Jessica Deminey, an Accredited Asset Management Specialist with Raymond James & Associates, Inc., is helping individuals and families in Owensboro and beyond take control of their financial futures.

Deminey joined Raymond James in 2014 and began her career as a Registered Sales Associate, working alongside two financial advisors. In 2021, she transitioned into the firm’s Advisor Mastery Program to become a financial advisor herself. She currently sees clients out of the Raymond James office at 322 Frederica Street in Owensboro, with the main office located in Evansville on Eagle Crest Boulevard.

“We are a full-service Wealth Management firm,” Deminey said. “Through services and products available at Raymond James, I can provide clients with a wide array of investment choices and Wealth Planning tools.”

Deminey has spent more than a decade in the financial industry.

“The most rewarding part of my job is when I get to have that meeting that demonstrates to a client they have achieved success in their goal planning – they now know they can retire in financial freedom,” she said.

Deminey said she doesn’t charge for initial consultations or for anyone seeking a second opinion.

“I believe it is imperative to find someone you are a good fit with in the planning of long-term financial life goals,” she said.

For more information, visit raymondjames.com/jessicademiney or call 812-471-2302.

“Planning in life is essential; planning with someone you trust and can rely on is just as essential,” Deminey said.

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  

What began as blueberry cobblers on a family farm has grown into a one-woman baking business known for its custom treats, unique desserts, and even catered lunches. Hanna Bailey, owner of Doozie Doez, has turned her lifelong passion for baking into a full-time career fueled by creativity, resilience, and a deep connection to her community.

Bailey’s journey started on her family’s blueberry farm in Utica, which they operated from 2001 to 2020. Before Kentucky offered home baker licenses, Bailey sold cobblers at the local farmers’ market under a produce license.

“I sold thousands of blueberry cobblers,” Bailey said. “That was my thing.”

In 2019, she obtained her home baker license and began baking cakes, cupcakes, and cookies for birthday parties and other events. Her favorite creation? Cheesecakes — though she noted they can be tricky, they’re a favorite for their elegance and flavor.

Wanting to expand into items not allowed under a home license, Bailey pursued a commercial license and now operates weekly out of Bittel Hall’s kitchen. That allows her to produce more complex items and offer catered options, all without opening a storefront.

“I don’t want a storefront,” Bailey said. “I like being able to do it on my own terms.”

Her business took on deeper meaning when her father was diagnosed with lung cancer in 2020. Baking became her outlet during that difficult time.

“It took the sadness away,” she said. “I had to do something for someone else and make them happy. It helped my mental health and brought me joy.”

After her father passed in 2023, Bailey leaned fully into her business. Now, she works to fulfill as many orders as possible and participates in events throughout the region.

In addition to custom cakes, cookies, and cupcakes, Bailey operates a bakery trailer for outdoor events like PorchFest and Apple Festival. She offers more than just sweets — her popular chicken salad lunches are a hit at local schools, and her signature blueberry lemonade is a fan favorite, a nod to her farming roots.

“I started going to farmers’ markets when I was 12,” she said. “My mom would drop me off at Owensboro Christian Church. I made so many friends and learned so much.”

Bailey also hopes to launch pop-up events this summer at local businesses on a rotating schedule.

Her business has created memorable moments, from weddings across Kentucky to a viral dessert burger debut during Owensboro’s Burger Week at Crazy Me Gifts & Apparel.

“I sold out in 19 minutes the first day, 5 minutes the second day, and still sold out fast when I doubled production,” Bailey said. “It was absolutely wild.”

Bailey, a 2012 graduate of Apollo High School, continues to operate Doozie Doez solo and said her favorite part is the relationships she’s built — both with fellow small business owners and with loyal customers who have supported her since the beginning.

“I’m not a spotlight gal,” she said. “But I love being part of something that brings people joy.”

Doozie Doez can be found on Instagram and Facebook, where Bailey posts updates and accepts custom orders.

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 

Aerek Automation may be a new name in Owensboro’s business landscape, but its mission is already having an impact on the local industry. The company, founded by Owensboro native Eric Dennison, officially launched at the beginning of 2024 and offers a full range of industrial automation and engineering services.

