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N O R T H E R N K E N T U C K Y CHAMBER OF COMMERCE

Presented by

A MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT/CEO I am proud to share our 2024/2025 Annual Report, highlighting another year of incredible growth, collaboration, and momentum for the Northern Kentucky Chamber and the region we serve. This year was one of connection between businesses, communities, and partners, as we continued our mission to promote and support the development of strong businesses and a vibrant economy in the Northern Kentucky region, through leadership and advocacy, resulting in a better quality of life for all. The NKY Chamber’s strength lies in its people – our members, volunteers, partners, and staff – all of whom make this organization one of the most dynamic in the Commonwealth. With more than 1,100 unique volunteers and over 100 events and programs throughout the year, your engagement powered our success. We expanded our Business Councils with the launch of a new council in Newport, giving more businesses a platform to connect and collaborate at the local level. We also hosted our first Business Council Annual Celebration Dinner bringing together leaders from all councils to celebrate their communities. Collaboration remained at the heart of our work. Alongside the Northern Kentucky Area Development District, Brighton Center and numerous community leaders, we addressed one of the region’s most pressing challenges: income-aligned housing. The resulting Home for All Report provided cities across Northern Kentucky with a menu of strategies and inspiration to address local housing needs. Building on that momentum, the Chamber unveiled the Northern Kentucky Housing Blueprint, prioritizing four key focus areas and recommendations for implementation. Our 2025 Leadership Visit to Bowling Green and Nashville offered valuable insights into how other regions approach housing, entrepreneurship, transportation, and growth planning, lessons that will help guide Northern Kentucky’s future. This year also marked an exciting new chapter as we moved into the OneNKY Center alongside other regional growth organizations. We were honored to dedicate our new conference room to one of our founders and past Board Chairs, H. Gordon Martin, whose leadership helped shape the Chamber’s foundation. Advocacy remained central to our mission. We continued to champion policies and initiatives that support our members – from health outcomes and workforce readiness to income-aligned housing, affordable childcare, and work-based learning opportunities in our schools. None of this would have been possible without the dedication and support of our members, volunteers, partners, and Board of Directors. On behalf of our entire NKY Chamber team, thank you for your trust, engagement and your commitment to this great region. Together, we are making Northern Kentucky an even better place to live, work, play, learn and give back.

- Brent Cooper INVESTORS' CIRCLE

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEMBERS

JASON PAYNE First National Bank of Williamson Board Chair

Geralyn Isler, Business Benefits Insurance Solutions, Treasurer Jay Wuest, PNC Bank, Secretary Allyson Cook, ERIGO Employer Solutions, Vice Chair, Women's Initiative Michael Hall, Citi, Vice Chair, Talent Strategies David Kay, Fifth Third Bank, Vice Chair, Leadership Advisory Council Kristen Smitherman-Voltaire, Turner Construction Company, Vice Chair, Inclusive Business Strategies Jimmy Beatrice, Business Benefits Insurance Solutions, Vice Chair, NKYP John Muller, Carespring Health Care Management, Vice Chair, Advocacy Gina Douthat, Transit Authority Northern Kentucky, Vice Chair, Membership & Special Events Garren Colvin, St. Elizabeth Healthcare, Executive Committee Barb Johnson, Wells Fargo Advisors, Executive Committee Brady Jolly, Jolly Plumbing (Jolly Enterprises Inc.), Executive Committee Ray Takigiku, Asellus Ventures, Executive Committee

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

JOHN HAWKINS MPI Consulting, Past Chair

2024 - 2025 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Chip Bach, Turfway Park Racing & Gaming Gaby Batshoun, GBS Angel Beets, Gilman Partners Caterena Bowman, Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission Adam Caswell, Gravity Diagnostics Brent Degenhardt, City Wide Facility Solutions Normand Desmarais, TiER1 Performance Solutions Josh Duckworth, altafiber Paul Furtado, Prysmian Group Pamela Goetting, Goering Center for Family & Private Business Patrick Hughes, DBL Law Dan Janka, Mazak Corporation Tony Johnson, Huntington Bank Laura Lyons, ATech Training, Inc. Ken Muth, Duke Energy Shannon Oldfield, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Billy Santos, Truist W. Lee Scheben, Heritage Bank Reshamar Short, The Kroger Company John Sieg, Fifth Third Bank Mike Sipple Jr., Centennial, Inc Lacy Starling, LINK Media Julie Tapke, Robert W. Baird & Co., Inc. Kenneth Webb, Republic Bank Wonda Winkler, Brighton Center, Inc. Anna Wolf, TiER1 Performance Solutions

EX-OFFICIO / STANDING MEMBERS

Lee Crume, BE NKY Growth Partnership Karen Finan, OneNKY Alliance Julie Kirkpatrick, meetNKY, Northern Kentucky CVB Kris Knochelmann, Kenton County Judge/Executive Candace McGraw, Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport Gary Moore, Boone County Judge/Executive Steve Pendery, Campbell County Judge/Executive Dr. Joseph Chillo, Thomas More University Dr. Fernando Figueroa, Gateway Community and Technical College Paul Meier, Mayor of City of Crestview Hills Dr. Cady Short-Thompson, Northern Kentucky University Mike Stacy, Beechwood Independent Schools

1,753 Members

MEMBERSHIP BUSINESS SIZE (FTE)

10 and under • 998 11 - 50 • 414 50+ • 341

Membership Growth

9% over 5 years

Members by County 241

HAMILTON

247

CAMPBELL

234 OTHER

423 BOONE

608

KENTON

89 AWA R D S

YOUR CHAMBER

AT A GLANCE

COMMUNITY

245

SINCE 2018

Minority-Owned Business Members

RECORD CROWDS

Vice Chair, Membership & Special Events

GINA DOUTHAT

Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky

at Eggs 'N Issues, Annual Golf Outing, WI Regional Summit, NKYP events, Annual Dinner & More!

LAUNCHED NEWPORT BUSINESS COUNCIL

24 25

12 COST-

119

SAVINGS PROGRAMS

Net Promoter Score

Top Member Industries Construction, Industrial & Architecture Community, Government & Nonprofit Healthcare Manufacturing Restaurant, Bar & Catering Transportation, Logistics & Warehousing

51 133 18

Board of Directors Board of Advisors Investors’ Circle Members

LEADERSHIP TRIPS (since 2023)

CHAMBER Ambassadors

INTERNATIONAL TRIPS (since 2018)

1, 00+ VOLUNTEERS 307,000 Page Views 15,289 Email Subscribers

Ribbon Cuttings

6 Business Journals 50 Podcast Episodes

ADVOCACY

Advocating for the business community The NKY Chamber proudly serves as the voice of the Northern Kentucky business community, representing our members on key legislative and regulatory issues at the local, state, and federal levels.

1,000+

Engaged Program Attendees

Legislative Reports, Newsletters & Update Calls

COUNCILS AND COMMITTEES

Business Advocacy Council

Healthcare

Business Competitiveness Council

Political Involvement Committee

Energy, Environment & Infrastructure

Business Technology / Cybersecurity

Employer Legal Strategies NKY CHAMBER POLITICAL ACTION COMMITTEE

The NKY Chamber PAC, chaired by Tom Prewitt, Bricker Graydon, thoroughly vets and advocates for pro-business policies, candidates and officials.

$15,700

$12,300

PAC Member Contributions

Candidate Contributions

ADVOCACY HIGHLIGHTS

Played an active role on the Regional Housing Coalition, collaborating with regional partners including NKADD and Brighton Center on the Home for All Report. Developed the NKY Housing Blueprint, an in-depth review of four top strategies and recommendations for implementation from the Home for All Report. Hosted the Kentucky General Assembly for NKY United, bringing legislators from across the Commonwealth together for two days of committee meetings and regional engagement. Engaged in the statewide Talent Attraction and Retention effort to strengthen and grow Kentucky’s workforce. Tami Wilson, VP of Business Advocacy, was named to the 2025 Class of Leadership Kentucky.

2025 LEGISLATIVE SESSION

225 Vice Chair, Public Affairs

JOHN MULLER

Carespring Health Care Management

Bills Tracked Throughout

Bills Supported & Passed

Bills Opposed & Defeated

Bills Supported & Defeated

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/Advocacy

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

Developing our region's leaders REGIONAL YOUTH LEADERSHIP (RYL) RYL is a community leadership development program for high school juniors in Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.

Students

1,268 Alumni

LEADERSHIP NKY (LNK) Leadership NKY brings established leaders together to acquire an understanding of the strengths and challenges of the region and the skills necessary to engage others in collaborative efforts to address them.

Business Leaders

1,577 Alumni

“The platform LNK provides creates space for authentic dialogue, shared learning, and hands-on exploration of the issues that matter most to our region. By bringing together leaders from across our community and immersing them in experiential topics, LNK strengthens connections, deepens understanding, and equips us to work collaboratively toward solutions that move our region forward.”

