New CEO of Owensboro Chamber of Commerce appointed

HENDERSON, Ky. (WEHT) — A new president and CEO has been appointed at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

David Kirk was chosen by the chamber’s board after a search that involved more than 60 applicants. Kirk is an Owensboro native and has worked in local media, public schools and at Visit Owensboro.

Eyewitness News El’Agance Shemwell interviewed Kirk during First at Four about the new position and what he hopes to accomplish in the role. You can watch the full interview in the video above.

By: Ian Young, El’Agance Shemwell

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

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce has named Dave Kirk as its next president and CEO, following a national search that chamber officials said drew more than 60 applicants from across the country.

Kirk will succeed Candance Castlen Brake, who has led the Chamber since March 2015. He will officially assume the role on December 8.

“We are truly excited about the appointment of Dave Kirk to lead our Chamber,” said Chamber Board Chair Olga McKissic. “He was the unanimous choice of our selection committee as well as our board of directors. We look forward as a board in supporting him as he takes the helm.”

After Brake announced in May that she would step down by year’s end, a selection committee made up of past Chamber Board Chairs launched a nationwide search. The committee conducted virtual interviews with several candidates before narrowing the field to four finalists for in-person interviews. Kirk ultimately received unanimous support.

A native of Owensboro and graduate of Owensboro High School, Kirk earned degrees in journalism and communications from the University of Kentucky. He began his career as a television reporter in Jackson, Tennessee, before returning home to work for 14 News.

In 2012, he was appointed public information officer for Owensboro Public Schools, where he became deeply involved with the Chamber through its Advocacy Committee, Owensboro Day in Frankfort, and the Red, White and Blue Picnic.

A 2016 graduate of Leadership Owensboro, Kirk also chaired Chamber Young Professionals during its relaunch, growing the group from eight members to more than 150. Under his leadership, the organization helped bring ride-sharing services such as Lyft to Owensboro, a release from the chamber reads.

Kirk joined Visit Owensboro in 2018, where he led destination management efforts, overseeing marketing, event development, and sales lead generation.

He and his wife, Jessica — a Lexington native and former Chamber staff member — have three sons: Talon, Tipton, and Talmage.

Founded in 1913, the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce represents nearly 1,000 members and continues to serve as a leading advocate for business and community development throughout the Owensboro region.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

The Greater Owensboro Music Commission is prioritizing the next steps for strengthening the local music ecosystem following results from the region’s first-ever music census.

The Commission’s meeting on Monday was led by Don Pitts, founder of Texas-based Sound Music Cities, a firm that helps cities nationwide evaluate their music scenes through data-driven studies. Pitts, who spent more than three decades in the music industry, including 16 years with Gibson Guitars, said Owensboro has “all the right pieces” to grow its musical identity.

“Owensboro just has a lot of all the pieces there. We just have to put them all together,” Pitts said. “It’s definitely a worthy cause, and I think if we can get three or four organizations with the right skill sets to collaborate, it’ll make it a much easier lift.”

Pitts previously conducted music censuses in cities such as Austin, Texas, and Lafayette, Louisiana, where he helped identify community priorities and reduce noise complaints through practical, community-focused initiatives. He said the Owensboro census, conducted earlier this year, measured the “lived experience” of local musicians, technicians, venue operators, and others involved in the industry.

During Monday’s session, attendees ranked eight community action opportunities outlined in the census, narrowing them down to the top priorities that will guide the Commission’s work going forward. Pitts said his firm will now analyze the responses and submit final recommendations to the Commission.

Steve Johnson, who helped organize the meeting through the Bluegrass Music Initiative, said the next step is for the Commission to review the community’s rankings and begin acting on them.

“There was a great dialogue about what we can do to elevate music and musicians in this community,” Johnson said. “You’re going to see more out of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission in the coming weeks than you’ve ever seen before.”

Johnson noted that about 15 members of Owensboro’s music community attended Monday’s session, including members of the 15-person Commission. The group represents a broad mix of the city’s musical and civic leadership, including bluegrass musicians, venue owners, symphony representatives, and Chamber of Commerce and economic development officials.

He added that the effort to grow Owensboro’s music scene is about more than bluegrass.

“The Bluegrass Music Initiative is focused squarely on bluegrass,” Johnson said. “What occurred today was about how to elevate all music — bluegrass and other genres — in Owensboro. It’s amazing the talent we have here that people don’t even know about.”

Local musician and venue owner Andy Brasher, who serves on the Music Commission, said the meeting was a major step toward uniting the region’s music ecosystem.

“This meeting was the first gathering of music folks, members of the Greater Owensboro Music Commission, public officials, and interested members of the community to talk about what the data means and how we can use it to better our music community,” Brasher said. “It’s a great first step toward nurturing and sustaining our very important music business ecosystem.”

Commission member Christian Potts said Monday’s discussion underscored the importance of collaboration and community input as Owensboro’s music scene evolves.

“Today’s roundtable was an incredible opportunity to bring together people from every part of our local music community and focus on what comes next,” Potts said. “From the beginning, our goal as a commission has been to listen, learn, and identify where we can make a meaningful impact. The census results highlight just how much potential exists within the Greater Owensboro area, and now it’s about turning that potential into action.”

Potts said the data offers a roadmap for growth.

“The census helped us better understand the music industry’s cultural and economic impact on our region,” he said. “It offers valuable insights that, combined with further community input, will guide us as we work to create more opportunities and sustainability for musicians, venues, promoters, and educators right here at home. I encourage anyone involved in our music scene to review the results and reach out to get connected.”

Candance Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, said the census results underscore the economic significance of the local music industry.

“The income-related data and economic impact that the census report includes demonstrate that this is truly a niche that we can encourage and help develop,” Brake said. “We understand the quality-of-life benefits from continuing to build out the music infrastructure here in our region, but it goes well beyond quality of life. This is a serious economic impact, and this group has just started.”

By; John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Josh Nelson said he and his husband are “beyond thrilled” with the early success of Nelson Home & Co., the interior design business they launched in Owensboro this fall. Since officially opening in September, the couple has been overwhelmed by community support, new clients, and growing brand partnerships.

“We didn’t realize in our wildest dreams that this was something we were going to be able to accomplish so quickly,” Nelson said. “We are just beyond thrilled to bring a wonderful sense of style and a new set of eyes to Owensboro design.”

The couple relocated to Owensboro in July and soon began offering a wide range of services — from interior design and remodeling to seasonal decorating. They work with local contractors and furniture companies as well as national brands such as Williams Sonoma and Pottery Barn.

Nelson said what sets their business apart is the effort to personalize each project.

“When we get to know our clients and see what their sense of styles are, we’re able to create the perfect design based on that — not what we like,” he said. “Sometimes they’re a little lost, and that’s why they need the designer’s help. But we make sure it’s their space.”

Their approach begins with an in-home consultation where Nelson learns about how clients live day to day — whether they need more storage, what colors make them comfortable, or where their kids play. From there, Nelson develops a design proposal tailored to their needs and budget.

“It doesn’t matter if you have an 800-square-foot house or an 8,000-square-foot house,” Nelson said. “Every single person should be able to walk into their home after a long day of work and be able to sigh and just look around and have a good feeling. We’re here to help with that, regardless of if your budget is $5,000 or $50,000.”

With the holidays approaching, Nelson said they’re also offering seasonal decorating — from pumpkin porchscapes to Christmas trees, wreaths, and mantel arrangements — and bookings are filling up fast.

“Moving into the new year, a lot of people start to clean out their houses,” he said. “It’s the perfect time for us to get things going so they can start the year fresh and have everything they want in their home.”

For more information or to schedule a consultation, visit nelsonhomeandco.com or follow Nelson Home & Co. on social media.

Read The Owensboro Times’ earlier story on their launch here.

The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By: John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

The Western Kentucky Botanical Garden will host its first beer garden from 5 to 8 p.m. on Oct.23.

Those attending need to be 21 or older.

Tickets are $5 for members and $10 for non-members.

The Garden is partnering with Brew Bridge Owensboro and Owensboro Racing & Gaming for the event.

Laurna Strehl, the Garden’s executive director, said, “Guests will enjoy a unique after-hours experience, complete with horse and carriage rides, live music, a cash bar, a food truck and a caricature artist.”

She said music will be provided by The Lowland Ramblers, “a dynamic group blending bluegrass traditions with modern sounds. Their music is described as raw, relatable, and deeply rooted in Kentucky’s rich musical heritage.”

Strehl said, “The caricature artist is Owensboro artist Petra Mulligan. She is a multi-talented artist and is lending her skills to us for the night. Petra now lives in Owensboro, following a series of jobs in the arts industry, including painting animatronics for theme parks, providing special effects and fabrication for independent horror films, and album art and poster design for numerous musicians.”

She said Mulligan participated in the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s initiative to paint signal boxes along Second Street downtown.

Strehl said, “The Brew Bridge will offer Blinkers Lager, the American Light Lager they make for Owensboro Racing and Gaming, their own Oktoberfest Lager, PB&J sour and our Yellow Banks IPA. In addition, fast-track signups for Owensboro Racing & Gaming will be available during the evening.”

She said food will be from Owensboro Gaming Catering and Primal Craft Dogz, “known for their 100% all-beef, quarter-pound gourmet hot dogs with a variety of creative toppings.”

By: Keith Lawrence Messenger-Inquirer

The city of Owensboro and a variety of local organizations will launch an initiative next week to encourage people to walk more and to gather and socialize while walking.

The Walk Owensboro program is a partnership between the city’s Parks and Recreation Department, Owensboro Health, the Green River District Health Department, the Greater Owensboro Leadership Institute, RiverValley Behavioral Health and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce.

“We know that walking is the best exercise out there, and we have wonderful trails in our park system,” said Kerry Bodenheimer, recreation superintendent for the Parks and Recreation Department.

Walking, Bodenheimer said, “is very easy for everybody to engage in.”

According to the American Heart Association, walking for exercise can lower the risk of conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. The organization says walking also benefits the brain and helps with sleep and mood.

Bodenheimer said Walk Owensboro is based on a similar initiative in Philadelphia. Walkers will be encouraged to form groups that will be listed on the city’s website so new members can join.

She said the groups will provide strength in numbers for walkers who otherwise would be reluctant to walk alone, while also building connections with other people.

“It’s a great way to build the social side as well as the physical side,” Bodenheimer said.

“If I just moved to town, or I’m an older individual and don’t feel comfortable walking alone, I can walk with a group,” she said.

Later, Bodenheimer added, “I think everybody learned during the COVID lockdown how important social interactions are.”

The groups will kick off the initiative on Tuesday with a 4 p.m. event at Moreland Park. The event will give people a chance to learn more about Walk Owensboro and begin registering walking groups to be listed on the city’s website. The event will also include food, giveaways, children’s activities, a session on stretching for walking, a scavenger hunt and a walk around the Moreland Park trail.

The city plans similar events each fall and spring to encourage people to walk and join walking groups. In the winter, groups can continue walking at various indoor locations such as the Dugan Best Recreation Center, the Owensboro Family YMCA, the Owensboro Health Healthpark and some churches, Bodenheimer said.

“We have amazing walking paths in all of our parks,” she said, adding that walking is an activity for adults, children and retirees.

“It’s available to all ages,” Bodenheimer said.

By: James Mayse Messenger-Inquirer

Retirement & Financial Strategies was founded by Jerry Goetz as a local family business to provide top-level financial services and advice to clients for multiple generations.

Goetz, CFP®, CFS®, CRPC®, has more than 25 years of experience as a financial advisor and established the business, located at 3402 Frederica Street, in 2018

Jerry’s daughter Emma Goetz, CFP®, and son Evan Goetz, CFP®, work together as a financial advisor team for their clients. 

“This allows us to offer what we believe is the highest level of service by combining all of our education and skills,” Goetz said. 

As company president, Goetz consults with the advisor team every day. 

“This team concept results in every one of our clients having the benefit of three certified financial planner® professionals working on their behalf,” he said. 

The firm’s client service employees are also from the Owensboro area. 

“Being from this community, we like to give back by being a part of local organizations and supporting our local charities,” Goetz said.

