With the Chamber Business After Hours celebration held Thursday night at Oak Grove Racing and Gaming, the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Leadership Committee has announced its 30-member 2023-24 class.
And it will include a wide variety of Hopkinsville and Christian County’s leaders:
Martin Bangart, City of Hopkinsville Fire Dept
Clyde Barnett, Pennyrile Ford
Jennifer Bass, Small Steps of Faith Childcare
Kaitlynne Bolinger, Christian County Public Schools
James Boyett, Hopkinsville Community College
Tracey Brumfield, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Jessica Cannon, University Heights Academy
Carrie Caples, Christian County Public Schools
Sarah Davis, Farm Credit Mid America
Taylor Downs, Hopkinsville Electric System
Leigh Ann Durham, Pennyrile Rural Electric
Tailor Evans, Junior Auxiliary
Sacra Fallen, Museums of Hopkinsville
Francene Gilmer, Christian County Literacy Council
Stephen Greenwell, Hopkinsville Water Environment Authority
Elle Hancock, Pennyrile Allied Community Services
Naytrimis Harris, Michael Venable State Farm
Mandy Howard, Christian County Jail
Tracie Jenkins, Murray State University
Tanya LaChance, United Southern Bank
Brooke Lee, Pennyrile Children’s Advocacy Center
Royale Marfil, City of Hopkinsville Police Dept.
Abby Moshier, Higgins Insurance
Janina Parris, Planters Bank
Sherry Riggs, Campanile Productions
Henry Russell, Continental Mills
Kaleigh Stout, The Bruce
Kelsey Thornburg, Tennessee Valley Authority
Ambrea Watkins, self-employed
Eric White, Atmos Energy
This class, led by coordinators and program graduates Jason Wilson and Bri Smith, now begins a nine-month journey to learn more about the community more behind-the-scenes. And for the second year, the class will spend a day in Frankfort to experience the importance of community advocacy.
Meanwhile, two annual awards were bestowed.
“Leadership in Action” is typically given to individuals who take advantage of opportunities to serve the Hopkinsville-Christian County populus. This year’s recipient was Hopkinsville Fire Department’s Lucas Stagner. He was co-chair of the United Way of the Pennyrile annual campaign, and is someone who Chamber leaders noted is “always positive and consistently willing to jump in and do whatever is needed to make something happen.”
“Legacy of Leadership” is designed to recognize class graduates who have exemplified values of long-standing, dedicated leadership that sets forth a path before current and future generations. This year, two such individuals were chosen: Christian County Public Schools retiree Ruth Lynch and Pennyrile Rural Electric Cooperative’s Sandy Grogan. As a tandem, they led the youth program for 13 years — while diligently still serving their employers.
Taylor Hayes, chamber president & CEO, said the 37-year-old program simply continues to “make a mark” on today’s leaders.
