St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities Announces New Social Services Director 

by with No Comment Member News

New Albany, IN- St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities is pleased to announce their new Social Services Director, Jessica Floyd. She comes to St. Elizabeth’s with over 18 years of experience in the social services field. Most recently, Floyd was with LifeSpring Health Systems, where she was the Homeless and Housing Program manager for 11 years. 

“I am extremely excited to be part of the St. E’s family! I have some pretty big shoes to fill but I am up for the challenge,” Floyd commented on her new position.  

Agency Director Mark Casper remarked about Floyd’s hiring, “St. Elizabeth’s is very excited to have someone with Jessica’s passion for housing the homeless and years of experience within other programs that offer services.  Jessica seems like a natural fit and a huge addition to our team!” 

Floyd will be over St. Elizabeth’s Residential Programs which include a Women and Children’s Emergency Shelter, a Maternity Program, a Domestic Violence Program, and the Affordable Supportive Housing onsite housing program. Additionally, the Supported Living, School Counseling, Marie’s Blessings, and the Adoption Bridges of Kentuckian programs will all be overseen by Floyd.  

Floyd’s passion is evident in the many fields she has worked in including individuals with disabilities, youth in foster care, and people experiencing homelessness.  Floyd resides in Jeffersonville with both her husband and son. In her free time, you can find her at the baseball field or in her craft room making shirts.  Please help welcome Jessica Floyd to the St. Elizabeth’s team! 

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About St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities 

St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities has been serving families throughout Southern Indiana and Metro Louisville for 45 years. The agency’s history is rooted in the 1979 opening of Catholic Charities in Southern Indiana. In May of 1989, St. Elizabeth’s opened in New Albany as a crisis pregnancy center. The two organizations merged in 2004 to better serve the community.  Current programs include: Adoption Bridges of Kentuckiana– adoption services licensed in both Kentucky and Indiana, a Women and Children Emergency Shelter, a Domestic Violence Transitional & Rapid Rehousing Program, a Maternity Program for single mothers, Affordable Supportive Housing, Marie’s Blessings Community Distribution Program of mother/baby and household items, a School Counseling Program, and a Supported Living Program serving individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. St. Elizabeth Catholic Charities is a COA accredited human service agency providing physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the community committed to Providing Help, Creating Hope and Serving All.     

IU Southeast Launches Two New Bachelor’s Degree Programs to Support Kentuckiana Workforce Growth in Tourism, Hospitality, and Sports Leadership

by with No Comment Member News

NEW ALBANY, IN (November 18, 2024) – Indiana University Southeast is excited to announce the launch of two new bachelor’s degree programs designed to meet the growing demand for skilled professionals in tourism, hospitality, event planning, and sports leadership. Starting in the fall of 2025, IU Southeast will offer a Bachelor of Science in Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning and a Sports Leadership Track within the Bachelor of Science in Communication Studies.

These programs address key economic drivers in the Kentuckiana region, where tourism, hospitality, and sporting events generate a $3.4 billion annual economic impact for the greater Louisville area.

Statewide, tourism is Kentucky’s third-largest industry and in Indiana it is the thirteenth largest industry, contributing $29.6 billion collectively in the two states, each year. Louisville has also earned national recognition, named a Top 50 Tourist Destination for 2024 by The New York Times.

Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning

The Tourism, Hospitality, and Event Planning program is designed to prepare students for dynamic careers in these high-impact industries. The curriculum emphasizes critical areas such as marketing, sustainable travel practices, and destination planning, while also covering hotel and restaurant management, event design, logistics, contract negotiation, and risk management. Students will gain the skills to plan and manage conferences, weddings, corporate events, and other large-scale gatherings.

Recognizing the importance of networking in these fields, the program provides students with opportunities to connect with industry professionals and alumni. These connections, paired with access to internships, guest speakers, and industry events, will help students secure career placements in hotels, regional tourism bureaus, convention centers, and restaurants.

Program coordinator Greg Roberts says IU Southeast is reaching out to businesses and professionals in the region and is looking forward to having them involved with this degree and the students in the program.