Dennison spent more than a decade working in the Bowling Green area as an electrical engineer for various systems integrators, commuting from Owensboro before deciding to bring his expertise home.

“I realized there was a gap in systems integrators and industrial electrical engineer contractors in town and wanted to offer services from a local perspective,” Dennison said.

Aerek Automation specializes in industrial controls, offering Professionally Licensed Electrical Engineering services in both Kentucky and Indiana. Their work includes custom machine design and commissioning, automation and controls integration, electrical drawing packages, on-site training tailored to existing equipment, and deploying robots with advanced vision and sensor technologies to boost productivity and cut costs.

Dennison said business has been steadily growing throughout the company’s first year.

“We’re ecstatic with the positive response we receive from our customers,” he said. “We’re excited to expand our reach and partner with additional local facilities to assist in designing and implementing robust manufacturing techniques to increase efficiency, minimize downtime, and reduce cost — all of which allows our community to grow and support additional jobs.”

Dennison earned his Electrical Engineering degree from Western Kentucky University and received his Professional Engineering License in 2023. He and his family moved back to Owensboro in 2017, and he continued working remotely until launching Aerek Automation.

“I most enjoy the aspects of my job that allow me to design machinery, specify electrical controls, and program robots or equipment using my own creative process,” Dennison said. “We’re proud to offer services that can increase the capabilities of local facilities and bring additional skilled opportunities to the local workforce.”

Dennison added that many people are surprised to learn that Owensboro now has a systems integrator offering these kinds of services.

“We’re working hard to let people know we exist,” he said. “I’m a problem solver by nature and always looking for new opportunities to challenge me as an engineer. We’re here to help in any way we can.”

To learn more, visit www.aerek.com or call 270-925-0580.

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

Thursday morning’s Rooster Booster breakfast was more than just another monthly gathering — it marked a milestone 65 years in the making. The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce celebrated the anniversary with a special panel featuring former Chamber President and Owensboro Mayor Dave Adkisson, longtime emcee Kirk Kirkpatrick, and current President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake. Together, they reflected on the breakfast’s legacy and the role it has played in shaping the community for more than six decades.

How does a monthly breakfast meeting grow from a handful of business leaders at a Ponderosa Steakhouse to a powerhouse event drawing hundreds each month? For 60 years, Rooster Booster has been more than just coffee and conversation — it’s been a catalyst for major announcements, economic development, and community connections in Owensboro. Today, it stands as one of Kentucky’s most influential chamber gatherings, proving that sometimes, the best ideas start before 8 a.m.

From humble beginnings to a vision for growth

Rooster Booster’s roots trace back to the early 1960s, when executives from Owensboro’s General Electric plant visited a GE facility in Alabama. There, they attended a morning networking event called the Booster Breakfast. It sparked an idea to bring the concept back to Owensboro. With support from local business leaders at the time including Mayor Waitman Taylor and JR Miller of Green River Electric, the first Rooster Booster was born.

But by the mid-1970s, the event had lost momentum. Meetings at Ponderosa Steakhouse drew dwindling crowds, often consisting of little more than pastries, coffee, and an occasional school choir performance. In 1976, a young David Adkisson joined the Chamber as project manager and was tasked with revitalizing the breakfast.

“We decided to reinvent Rooster Booster,” Adkisson said. “We moved it to the basement of Gabe’s Restaurant and introduced an element of entertainment and newsworthiness. Dr. Don Neel and Martel Wightman performed lighthearted comedy skits about current events in Owensboro, similar to Johnny Carson’s monologues. More importantly, we committed to ensuring that each Rooster Booster included a major announcement.”

That shift was a gamechanger. Attendance climbed from 50 to 100, then soared to an average of 300 within a decade. For more than 10 years, the event was even broadcast on two AM radio stations.

A platform for major announcements

One key factor in Rooster Booster’s longevity and success has been its role as a platform for breaking news and community initiatives. Adkisson recalled a pivotal moment in the early 1980s when William Koch, founder of Holiday World, used the event to introduce the concept of a four-lane highway connecting Owensboro to Lafayette, Indiana. The vision became reality with the completion of the William H. Natcher Bridge and the four-lane U.S. 231, creating a vital transportation link between Owensboro and I-64.

