Berry Home Solutions has been helping Owensboro residents turn their home improvement dreams into reality for more than a decade.

Owner Randall Berry began doing side jobs in 2012 before launching his full-time business in 2014. Inspired by lessons he learned from his stepfather, Darrell, Berry said he has always enjoyed working with his hands and bringing customers’ visions to life.

“I enjoy going to clients’ homes and seeing their vision for their home and then making it a reality,” Berry said.

Berry Home Solutions offers a wide range of services, working on projects “from the roof to the ground, inside and outside.” Services include roofing, drywall, windows, flooring, doors, bathroom and kitchen remodels, siding, refinishing wood floors, installing new flooring, building additions, and more.

Business has been steady, Berry said, thanks to hard work, strong word-of-mouth recommendations, and the relationships he’s built through the Chamber and with other local businesses.

“We work very hard to make a positive name for ourselves and let our work speak for itself,” he said. “Word of mouth is the best business promoting that we can do.”

At 52 years old, Berry brings a lifetime of experience and craftsmanship to every job.

“I find it interesting to look at a job, visualize the unseen, and figure out the best way to fix it,” he said. “I love taking something that is just average and making it a wow feature.”

Berry said he still enjoys working alongside younger employees, sharing what he’s learned over the years.

Customers can learn more about Berry Home Solutions through the company’s website, Facebook page, and advertisements throughout the community. Berry also keeps his big red enclosed trailer with his business name and phone number visible around town, often leading to spontaneous calls from interested clients.

The most rewarding part of his work, Berry said, is seeing the reaction from customers.

“It’s rewarding when they see something new happening with their renovation, or when they leave a review on our website or Facebook page,” he said. “I always do a little something extra for my customers throughout the process.”

Berry emphasized that his company is committed to honesty, hard work, and quality craftsmanship.

“I may be a small business, but quality work is the only way I operate,” he said. “If something goes wrong, we’ll be there to fix it. We guarantee our work and make sure it’s done the right way.”

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 

For many years, the legacy of Owensboro native and Pulitzer Prize-winning photographer Moneta Sleet Jr. appeared in danger of being lost to history.

But the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021 began the effort to raise Sleet’s profile locally, and that has developed into an ongoing tribute that saw the unveiling of six outdoor story panels Wednesday afternoon at Moneta Sleet Jr. Park that chronicle Sleet’s journey from his early days in Owensboro to the many highlights of his photography career.

“I’ll be honest with you, I grew up here in Owensboro and never heard of Moneta Sleet Jr. until they rolled out the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival — I had no idea,” said Jared Revlett, chairman of the Chamber Young Professionals, which spearheaded the creation of the panels. “It’s really exciting for us to make sure the next generation of people growing up here in Owensboro, especially here in this neighborhood with this park, will understand that this guy has a huge legacy. He was part of some of the biggest events in civil rights history, and he grew up right here in Owensboro, right across the street.

“We’re really excited that we’re going to be able to leave this here for folks to come and learn about someone whose from Owensboro, who made a lasting impact in photography and civil rights.”

Sleet’s Pulitzer Prize-winning photograph of Coretta Scott King, taken at the funeral of her husband Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., made him the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize in the journalism category. His career as a photojournalist documented many defining moments of the civil rights era.

“Moneta Sleet Jr. captured the depth of a movement through his camera lens — now, generations of Owensboro residents will walk through this park and see the world through his eyes,” said Ashtin Warren, the chamber’s director of talent programs. “Sleet’s story, once nearly forgotten, now lives on as a beacon of history, hope and hometown pride.”

Sleet’s profile in Owensboro began to grow when the Leadership Owensboro class was tasked with creating a project to benefit the community. That led to the creation of the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival, which was launched in 2023.

The festival combined art, education and community engagement, featuring an exhibit of Sleet’s most famous images, a documentary and a performance.

However, before the festival officially launched, the City of Owensboro renamed Max Rhoads Park to Moneta Sleet Jr. Park in April 2022.

Many local officials believed the honor was long overdue.

