensboro is a leader in the energy industry.”
CHARLES B. (BUZZ) BACKSTROM SR DIRECTOR, MARKETING AND BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT BOARDWALK PIPELINE PARTNERS
Our many dedicated employees work every day to provide homes and businesses across our region and the U.S. with safe, reliable and affordable energy. Boardwalk’s Owensboro office houses approximately 250 employees, all of whom are a critical part of our team serving customers in 12 states transporting approximately 2.7 Tcf of natural gas through nearly 14,000 miles of pipe.
Collectively our talented team members are committed to the communities we serve by volunteering and participating in community organizations, projects and initiatives.
We have a unique heritage in our region and are committed to a bright future. We are proud to call Owensboro and Western Kentucky home.
ON THE RECORD
BOB BERRY PRESIDENT AND CEO BIG RIVERS
For many years, Owensboro and Daviess County have depended on low-cost and reliable coal-fired generation to supply electricity to this region’s citizens and businesses. A single resource to supply electricity to our customers is no longer prudent. The area’s electric utilities have recognized the need for a diverse portfolio in order for this region to continue to be a leader in the energy industry and meet the expectation of its ratepayers.
Owensboro Municipal Utilities (OMU) and Big Rivers Electric have both embraced the “all of the above” approach to diversify their portfolios and act as leaders in the electric energy industry. While both utilities have made tough decisions to close a coal-fired generating plant, they have also partnered together to put mutually beneficial power supply agreements in place to reduce cost to their respective customers and Member-Owners. Their portfolios include coal-fired and natural gas resources as well as carbon-free resources, such as solar and hydro.
By acting now to enhance safe, reliable, and economic energy, our electric utilities are wellpositioned to meet the future needs of Owensboro’s and Daviess County’s citizens and businesses and make this area a leader for potential growth and development.
YP UNITE SUMMIT PRESENTED BY OWENSBORO HEALTH
150 young professionals from across the state attended the YP Unite Summit at the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Friday, November 15. Logitech CEO Bracken Darrell served as the keynote speaker. Other speakers included Kentucky Wesleyan College football coach Craig Yeast, President and CEO of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce Ashli Watts, founder and CEO of Azzip Pizza Brad Niemeier, Niko’s Bakery chef Matt Weafer, Puzzle Pieces Executive Director Amanda Owen and artist Aaron Kizer.
