NKY Chamber Business Journal | July/Aug 2026

CHAIR'S LETTER INNOVATION

JASON PAYNE Chair, NKY Chamber President/CEO/Chairman, First National Bank of Williamson

We want to add value for our members and listen to your thoughts… LET’S CONNECT!

Listening to you, our members, is a priority. If there’s a topic or suggestion you’d like us to explore, or simply a question, please contact Lynn Abeln, Vice President of Membership, at 859-578-6390 or Labeln@nkychamber.com.

WHAT COMES TO MIND WHEN YOU HEAR THE WORD “innovation?”

For many people, the word brings to mind breakthrough technologies, scientific discoveries, or entrepreneurs developing the next big idea. But innovation is about far more than laboratories and computer screens. It’s about solving problems, creating opportunities, and finding new ways to strengthen our communities and businesses.

That spirit of innovation is alive and thriving throughout the Northern Kentucky/Greater Cincinnati region. As this issue of the NKY Business Journal demonstrates, innovation is taking shape every day across industries, organizations, and neighborhoods — not only in science and technology, but in all aspects of business and community life.

Our cover story on Aviatra Accelerators touches on an organization helping to bolster a too-often underserved section of our entrepreneurial community while also showcasing the innovative ways they are helping women-owned businesses achieve success. Through these efforts, entrepreneurs are finding pathways to growth, making our business community stronger and proving the value of innovation at every level.

While Aviatra is helping women in business thrive, our Small Business Spotlight feature on FIESTA NKY shows how Theresa Cruz’s organization is doing the same to help those new to our region become acclimated and employable. The same can be said for the Kenton County Public Library which, through initiatives like its STREAM Center and Empower Tools programs, is reinventing what people think of when it comes to their local library.

Rounding out the issue are features on three iconic companies with deep ties in our region: hometown favorites Graeter’s and Cincinnati Children’s, along with Amazon which has quickly become an important part of our community. These are companies that continue to develop new products and services that command national attention while also creating jobs, memories, hope and lasting connections throughout the region.

As you read this issue, I hope the word “innovation” inspires you to think of the many ways in which it is occurring throughout our region and how you can contribute to it yourself. Lab coat optional.

PRIMED FOR INNOVATION

Amazon brings robotics, AI and commitment to Northern Kentucky at KCVG facility

By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media

AS THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMPANY – A TITLE BACKED by $716.9 billion in revenue for 2025 – Amazon has lived up to its motto of “Work hard, have fun, make history.” On Aug. 5, 2021, the company officially launched operations at KCVG: a $1.5 billion, 600+ acre campus at the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG) that would become Amazon’s flagship Air Hub – and the single largest facility Amazon operates anywhere in the world.

Composed of 30,000 tons of structural steel and 57,000 yards of concrete, KCVG is responsible for the creation of more than 4,000 jobs. Since first launching operations in Northern Kentucky in 2005, Amazon has significantly expanded its regional fulfillment and transportation network – with KCVG now serving as the crown jewel of that expansion, operating more than three dozen flights daily to destinations nationwide.

While its average customer may simply be concerned with their packages arriving safely in a timely manner, a visit to KCVG reveals

that Amazon is focused on more than just moving items from point A to point B. For with significant investments in robotics and AI, in addition to several initiatives designed at improving both its workplace culture and employees, the company’s commitment to innovation is arguably both unprecedented and unparalleled.

And it’s all happening in Northern Kentucky.

GOING THE DISTANCE

While Amazon operates out of some 40+ airports nationwide, KCVG is the heart of Amazon Air, delivering on the company’s signature one- or two-day turnaround time while also in some cases, same day delivery. This is achieved via the innovations the company has made in robotics, which, coupled alongside trained human counterparts, delivers on what the company calls its “first mile, middle mile and last mile” delivery system.

Beginning with a customer placed order, Amazon’s AI-powered systems determine the best fulfillment center to pick, pack and

ship an item based on its proximity to its destination. Next, employees work alongside said AI and robotics to locate, retrieve and package items safely in expedited fashion before each item is scanned, labeled and staged for outbound transport to the middle mile, a.k.a. a network of sort centers, air gateways and long-haul transportation. The last mile is where packages arrive at delivery stations, where they are sorted by route and loaded for delivery.

The mile moniker may seem like a simplified way to explain Amazon’s fulfillment network. Visiting KCVG, however, reveals just how advanced the operations have turned the entire process, making it feel like a trip inside the popular PC game Sim City 2000 and/or humanity-friendly version of The Matrix.

With nearly 40 Boeing 737 and 767 aircraft operating alongside larger Airbus freighters, KCVG’s tarmac is always abuzz with movement. This includes the raised platform K-Loaders used to load packages onto planes and specialized, electric powered Air Tugs that move unit load devices and ground support equipment to reduce the environmental impact of ramp operations with reduced emissions. While watching the coordinated operation of all the machines on the tarmac can be a fascinating exercise in itself, the real star of the show is the 800,000-square-foot robotic sort center – one of seven buildings on Amazon’s campus.

Consisting of four floors, the sort hub features miles of interconnected conveyor belts, mobile drive units, and ergonomic workstations for employees where AI helps assist everything from package delivery to potential clogs in the system along the way. The three most distinct features, however, are the ones that allow it to operate at its highest efficiency: The robotic field where hundreds of blue and black machines zip past each other with precision transporting packages sorted and grouped by the company’s Robin arms before being sent down a combination of black and yellow twisted chutes from one floor to the next.

Mike Berg, Director of Operations for Amazon Air Hub at KCVG, says KCVG’s robotic sorting field is the result of needing to meet the demand of its customers to meet their demands for the company’s product supply.

“When you're processing the kind of package volume we see here – millions of packages each week – you need systems that can sort accurately at scale without compromising safety or speed,” he says. “The technology was developed to work alongside our associates, not in place of them. Amazon deploys robotics across our network, but each facility's implementation is tailored to its specific operational needs. KCVG's scale as our largest air hub globally means the sorting field here is built to match that volume and complexity. The people operating and maintaining these systems are trained right here – many of them started in entry-level roles and grew into technical positions because we invested in their development.”

HUMAN RESOURCES

While robots are common in Amazon’s facilities, the Robin arms are newer tools designed to safely scan, sort and process packages, all without putting employees into harm’s way. Although Robins – as well as the company’s palletizer/depalletizer devices – may look like other robot arms, they can calculate how to move, identify and sort parcels that may rest atop one another as they are presented via a conveyor belt. The company also touts that the arms improve the employee experience by eliminating repetitive lifting and stacking tasks, allowing employees to focus on other assignments.

Berg says all the innovations aren’t about “technology for technology’s sake” but “solving real problems for customers and the people who work here.”

“At KCVG, that looks like building the largest Amazon Air hub in the world from the ground up and continuously evolving how we move packages faster, safer, and more efficiently,” Berg says. “When we opened five years ago, we were operating a handful of flights with hundreds of employees. Today, we're running over three dozen daily flights, employing more than 4,000 people, and have processed over hundreds of millions of packages out of

this single facility. That growth didn't happen by standing still – it happened because we invested in smarter systems, better tools, and a workforce equipped to operate them. The innovations here don't just serve Amazon's network –they've brought thousands of new career opportunities to Northern Kentucky, complementing the region's existing talent base with pathways into aviation logistics, robotics, and technical operations.”