Similarly, Rooster Booster has been the launching pad for numerous other initiatives, including the creation of Owensboro’s community college, the RiverPark Center, and the Owensboro Convention Center. The annual State of the City and State of the County addresses, first introduced in 1989, also originated at the event.

The evolution of Rooster Booster

While Rooster Booster’s format has changed over the years, its core purpose remains: to bring together business leaders, elected officials, and community members to exchange ideas and celebrate progress.

“Our team continues to tweak, adjust, add, and subtract,” said Candance Brake, Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO. “We are committed to continuous improvement. As our crowd changes generationally, we need to change as well. Formats and speakers that engaged audiences in the 1980s are different from what works in the 2020s. We have to adapt.”

Recent changes have included a greater emphasis on conversational formats, such as panels and interviews, as well as a commitment to featuring diverse voices from across the community.

Another defining element of Rooster Booster has been its emcees, most notably Kirk Kirkpatrick, who led the event for 37 years before handing the microphone to Chad Benefield in 2014.

Kirkpatrick’s tenure saw many memorable moments, including a 1978 event featuring then-Senator Wendell Ford at Gabe’s Restaurant and a 2008 appearance by Governor Steve Beshear. At that latter event, Kirkpatrick humorously handed Beshear $1.60 in change, saying Owensboro liked to “pay the tolls” for its speakers. Just months later, Beshear announced the early removal of tolls on the Audubon and Natcher Parkways.

Kirkpatrick estimates that he emceed more than 400 Rooster Boosters, sitting directly next to many speakers over the years.

“They all said the same thing: ‘How do you get this many people out at 7:30 in the morning?’ And there is no better calling card for Owensboro than when a guest speaker sees that turnout,” he said. “They go back to Frankfort or wherever they came from, and they’ll say, ‘You won’t believe what this city is doing.’”

Benefield said he always admired Kirkpatrick for his commitment to Owensboro. “I was a huge Kirk fan,” Benefield said. “I love that he was a cheerleader for Owensboro, and I strive to carry that same energy. Rooster Booster isn’t just about business – it’s about celebrating the people who make it happen. Humor, engagement, and energy are key to keeping it fresh and exciting.”

Benefield said he appreciates the commitment to a variety of voices at Rooster Booster and considers it paramount to the event’s success. “One thing that people appreciate, at least I hope they do, is that you can come to Rooster Booster and hear a perspective that maybe you haven’t heard before from somebody you haven’t met before,” he said. “I feel like that diversity has really served the effort of inviting people to the table who didn’t always feel like they had a seat.”

The future of Rooster Booster

More than just a breakfast meeting, Rooster Booster has become an essential networking event for the Owensboro business community. “People know that if they go to Rooster Booster, they can catch up on phone calls and emails — in person,” Brake said. “In 90 minutes, you can connect with an incredible cross-section of the community, from CEOs and small business owners to faith-based leaders and tradespeople. It truly is a tapestry of Owensboro.”

The event’s sponsors also play a crucial role, often using their time to introduce innovative ideas and engage the audience in creative ways. Brake said a long waiting list of businesses eager to sponsor Rooster Booster speaks to its continued value.

As the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce looks to the future, Rooster Booster remains a vital tradition that continues to evolve while staying true to its roots. “Through the years, people have come to expect that going to Rooster Booster keeps them in the loop,” Brake said. “It has long been the venue for major community announcements, new business ventures, and emerging initiatives. From job announcements to festivals and programs, Rooster Booster is where you ‘get the word out,’ and we intend to keep it that way.”

Whether it’s the excitement of a major economic announcement, the humor of an engaging emcee, or simply the opportunity to shake hands with a fellow business leader, Rooster Booster continues to fuel Owensboro’s economic and social engine — one breakfast at a time.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

A new installation honoring the life and legacy of Moneta Sleet Jr. will be unveiled April 16 at the park named in his honor in Owensboro. The project features six outdoor story panels that chronicle Sleet’s journey from his early days in Owensboro to his Pulitzer Prize-winning photography career.

Sleet, a photojournalist and the first Black American to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism, is best known for his powerful images of the Civil Rights Movement, including the iconic photo of Coretta Scott King at her husband’s funeral.

Organizers said the goal of the panel project is to ensure everyone in Owensboro knows Sleet’s name and is proud of the global legacy he left behind.

“We really wanted to make the story panels appropriate for all ages, especially children, because Sleet’s story is inspirational,” said Emmy Woosley, a member of the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival Committee. “He photographed some of the most pivotal people and moments in American history.”

The story panels will be placed together at Moneta Sleet Jr. Park on the corner of Walnut and 7th streets. They were developed in collaboration with the Greater Owensboro Chamber Young Professionals’ Community Development Committee and designed by Tim Velotta of Velotta Designs. Funding was provided by the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro.

The six panels focus on different phases of Sleet’s life:

• Early life in Owensboro
• Education at Kentucky State and service in the military
• Celebrity photography and civil rights work
• Pulitzer-winning photograph
• Sleet’s family
• His enduring legacy

The project was more than two years in the making and includes photographs from Sleet’s family and archives from Johnson Publishing and the Getty collection. One of Woosley’s favorite panels includes a candid photo taken by Sleet’s friend and fellow photographer Ozier Muhammad in New York, showing Sleet with his cameras.

Jared Revlett, who led the project as chair of the Community Development Committee, said the initiative stemmed from a desire to add to Sleet’s legacy at the park.

“Once the park was renamed for him, we thought this was a great way to help people learn more about who he was and what he accomplished,” Revlett said. “These signs are made to last. They’re going to be really impressive.”

The Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival, which previously took place in 2023 and 2024, is planning its next event for February 2026.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times

Eight artists have been selected to contribute original work to a new public art project in downtown Owensboro that aims to celebrate the city’s identity as the self-proclaimed Bluegrass Music Capital of the World.

The selected pieces will be featured on a rotating mural display outside 214 Frederica Street, directly across from the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame & Museum. The project, spearheaded by the Owensboro Bluegrass Initiative the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Young Professionals (CYP), will launch with six of the eight chosen works installed in the initial phase.

The mural will feature eight panels in total, with six pieces displayed initially and two rotating in at a later date. Instead of being painted directly onto the wall, the artwork will be printed on removable panels — similar to movie posters at a theater — which allows for easy updates and future rotation.

“We had about 39 submissions to choose from, and we didn’t know who the artists were during the selection process, which made it even more exciting,” said Jared Revlett, a member of CYP. “It was really neat to see all the different artwork that came in from across the country.”

Artists selected for the project include:

• Adalynn Opal Leach (Hartford, KY) – Golden Harmony: The Pillar of Bluegrass
• Brittany Samsil (Owensboro, KY) – Bluegrass Legends
• Paula Gieseke (Cerulean, KY) – Billy Strings
• Emrys Cunningham (Richmond, KY) – Blue Moon Monroe
• Rex Robinson (Evansville, IN) – River of Music Party
• Amy Burgan (Owensboro, KY) – Bridging Traditions
• Andrea Butler (Seattle, WA) – Rooted in Tradition
• Bethany Prevette (North Wilkesboro, NC) – Ode to Owensboro

Robinson painted the former mural, which paid homage to the town’s barbecue and the prominence of the Ohio River. 

Wall preparation and fabrication work is currently underway, with panel installation and lighting set to begin between May 3-14. The mural’s grand reveal is slated for May 17. 

The Bluegrass Mural Committee was formed to highlight the city’s musical heritage while incorporating public art into the downtown landscape. The project was first announced last fall, with organizers saying they hoped to create a rotating display to celebrate bluegrass music and the local community.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times 

UniFirst Corporation ceremoniously broke ground Thursday on a $28 million expansion of its Distribution and Fulfillment Center in Owensboro, with officials reinforcing the company’s longstanding commitment to the region and further investing in its growing operations.

“The Owensboro expansion reflects our commitment to delivering industry-leading service to our customers while strengthening our relationship with the Owensboro community and the state of Kentucky, which has supported us for 27 successful years,” said UniFirst President and CEO Steven Sintros.

The 109,000-square-foot addition will increase the total footprint to 469,000 square feet, further strengthening UniFirst’s position as home to the largest personalization and emblem manufacturing operation in North America.

Company officials said the addition will enhance operational efficiency, increase order accuracy, and support growing customer demand. Plans include the integration of robotics, smart conveyor systems, a high-tech shipping sortation system, and a new Warehouse Management System to streamline scalability.

