Vol 24/Issue 4
greater owensboro chamber of commerce
MARCH
CHAMBER MATTERS 2026
Rooster Booster, Sponsored by Houchens Insurance Group Featuring Retired Lieutenant General Steven L. Basham The Chamber will host its Rooster Booster breakfast this Thursday at 7:30 a.m. at the Owensboro Convention Center (501 West Second Street). The program is sponsored by Houchens Insurance Group and the featured speaker will be retired Lieutenant General from the U.S. Air Force, Steven L. Basham. This program will also feature coffee from Gramps Coffee and Donuts.
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, March 25. COST IN ADVANCE: $16 for Chamber Members and $26 for Future Members. COST AT THE DOOR: $21 for Chamber Members and $26 for Future Members.
Lt. Gen. Steven L. Basham
Houchens Insurance Group: Built for Long-Term
Houchens Insurance Group is a Kentuckybased insurance and risk management firm built on shared ownership, long-term relationships, and a responsibility to the communities where we operate. As part of the Houchens Industries family, we are a 100% employee-owned organization, which means our people think beyond transactions. Ownership shapes how decisions are made, how partnerships are approached, and how accountability shows up every day. What sets Houchens Insurance Group apart is not just what we do, but how intentionally we do it. Our work brings together insurance, risk management, and advisory capabilities to help organizations think more clearly about uncertainty, continuity, and what comes next. Rather than treating insurance as a series of disconnected products, we focus on alignment—connecting strategy, protection, and long-term goals. That approach is supported by modern capabilities, national resources, and dedicated service teams designed to provide insight and
consistency, with a focus on forward-looking support. As organizations evolve, our role is to be a partner that helps anticipate change, adapt thoughtfully, and make informed decisions with confidence. Our presence in markets like Owensboro reflects a commitment to building relationships over time—not through volume, but through trust, relevance, and staying engaged as needs change. In an industry crowded with options, Houchens Insurance Group stands out by how we think, how we partner, and how we help organizations move forward. HOUCHENS INSURANCE GROUP – OWENSBORO OFFICE 2009 Frederica St A, Owensboro, KY 42301 P: (270) 685-5581 E: info@higusa.com
Lieutenant General (Retired) Steven L. Basham served over 36 years in the United States Air Force, holding a series of high-impact leadership roles across the Department of Defense and on the global stage. His most recent assignment was as Deputy Commander of the United States European Command in Stuttgart, Germany, where he directed a warfighting headquarters overseeing more than 85,000 U.S. personnel in Europe. In this capacity, he worked closely with NATO allies and partners to deter Russian aggression, support global operations, and counter transnational threats. Prior to this, he served as Deputy Commander of United States Air Forces Europe-Air Forces Africa at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Lt. Gen. Basham is recognized for his leadership, extensive operational expertise, and deep understanding of defense policy, legislative affairs, and acquisition processes. He served as the United States Air Force Legislative Director, advocating for the service’s interests on Capitol Hill, and played a key role in the Joint Requirements Oversight Council, shaping defense capability development. His strategic experience also includes work in the Indo-Pacific region, where he focused on operational requirements related to China and North Korea in collaboration with Pacific allies. A highly decorated aviator, Lt. Gen. Basham accumulated over 3,400 flying hours in the B-1, B-2, B-52, T-38, and T-37 aircraft. He is among a select group of pilots to have flown all U.S. operational bombers and was one of four pilots to fly the B-2 on its combat debut, earning the Distinguished Flying Cross. His combat record also includes three Air Medals for missions over Serbia and Iraq, and he concluded his career with the Defense Distinguished Service Medal. Lt. Gen. Basham holds a degree in Electrical Engineering Technology from Western Kentucky University and was commissioned through Officer Training School in 1989. He has earned multiple master’s degrees in management and strategic studies from institutions such as Webster University, Air Command and Staff College, Army War College, and the School of Advanced Air and Space Studies. His executive education includes programs at the University of Virginia, George Washington University, Georgetown University, Harvard Kennedy School, and the Center for Creative Leadership.