Candance Castlen Brake’s more than 10-year tenure as president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce was celebrated during Thursday’s Rooster Booster breakfast held in MidAmerica Jet’s hangar at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport.
Brake announced in May that she would be leaving the position she began in March 2015 by the end of the year. Dave Kirk was recently named as her successor, and he takes office Monday.
Brake said the outpouring of affection she felt from the large crowd was indicative of Owensboro-Daviess County.
“You look around the room, and all of the different people, all of the different walks of life, and they gather together,” Brake said. “These are my people, this Chamber, the small business owners, the leaders in this community, the men and women who make it all go every day. Today just touched my heart.
“It makes my heart overflow with love and gratitude.”
Brake was presented framed remarks made into the Congressional Record by Sen. Mitch McConnell and Rep. Brett Guthrie who recognized her service to the Chamber and the community.
Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson presented Brake with the Mayor’s Award of Distinction and a key to the city.
Olga McKissic, chairperson of the Chamber board of directors, praised the Chamber’s accomplishments under Brake, which include positive results through its legislative and governmental affairs work, with highlights including the 165 Interstate shields on the former Natcher Parkway, Highway 54 widening, advance work on the Interstate corridor with Indiana, two family court judges, lighting the bridge, county-wide broadband and lowering the state income tax.
“Candance spent the past decade leading with vision and purpose,” McKissic said. “She has guided the organization through remarkable growth, infused an energy into Chamber events and programs and elevated its role as a powerful advocate of local businesses. Under her leadership, the Chamber became a catalyst for connection, collaboration and community pride.”
Brake focused significantly on creating and reinvigorating leadership and talent programs. Leadership Owensboro, Chamber Young Professionals and Educators in the Workplace were reignited, and the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute was created in 2022. Leadership Owensboro Alumni and Engage Owensboro have been created to connect people with opportunities to volunteer and serve.
“I am so proud of the membership; we’re over 1,000 members now. That was a personal goal,” Brake said. “We have a team that is the hardest working, most innovative, intelligent group of people. The board is phenomenal. The committees. You look around, and it’s the way you want to leave it.
“You look back and go, ‘Thank you God for letting me be part of this.’ ”
The celebration closed with a video of numerous community members recalling personal memories of Brake and paying tribute to her accomplishments.
Brake and her husband, Nick, have moved to Nashville. She’s not sure where her career goes moving forward, but she’s adamant that this isn’t retirement.
“It is truly wide open,” she said of her future. “Nick and I live in Nashville, a five-minute walk from our son’s place. We get to see him all of the time. I’m a big believer that God is in charge, and I’m really glad, because I don’t need to be. I’m going to wait and see what He says.
“But I’ve got to do something. There’s more people to see and meet, more to do and more things to happen.”
By: Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer