Vol 23/Issue 6
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
JUNE
CHAMBER MATTERS 2025
Rooster Booster to Feature National Transportation Safety Board Member, J. Todd Inman, Sponsored by WKU in Owensboro The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday, June 5 at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Western Kentucky University in Owensboro. The featured speaker for the event will be J. Todd Inman, National Transportation Safety Board Member and Past Chamber Board Chair (2006).
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, June 4. COST IN ADVANCE: $15.50 for Chamber Members and $25.50 for non-members. COST AT THE DOOR: $20.50 for Chamber Members and $25.50 for non-members.
J. Todd Inman
National Transportation Safety Board Member
For over 56 years, WKU in Owensboro has proudly provided accessible, high-quality education tailored to this region. With the addition of new bachelor’s and master’s degree programs this fall 2025, students can now choose from 13 degree options, allowing them to complete their degree and prepare for meaningful careers close to home. WKU in Owensboro is the largest transfer partner of Owensboro Community and Technical College (OCTC) and plays a pivotal role in enriching the educational landscape of the region. Following completion of their associate degree, students transfer to WKU in Owensboro to complete their bachelor’s degree in a wide range of undergraduate programs, including Business Management – Business Administration; Criminology; Elementary Education; Elementary Education: Elementary Ed/ Special Ed - Dual Certification; Health Sciences; Interdisciplinary Early Childhood Education; Interdisciplinary Studies; Middle Grades-Language Arts and Social Studies; Psychology; Social Work; Sociology; and Workforce Administration. Courses are offered through varying formats, including in-person, online, and hybrid options to accommodate the diverse needs of students. Those interested in a career in higher education can also earn a Master of Arts in Education in Student Affairs – Higher Education, which prepares graduates for rewarding work in student-related areas on and off a college campus. WKU in Owensboro fosters student success through caring faculty and staff, personalized academic advising, financial aid counseling, and other student services in an environment that supports each student. For more information about educational opportunities at WKU in Owensboro, visit wku.edu/ owensboro or stop by the beautiful campus located 4821 New Hartford Road in Owensboro. WKU in Owensboro | Phone: 270-684-9797 | Email: owensboro@wku.edu
J. Todd Inman, the 48th Member of the National Transportation Safety Board, who was sworn in March 13, 2024, brings a wealth of experience and expertise in transportation safety, management, and policy implementation. Member Inman’s vast experience is unique in that he brings a combination of federal, state, and private sector work that allows him to consider things from a policy and implementation perspective. Prior to the NTSB, Inman served as Senior Director in the Office of the Executive Chairman at APCO Worldwide, a global public affairs consultancy. Before that, he served as Secretary of the Department of Management Services for the state of Florida, for which the Florida Senate unanimously confirmed him to oversee eight major operating divisions. In that role he managed over 1,000 employees with a $1 billion dollar budget which conducted over $25 billion of transactions annually along with the administration of the state of Florida’s 911 centers’ centers and grant programs. As Secretary of Management, he also was responsible for the procurement of the largest upgrade of the State Law Enforcement Radio system used by all first responders. Previously, Inman held various positions at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), where he was the Chief of Staff after serving as Deputy Chief of Staff and Director of Operations in the Office of the Secretary. Inman’s tenure at the DOT provided him with a deep understanding of the agency’s multifaceted responsibilities, particularly in safety regulation. His career highlights while at DOT included leading numerous rulemaking efforts and overseeing the security, intelligence, and response division, tracking thousands of incidents annually. He was also recognized for his management acumen, supporting the needs of a workforce of over 90,000 career and contract employees, including through the COVID19 pandemic at DOT along with responsibility of 12 million square feet of real estate as the Secretary of Management in Florida. Inman’s career also encompasses a diverse range of roles in the insurance industry, where he became a recognized expert in fire and arson investigations. His time as an independent contractor agent and claims superintendent at State Farm Insurance Companies, along with his experience in the Special Investigative Unit, honed his investigative skills in cause and origin investigations involving fire and explosions. As an instructor for the National Fire Academy’s regional delivery program, he shared his expertise in arson detection with first responders. Member Inman has over 200 hours of continued education in fire investigation origin and cause and was previously certified as an expert in Federal and State court. He has also been actively engaged in emergency response functions at the state and federal level, leading the logistics and communications divisions of the emergency management service function for the state of Florida, and leading Emergency Response Function 1 for the National Response Framework at U.S. DOT. Inman’s multifaceted background and dedication to safety extend to his personal life as well, as evidenced by his licensure as a Professional Association of Diving (PADI) scuba diver, his decades-long experience as a recreational boater, previous work at marinas along inland waterways, and current pursuit of a pilot’s license. He has also made significant contributions to his community, from serving as a member of the fire department explorer program during his youth, to chairing numerous civic and non-profit organizations. Inman earned his B.S. in Journalism and Advertising from The University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). He has been honored with the “Who’s Who in American Colleges and Universities” award, reflecting his academic achievements and contributions.