Dave Kirk, an Owensboro native, is the new president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.
He takes office on Dec. 8.
He succeeds Candance Castlen Brake, who has held the position since March 2015. Brake announced in May that she would be leaving by the end of the year.
Kirk, 38, has served as destination management director for the Owensboro-Daviess County Convention & Visitors Bureau since 2018.
“Leaving is bittersweet,” he said.
Mark Calitri, CVB president, said, “I am incredibly proud of Dave, and he has absolutely earned this opportunity. I’ve watched him pour his heart out into this community, giving everything he has to make Owensboro better. With Dave’s leadership, Visit Owensboro has become a powerhouse in the tourism industry, raising the bar for what a destination marketing organization can achieve.”
He added, “We’ll have big shoes to fill, but I’m excited for the energy and vision he’ll bring to the Chamber. The future looks bright for Owensboro, and with the Chamber, economic development and Visit Owensboro working together, we’re going to show what great things can happen when a community moves forward together.”
Brake said, “Dave Kirk and his wife, Jessica, have poured themselves into the Chamber’s work for over a decade. We are so excited that Dave will be leading the organization and look forward to seeing where he and the team will take us.”
Olga McKissic, board chairwoman, said Kirk was the unanimous choice of both the selection committee and the board of directors.
She said the Chamber conducted a national search and received 70 applications from across the country.
“We realized that he stood out above all the rest,” McKissic said. “And we had some really good candidates.”
She said Kirk had volunteered with the Chamber in the past and is familiar with the organization’s culture.
The Chamber, CVB and Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corp. all work closely together.
Kirk said he applied for the position in July.
“It’s an incredibly important position,” he said. “I’m honored to be selected.”
Kirk said, “Candance has set the bar very high. They’ve done incredible work.”
He added, “I’ll be looking for new initiatives and ways to serve our members. I love Owensboro. It’s exciting to watch it grow.”
Kirk said, “I want to listen to members and nonmembers. I want to know why nonmembers aren’t members. I want to listen and meet their needs.”
He continued, “I want to make sure Owensboro is heard in Frankfort. We have to go get it.”
McKissic said the Chamber has 988 members today, the most in about 12 years.
Kirk said if membership hasn’t hit 1,000 before he arrives, that will be his first goal.
McKissic said that after an initial round of virtual interviews, four finalists from across the country were interviewed face-to-face — and Kirk was the unanimous choice.
Kirk is a graduate of Owensboro High School and holds degrees in journalism and communications from the University of Kentucky.
Worked in TVAfter graduating from UK, he worked as a television reporter in Jackson, Tennessee, before moving back home to work in the news department at WFIE-TV.
In 2012, Kirk was appointed public information officer for Owensboro Public Schools. During that time, he became heavily involved in the Chamber.
Kirk served on the Advocacy Committee; acted as moderator for forums and legislative updates; participated in Owensboro Day in Frankfort; and served as media coordinator for the Red, White and Blue Picnic.
He graduated from Leadership Owensboro in 2016 and chaired Chamber Young Professionals during its relaunch, helping the group grow from eight members to more than 150.
The group was responsible for bringing ridesharing services such as Lyft to Owensboro.
Kirk’s wife, Jessica, worked at the Chamber for several years as executive director of Leadership Owensboro and director of talent programs. She currently works for Boardwalk Pipelines as a GasQuest development specialist.
They have three sons.
By: Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer