From the Chamber

CANDANCE CASTLEN BRAKE

President & CEO

W. CLAY H. FORD

Board Chair Welcome to GO Chamber’s second edition in 2021! For our cover this edition we feature a shot of our 2021 Chamber Board and Staff Leadership Team. That rooftop shot was taken an early morning before our May Board Meeting.

Jason Tanner always likes to push the cover shot concepts to make them new, and even daring, at times. That morning, the humidity and heat were already climbing, but we made it up to the roof of the Hampton Inn as a group.

Over the past 18 months, that is what we have done as an organization. We have had remarkable board leadership and a staff who believes deeply in the Chamber’s transformational capacity in our community. We have made it through because the men and women of our leadership team and the Owensboro Chamber membership have been consistently innovating, adapting, and yes, pivoting. We have also had to grant each other grace. No, times have not been easy. But tough times are when we can show the world who we are.

While we were all getting by, getting through or getting exhausted, important community happenings took place.

Our bridge was lit; we have a new downtown outdoor skating rink, pubs, and breweries; new music, performance, and event venues are opening; infrastructure projects are accelerating; and oh my goodness - the festivals and events are back and better than ever. Chamber Ribbon Cuttings are reaching an all-time high and we are planning for our first membership drive in over a decade. The Member of the Week program and new membership benefits have been added to promote, connect and benefit our Members large and small.

July 1 was our first in-person Rooster Booster. Being in the same room was an overpowering moment for many of us.

Talent Programs like our iconic Leadership Owensboro program returned in-person and Chamber Young Professionals had their first inperson event at Brew Bridge.

Our board welcomed a new member, Michael Johnson, Vice Chair of Owensboro Public School Board, and had a mid-year planning session where we set goals for the remainder to the year to keep things moving forward.

Yes, we are back in-person. And it heals us all to be together. It truly makes us realize more than ever how important our events are that celebrate community achievement and keep our economy moving forward.

Thank you for keeping your portion of the “work” headed forward. We feel deeply honored to serve each of you.

- Clay and Candance