“By fostering strong partnerships with industry professionals, we create opportunities for internships, mentorships, and real-world projects that not only enhance students’ education but also provide direct benefits to local businesses,” said Roberts.

Kentucky Derby Festival President and CEO Matt Gibson sees the impact the new degree program will make on the Kentuckiana region.

“Now in its 70th year, the Kentucky Derby Festival has grown from a single event into a monthlong celebration and tourism driver in Kentuckiana. Programs and partnerships like this generate a skilled talent pool that is key to the future success of both the events and tourism industries in our area,” said Gibson. “With more than 70 events on the Festival’s schedule every spring we can help provide students with hands-on experience and insights into event production to prepare them for careers in an emerging field.”

SoIN Tourism Executive Director Jim Epperson said his organization is “thrilled to have IU Southeast as a partner for us and for the tourism and hospitality businesses we serve. Our sector is hungry for that skilled workforce and I anticipate there will be eager partners willing to provide workplace learning opportunities and to assist where appropriate in the classroom to foster the next wave of welcoming faces backed up by knowledge and skills.”

Sports Leadership Track

The IU Southeast Sports Leadership Track is a unique and immersive program designed to equip students with the skills and expertise needed for a wide range of careers in the sports industry.

The Sports Leadership Track blends coursework in communication, journalism, media, and business to create a comprehensive learning experience. Graduates will earn a degree in Communication Studies with a specialized focus on the sports sector, preparing them for roles such as:

  • Coaching and Athletic Directing
  • Facility Management
  • Sports Journalism and Broadcasting
  • Sports Promotion and Branding
  • Public Relations
  • Event Planning

The Sports Leadership Track also provides personalized learning opportunities, giving students access to internships, industry professionals, and career placement resources. The program emphasizes practical experience, ensuring students are prepared to meet the challenges and demands of this competitive field.

“[Athletics is] central to the lives of our students, many of whom know they want athletics/sports to be part of their careers,” said Dr. Alexandra Sousa, assistant professor of Communication Studies at IU Southeast. “This degree is unlike any comparative programs because of its customizability, interdisciplinary nature, and prioritization on career-readiness that prepares students for a breadth of careers in athletics.”

A Regional Commitment to Workforce Development

“IU Southeast is committed to aligning our academic offerings with the demonstrated need for quality professionals in our region,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU Southeast. “These programs are not only educational investments in our students but also economic investments in the Kentuckiana region.”

The university is accepting students in the programs now and will begin offering the programs to new students in the Fall 2025 semester.

For more information about these new programs and admissions, please visit southeast.iu.edu or contact Chris Crews in the Office of Admissions at ius.admissions@iu.edu.

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About IU Southeast: IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.

Economic Update | Growth versus Inflation – a match shaping up for 2025

by with No Comment Economic Development

submitted by
Uric Dufrene, Ph.D., Sanders Chair in Business, Indiana University Southeast

Will the economy cause the Fed to slow rate cuts?  The probability of another Fed rate cut in December has come down from upwards of 80% to about 66%. As we move into 2025, the pace of cuts is expected to slow, counter to expectations at the advent of the rate-cutting cycle.  There are two primary reasons for the expected slowing of cuts:  a strong economy and the stickiness of inflation. 

The Fed led the cutting cycle with an unexpected reduction of 50 basis points. This was in the middle of an existing strong economy and inflation, while lower than the start of the year, had still not reached the target of 2%. The Fed will reduce in December, but expect January odds to come down after the release of economic data, shifting the odds to no reduction in January.    

For the strength of the economy, we can look at gross domestic product (GDP), which is the market value of goods and services produced by the macroeconomy.  The latest figures show that GDP increased by 2.8%, from the 2nd to the 3rd quarter of 2024. This is well above the average quarterly growth since 2022. And the consumer is driving this growth, responsible for a whopping 85% of the 2.8%. 