LEADERSHIP ALUMNI AWARDS Honor alumni from Encounter NKY, Leadership Northern Kentucky and Regional Youth Leadership who have made a significant impact in the Northern Kentucky and Greater Cincinnati region. Ruth A. Eger Leader of Distinction Award Ron Washington, Mayor of the City of Covington Leadership NKY Class of 2000

Leadership Volunteer Impact Award Stacie Strotman, President and CEO of Partners For Change

Leadership NKY Class of 2009

Inaugural R. Casey Barach Leadership Award for Entrepreneurship Dave Heidrich, CEO of Zalla Companies Leadership NKY Class of 1983

- Geoff Besecker, Campbell County Commissioner, Leadership NKY Class of 2025

Leadership Northern Kentucky Class of 2025

Regional Youth Leadership Class of 2025

PRESENTING SPONSORS:

Vice Chair,

Leadership

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/Leadership

DAVID KAY

Fifth Third Bank

BUSINESS COUNCILS

Fostering business connections Business Councils were established to foster collaboration, promote economic growth, and support the development of businesses in the community. They serve as a platform for networking, knowledge sharing, and advocacy on issues impacting local businesses.

454

NKY Chamber Business Council Members

Meetings Across Three Councils

INAUGURAL BUSINESS COUNCIL ANNUAL CELEBRATION Chair: David Wallace, Heritage Bank

Brings together members of the Florence, Fort Thomas, and Newport Business Councils to celebrate the achievements of the past year and honor Business Council members who exemplify exceptional leadership, innovation, and a strong commitment to community impact.

BUSINESS ACHIEVEMENT AWARD RECIPIENTS

GARAGE

Chair: Mark Ramler, Mansion Hill Properties

Nostalgic Garage Florence

Fort Thomas Coffee Fort Thomas

Incubator Kitchen Collective Newport

Chair: Nick Rolf, Gross Insurance TITLE SPONSORS:

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/Business-Councils

WOMEN’S INITIATIVE

Helping women to connect, grow & achieve in business The NKY Chamber’s Women’s Initiative is a leading regional program dedicated to connecting, supporting, and advancing women at all career stages.

90+

Professional Development and Networking Events

Committee Members

2,000+ Engaged Program Attendees

"As a member for just over a year, the return on investment has been incredible. It's a powerful reminder that if you simply show up, engage with others, and work toward a better community, the results will follow." Christine Robinett, Belterra Casino Resort, Mentoring & Roundtables Committee

WOMEN'S INITIATIVE PROGRAMMING

Annual Breakfast

Mentoring & Roundtables

Professional Series

Coffee Connect

Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky

Regional Summit

Connect Hour

OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY AWARDS Honors women who exemplify notable achievement, outstanding service in their professions or to the Northern Kentucky community, and the qualities of personal integrity, perseverance, and leadership.

Jane Herms Family Nurturing Center

Julie Kirkpatrick meetNKY

Natalie Ruppert Kenton County Public Library

Melissa Lutz Champlin | EOP

Nancy Janes Boothe Scholarship Recipients Amy Carder, Gateway Community & Technical College Carolann Ashcraft, NKU Claire Veirs, Thomas More University

Judith Clabes Lifetime Achievement Honoree

Helen Carroll Champion of Education Honoree

St. Elizabeth Healthcare Henrietta Cleveland Inspiring Women Honoree

Mackey McNeill, MACKEY and The Prosperity People

Sister Marla Monahan Vicar for Religious, Diocese of Covington

Debbie Simpson Multi-Craft, retired

SPIRIT OF ACHIEVEMENT AWARD HONOREE Shannon Schumacher, HUB International Recognizes women involved with the Women's Initiative who have made a significant impact on the progress of the program, experienced career success and been active in the community.