Safety he says, is also at the forefront of making sure those opportunities continue to occur.

“The way we think about innovation here is that it should make work safer, more efficient, and more rewarding – in that order,” says Berg. “Our technology investments reduce repetitive physical strain, improve ergonomics, and give associates better tools to do their jobs well. That matters for retention because people stay where they feel valued and where the work isn't wearing them down.”

Innovation at KCVG isn’t limited to just robotics and automation. Career Choice, Amazon's education benefit, pre-pays up to $5,250 per year for full-time employees (or $2,625 for part-time) toward nationally recognized courses – from undergraduate degrees to industry certifications.

More than 1,342 associates have participated in the program at KCVG alone, Berg noting the facility has enjoyed a nearly 40% year-over-year increase in enrollment.

“We've had associates earn degrees, get promoted, and build careers they didn't think were possible when they started,” he says. “That's the innovation that doesn't always make headlines but absolutely drives retention: showing people there's a path forward here, not just a job.”

SIGNED, SEALED, DELIVERED

That same commitment is one Berg says the company strives to show to its customers, employees and Northern Kentucky as a whole.

“This facility isn't just an Amazon building that happens to be in Northern Kentucky – it's part of the fabric of this community,” he says, noting that the company has partnered with organizations like Life Learning Center to support second-chance employment. “Research shows that for every 10 jobs Amazon creates directly in a community, nine additional jobs are created elsewhere in that local economy – we've seen that play out here ... Beyond jobs and economic growth, we're showing up as neighbors. Whether it's building playgrounds for kids fighting cancer through Roc Solid Foundation, supporting workforce reentry for people society has written off, or investing in educational programs that prepare the next generation of leaders –our commitment to Northern Kentucky isn't measured in packages processed. It's measured in the lives that have changed, the businesses that have launched, and the opportunities that exist today that didn't five years ago –not because this community lacked talent, but because we've been able to add new pathways and possibilities to a region that was already thriving.” NKY

INSPIRED INNOVATION

Amazon’s innovative approaches to employee betterment

Amazon has committed $2.5 billion to Future Ready 2030, a global initiative with a goal of preparing 50 million people for the future of work through skills training. The company is investing billions in infrastructure and education to empower as many people as possible so employees can “unlock their full potential in ways that positively impact people and communities across America and around the globe.”

Here are some of the programs the company is enacting to achieve this goal:

• Mechatronics and Robotics Apprenticeship

– Over 700,000 employees upskilled globally, including front-line hourly workers in the company’s regional fulfillment centers and Amazon Air Hub

• AWS free cloud-skills training – Reaching some 31 million-plus learners worldwide, this program features free and low-cost training with the launch of new generative AI-focused courses in the fields of cloud computing, upskilling, machine learning and more.

• Machine Learning University – This Amazon initiative trains employees to build AI solutions for Amazon's unique business challenges.

• AWS Educate – This program looks to support AI skills training for 4 million learners and provide curricula for 10,000 educators by 2028, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building career pathways for the jobs of tomorrow.

DID YOU KNOW?

Amazon's flagship Air Hub in Northern Kentucky –the company's largest air operations facility globally – houses hundreds of robotic drives and nearly 50 Robin robotic arms.

Amazon’s in-house meteorology team and AI-powered forecasting tools help keep NKY employees and delivery partners safe in severe weather. By monitoring storms days in advance, the team enables proactive route adjustments for delivery drivers, realtime notifications, and operational modifications at ground and air sites – prioritizing people's safety above all else. The CVG Centre – Amazon's Air Network Control homebase – provides an additional layer of 24/7 monitoring, coordinating with carrier partners to adjust air operations and keep flight ramp employees safe during extreme weather events.

2026 Kentucky General Assembly: Northern Kentucky Wins

The NKY Chamber entered the 2026 General Assembly focused on workforce growth, infrastructure investment, childcare, tax competitiveness, education, and health. The session delivered meaningful progress in many of these areas through targeted investments and policy reforms that strengthen Kentucky's economy and support long-term business growth.

KEY BUDGET AND INVESTMENT WINS

The biennial budget included more than $58 million in direct investments for Northern Kentucky through House Bills 500 and 900, supporting economic development, workforce initiatives, public safety, education, and community projects. Significant funding was secured for CVG, Blue North, LifeSciKY, EducateNKY, and other regional partners.

• HB 502 funding for the Brent Spence Bridge Corridor, KY 536, and the Fourth Street Bridge.

• HJR 76 local road funding to improve safety, resurfacing, and connectivity across Northern Kentucky.

• HB 518 and related economic development legislation that modernized business tax administration and strengthened Kentucky's competitiveness.

PRO-BUSINESS POLICY WINS

• HB 6 expanded childcare options through Kentucky's new Child-Care Microcenter Program.

• HJR 50 initiated a comprehensive review of childcare regulations.

• HB 576 created a talent recruitment and retention grant program.

• HB 577 strengthened Kentucky's entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem.

• HB 869 expanded economic development tools and supported aviation growth, reinforcing CVG's position as a global logistics hub.

MISSED OPPORTUNITIES AND

BUSINESS SAFEGUARDS

Not every priority crossed the finish line. The Chamber supported SB 9, a comprehensive housing and infrastructure measure designed to increase housing supply and streamline development. Other housing and regulatory reform proposals also fell short, leaving important work ahead to address Northern Kentucky's housing shortage and workforce needs.

At the same time, the NKY Chamber successfully opposed legislation that would have increased business costs, reduced workplace flexibility, imposed new employer mandates, weakened Right-to-Work protections, restored prevailing wage requirements, or hindered innovation and economic growth.

Why It Matters

Together, these investments and policy wins strengthen Northern Kentucky's ability to attract talent, support employers, improve infrastructure, expand childcare access, and remain competitive for future jobs and investment. While some opportunities remain unfinished, the 2026 session delivered meaningful progress for the business community and positioned our region for continued growth.

Sweet Taste of Success

Graeter’s finds innovation in simplicity, tradition, collaboration

By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media

GIVEN ITS STATUS AS ONE OF GREATER CINCINNATI/ Northern Kentucky’s oldest and most revered companies, the story behind Graeter’s success is filled with dramatic moments, equal parts tragedy and triumph. The company’s history is marked by grit and determination, with pivotal moments that threatened ruin, but ultimately produced inspiring tales of resilience.

According to Richard Graeter, the fourth generation CEO, the success of the company that bears his family’s name comes down to one thing: his great-grandmother Regina’s refusal to stop doing what the company continues to do best to this day – even during an era when women couldn’t vote, let alone commonly run businesses.

“We are successful because of my great-grandmother’s stubbornness in the 1920s to stick with the French Pot method for making ice cream in a small batch,” says Graeter. “When modernization came to the industry with the commercial continuous batch ice cream freezer, she did not modernize – and that’s why the product is the way it is today. What makes it special to people is that we've been part of everybody's lives in the community for so long.”

Now in its 156th year in business, maintaining that simplicity remains one of the company’s greatest innovations.

‘AN AFFORDABLE LUXURY’

A brand as synonymous with Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as Reds baseball or the region’s signature style of chili, Graeter’s is – as its CEO likes to refer to it – “an affordable luxury.”