While consumer sentiment remains depressed, largely due to the negative effects of inflation, consumers remain confident due to a couple of ongoing dynamics.  One is the labor market.  While the labor market has softened, the unemployment rate remains at relatively low levels and job openings continue to exceed the number of unemployed.  Layoffs, as measured by new claims for unemployment, are at historically low levels. Current levels are just over 200,000 weekly, and these are nowhere near levels needed for any hints of a recession. The other factor driving consumer spending is household balance sheets. The net worth of households is at an all-time high, driven by home values and the equity markets. During the Great Recession, it took about 5 years to recover the net worth lost during the housing crash and equity market losses. Coming out of Covid, household wealth suffered declines in 2022 but has been climbing since. Strong balance sheets encourage spending, and this is showing up in sustained consumer spending, the big driver of gross domestic product. 

Since the Fed began its rate-cutting cycle, inflation is higher than it was at the end of September. The post-Fed cut inflation rate was 2.41% at the end of September and the most recent data places headline CPI at 2.6%. The core rate, CPI minus food and energy, is even higher at 3.3%. We see the impact of this sticky inflation on the 10-year yield, higher now than levels that existed just prior to the September Fed rate reduction. For the consumer, this means elevated mortgage rates compared to the recent low of 6.1%.    

In summary, the Fed will likely cut in December. The absence of a cut would signal the mistake that was made in September, but unless the data deteriorates considerably, expect a pause for January.   

Regional Updates 

As 2024 comes to an end, the Louisville Metro area will see slower payrolls this year compared to 2023. Latest preliminary estimates show that Louisville payrolls are up about 3,700 from the prior year, and the unemployment rate about 3/4% higher than 2023, 4.2% compared to 3.5% last year. The region saw gains in education and health services, transportation and warehousing, and professional and business services. However, losses in leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, financial activities, retail and information provided headwinds to overall payroll growth. 

We see similar patterns in Southern Indiana. The most recent county data show that Southern Indiana gained over 1,000 jobs in the second quarter of 2023, compared to the prior year. Healthcare and transportation and warehousing were the dominant growth sectors and manufacturing saw another decline, over 1,000 payrolls. 

These most recent changes for Southern Indiana are consistent with the pattern that emerges from pre-Covid to now. Since 2019, the year prior to Covid, the largest gainer for Southern Indiana is transportation and warehousing, followed by health care and social services.  Accommodation and food services is up just over 1,000 positions. The greatest loss is observed for manufacturing, down more than 2,500 jobs since 2019. Even with this significant decline, both total wages and average weekly wages are higher, pointing to productivity gains in regional manufacturing.  Despite the decline in payrolls, manufacturing also remains as the sector with the highest level of total wages across Southern Indiana, reinforcing the role as an impactful economic development sector. 

As we exit 2024, the region can expect an acceleration of payroll growth and an unemployment rate that remains relatively flat.    Expect volatility in the markets, but the U.S. will avoid a recession.   

As the macroeconomy accelerates in growth, the battle between growth and inflation will ensue. Supporting both growth and disinflation will be a supply side boost to the economy, brought about by a deregulatory environment, and incentives that boost labor force participation and capital investment.    

Thank You for Renewing Your Membership | November 2024

by with No Comment Thank Your for Renewing Your Membership

One Southern Indiana would like to thank the following members that renewed their membership during the month of November 2024.

Quarter Century Club (25 Years or More)Member Since
Stites & Harbison, PLLC1982
Louisville Business First1984
PNC Bank1985
  
Ten to 24 Years 
One Vision Credit Union2002
Heartland, A Global Payments Company2004
C3 Tech2009
Kelley Construction2012
Purdue Polytechnic New Albany, Purdue University2014
  
Five to Nine Years 
BJB Inc.2017
ActionCoach Bluegrass2018
Excel Services Inc.2018
Rapid Industries Inc.2018
Heritage Ford2019
Kahl’s Body Shop2019
  
Two to Four Years 
Homeless Coalition of Southern Indiana2020
Scott Family Services2020
KORT Physical Therapy2021
Xtreme Transportation2021
The Elderberry Co.2022
Twin Interiors, Inc2022
  
One Year 
CXE Insurance2023
Keller Williams Realty Southern Indiana2023
Pirtek Louisville West2023
ROOFTECH2023
Thrivent – Travis Nicks2023
TownePlace Suites-Louisville North2023

Welcome New Members | November 2024

by with No Comment Welcome New Members

One Southern Indiana would like to welcome the following businesses that joined or rejoined during the month of November 2024.

Matrix Integration Welcomes Maggie McGovern as Vice President of Sales & Marketing

by with No Comment Member News

Jasper, IN – November 10, 2024 – Matrix Integration is excited to announce the appointment of Maggie McGovern as the company’s new Vice President of Sales and Marketing. In this pivotal role, Maggie will be responsible for driving the strategic vision and growth of Matrix Integration’s sales and marketing efforts.

“We are thrilled to welcome Maggie to the Matrix Integration family,” said Nathan Stallings, President & CEO of Matrix Integration. “Her extensive experience, strategic mindset, and natural ability to connect with people will be invaluable as we continue to grow and expand. We are confident that Maggie’s leadership will be instrumental in achieving our goals and propelling the company forward.”

With an impressive background in both technology and sales, Maggie brings a wealth of experience and a fresh perspective to the team. Her strong foundation in IT, combined with her passion for building meaningful relationships and solving complex business challenges, will be key in advancing Matrix Integration’s mission to enhance its brand, engage clients, and drive innovation.

Maggie’s career journey began in IT support and Help Desk roles, where she developed a solid technical foundation before transitioning into sales as an individual contributor, and then into sales leadership. For the last 10 years, she has led multiple business units resulting in record breaking growth. Her unique skill set has allowed her to successfully bridge the gap between technology and business needs. Known for her loyalty and commitment to both her work and her team, Maggie is driven by her core values of connection, empathy, and problem-solving.

As a Gallup Strengths Finder-certified professional, Maggie’s top strengths—Communication, Individualization, Includer, Strategic, and Achiever—guide her approach to leadership. She excels in creating tailored solutions, developing strategic paths to success, and fostering inclusive, collaborative environments that bring out the best in her teams.

Maggie resides in Georgetown, IN, with her husband, Steve, their two children, Cecilia (13) and Jack (10), and their beloved St. Bernard, Betsy. Outside of her professional life, she enjoys spending time with her family, traveling, researching genealogy, and building new relationships. Her passion for discovering stories, whether through family history or new connections, reflects her commitment to continuous personal and professional growth.

Please join us in giving Maggie a warm welcome to the team.

For more information about Matrix Integration, visit www.matrixintegration.com

Ian Ramsey Elected Chair of Kentucky Bicycle and  Bikeway Commission 

by with No Comment Member News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 22, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC attorney Ian Ramsey was recently elected Chair of the Kentucky Bicycle and Bikeway Commission (KBBC) at its 2024 annual meeting. He will guide the KBBC, coordinate with the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet on pedestrian and bikeway programs, and promote bicycling to governing officials and the public.  

First appointed to the KBBC by Governor Andy Beshear in 2022, Ramsey will now serve as Chair until January 2027.  

Ramsey is a Member (Partner) of Stites & Harbison based in the Louisville, Kentucky office. He focuses his practice as a products liability and commercial litigation trial attorney. He is also an active outside general counsel managing litigation, transactions, and operational issues for clients.  

An avid cyclist, Ramsey with Dr. Amir Piracha, Greg Strafer, and Bill Serad, founded Clydesdale Athletics Club (CAC) in 2013. CAC is a cycling club committed to raising funds for the Norton Cancer Institute and Norton Children’s Cancer Institute. Since its start, CAC has supported Norton’s annual Bike to Beat Cancer fundraising campaign. This year, the now 50-plus members of CAC surpassed $500,000 in donations raised since its founding. 

About Stites & Harbison 

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com. 

LMH Architecture and Michell Allen Ritz Architects Announce Strategic Merger

by with No Comment Member News

Louisville, KY – November 19, 2024 – LMH Architecture and Michell Allen Ritz Architects are thrilled to announce their merger, forming a new, unified firm that brings together two industry leaders under one banner. This strategic partnership, effective January 1, 2025, combines both firms’ decades of innovation and expertise and a shared vision for designing spaces that are inspiring and impactful.