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/WomensInitiative

Vice Chair,

Women's Initiative ALLYSON COOK

ERIGO Employer Solutions

TALENT STRATEGIES

It all starts with a strong workforce 600+

Engaged Program Attendees

Talent Strategies Spotlight Podcast Episodes

21%

Increase in Event Attendance

$92,500 Grant Funding Secured to Support Talent Strategies Initiatives

TALENT STRATEGIES PROGRAMMING

HR 100

Inclusive Business Strategies Breakfast

HR Trifecta Strategic Leaders Conference

Workplace Safety Tours

Workforce Best Practices Symposium

FC Cincinnati Global Experience Night

TALENT STRATEGIES HIGHLIGHTS

Awarded eight grants in partnership with Duke Energy Foundation and Blue North to minority, veteran, and women-owned small businesses. Launched the Business and Talent Resources Hub, an online destination for employers to access workforce resources, programs, and regional data. Take The Lead Grant – We Lead CS Supported We Lead CS in growing its virtual classroom from 68 students in five schools to 225 students in 26 schools in one year. Bus to Business Grant – Kentucky Chamber Foundation Organized and managed bus transportation for 400+ students and 32 educators attending employerled student tours. Nancy Spivey, Vice President of Talent Strategies, was appointed to the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board and continued her leadership service on the Kentucky Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives Board. As an active partner in NKY Works, the NKY Chamber supported regional workforce efforts, with Nancy Spivey co-chairing Focus Areas 4 and 5.

Vice Chair, Talent Strategies

MICHAEL HALL Citi

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/Talent

Presented by

Northern Kentucky Young Professionals (NKYP) strives to create opportunities for young professionals (YPs) in the region to connect with peers, enhance their professional development, and impact the community.

1,100+ 56% Engaged Attendees

Increase over previous year

128

Participating Companies

NGLA Honorees

NKYP PROGRAMMING

Lunchtime Leader Chats

Cocktails and Conversation

Bourbon and Boards

NKYP Elevated Events

Brews and Baseball

Community Impact Partnership

Next Generation Leader Awards

NEXT GENERATION LEADER AWARD WINNERS These awards salute and applaud young professionals ages 40 and under for significant professional accomplishments, demonstrated leadership, and community impact.

Chad Bilz, Vice President, Houchens Insurance Group ARTS, ENTERTAINMENT & HOSPITALITY Evin Blomberg, Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra EDUCATION Zac Strobl, Northern Kentucky University ENTREPRENEURSHIP Hannah Meredith, Cincinnati/NKY International Airport

NORTHERN KENTUCKY YOUNG PROFESSIONALS

Focused on the future of talent

MEDICAL & HEALTHCARE SERVICES Poornima Gopalan, CTI Clinical Trial & Consulting Services, Inc. PROFESSIONAL SERVICES Ashley Sexton, Sexton Law PUBLIC RELATIONS, MEDIA & MARKETING Austin Dunbar, Durham Brand & Co. PUBLIC SERVICE AND COMMUNITY BASED ORGANIZATIONS Samantha Mosby, YMCA of Greater Cincinnati

NGLA LEGEND AWARD HONOREE Recognizes a community leader who has continued to inspire leadership and career success among young professionals throughout their career.

“NKYP is a fantastic community for anyone looking to expand their social circle, grow their professional network, or simply find something fun to do. It’s a flexible group that doesn’t require a huge commitment, yet offers meaningful opportunities for personal and professional growth—at whatever level you choose to engage.” - Mike Ballenger, Dean Dorton, NKYP Steering Committee Member

SKILLED TRADES Brad Seiter, Duke Energy

Vice Chair,

NKYP

Learn More: NKYChamber.com/NKYP

JIMMY BEATRICE

Business Benefits Solutions

SIGNATURE EVENTS

Expanding networks and building relationships Golf Outing & Clinic

SOLD OUT

Eggs N’ Issues,

Business After Hours

Sponsored by NKU and NKU Foundation

The Walter L. Pieschel (MVP) Award Sponsored by Heritage Bank

Caroline Weltzer, Viox & Viox

Presented by Greater Cincinnati Foundation

Wm. T. (Bill) Robinson III Northern Kentucky Economic Development Award Presented by BE NKY Growth Partnership

Tom Banta, Corporex (retired) The Northern Kentucky Unity Award Sponsored by PNC Bank

ArtsWave

The Horizon Award

Presented by Horizon Community Foundation of Northern Kentucky

Shane Noem, Roebling Solutions Tara Johnson-Noem, NKADD Learn More: NKYChamber.com/Signature-Events