Boasting nearly 60 retail stores – “scoop shops” – throughout Ohio, Kentucky, Indiana, Illinois and Pennsylvania, the company sells a variety of tasty treats, including cookies, pastries, chocolates, milkshakes and more. The product for which Graeter’s is best known, however, is its ice cream, made using the traditional French Pot process since 1870.

An “old world” method involving a spinning metal pot surrounded by a freezing element, each of Graeter’s French Pots yields two-anda-half gallons – the industry’s smallest batch size – of high-butterfat ice cream to produce the company’s signature taste and texture. Once frozen, Graeter’s hand packs every single one of the 300,000+ pints it ships yearly, which today can be found at more than 3,000 grocery stores nationwide.

One might think Graeter would be very cautious about letting competitors know his company’s methods, but the opposite is true. His company remains the only one in the world making ice cream at scale the way they do.

“When an artisanal brand begins to get popular and grow, they open a second store, which is what my great-grandmother did in 1922,” he says. “Once the demand exceeds their ability to make ice cream in the back room, what almost always happens next is that they outsource production to a commercial dairy processor. That's the path they all follow, because scaling an artisanal small batch process is inherently almost impossible. What Graeter’s has uniquely solved is how to scale without ruining it. The answer is, you really don’t.”

That’s why Graeter’s has increased its number of French Pots from four to 41 since Graeter himself was first exposed to the family business in his youth. Says Graeter, “We didn’t change how we made ice cream, we didn’t use new technology, we didn’t build a bigger machine – we just have more of them.”

The same painstaking level of attention goes into making the company’s famous chocolate chips, which are formed by pouring melted gourmet chocolate directly into the ice cream at a specific moment, which gently hardens it into a shell. That shell is then broken up into unique chunks, ensuring no two “chips” are the same. Says Graeter, “Once the ice cream was ready to eat, my great-

grandmother would have served it to you exactly like that because back then, there were no freezers!”

FAMILY FOCUSED

While the process behind its signature product hasn’t changed much over the years, Graeter’s finds innovation in bringing new flavors to market and collaborating with other family-owned or family-friendly businesses to create unique offerings.

Two recent examples include the limited-edition Skyline Spice and Backstretch Bourbon Cherry ice creams, collaborations with Skyline Chili and Churchill Downs, respectively.

The Skyline flavor combined the chili maker’s secret spice mix and oyster crackers with Graeter’s handcrafted ice cream, while Backstretch Bourbon Cherry featured a bourbon-kissed ice cream base – made with bourbon sourced from one of Northern Kentucky’s award-winning distilleries – with black cherries and praline pecans.

“Skyline Spice was by far our most successful collaboration and that idea came from reading an article about making ice cream with what I think was Grey Poupon mustard,” Graeter recalls. “I forwarded the article to my team and said, ‘Oh my gosh, this would be like us making Cincinnati chili ice cream!’ I’m in a CEO group with Kevin Riley, whose company acquired Skyline Chili, and we just started chatting about it.”

Thirteen billion social media impressions and more than 100 national news stories later, Graeter says the result is an example of what inherently makes ice cream – and staying rooted in the region the company calls home – fun.

“Part of our success is being part of the fabric of the community,” Graeter says. “I’d say about 80 percent of our ice cream is consumed within 100 miles of Cincinnati. Many of the grocery stores selling Graeter’s products, like Jungle Jim’s, are also family-owned businesses. One of the things that I’ve really been blessed with in my position is getting to meet and work with so many other great families. Whatever they're doing, they're the best in their category because there’s a family behind it.”

YOU SCREAM, I SCREAM, WE ALL SCREAM FOR ICE CREAM

Being focused on family is also why Graeter’s became a 45% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) business last fall, an innovation based on attracting and retaining employees.

Waxing poetic about what he calls the “aura” many teens experience working their first job at one of the company’s scoop shops, Graeter says the move is one that ensures the company will (1) never become a casualty of venture capital investors and (2) will help attract and retain employees for years to come.

As a “Midwest company only interested in the Midwest for growth,” Graeter’s has found success innovating from within, be it via its collaborative in-house idea team brainstorming new ideas or by simply expanding upon its tried-and-true methods.

“People have grown up with Graeter’s,” he says. “I have had little old ladies in their 80s tell me some of their fondest memories involved visiting one of our shops as a child. I hear poignant stories of how we were someone’s last request.”

Continuing, Graeter says, “Our stores are welcoming. We’re there for soccer teams celebrating victories or drying tears after a hard loss; we’re a lot of people’s first dates and first jobs. People will say, ‘You must be tired of ice cream.’ I'm like, ‘Are you crazy? I love it.’ NKY

1870 – Louis Charles Graeter begins selling handcrafted, French pot ice cream out of two carts on the streets of Cincinnati.

1900 – Louis and his wife, Regina, begin making and selling ice cream and candy in the store below their apartment.

1919 – Louis dies in streetcar accident, leaving Regina owner of the business alongside their two sons, Wilmer and Paul.

1920 – Regina begins her 36-year reign as “the boss.”

1922 – Graeter’s opens second location in Hyde Park.

1934 – Graeter’s purchases first factory on Reading Road at the height of the Great Depression.

1955 – Regina passes away at age 80, leaving the business to her sons.

1960s – Wilmer invents Graeter’s legendary chips while Paul introduces baked goods into the company’s product line.

2002 – Oprah Winfrey famously declares Graeter’s “the best ice cream I ever tasted.”

2007 – Fourth generation family member Rich Graeter becomes company CEO.

2010 – Graeter’s opens new manufacturing plant in Bond Hill and begins regional expansion, now operating in cities in five states including Chicago, Cleveland, Louisville, and Pittsburgh.

Cost-Savings Benefits for NKY Chamber Members

Save money by gaining access to valuable resources that will help your business operate more efficiently, while improving your bottom line. The NKY Chamber’s cost-savings partnerships can help you reduce everyday expenses, streamline operations, and keep your business growing.

Take a closer look at the many benefits available to NKY Chamber members, and see how these plans can make a meaningful difference for your business. Learn more at www.NKYChamber.com/Savings

Health & Wellness

ChamberAdvantage – Provides small businesses with an easier, more affordable way to offer employee health benefits. Through the NKY Chamber’s partnership with Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield (Anthem), ChamberAdvantage offers a self-funded option for groups with 2 to 50 employees, saving members an average of 20%–25% on monthly medical costs.

Delta Dental - Offers comprehensive, affordable dental benefit plans through a partnership with Delta Dental of Kentucky and OneAmerica Financial. These plans enhance employee wellbeing while ensuring cost-effective coverage for your business.

Business Services

Guided Growth, powered by T. Rowe Price – This 401(k) solution makes offering retirement benefits easier and more affordable for small and midsized businesses, providing business owners with simplified administration, cost savings, and reduced fiduciary liability.

Payroll Partners – Offers reliable payroll and HR management solutions that streamline operations, ensure compliance, and save valuable time for businesses of any size. Their local, personalized service and preferred pricing for NKY Chamber members make managing payroll effortless.

PNC Merchant Services - Provides NKY Chamber members with competitive pricing, personalized service, and high-quality payment solutions. This partnership helps members gain access to trusted financial tools that support growth and streamline operations. Banking

Office Supplies

VIE Ability - Stock up on high-quality office supplies while creating meaningful employment for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. Launched by the Cincinnati Association for the Blind & Visually Impaired, VIE Ability offers more than 40,000 products with a mission-driven approach that supports inclusion and community impact.

HR Services

ClearPath Mutual - Grants NKY Chamber members exclusive premium reductions on workers’ compensation policies, helping lower costs while maintaining strong employee protection.

Professional Development

Talent Magnet Institute - Members receive 10% off any TMI engagement (up to $2,500). From executive coaching and leadership training to mastermind groups and strategic talent consulting, TMI helps businesses build stronger leaders and align their people strategy with business goals.

Marketing & Communications

Discounted Memberships

AdSposure - Get discounted transit advertising packages with the official transit advertising partner of TANK. Transit advertising delivers high-visibility marketing that drives awareness while giving back — AdSposure donates one ad or ad credit to the NKY Chamber for every package purchased.

Everything Cincy - Serves as a one-stop platform to promote your business, share deals, and reach new customers across the Greater Cincinnati area. NKY Chamber members receive discounted advertising packages designed to increase visibility and connect directly with consumers.

LINK nky - The Northern Kentucky–focused news publication covers business, community, and economic development stories across Boone, Kenton and Campbell counties. NKY Chamber members can save 10% on advertising to reach engaged local audiences and increase visibility throughout the region.

Partner Chamber Memberships - Members of select regional chambers can enjoy discounted membership rates with the NKY Chamber, expanding their network and access to regional resources.

BUSINESS IMPACT AWARDS

The NKY Chamber celebrated local business leaders and innovators that are positively impacting the Northern Kentucky metro through innovation, creativity, strong business practices and leadership during its annual Business Impact Awards, presented by Huntington Bank.

Businesses and organizations were recognized in nine categories during a ceremony at MegaCorp Pavilion, plus a Judges’ Choice award was presented for the first time. Join us in congratulating this year’s winners and finalists.

Digital Advertising

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SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHT: FIESTA NKY

Florence-based nonprofit helps new Northern Kentuckians find resources, support and understanding

A CONVERSATION WITH THERESA CRUZ REVEALS two defining realities that underscore nearly everything she does. First, she is a woman of great faith, a fact which provides her with both strength and motivation. Second, she feels a calling to help others, her fellow Latinos especially, a purpose reflected in her career path since arriving in Northern Kentucky more than 10 years ago.

“The federal grant supporting my work was ending, and the agency I was with said, ‘We can’t continue this,’” Cruz said, recalling the uncertainty she faced in early 2023. “But I thought, ‘I can’t stop – look at how much it’s grown and there are so many people who need it.’”

“I was like, ‘Okay, Lord – you told me to quit my job, I did – now what?’ In September, I finished my last day of work, and by November, we had office space and funding for FIESTA NKY.”

Now, Northern Kentucky has a resource that, for scores of people throughout the region, likely feels heaven sent.

HELPING HANDS

First opening its doors in October 2023, FIESTA –an acronym for Families, Inclusion, Education, Society, Tradition and Access – is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to “addressing the needs of the fast-growing population in Northern Kentucky.” However, for Cruz, the organization’s founder and president, it is so much more.

From 5 to 8 p.m. on the last Friday of every month, FIESTA opens its Latino Food Pantry, providing culturally relevant food for families in need. For a community with a large population unfamiliar not only with the language,

but also customs, FIESTA provides education and outreach through workshops, support groups and community events. This includes its Humana-sponsored Helping Families Care for Their Little Ones diaper program, its annual spring Celebration of Hispanic Families at Camp Ernst and a monthly health clinic in partnership with the University of Kentucky School of Medicine.

FIESTA also helps people with employment, utilities assistance and school enrollment, as well as energy assistance through the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission. Additional services include help with rent and clothing vouchers through St. Vincent de Paul. FIESTA recently struck up a partnership with Ursuline Academy in Cincinnati to have their AP Spanish students tutor Boone County High School students via Microsoft Teams over the course of 12 weeks. This is in addition to partnerships with the likes of Gravity Diagnostics, the UK Extension Office, and so many more.

“We're trying to meet the needs as they come up but making sure that we stay within our mission and vision, which is to build capacity, support self-sufficiency, uplift and advance the Hispanic community,” Cruz says.

While FIESTA works primarily with the Hispanic community, all of FIESTA’s efforts are to make Northern Kentucky a welcoming region that everyone can call home.

“Political issues aside, these are people; these are people that need food, these are people that need healthcare,” she says. “We just want to serve people, and we don't just serve Latinos. Whoever comes through our door, we help. When we started, the need was there. It was surprisingly in

your face, and as people started hearing that we were helping, they came out of the woodwork. Then we were like, ‘Wow, wait a minute, this is a lot of people that we need to help!’”

OPERATING IN GOOD FAITH

Being able to help so many people comes with much support from others. Utilizing her previous experience in the world of nonprofits, Cruz says all of FIESTA’s connections and partnerships are the result of “a lot of hustling,” which stems from her “having no shame in asking anybody for any way they may be able to help us.”

While she knows the wisdom of the adage that a closed mouth does not get fed, Cruz says listening to others is key in getting them interested in helping in the first place.

“A lot of relationship building, I’ve learned, is not asking for something right away,” says Cruz. “I want to get to know you and your organization, or you and your foundation. I want you to get to know what we do before I even ask you for anything. I’m not going into my first meeting with them and saying, ‘Hey, I want $50,000.’”

Continuing, Cruz says, “It's about showing them ‘This is what we do. This is who we are, and I would love for you to come visit and see what we do.’ Then, after a few meetings, that’s when you say, ‘How can you help me and what would you be willing to help me with?’ I am all about partnerships – I do not do this work alone.”

When she reflects on FIESTA’s growth, Cruz remains forever grateful for “God putting people in my path who are going to take me to the next level.”

“It’s been an amazing journey just to see,” she says. “I'm sitting at tables right now that I would never in my life have thought I’d be invited to sit at...There’s no way I would have done this on my own, at all. Nobody knew me, but with the work that I'm doing, God has been strategic in putting me in places where I have to be the voice for people who don't have a voice.”

COME ALL YE FAITHFUL

A native of Puerto Rico, Cruz moved to Northern Kentucky after her husband, Abel Vélez, landed a job in the region. She says that the Hispanic community has grown “exponentially” in the time she has been here, as has the immigrant population in general, Cruz noting the increase in people of Mexican, Guatemalan, Venezuelan, Cuban, Puerto Rican and Dominican descent. That’s not to mention the Somali, French Congolese and Haitian communities also now present in the area.

This, she says, was initially a “shock” for some in Northern Kentucky in several ways. She is hopeful, however, that shock is giving way to optimism with more people in the region wanting to get to know different cultures. That is why she is so excited about FIESTA being able to place nearly 20 people into employment with L’Oreal. “They hired them and it's been an excellent situation for all involved,” Cruz says.

If employers are looking to boost Northern Kentucky’s workforce, Cruz says reaching out to FIESTA is one of the best investments they can make.

“If other employers could see how the people we’ve helped work and say, 'Let’s meet them halfway’ by hiring bilingual supervisors, providing dual language signage in the workplace and ESL classes, all our communities can come together and accomplish great things,” she says. “Investing in the people in your region will get them to invest in you. That’s how everyone profits.” NKY

FIESTA FOREVER FIESTA NKY AT A GLANCE

FIESTA NKY

7536 U.S. Highway 42, Suite 7 Florence, KY 41042

859-534-0672 Fiestanky.org

SOCIAL MEDIA: /FiestaNKY /FiestaNKY DID YOU KNOW?

A donation of $65 will provide culturally relevant food for a family of four for a week. FIESTA is also always looking for volunteers to help with packing food distribution boxes, sorting clothing, interpreters and assisting at monthly events. To give or see how you might be able to help by volunteering, visit fiestanky.org/give.

EMPOWERED INNOVATION

Aviatra Accelerators continues tradition of helping female entrepreneurs achieve their dreams and find success

IN THE WORLD OF ENTREPRENEURSHIP, INNOVATION is a driving factor that brings about new products, services and technologies. Aviatra Accelerators – the Covingtonbased organization empowering women to start, grow and fund their businesses through coaching, classes and community – supports female entrepreneurs by encouraging continued innovation and forward thinking. Funding, coaching, training and, following the opening of its retail incubator storefront, actual physical space all help entrepreneurs turn their dreams into reality.

Aviatra’s innovation-focused programs and offerings support women entrepreneurs from Northern Kentucky all the way north to Dayton, Ohio, by validating their ideas and helping them make smart decisions.

BRIDGING THE GAP

“The women who come to our programs are looking at the marketplace against their own skills, interests and passions and figuring out how they fit in ... But many of them come to it through this idea of, ‘I love doing this thing, and I don’t see anybody else doing it, or not in the exact same way,’” says Jill Morenz, Aviatra’s president and CEO since 2022. “That leads to them starting their business to fill those gaps, which is when innovation happens.”

Since its inception in 2010, Aviatra has supported more than 6,000 women, helping them raise more than $1 million in capital, contributing to the creation of 15,000+ jobs and over $1 billion in cumulative earned revenue. A particularly notable year came in 2025 when the organization served 1,099 women entrepreneurs (37% being minorities), while raising $231,057 in donations, grants and sponsorships, hosting 60 community events and providing 329 hours of one-to-one coaching sessions.

Under Morenz’s leadership, Aviatra has worked to create a pathway of programs for women with ideas at various stages of their entrepreneurial journey. That includes helping with everything from launching a business to becoming better at operations, finding funding and more, a continuum she says, that “has been created by understanding and talking with hundreds and hundreds of entrepreneurs every year about what they're struggling with and what they need.”

While the organization has always provided a connection to capital and education regarding business ownership, Morenz says finding those resources has become easier – but choosing which to utilize has become more complex. Although Aviatra is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the organization operates more like a startup by researching and observing what gaps exist in the marketplace that need to be filled.

Knowing capital is often one of the biggest challenges for startups, Aviatra offers free resources such as monthly business growth webinars and its “Side Hustle without the Hustle,” and other free workshops focused on fitting a business into an already busy schedule.

Noting that “innovation” tends to be associated with technology and new products, Morenz says Aviatra views innovation more broadly.

“Even when businesses are heavily tech-focused, they still have to evaluate market fit, define their purpose

and understand how their products serve customers,” Morenz says. “That mindset of identifying a problem and creating a solution is what drives innovation throughout this ecosystem.”

NKY INCUBATING EVOLUTION

The organization has expanded upon its role in the entrepreneurial ecosystem with the opening of Muse Boutiques, a collective marketplace for women-owned brands designed “to provide support and customer connections that early-stage, product-based women business owners need today.” Muse opened in April inside the Aviatra Incubator in Covington, which since 2024 has provided early-stage women entrepreneurs with resources, mentorship and community needed to accelerate their businesses.

Going beyond traditional startup support by offering a safe, comfortable and collaborative space, the Aviatra Incubator launched with below-market offices and co-working space as well as pop-up retail and event space. Muse Boutiques expands on that effort by capitalizing on the “small retail” trend offering “smaller-footprint storefronts with shared operational efficiencies to test retail concepts/products” for nine to 12 months. More than 25 women-owned businesses are showcased there.

Aviatra, through an arrangement with the Northern Kentucky Community Action Commission’s Senior Employment Program, staffs Muse, which is also supported by grants from the Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, Jr. Foundation and Duke Energy Foundation.

Morenz says she originally thought Muse would be a “slow burn” but the space is already full and expanding into space originally envisioned as a lounge. She believes taking an innovative approach to helping entrepreneurs is key for several reasons.

“It’s really important because while entrepreneurs' needs may stay largely the same, the way they seek out and consume information changes,” she says. “For example, ChatGPT wasn't a thing when Aviatra was founded. Now there's no shortage of information. The challenge is curating it and helping entrepreneurs apply it to their own specific situations. There's also still a huge need for human connection — connecting entrepreneurs with other business owners who are learning, growing, failing, succeeding, and sharing experiences.”

Continuing, Morenz says, “If we as a provider of services and education aren't changing with entrepreneurs, they eventually won't connect with us anymore.”

Morenz need have no such concerns based on the experiences of Kris Richter and Leslie Schicht.

Richter is the founder of Paint Playground, an indoor family entertainment center where customers throw, drip, scape and squirt washable paint together in a safe – and fun – environment. Schicht owns Poor Charlotte’s Books, a “romance forward” bookstore created to fill a gap in Northern Kentucky’s literary scene. Says Schicht, “It occurred to me that I could figure out how to bring a niche bookstore to life and – with a lot of hard work –

here we are!”

As a solo business owner running a “hands-on experiential business,” Richter says she reached out to Aviatra to help better articulate her company’s story, boost operations and prepare for a major expansion: a second Northern Kentucky location within the next few years. Working in public education for 20+ years, Schicht signed up for a free business class at the Kenton County Public Library, only to discover it was taught by Morenz. That led to a tour of Incubator, resulting in Schicht ultimately signing a lease to open Poor Charlotte’s Books and becoming the first tenant in Muse Boutiques.

For Richter, the value of Aviatra’s services has been “enormous – both personally as an entrepreneur and directly for the business.”

“It’s been incredibly empowering to be surrounded by other driven women entrepreneurs who truly get the challenges (and joys) of building something from the ground up,” Richter says. “The community, accountability, coaching, and access to mentors have boosted my confidence and helped me think bigger. While it’s too early for results since Muse is brand new, I’m hopeful it will give us an additional revenue source and increased visibility in Northern Kentucky – exactly where I plan to open a second Paint Playground location in the next few years. I’m happy to be part of it and support Aviatra’s vision for women entrepreneurs. Overall, Aviatra has helped me move forward with more clarity, confidence, and momentum than I could have alone.”

Schicht agrees.

“Poor Charlotte’s Books has come really far since we opened in October; Aviatra is always there to help with that next step,” she says. “I’m getting support with staffing, overhead costs, and connecting with a community of other female entrepreneurs. It’s nice not to be doing this all alone. The partnership with Aviatra has also meant that I’m able to open this store in bitesized pieces so I can take my time and consider the best next move.”

INNOVATION UNLOCKED

An entrepreneur herself as the owner of Code Crackers Scavenger Hunts, which produces brain-teasing adventures for “couples, families, kids and friend groups built around local public art and architecture,” Morenz knows the value of having startup support.

“We have so many cool businesses, experiences, services, and products in this region – sometimes it just takes pausing and asking yourself, ‘Can I do this locally?’” she says. “Whether it's shopping for gifts, trying new experiences, finding local services, or supporting neighborhood businesses, those choices matter. Aviatra fits into that by equipping business owners with tools to become stronger businesses. We help them understand finances, marketing, growth strategies, customer connections, and sustainability.”

Continuing, Morenz says, “Strong locally-owned businesses contribute to family stability, community vitality, and the economic health of the region. That's empowering for entrepreneurs.” NKY

LADIES FIRST Aviatra Accelerators AT A GLANCE

Aviatra Accelerators Headquarters Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky 114 W. Pike St. Covington, KY 41011 859-867-0608 Aviatra.org /AviatraAccelerators /aviatraaccelerators

Muse Boutiques MuseBoutiques.com

112 W. Pike St. Covington, KY 41011 859-867-0610 /museboutiques

PROGRAMMED FOR SUCCESS

Aviatra programs to help women start and succeed as entrepreneurs:

• From Daydream to Launch – A six-week digital program to explore the viability of a business idea and launch a business.

• Master Classes – One-day classes hosted in person designed for women business owners wanting to increase their knowledge and expertise in specific areas to grow their businesses.

• Ready for Funding – A non-cohort-based, guided and customizable initiative, this program seeks to empower and prepare women entrepreneurs to access capital from lenders and investors.

• Membership Community – Available in two tiers of monthly or yearly membership, this program offers accountability, coaching, peer masterminds, program discounts and more to help women continue to progress toward their business goals.

• Fuel Your Business Income Accelerator – A six-week live, online program presented in cohort-based sessions focused on helping owners of businesses six months to two years old make more money.

• Momentum Accelerator – Aviatra’s flagship program, this 12-week, in-person is program designed for women focused on taking businesses to the next level who have been in business more than one year and have earned at least $50,000 in total revenue.

Resonating Child Care

New MRI innovation developed in Cincinnati looks to help babies worldwide

By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media

CHARLES DUMOULIN, PH.D., HAS ENJOYED QUITE A DISTINGUISHED CAREER. THERE ARE THE 140+ articles and 28 book chapters he has authored or co-authored, the 237 lectures he has been invited to give, and the 128 issued U.S. patents (with an additional 11 patents pending). Given all those achievements, one might expect him to have a sense of pride or accomplishment about his latest innovation, a neonatal MRI system designed specifically for infants he helped create at Cincinnati Children’s.

“Pride,” however, is not the word that Dumoulin says comes to mind when he reflects upon the situation. “Grateful” is.

“I am grateful to have been in the position to make this contribution; what I am most grateful for is the ability to have an impact on this whole group of patients,” says Dumoulin. “I have four kids; my twin boys were premature. My first exposure to a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) was a very stressful one as a parent – I never forgot that. When I had the chance to do something in this space for premature babies, I leapt at that opportunity. It turned out to be a really good thing to do.”

RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT

A physicist employed by Cincinnati Children’s who also serves as a professor of Pediatrics and Radiology at the University of Cincinnati, Dumoulin is the leading innovator behind the Ascent3T™ Neonatal Magnetic Resonance Imaging System. The Ascent3T™ is the first high-field, 3 Tesla MRI scanner designed specifically for infants.

“Premature babies are the last population of patients in Western society that still do not have routine access to MR,” Dumoulin says. “Quite often, the diagnostic answers that MR provides are transformative. They can save patients, but ever since the inception of MR, when the first commercial products came out in the early 1980s, premature babies have not had routine access to it ... now, we are bringing the access of this technology to them.”

Dumoulin says that despite newborns in a NICU being among a hospital’s most vulnerable patients, traditional MRI systems were never built with their needs in mind. Dumoulin set out to change that, utilizing his nearly 25 years’ experience working at General Electric’s (GE) Research and Development Center in Schenectady, New York, before coming to Cincinnati Children’s. The Ascent3T™ boasts several features invented at Cincinnati Children’s, including a detachable patient table that can also transport patients, and a proprietary approach to making the scanner quieter. Unlike many MRI systems, the Ascent3T™ is virtually helium-free and does not require external venting, reducing complexity and costs for hospitals.

It’s helpful to understand the challenges and difficulties traditional MRI systems present when it comes to NICU patients to appreciate what makes the Ascent3T™ such a major innovation.

First, traditional MRI machines are massive and typically found on the first floor of a hospital’s radiology unit where they are most often used for outpatient services. That, Dumoulin says, can “expose the babies to noise, infection, and vibration risks.” Second, transporting patients to and from an MRI requires mobilizing multiple NICU staff members, who are no longer available to help other babies needing attention in the unit. Overall, the process of prepping and transporting NICU patients to the radiology department is usually considered to be “too risky”.

During his time in R&D at GE, Dumoulin worked on a project to develop an MR-compatible incubator for use at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF). While demonstrating the value that MRI can bring to neonatal care, the project led to the realization that logistical challenges were the primary reasons preventing infant MRIs.

Arriving at Cincinnati Children’s in 2008, Dumoulin approached leadership with an idea to create a device with a small magnet that could be placed inside the NICU itself. A smaller magnet would help reduce the noise found with a traditional MRI device and with it being inside the NICU, resolve the transport problem. After a lengthy but successful development process and over 1,700 infant scans, Cincinnati Children’s, in partnership with others, launched Eyas Medical Imaging to produce what is now the Ascent3T™.

ALL THE LITTLE CHILDREN

Dumoulin’s personal experience with premature children made him “more compassionate” in his work, because he knows what parents are feeling when they come into a NICU “with their eyes wide open and stressed out.” That’s another reason that he is grateful for the Ascent3T™ – for both the solace and hope it can provide parents facing uncertainty and potentially very difficult decisions.

“One thing every parent asks is, ‘Am I doing the right thing? Is there something better I can do?’” Dumoulin says. “One of the beauties of the MR scanner is that it provides objective information that helps inform healthcare.”

For example, several years ago at Cincinnati Children’s an infant was prenatally diagnosed with a diaphragmatic hernia: a hole in the diaphragm that, if not treated, could cause the baby to have tiny, non-functioning lungs, death being “an assured outcome.” Cincinnati Children’s surgeons repaired the hernia prior to birth, but upon being born, the child was struggling. With surgeons pondering if the procedure wasn’t effective enough, the Cincinnati Children’s MRI prototype system was able to determine that the child’s diaphragm wasn’t moving correctly. With the images, surgeons

were able to repair the diaphragm, allowing for a more normal breathing pattern.

“In that case, you can make a strong argument that the MR saved that baby's life,” Dumoulin says. “MR is a very powerful tool providing objective information that you just can't get any other way – that's the big role it's going to play in the NICU as we get this new capability rolled out throughout the country and around the world.”

INVESTING IN INNOVATION

Dumoulin says currently there are other regions around the country that are ahead of the Greater Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky region in terms of being “hotbeds of medical businesses and industry.” While he believes it will take more than a few companies to make that happen here, Dumoulin sees several positives helping the region toward that goal. “We have some good universities here producing great talent,” Dumoulin says. “I really have enjoyed being here after moving from the East Coast. We have a way to go, but I’m optimistic.”

Asked what his pitch would be to attract more companies and build upon that optimism, Dumoulin’s response was quick and simple: “The pitch to draw people here has to focus on opportunity. The venture capitalists need to understand that this is a good place to create a business. The area has a good core of talent, excellent infrastructure, and is well-located. Recruiting talent to move here from other parts of the country can be a challenge, but if the opportunities are here, they will come.’”

Celebrating Women Who Lead

The Women’s Initiative Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky Awards, presented by St. Elizabeth, celebrate women being recognized for blazing trails, opening doors, and demonstrating leadership in their homes, professions, communities, and the region.

What started as a smaller gathering more than 40 years ago has grown into a large-scale annual luncheon during which hundreds of women and men gather to celebrate the honorees. More than 250 women have been recognized since the inception of this event, and in 2026, seven more have joined the ranks of Outstanding Women of Northern Kentucky.

2026 OUTSTANDING WOMEN OF NORTHERN KENTUCKY HONOREES

INNOVATING KNOWLEDGE INNOVATING INNOVATING

Kenton County Public Library offers technology, tools, resources to assist beyond books

By Tabari McCoy, Scooter Media

JUST ABOUT EVERYONE KNOWS THE DANGER OF JUDGING a book by its cover. That is why it baffles Dave Schroeder that so many people still judge libraries through outdated ideas of what they have to offer the community.

“People often have a fixed idea of what a library is, and for many, that still centers around books because that’s what libraries meant growing up,” says Schroeder, the retiring executive director of the Kenton County Public Library (KCPL). “What amazes me is how many people don’t realize what is available at the library and how many ways we can help. The more awareness we can raise, the more likely people are to take advantage of those services.”

Now, with resources such as its STREAM Center and Empower Tools program readily available, your library card can unlock a world of innovation right at your fingertips.

INNOVATING UP STREAM

With four branches in Covington, Erlanger, Independence and Latonia, KCPL serves more than 169,000 residents who call the county home with all the traditional resources associated with public libraries. This includes lending books, preserving local, regional, national and global history while also hosting monthly community events for children, tweens, teens and adults alike.

It is KCPL’s other resources, however – particularly at its Erlanger branch – that are growing in popularity and highlighting its ability to serve as a source for both inspiration and innovation. The Erlanger branch is home to the Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Art & Math – STREAM – Center, the state-of-the-art technology and hands-on learning hub that doubles as an innovative dream for a variety of purposes.

This includes printing services that can be used to make posters, T-shirts, engrave cutting boards and more. Additionally, the STREAM Center also hosts a variety of classes where people can create sublimated photo frames, learn software such as the popular design platform Canva, astronomy, the mechanics of human hands and even how to overcome writer’s block. Schroeder says that the center is popular among educators, many of whom will come in to print items for their classroom displays and lessons. Says Schroeder, “Many teachers take money out of their own pocket to build their classrooms displays, this helps keep their costs down.”

The roots of the STREAM Center, Schroeder says, stem from a desire to pull the “bits and pieces” of technology together in a manner that would be “robust to serve the community,” especially following the economic downturn of late 2007/early 2008.

“Our goal is also to serve the business community,” Schroeder says. “After the tech bubble burst and the housing market was collapsing, many people suddenly found themselves unemployed. In many cases they had been in their jobs for years, so they hadn't searched for a job in a long time. Our staff began seeing these individuals on a regular basis and we realized we needed to step in and help. Many needed basic computer skills because the last time they looked for a job, they searched the newspaper. That’s no longer how it works, and so our staff stepped up to meet that need.”

That led Natalie Ruppert, during her 16-year KCPL career, to develop the library’s Career Navigator program, now led by small business and career navigator librarian John Schlipp. With the American Library Association having recognized the KCPL as one of the country’s top 10 public library programs for workforce development, Schroeder says the results prove innovation

combined with a great staff are key to meeting its community’s needs.

“We have wonderful materials, lots of databases, and resources that can help people; what folks need in that moment of uncertainty, though, is a person to talk to, someone who will encourage them who has the expertise and can answer their questions,” says Schroeder, noting KCPL has worked with many in career transition to become entrepreneurs. “We were finding people who were in transition in the workforce development program who came to the conclusions, ‘I don't want to work for somebody else. I don't want to work for a corporation – I want to do this on my own.’ That made us say, ‘How do we also help those individuals?’”

TOOLS FOR EMPOWERMENT

Another innovation helping to bring about success is the Empower Tools program, a shared program with The Center for Greater Neighborhoods (The Center). Operating out of an office along W. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard in Covington, the program allows anyone in the Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky region to borrow a variety of tools – ladders, saws, drills, garden equipment, to name a few – for up to seven days at a time.

Schroeder says the program has been particularly popular among those rehabbing Covington’s older and historic properties, growing out of the chatter of patrons who need tools, but only for a limited time. Originally funded by a grant, KCPL now operates the program with support from The Center. “We couldn’t do it without them,” he says.

Schroeder says the program is imperative to meeting the need in the community.

“It was the people in the Covington community who saw a need,” he says. “They saw us as a place good at building and maintaining a collection, checking things out, and bringing them back. It was a great partnership between two groups, and it's lasted well over a decade.”

PROVIDING INNOVATIVE PUBLIC SERVICE

Given that helping people who may otherwise be without the resources they need is what the KCPL seeks to do, Schroeder says he hopes his successor continues to innovate well into the future.

“We work very hard to make sure that whatever we're doing is serving people – that's what libraries do,” Schroeder says. “This job has been one of the great honors of my life, and I'm not saying that just to say it – I'm saying it because it's true.

Continuing, Schroeder says, “The staff knows my favorite word is the word ‘relevant.’ Public libraries must continually evolve to meet the needs of their communities. If we were still operating under the same model we used 30 years ago, we would not be relevant today. We’ve remained very open to innovation, creativity, and to looking at libraries and how they fit into the community in a different way. That's very important because when you remain relevant, everything else follows.” NKY

TOOLS OF THE TRADE

SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, READING, ENGINEERING, ART & MATH (STREAM) CENTER

401 Kenton Lands Road, Erlanger, KY 41018 859-962-4331 kentonlibrary.org/stream

HOURS: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday–Thursday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Friday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4:30 p.m. Sunday

SERVICES: The Erlanger STREAM Center serves multiple printing, digital and creative functions. This includes the transfer of VHS to DVD, poster and 3D item printing and more. Training is required prior to using tools; reservations for poster printers can be made online.

NOTE: While not a full STREAM Center, limited STREAM services such as poster printers can be found at all KCPL branches. The Covington branch has additional STREAM equipment including a button maker, laminator and various paper cutting tools available to the public.

321 W. Martin Luther King Jr. Blvd., Covington, KY 41011 kentonlibrary.org/empower-tools

HOURS: 4 to 7 p.m. Monday and Wednesday, 1 to 6 p.m. Friday

HOW TO PARTICIPATE:

Email CovingtonEmpowerTools@gmail.com with the following information:

· Your name

· Your KCPL card number

· Your address, phone number and email

DETAILS: People may check out up to three items for up to seven days at a time. After seven days, tools accrue fines at a rate of $5 a day, per tool. Available tools include but are not limited to lawn and garden tools, water pumps and air compressors, hammers, saws, wagons, painting accessories, etc.

