Vol 23/Issue 2
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
FEB.
CHAMBER MATTERS 2025
Rooster Booster sponsored by RiverValley Behavioral Health to feature David Tandy The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, February 6 at 7:30 a.m. at the (270) 926-1860 by 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 5. Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by RiverValley Behavioral Health and the featured speaker will be David Tandy, Partner, Dentons. COST IN ADVANCE: $15 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members. Reserve your spot now at www.chamber.owensboro.com or by calling the Chamber office at COST AT THE DOOR: $20 for Chamber Members and $25 for non-members.
David Tandy
David W. Tandy is a member of the Economic Development group, with an emphasis on public policy and community engagement. Prior to joining DBG, David served the people of Louisville, Kentucky as President of its Metro Council and helped create an economic environment that led to multi-billiondollar growth in the city during his tenure as a Metro Councilman. Today, David utilizes his unique knowledge of the intersection between government and business to help corporations, public/private developers, non-profits, municipalities, and quasi-governmental entities identify and maximize opportunities that help them thrive and strengthen their position for future growth. During his decade plus career in local government David, as chairman of the Louisville Metro Council’s Labor and Economic Development Committee, crafted and guided various ordinances through the legislative process and worked with business and other civic leaders to create jobs and transform communities. An example of the intentional and innovative thinking David brought to the Metro Council and provides for his clients still today can be seen in the development and construction of the KFC Yum! Center. During the early planning stages of this project, which transformed the Louisville skyline, David successfully authored and spearheaded the enactment of public policy that gave local businesses the opportunity to grow and individuals from every part of the community the ability to be employed and prosper. This policy of affording minority and women owned businesses and members of the workforce the opportunity to participate in major economic development projects was later formalized and adopted by the Louisville Metro Council in the Fair Labor Standards Ordinance of 2009 and continues to spur economic growth. David continues to be civically engaged in Louisville, across the Commonwealth of Kentucky and nationally. He is the Vice Chairman and General Counsel for the Kentucky Science Center and the Chairman of the Legal Committee for the Boy Scouts of America’s Lincoln Heritage Council. In addition, he is a board member of the James Graham Brown Regional Cancer Center Corporation, the Marilyn & William Young Charitable Foundation (Owensboro, KY), Owensboro (KY) Public Schools Foundation and the Henry Clay Center, housed in the University of Kentucky James W. Martin School of Public Policy and Administration. Nationally, David is a member of the Aspen Institute – Rodel Fellowship in Public Leadership.
Since 1967, RiverValley Behavioral Health has served the Green River region, providing timely access to high-quality care for Daviess, Hancock, Henderson, Ohio, McLean, Union, and Webster counties. As a trusted community resource, we deliver person-centered, trauma-informed services through nearly 40 licensed and accredited programs across 25 locations, addressing behavioral health, substance use, and intellectual and developmental disabilities. Employing more than 500 individuals, RiverValley plays a vital role in the regional economy while ensuring access to comprehensive, high-quality care for the communities we serve. In 2024, RiverValley achieved many transformative milestones: • Created 100 new jobs to support expanded services. • Completed a $10 million renovation of the historic Cigar Factory Building, now the RiverValley Center, turning it into a state-of-the-art mental health complex. • Won Business of the Year in the 51-500 employee category from the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce. • Collaborated with Genoa Healthcare to provide an on-site pharmacy for clients, staff, and the community. • Developed The BIRCH program at our children’s psychiatric hospital to provide specialized services for high-acuity youth, launched in partnership with the Commonwealth and attended by Governor Andy Beshear and Secretary Eric Friedlander. • Collaborated with the Children’s Advocacy Center of the Green River District to host their satellite office at the RiverValley Center, enhancing services for children. • Opened The Phoenix Center, our residential crisis program, revitalizing crisis services to meet growing needs.
• Partnered with H.L. Neblett Center to secure state funding for an on-site peer support specialist to expand access to services in our community. • Donated more than $100,000 to local community organizations and schools. • Provided more than 50 jobs for individuals in recovery, offering them a chance to develop meaningful careers, and help others. • Secured $2.6 million in federal funding for ROSES for Moms, a maternal health program for mothers in recovery and their families. Looking ahead, we plan to continue expanding treatment access and recovery housing services for our communities. Our innovative programs, including men’s residential treatment, gender-specific recovery housing, a downtown wellness center, and much more, reflect our commitment to meeting community needs. “We are proud of the progress made in 2024 and excited for what’s ahead,” said Dr. Wanda Figueroa-Peralta, President & CEO of RiverValley Behavioral Health. “Our heartfelt thanks to the community and the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for their support in helping us enhance wellbeing across the region.”