BRENT COOPER President & CEO

GENE KIRCHNER

Sr Vice President & COO

BETH FARRER

LYNSEY MCCLUNG CFO

JENNA DAVIS

Director, Member Relations

Leadership Program Specialist

ERIN HEFFERNAN, CMP

DIANA MCGLADE

Director, Community Engagement

Sponsorship Investments Strategist

DASHAI THOMPSON

ANN MARIE WHELAN

Assoc. Director of Member Relations

Director of Leadership

LYNN ABELN

STACEY ARMAH

Vice President, Membership Administrative Specialist

KYLE FRIZZELL

SHERI GOODENOUGH

Director of Events

Accounting Specialist

HOLLY NIBERT HARRISON

NANCY SPIVEY, CCE, IOM

TAMI WILSON

ANGIE WORMALD

Director, Women’s Initiative

Vice President, Government Relations & Business Advocacy

STAFF DIRECTORY

Vice President, Talent Strategies

Office Manager, Certificates of Origin

BOARD OF ADVISORS AAA Club Alliance Adams Law altafiber Amazon American Medical Response (Rural Metro) Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield Apex Environmental Services, LLC AssuredPartners Atkins & Pearce Axillon Aerospace Barnes Dennig BE NKY Growth Partnership Belterra Casino Resort Boone County Fiscal Court Bricker Graydon LLP Bright Arrow Coaching Business Benefits, a Houchens Insurance Group Company Carespring Health Care Management Carl Zeiss Vision Carlisle & Bray Enterprises Carnegie Hall at Newport Castellini Group Of Companies Central Bank CertainTeed C-Forward, Inc. Charter Communications (Spectrum) Chas. Seligman Distributing Co. Cincinnati Airport Marriott Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) Cinergy Wealth Life and Legacy of Raymond James Citi Coca Cola Consolidated Columbia Sussex Corporation CommonSpirit Health Commonwealth Hotels, LLC Corporex Companies, Inc. Courtyard By Marriott Cincinnati Airport Creation Museum / Answers in Genesis CTI Clinical Trial and Consulting Cyber 7 Group

DBL Law Dean Dorton DelightMore, Events To Remember Delta Air Lines, Inc. DHL Express (USA) Inc. Dinsmore & Shohl LLP Dollar General Distribution Center Donna Salyers' Fabulous Bridal Donna Salyers' Fabulous Furs Duke Energy Duro Bag, a Novolex Brand FBT Gibbons FC Cincinnati LLC Fidelity Investments Fifth Third Bank First Financial Bank Fischer Homes Fives Machining Systems, Inc. Florence Y'alls Professional Baseball Forvis Mazars Frontier Airlines Gateway Community and Technical College General Electric Credit Union Global Business Solutions, Inc. Hampton Inn Cincinnati Airport South Heartland Bank - A Division of German American Bank Heritage Bank Holiday Inn Express & Suites Cincinnati Riverfront Holland Roofing Group, LLC Homewood Suites by Hilton Newport Cincinnati Hotel Covington Houchens Insurance Group HUB International Huff Realty, Inc. Humana Huntington Bank Jabil Keating Muething & Klekamp PLL Kenton County Fiscal Court KFI Engineers KLH Engineers Klosterman Bakery Krauss Maffei Corporation LPX Group MassMutual Ascend Mazak Corporation McLane Company meetNKY, Northern Kentucky CVB Meritor, Inc. Merrill Lynch Messer Construction Co. Mubea Inc. North American Stainless L.P. Northern Kentucky Area Development District Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission (NKCAC) Northern Kentucky Convention Center Northern Kentucky University

Northern Kentucky Water District Northkey Community Care Nucor Steel Gallatin One Holland Corporation OneQuest (formerly CHNK Behavioral Health) Owen Electric Cooperative, Inc. Paul Hemmer Company Payroll Partners, Inc. Pepper Construction of Ohio Perfetti Van Melle USA PNC Bank Pomeroy Technologies, LLC Post Glover Resistors Prysmian Publix R.A. Jones & Co. Regal Rexnord Corp Republic Bank Residence Inn Cincinnati Airport RetireMed Rising Star Casino Resort Robert Bosch Automotive Steering LLC Roebling Solutions Salyers Group Sanitation District No.1 Schwan's Global Supply Chain Inc. St. Elizabeth Healthcare St. Elizabeth Physicians Stock Yards Bank & Trust Company SUN Behavioral Health SWECO Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP The C.W. Zumbiel Company The Christ Hospital The Cincinnati Enquirer The Cincinnati Reds The Kroger Company The Madison Event Center The Milburn Group The United States Playing Card Company Thomas J. Dyer Company Thomas More University Toyota Boshoku America Toyota Motor North America Transit Authority of Northern Kentucky (TANK) Truist Turfway Park Racing & Gaming Turner Construction Company Tyson Foods U.S. Bank UC Health United Way Of Greater Cincinnati University of Cincinnati University of Kentucky UPS Verst Logistics Wendal Inc. WesBanco YMCA Of Greater Cincinnati Zalla Companies

300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 330 | PO Box 17416 | Fort Mitchell, Kentucky 41017 www.NKYChamber.com