Retirement & Financial Strategies offers investment advice, investment management, retirement planning, and comprehensive financial planning. Goetz said the team begins by sitting down with clients to discuss their situation, values, and goals. They provide advice and investment management on a fee basis, as fiduciaries, rather than on commission — always striving to put clients’ interests ahead of their own.

“If we can help our clients manage their finances and investments in a way that allows them the time, resources, and energy to focus on living a happier, more fulfilling life, we have done our job,” he said.

Learn more at www.retirementandfinancial.com or on Facebook. Retirement & Financial Strategies can be reached at 270-215-2600.

Investment advice offered through Private Advisor Group, a registered investment advisor.

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The Chamber Member of the Week program is a Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce membership benefit. Founded in 1913, the Chamber has worked to provide valuable benefits and services to member businesses and individuals for over a century.

Today, with nearly 1,000 members, the Chamber is a guiding force in community and business development initiatives and serves as the center of business advocacy for the Greater Owensboro region. 

To learn more about becoming the Chamber Member of the Week or inquire about Chamber membership, contact Kitty Jones, director of membership, at 270-926-1860 or kjones@owensboro.com.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

The H.L. Neblett Community Center has opened a playground for infants and toddlers. Leaders say the playground is designed as a safe and engaging outdoor space designed specifically for the community’s youngest learners and families.

With features such as age-appropriate play structures, soft-surface flooring, and shaded areas, the playground was designed to support early childhood development while ensuring safety and accessibility.

“This new playground is more than just a play space,” said Carltez Hampton, Interim Executive Director of the H.L. Neblett Community Center. “It represents our commitment to providing a nurturing environment where children can thrive from the very beginning of their educational journey. We know that early childhood experiences lay the foundation for lifelong learning, and this playground helps us strengthen that foundation.”

The playground was made possible through the support of IMPACT100. The Public Life Foundation also provided sensory items.

The H.L. Neblett Community Center has been serving Owensboro and surrounding communities for nearly nine decades, offering programs that support children, youth, and families through education, enrichment, and community engagement.

To celebrate the new playground, the Neblett Center hosted a ribbon-cutting earlier this month in coordination with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and IMPACT100.

By: Ryan Richardson The Owensboro Times

Here’s more evidence of how the City of Owensboro and the Commonwealth of Kentucky are supporting the formation of the Capital Bluegrass and Traditional Music Program at the Owensboro Community and Technical College.

On Friday, the bluegrass program received a $20,000 donation from the Bluegrass Capital Initiative to build a new recording studio for the bluegrass students. This Bluegrass Capital initiative is the effort on the behalf of Owensboro to be recognized as the capital of bluegrass music. They base this effort on the fact that the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum is already located in the city, on top of the Kentucky Guitar Works and luthiery school, located a short distance apart.

The Kentucky legislature authorized $500,000 last year to fund the initiative, from whence this new $20k donation was drawn. The new recording studio is set to be housed in the OCTC Humanities Building to offer professional level recording experiences to students in the bluegrass program.

This generous donation won’t be enough to complete a full studio, and Scott Napier, director of the Capital Bluegrass and Traditional Music Program at the college, says that they are soliciting further contributions for their studio fund, and/or the donation of any studio gear they might be able to use.

Napier says that they have a team of notable bluegrass audio experts helping them with the design of the new studio.

“I’m proud to have award-winning audio engineers on our Capital Bluegrass Studio Advisory Committee, Steve Chandler, Stephen Mougin, and Adam Engelhardt.”

The new funds were presented to the bluegrass program Friday at the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Rooster Booster breakfast. Napier and OCTC President Scott Williams were on hand to accept the check, presented by Steve Johnson with the Bluegrass Music Capital initiative.

A band led by Napier and comprised of Capital Bluegrass program students performed at the breakfast. Wade Papineau was on guitar, Sam Sanford on banjo, Lindsey Wilson on mandolin, and Alex Abend on bass.

More information on the Capital Bluegrass and Traditional Music Program in Owensboro can be found online. Napier asks that anyone interested in contributing to the studio fund would please contact him for more details. His contact info can be found on the program web site.

By: John Lawless Bluegrass Today