Chamber celebrates business, nonprofit leaders
The best of the Owensboro business and nonprofit communities were celebrated during the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s annual Chamber Celebration on Friday night at the RiverPark Center.
The 2024 Chamber Awards of Excellence were presented to nine businesses, six individuals, three nonprofits, and one educational program over 17 categories.
“I cannot tell you what a joy it is just to be a part of this (Chamber) team and a part of this fantastic business community. We love each and every one of you.”
Mark Marsh, president and CEO of Owensboro Health, presenting sponsor of the ceremony, said the work being recognized offers inspiration for others.
“We’re excited about hearing these great stories,” he said. “These great stories are the hard work, dedication … about these great partnerships and folks who come together. And we think about helping each other, serving each other, and giving back to the community.”
The celebration included the traditional “passing of the gavel” from 2023 board chair Sarah Murphy Ford to incoming chair John Marshall Moore.
Brake praised Ford’s contributions.
“Sarah knows when to get the task done, and she knows how to make every person in the room feel seen and feel like they matter,” Brake said “It’s going to be tough saying goodbye.”
Greenwell Chisholm and Welborn Floral and Events were both named 2024 Member of the Year. Keith Sanders won the Bill Young Leadership Award.
Kirk Kirkpatrick, longtime Owensboro civic leader, presented Tish Correa-Osborne, CEO of Girls Inc., with the Legacy Award.
“(Tish) has supported, inspired, uplifted, impacted and has loved generations of young women — leading by example, but always with empathy, spotlighting opportunity, introducing possibilities, and nurturing confidence,” he said. “Maybe because she was born in Fort Knox, that’s why she has this heart of gold.”
Correa-Osborne took the stage to Louis Armstrong’s classic “What a Wonderful World,” which she told the audience was her favorite song.
“It’s a wonderful world, and it really is, because everyone genuinely cares about each other and we all work together to make it a better world,” she said. “And when you honor and celebrate every single person in the community and all of the contributions and value that they have, I could not be more honored to be a part of it.
“I am truly honored — humbled beyond belief.
2024 AWARD RECIPIENTS Emerging Business of the Year — Willow and Pine Market Business of the Year 1-10 Employees — Byron and Barclay Business of the Year 11-50 Employees — Riney Hancock, CPAs PSC Business of the Year 50+ Employees — RiverValley Behavioral Health Non-Profit of the Year — Fine Arts — Bluegrass Museum and Hall of Fame Non-Profit of the Year — Human Services — Issac Sterett Adventure Foundation AND The Center (2 winners) Education and Workforce Development Institution of the Year — Daviess County Detention Center Reentry Success Program Manufacturer of the Year — Southwire Company Minority Owned Business of the Year — Kahawa Java Rick Kamuf Agri-Business of the Year — Riney Farms 2024 Chamber Ambassador of the Year — Justin Merritt 2024 Chamber Director of the Year — W. Clay H. Ford 2024 Leadership Owensboro Class Member of the Year — Cheryl Burks-McCarthy 2024 CYP Members of the Year — Ellen Ebelhar 2024 Member of the Year — Greenwell Chisholm and Welborn Floral and Events Bill Young Leadership Award — Keith Sanders Legacy Award — Tish Correa-Osborne
By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer