Greater Owensboro Economic Development Vice President of Entrepreneurship, Joe Berry, announced a new program this morning at the monthly Chamber of Commerce Rooster Booster Breakfast.
The Kentucky Innovation Network (KIN) is a statewide coalition. The regional office located in Owensboro covers a 10-county region, including Daviess County.
“Our purpose is to empower entrepreneurs to take risks, invest in their companines, and to create new jobs,” Berry explained.
Since its beginning in 2008, the Owensboro KIN office has helped start 73 new companies, which have generated 346 jobs.
Berry invited Chamber members this morning to assist in a new initiative called GO (Greater Owensboro) Mentor. “As a community, we need to continue to utilize our expertise in a tangible way to help grow the economy in the 21st century.”
The goal of the GO Mentorship initiative, Berry says, is to assemble an army of business experts around the community from a diverse range of fields to provide expertise and advice for growing companies.
Mentors already committed to the program include:
- Malcolm Bryant, Malcolm Bryant Corporation
- Ed Riney, Retired, Owensboro Riverport
- Scott Williams, OCTC
- Amy Jackson, First Security Bank
- Clay Ford, EM Ford & Money Concepts
- Rick Searcy, H.L. Neblett Center
- Terry Naulty, O.M.U.
- Larry Conder, Riverwalk Properties
- Martha Clark, CPA
- Adam Hancock, Riney Hancock CPAs
- Pablo Gallastegui, Red Pixel Studios
- Dan Douglas, Junior Achievement
The mentorees have an opportunity to learn from real experts who can provide the voice of experience and help their businesses grow.
Berry says that list of mentors will continue to increase. “We hope to add more in the near future. Our target is around 20 members from a wide range of industries.”