“This day has been long in coming, not just the unveiling of the beautiful artworks, but also this park in renaming it,” said City Commissioner Bob Glenn prior to the unveiling of the story panels. “It shouldn’t have been a struggle; it should never be a struggle to recognize greatness. I’m gratified to have been on the commission that did that.

“The power of diversity, to paraphrase Bill Clinton, we don’t have a person to waste, and when you think that Moneta Sleet, this element of greatness in the artistic and the historic world, lived right across the street, and his story was not told. The installation not only enhances one of our city parks, but also helps preserve and share the legacy of an Owensboro native who made a lasting impact on history.”

Revlett said the Chamber Young Professionals worked two years on the story panels.

“We worked together to design the signs with CYP and the folks on the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival committee,” Revlett said. “We got all of the information together, worked with the family on that to make sure we had everything that we needed on there. We wanted to make sure that we were honoring his legacy, and we wanted to make sure that we were historically accurate, had the correct information, and we wanted to make sure we showcased his work throughout.

“It’s truly an example of the good things that can happen when a group of people come together with a common idea and a passion to get things done.”

Emmy Woosley, CYP’s community development chair and a driving force behind the Through Sleet’s Eyes Festival, said the story panels are designed for everyone to learn about and appreciate Sleet’s accomplishments.

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

By Scott Hagerman Messenger-Inquirer

Community leaders, city officials, and volunteers gathered at Moneta Sleet Jr. Park on Wednesday to unveil six story panels honoring the legacy of the Owensboro native and Pulitzer Prize-winning photojournalist.

The panels, which highlight Sleet’s life, work, and lasting influence, were developed through a collaboration between the Chamber Young Professionals (CYP), the City of Owensboro, and the Parks and Recreation Department.

“This is what happens when people don’t care who gets the credit,” said Candance Brake, president and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. “Our community came together to celebrate a man whose story deserves to be told.”

The project traces its roots to the Leadership Owensboro Class of 2021, which created the Through Sleet’s Eyes festival as a class initiative. That festival, first held in 2023, included an exhibit of Sleet’s most iconic photos, a locally produced documentary, and a live performance. It sparked momentum that led to the renaming of the park at Walnut and Seventh streets and, ultimately, the installation of the new educational panels.

Brake praised the efforts of Leadership Owensboro alumni, the Northwest Neighborhood Alliance, and CYP, calling it “a great day of celebrating our community.”

Moneta Sleet Jr. made history in 1969 when he became the first African American to win a Pulitzer Prize for journalism with his photograph of Coretta Scott King at the funeral of her husband, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. His work helped define the Civil Rights era through a powerful lens, capturing figures like Rosa Parks, Muhammad Ali, and many others.

Mayor Pro Tem Bob Glenn emphasized the broader importance of recognizing overlooked figures in local history.

“It shouldn’t have been a struggle to recognize greatness,” Glenn said. “We don’t have a person to waste. The story of Moneta Sleet is one that should’ve been told long ago — and now it finally is.”

Emmy Woosley, who chaired the Through Sleet’s Eyes committee and also served as CYP’s Community Development Chair, said the group was intentional about creating panels that would appeal to all ages.

“We decided we needed to show Sleet’s actual photographs,” Woosley said. “Each panel includes one of his photos, context about his life, and a question to spark meaningful conversations among families.”

CYP Chair Jared Revlett said the idea for the story panels came during a meeting at Mellow Mushroom two years ago.

“It’s truly an example of what can happen when a group of people comes together with a shared idea and passion,” Revlett said.

Michael Johnson, a longtime supporter of the project and member of the original Through Sleet’s Eyes committee, said the goal was always to ensure Sleet’s legacy would be recognized in a lasting way.

“He was one of the most influential figures during the Civil Rights movement, and nobody knew,” Johnson said. “We wanted to change that.”

The panels now serve not only as a tribute but as an educational tool for future generations.

“When you understand your history, you know where you’re going,” Johnson said. “Hopefully, a young person will come here, see these images, and be inspired to follow in his footsteps.”

By John Kirkpatrick The Owensboro Times 

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