The merger will enhance the new firm’s capabilities across key sectors, including healthcare, education, senior living, commercial, multifamily housing, houses of worship and municipal work. With a team of 22 creative professionals, the new firm will leverage its collaborative approach to deliver efficient, sustainable designs tailored to meet evolving client needs.

“A Shared Vision for the Future”

“This merger represents an exciting chapter for both firms,” said John Ketenbrink of LMH Architecture. “Together, we can build on our respective strengths to push the boundaries of architectural excellence while maintaining the personalized service our clients value. This growth is not about building a bigger team – but a better team.”

David Allen of Michell Allen Ritz Architects shared, “LMH’s values and approach to design are similar to ours, making the combined firm a great fit. LMH’s energetic, innovative staff, coupled with MAR’s experience and senior- level leadership provides a strong foundation for the new firm. By uniting our teams, we’re positioned to take on more ambitious projects and create a greater impact within the communities we serve.”

About LMH Architecture

Founded in 1999 and celebrating 25 years in business this year, LMH Architecture is often recognized for their expertise in the development of healthcare spaces in architecture and interiors. With projects across the country, LMH has built a legacy of delivering thoughtful, functional and innovative designs.

About Michell Allen Ritz Architects

Founded in 1971, Michell Allen Ritz Architects has been a leader in education, municipal, multifamily and senior living design for decades. Known for their attention to detail and client-centered approach, the firm has earned a reputation for creating spaces that elevate the human experience.

A Unified Firm

The newly-formed firm will officially launch on January 1, 2025, with offices in Louisville, KY (Middletown) and New Albany, IN. With the intention of building on the combined heritage, LMH+MAR will focus on the impact they can make in the community, utilizing efficient design to create positive outcomes.

For more information, please contact:
Brandi Rimpsey
LMH Architecture, PLLC
502.581.0570
brimpsey@lmharchitecture.com

Stites & Harbison Welcomes Nine Attorneys to Kentucky and Georgia

by with No Comment Member News

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 20, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC announces the addition of nine attorneys to the firm. Four attorneys join the Louisville, Ky., office: Rachel Gumbel, Jackson B. Hurst-Sanders, James E. Myers and April M. J. Sain. Harper B. Anderson, Holly A. Couch and Robert H. Dean join the firm in Lexington, Ky., while Mackenzie Miller and Lauren Towell (Ren) join the Atlanta office.

Rachel Gumbel is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, summa cum laude, in 2024. In law school, Gumbel served the University of Louisville Law Review as the senior notes editor for Volume 62, where she published a note, and as a member for Volume 61. Gumbel also was a research assistant for Professor Lauren Rothstein. Her honors include the Samuel L. Greenebaum Excellence in Legal Writing Award, the Runner-Up Best Note Award, the Brandeis Leadership Initiative (inaugural fellow) and the Brandeis Honor Society. Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, she was a legal extern for Judge Eric Haner, Division One of the Jefferson Circuit Court in the fall of 2023. She also participated in Stites & Harbison’s summer associate program in 2022 and 2023. She is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

Jackson B. Hurst-Sanders is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, summa cum laude and Order of the Coif, in 2023. While in law school, Hurst-Sanders was a BARBRI ambassador and a student representative of the UK Rosenberg Diversity Committee. For the Kentucky Law Journal, he served as editor-in-chief of Volume 111 and was published in that volume; he also served as a staff editor of Volume 110. His other honors include a Best Brief Award and a Best Source & Cite Award for Weaver Note, Book 1. Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Hurst-Sanders was a judicial law clerk for Judge David J. Hale of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Kentucky, 2023-24. He was a summer associate for Stites & Harbison in 2021 and 2022. He was also a legal extern for the Fayette County Attorney’s Office, spring of 2022, and a judicial extern for Judge Brian C. Edwards, Division 11 of the Jefferson Circuit Court, spring of 2023. He is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

James E. Myers is a member of the Business & Finance Service Group. He earned his J.D. from the Vanderbilt University Law School in 2024 and completed the Law & Business Program. In law school, he was a Vanderbilt Law School ambassador, a representative for the Vanderbilt Law and Business Society, a treasurer of the Vanderbilt Law School Transfer Association and a member of the Investment and Securities Law Club. Prior to joining Stites & Harbison, Myers was a summer associate for the firm in 2023 and a summer law clerk for an Asheville, N.C., firm in 2022. He is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

April M. J. Sain is a member of the Business Litigation Service Group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Louisville Louis D. Brandeis School of Law, magna cum laude, in 2021. While in law school, Sain was editor-in-chief of the University of Louisville Law Review, Volume 59, and chaired the Student Bar Foundation. She received the Samuel L. Greenebaum Award for Achievement in Legal Writing in Spring 2021. Prior to joining the firm, Sain clerked for the Honorable Claria Horn Boom, U.S. District Judge for the Western and Eastern Districts of Kentucky, from 2022-24, and for the Honorable Regina S. Edwards, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Western District of Kentucky, from 2021-22. She is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

Harper B. Anderson is a member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, magna cum laude, in 2024. In law school, she was president of the Moot Court Board and captain of the Moot Court National Competition Team. She also was a member of the Appalachian Law Caucus and the Trial Advocacy Board. She served as education chair of the Women’s Law Caucus and social events chair of the Student Bar Association. Additionally, Anderson earned a Class of 2024 Pro Bono Award. Prior to joining the firm, she participated in Stites & Harbison’s summer associate program in 2023 and was a legal extern for Judge Lucinda Masterton in Fayette Circuit Court in the fall of 2023. Anderson is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

Holly A. Couch is a member of the Construction Service Group. She earned her J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law in 2023. In law school, she served the Kentucky Law Journal as a staff editor for Volume 110 and the special features editor for Volume 111. She also was president of the Women’s Law Caucus. Couch worked as a certified legal intern at the University of Kentucky Legal Clinic, 2022-23, and was a law clerk for the National Labor Relations Board Region 9 in the summer of 2022. In 2023, she earned the Allison Connelly Seek Justice Award and the UK College of Law Pro Bono Award. Prior to joining the firm, Couch was a law clerk for Magistrate Judge Edward B. Atkins in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Kentucky, 2023-24. She is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

Robert H. Dean is a member of the Real Estate & Banking Service Group. He earned his J.D. from the University of Kentucky J. David Rosenberg College of Law, cum laude, in 2023. While in law school, Dean was a senior online staff member of the Kentucky Law Journal, Volume 111, a staff editor for Volume 110 and served as president of the Business Law Society. His honors include being a recipient of the Book Four Source and Cite Award and the Online Publication Source and Cite Award. Before joining Stites & Harbison, Dean was a law clerk for Judge Patrick J. Urda, U.S. Tax Court in Washington, D.C., in September of 2023 and a 2022 summer legal associate for the IRS, Office of Chief Counsel in Washington, D.C. He is admitted to practice in Kentucky.

Mackenzie Miller is a member of the Real Estate & Banking Service Group. She earned her J.D. from Georgia State University College of Law, magna cum laude and Order of the Coif, in 2024. While in law school, Miller was an articles editor for the Georgia State University Law Review for Volume 39 and the articles editor for Volume 40. She served as president of the American Constitution Society, vice-president of the Georgia Association for Women Lawyers and a graduate assistant for the Academic Success Program. She received a recognition from the White House and Department of Justice Eviction Prevention Program. Prior to joining the firm, Miller participated in Stites & Harbison’s summer associate program in 2023 and was a business immigration analyst for an Atlanta firm, 2019-21. She is admitted to practice in Georgia.

