Vol 23/Issue 11
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
DEC.
CHAMBER MATTERS 2025
Rooster Booster, sponsored by German American Bank to Celebrate Chamber President and CEO, Candance Castlen Brake’s Farewell The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast, sponsored by German American Bank this Thursday, December 4 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro-Daviess County Regional Airport in the MidAmerica Jet Hangar (1 Bullfrog Boulevard). Breakfast will be catered by Ole South Barbeque. This month’s Rooster Booster will feature Candance Castlen Brake’s final farewell as we celebrate her years of leadership and dedication to the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. Join us as we honor her incredible impact on our community and wish her the very best in her next chapter. Attendees are encouraged to make reservations online or by calling the Chamber at (270) 926-1860 prior to the event
and allow extra time for parking and check-in. Parking will be available onsite, with overflow parking located behind the hangar. Chamber Ambassadors and volunteers will assist with directing guests. Attendees may enter through the front or back doors of the hangar and should proceed through the lobby to the registration tables. The hangar is climate controlled to ensure attendee comfort. Reserve your spot now at www.chamber.owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at (270) 926-1860 by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, December 3. COST IN ADVANCE: $15.50 for Chamber Members and $25.50 for future Chamber members. COST AT THE DOOR: $20.50 for Chamber Members and $25.50 for future Chamber members.
TONY KRAMPE
MARKET PRESIDENT
Founded in 1910, German American Bank has grown to become one of the strongest community banks in the Nation and is highly regarded as a premier financial services company with an exceptional community banking model. Even after 115 years, the bank still follows the same values it was built on including trust, integrity, lasting relationships, high performance and being community focused. Those core beliefs continue to shape the way the bank serves its customers every day. With three convenient banking offices in the vibrant city of Owensboro, German American Bank is focused on being more than just a place to manage money. The team works hard to support the people and communities they serve because they believe when communities thrive its people prosper. The Owensboro leadership team brings the mission of community banking to life. Tony Krampe, Market President, and Krista Niehaus, Market Senior Vice President of Retail Banking, lead with a hands-on, community-minded approach. They, along with the rest of the commercial, retail and wealth management teams, are committed to helping individuals, families, and local businesses improve their quality of life and place. Whether it’s offering personalized financial guidance, providing affordable home, personal and business loan options, or giving back to the community with local initiatives like the School Spirit Check Card Program, Girls, Inc., Leadership Wesleyan, and Cliff Hagan Boys and Girls Club, German American Bank is dedicated to supporting the communities they serve because they know relationships always come first. Learn more at germanamerican.com.
KRISTA NIEHAUS
MARKET SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT OF RETAIL BANKING
A Life Time of Leadership, A Legacy of Impact - Thank You Candance! It would be easy to recognize Candance Castlen Brake as a community leader simply by her impressive list of accomplishments. Serving three terms as City Commissioner, she played a vital role in initiatives that sparked Owensboro’s downtown revitalization—a transformative effort that generated significant economic growth and enhanced quality of life for residents and visitors alike. Prior to holding public office, she served as Executive Vice President of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce and Economic Development Corporation, as well as Deputy Judge/Executive for the Daviess County Fiscal Court. She also served as an adjunct professor in the Department of Government at Western Kentucky University and has given her time and talent to numerous boards and commissions throughout her career. But Candance’s true legacy is not measured by titles or accolades—it is defined by her deep love for Owensboro and her genuine heart for its people. As President and CEO of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, Candance spent the past decade leading with vision and purpose. She guided the organization through remarkable growth, infused new energy into Chamber events and programs, and elevated its role as a powerful advocate for local businesses. Under her leadership, the Chamber became a catalyst for connection, collaboration, and community pride. Beyond her professional achievements, Candance possesses an extraordinary gift: she recognizes potential in others long before they see it in themselves. She champions people—encouraging, challenging, and inspiring them to rise to new heights. Her energy is magnetic, her passion contagious. A force of nature in the truest sense, she leads with boldness while infusing every room with wit, warmth, and humor. Through her dedication, vision, and compassion, Candance has strengthened our community in lasting ways—building bridges, creating spaces for belonging, and igniting purpose in countless lives. Owensboro is brighter, stronger, and more connected because she has poured her time, ideals, and spirit into this community with unwavering devotion. Her legacy will ripple through generations, inspiring future leaders to dream boldly, serve selflessly, and love this community with the same passion that has defined her life’s work.