“This expansion positions UniFirst to better serve our national and local customer base while driving innovation and operational excellence,” said UniFirst Senior Vice President Matthew Croatti. “We’re proud to contribute to the economic vitality of this region while ensuring that our Team Partners have the resources they need to grow with us.”

The Owensboro center currently employs more than 520 “Team Partners” and processes more than 20 million garments each year for customers across the U.S. and Canada.

“This project is an investment in our customers, Team Partners, and the Owensboro community,” said UniFirst General Manager David Dersheimer. “We are proud to deepen our roots here in Kentucky and are honored to host our local dignitaries who will share in our groundbreaking celebration.”

Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake said UniFirst has become a reliable partner in finding innovative solutions for workforce and economic development challenges.

“Even if we have an idea that’s completely out of the box, they pull together the right team, get us around the table, and make it happen,” Brake said. “Thank you for showing up every day to make our community greater and for continuing to push our economy forward.”

Claud Bacon, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Economic Development Corporation, said the project represents more than a business expansion — it’s a statement of confidence in the local workforce.

“Today’s $28 million expansion is not just a milestone for UniFirst — it’s an investment in our local workforce and economy,” Bacon said. “This moment wouldn’t be possible without the vision, hard work, and collaboration among many great partners.”

Daviess County Judge-Executive Charlie Castlen said the decision to expand in Owensboro is a testament to the work ethic of UniFirst employees and the strength of the local community.

“Companies like UniFirst don’t have to expand here — they could go anywhere in the world,” Castlen said. “But they choose Owensboro because of (the employees). If you didn’t give your all, this expansion might have happened somewhere else.”

Owensboro Mayor Tom Watson also praised the company for continuing to grow in the community it has called home for nearly three decades.

“This expansion takes UniFirst to new heights,” Watson said. “Thank you to UniFirst for your continued belief in Owensboro, and a special thanks to the dedicated employees who help make this company and our community shine.”

The expansion also emphasizes sustainability, incorporating high-efficiency HVAC systems, LED lighting, natural light features, and outdoor spaces designed to foster an employee-friendly environment.

Gov. Andy Beshear praised the project in a recent statement, citing it as a testament to Kentucky’s manufacturing excellence and its economic impact on the region. UniFirst’s Owensboro site has previously earned both the Governor’s Health and Safety Award and is one of only 19 facilities in the state to achieve OSHA’s Voluntary Protection Program (VPP) Star certification, reflecting the highest safety standards.

The facility is also ISO 9001 certified, reflecting a globally recognized standard for quality management and continuous improvement.

Construction is scheduled to begin immediately, with partial occupancy expected by October 2025 and full completion anticipated in early 2026.

By Ryan Richardson The Owensboro Times

The Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce will host a special edition of its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, marking the 65th anniversary of the long-running community event.

The breakfast, sponsored by Oddball Creative, will begin at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 W. Second St.).

This week’s program will feature a panel of past and present Rooster Booster leaders, including Dave Adkisson and Kirk Kirkpatrick.

The group will reflect on the history of Rooster Booster and highlight community initiatives that were launched at the event and have grown over the decades.

Also on the program is a performance by the Men’s Mass Community Choir in celebration of its 20th anniversary. The event may also include a cameo from the popular “Good News Phone.”

“Rooster Booster has stood the test of time and has grown remarkably over the last 65 years,” said Chamber President and CEO Candance Castlen Brake. “It started with a handful of businessmen in the Owensboro Motel on March 27, 1960, then moved to the basement of Gabe’s, and now brings in crowds in the hundreds at our Convention Center overlooking the riverfront.”

Brake said the event has helped launch ideas and initiatives that have shaped the community.

“We are excited to reflect on the past 65 years, celebrating the collective efforts that have made a lasting impact on our community. As we look ahead, we eagerly anticipate the new projects and ideas that will be launched at Rooster Booster,” she said.

Admission is $15.50 for Chamber members with reservations, $20.50 for members without reservations, and $25.50 for non-members. A buffet-style breakfast is included.

Reservations can be made at business.chamber.owensboro.com/events or by calling the Chamber office at 270-926-1860 by noon on Wednesday, March 26.

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times