AROUND THE CHAMBER

BOARD OF DIRECTORS/BOARD OF ADVISORS MEETING MERCANTILE IMMERSIVE, CINCINNATI

GOVERNMENT FORUM: POLICY & THE TALENT PIPELINE | EMBASSY SUITES, COVINGTON

ERLANGER BUSINESS COUNCIL: STATE OF THE CITY | ERLANGER CITY BUILDING

NKYP LUNCHTIME LEADER CHAT: SHANNON BOBBERT PERFETTI VAN MELLE, ERLANGER

AROUND THE CHAMBER

FORT THOMAS BUSINESS COUNCIL: STATE OF THE CITY | HIGHLAND COUNTRY CLUB NEWPORT

Council Celebration Dinner

NKY Chamber Business Council Meetings

We want to help you promote and celebrate your ribbon cutting ceremony for your new facility, expansion, anniversary celebration or open house! We’ll bring our trademark giant blue scissors, a group of Chamber ambassadors, and a camera to capture the excitement of your special day.

Lynn Abeln at 859-578-6390 to schedule your FREE ribbon cutting today!

MILESTONES

The Fairway Room, a new destination in Union that opened in April, is a one-of-a-kind experience combining golf, food and a laid-back social atmosphere. This includes two state-of-the-art golf simulators with access to thousands of courses for play year-round in addition to pool tables, darts, live music and weekly events. The venue also features a full bar with food menu featuring pizzas, wings, hoagies and shareables.

The Fairway Room is located at 9196 U.S. Route 42, Suite D. Hours of operation are noon to 11 p.m. Monday, 10 a.m. to 11 p.m. Tuesday–Thursday, 10 a.m. to midnight Friday and Saturday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday. Learn more by visiting thefairwayroom.com.

Perfetti Van Melle Americas (PVM) has named Rebecca Dunphey president of the Americas Business Unit.

A veteran with more than 20 years’ experience in the consumer package goods industry, Dunphey has worked in a variety of marketing and general management experiences across several categories in the U.S. and Latin America. Having previously worked at Unilever, Kimberly-Clark and Clorox, Dunphey most recently served as the business unit president at Kraft-Heinz. Dunphey succeeds Sylvia Buxton, who led the rapid growth of the company’s North American business for 7+ years, during which it became the third largest confectionery manufacturer in the U.S. and expanded into the 2,300 employee Americas Business Unit, which encompasses the U.S., Canada, Mexico, and Latin America.

PVM is a privately owned company that manufactures and distributes confectionery and chewing gum in more than 150 countries, serving as a global leader in the confectionery industry due to its innovative, diverse, and well-loved products including Mentos, Airheads, Chupa Chups and more.

Wiseway Supply, A Park Wiseway Supply Group (PWSG) company, announced in April that Terry Reister will serve as its new general manager for Ohio, Indiana and Northern Kentucky.

Reister comes to Wiseway having previously worked in counter sales, inside sales, outside sales, operations, general management and regional leadership, a highlight being his 20+ years with Sonepar. He has worked across nine different business trading areas spanning Wisconsin, Illinois, Ohio and Kentucky, experiences that have provided him a broad perspective on regional markets and customer needs.

PWSG is a leading wholesale distribution platform comprised of Wiseway Supply, Park Supply, Stearns Supply, Plumbers Wholesale Supply, and Northport Electrical Supply. Operating across Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Alabama, PWSG serves plumbing, lighting and electrical professionals with a shared commitment to exceptional service, dependable supply and local market expertise.

EVENT CALENDAR

JULY

7/8 DisruptHR Northern Kentucky | Griffin Hall, NKU, Highland Heights | 4:00-7:00 PM (sold out)

7/14 Business Council Joint Meeting: Transportation Secretary | Receptions, Erlanger | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

7/16 NKYP Lunchtime Leader Chat: NKU President Cady Short-Thompson | Student Union, NKU | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

7/16 Business After Hours, Sponsored by FBT Gibbons | UP THERE, Covington | 4:30-6:30 PM

7/21 Eggs ‘N Issues: Sparking NKY’s Future – A Fireside Chat with Garren Colvin | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30-9:00 AM

7/28 Women’s Initiative Coffee Connect | Archer & Company Roasters, Hebron | 8:00-10:00 AM

AUGUST

8/5 Getting the Most of Your Chamber Membership | NKY Chamber, Ft. Mitchell | 9:00-10:00 AM

8/6 NKY Chamber Annual Golf Outing | Kenton County Golf Courses, Independence | 7:00 AM-7:00 PM

8/11 Erlanger Business Council Resource Roundtables | Receptions, Erlanger | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

8/13 NKYP Bourbon and Boards | Wenzel Whiskey, Covington | 5:00-7:00 PM

8/18 Eggs 'N Issues: Built on Creativity - The Business Impact of Arts in NKY | Receptions, Erlanger | 7:30-9:00 AM

8/20 Florence Business Council | Turfway Park, Florence | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

8/25 Government Forum: Mitch McConnell | TBD | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

8/27 Leadership Alumni Awards Luncheon | Receptions, Erlanger | 11:30 AM-1:30 PM

8/27 Fort Thomas Business Council Social | Grassroots & Vine, Fort Thomas | 4:30-6:00 PM

8/28 Women’s Initiative Professional Series, Powered by PNC | Embassy Suites, Covington | 8:00-10:00 AM

8/31 Women’s Initiative Connect Hour with Newport Business Council | Newport Car Barn | 4:00-6:00 PM

SEPTEMBER

9/3 NKYP Kickoff Meeting | Beeline, Newport | 4:00-6:00 PM

9/8 Erlanger Business Council Social | TBD | 4:30-6:00 PM

9/10 Florence Business Council | Florence Nature Park | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

9/10 Business After Hours, Sponsored by FBT Gibbons | TBD | 4:30-6:30 PM

9/13 Regional Youth Leadership Retreat | Camp Ernst, Burlington | 8:30 AM-3:30 PM (class only)

9/17 Annual Dinner, Presented by Fifth Third Bank | NKY Convention Center, Covington | 5:00-8:30 PM

9/22 Newport Business Council Resource Roundtables | Carnegie Hall, Newport | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

9/24-25 Leadership NKY Overnight Retreat | Camp Joy, Clarksville, OH | 8:30 AM-2:00 PM (class only)

9/24 Fort Thomas Business Council | Mess Hall, Fort Thomas | 11:30 AM-1:00 PM

9/28 Women’s Initiative Connect Hour, Powered by PNC | Braxton Brewing, Union | 4:00-6:00 PM

included in membership fees. Annual subscription rate for nonmembers is $30.

Periodicals Postage Paid USPS-548630 at Covington, KY.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, 300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 330, P.O. Box 17416 , Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017-0416.

Subscribers: Please send address changes by e-mail to info@nkychamber.com.

© 2026, The Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, Inc. and by the individual authors. All rights reserved.

CEO/Publisher

Brent Cooper | bcooper@nkychamber.com

Marketing & Communications

Shannan Boyer | shannan@scootermediaco.com

Amber Potter | amber@scootermediaco.com

Design Lindsey Vanderkolk | lindsey@scootermediaco.com

Photography Emory Davis | emory.gdavis@gmail.com

Vice President, Membership–Sponsorship Sales

Lynn Abeln | labeln@nkychamber.com

Director, Sponsorship Investments Strategist

Diana McGlade | dmcglade@nkychamber.com

Staff Writer

Tabari McCoy | tabari@scootermediaco.com