Lauren Towell (Ren) is a member of the Torts & Insurance Practice Service Group. She earned her J.D. from Emory University School of Law, with honors, in 2024. In law school, Towell was a member of the Moot Court (ABA competition team) and the American Constitution Society. Prior to joining the firm, she participated in Stites & Harbison’s summer associate program in 2023 and was a summer judicial intern for Henry County Superior Court in 2023. She also was a data analyst for Hilton Worldwide, 2019-21. She is admitted to practice in Georgia.

About Stites & Harbison

Stites & Harbison, PLLC is a nationally recognized, full-service law firm. With 11 offices across six states — Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, Ohio, Tennessee and Virginia — the firm represents clients across the United States and internationally. Tracing its origins to 1832, Stites & Harbison is known as a preeminent firm managing sophisticated transactions, challenging litigation and complex regulatory matters on a daily basis. For more information, visit www.stites.com.

IU Southeast names 2025 Chancellor’s Medallion honorees and scholars  

by with No Comment Member News

NEW ALBANY, IN (November 18, 2024) – Indiana University Southeast is proud to announce two recipients of the 2025 Chancellor’s Medallion. 

Pamela Bennett Martin, past-president of Bennett & Bennett Insurance Inc., and Jerry Roby, an entrepreneur with interests in various businesses including owner and President of Creditors Insurance Service, LLC; co-owner and CEO of Dennis Ott & Company Construction Services; partner in BEK Consultants; owner of Roby Advisory Group and former co-owner of Steinert’s Grill & Pub will be honored March 29, 2025, at the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner at The Foundry in Jeffersonville. 

The Chancellor’s Medallion is the highest honor presented by the chancellor of IU Southeast. It is given to individuals who have rendered distinguished service to the university and to the community; have given their talents in the promotion of human welfare and community well-being; and who, through their integrity, sensitivity, and commitment, serve as models for students and alumni of IU Southeast. To date, 61 of these awards have been presented. 

Pamela Bennett Martin 

Pamela Bennett Martin exemplifies a life of service, dedicated both to her clients and her community. As the former president of Bennett & Bennett Insurance, Inc., an independent agency with locations in Corydon and New Albany, Pamela built her career in the insurance industry, becoming a Certified Insurance Counselor in 1994 and specializing in health and commercial coverage. After 45 years in her family-owned business, she oversaw its successful merger with Shepherd Insurance on December 31, 2021, leaving a legacy of expertise and commitment to service. 

Martin’s community contributions are vast: she chaired a successful YMCA campaign in 2004, raising $3 million to build the facility, and later served as board chair from 2005-2007. She currently serves on the board of First Savings Bank and chairs the Compensation Committee. As a former president of the Corydon Rotary Club, she was named “President of the Year for Large Clubs” in District 6580 in 2010. 

Her community leadership includes a term as president of the Harrison County Community Foundation Board (2010-2012), co-chairing the Indiana 200th Birthday Celebration for Harrison County, and leading the year-long Corydon Bicentennial Celebration. She has founded several nonprofits, including Repair-Affair, Leadership Harrison County, Mainstreet Corydon, Renaissance Harrison County, and the Women in Philanthropy Steering Committee. 

Currently, Martin’s community roles include past chair of Align Southern Indiana, Advisory Board Chair for Genesis House, Fundraising Chair for the Popcorn Festival, and serving on the Harrison County Library Board of Advisors (beginning January 2024).  

A 1992 graduate of Leadership Southern Indiana and 1998 graduate of Leadership Harrison County, Martin earned the Servant Leadership Award from Leadership Harrison County. She has also been recognized with the Sam Walton Business Leader Award, the Main Street Board Member of the Year Award from the Indiana Main Street Association (2003), and the Norman Melhiser Community Service Award (2009). Her recent honors include the Harry P. Cooper Jr. Award from the Independent Insurance Agents of Indiana (2021) and the West Bend Mutual Community Service Award (2019). 

Martin holds a BA from Hanover College, graduating in 1980. She is married to David Martin, and they have two sons, Brent (married to Stacy) and Douglas (married to Liz), and five grandchildren: Jack, Molly, Benjamin, Louie, and Henry. 

Jerry Roby 

Jerry Roby is a seasoned entrepreneur and dedicated civic leader with diverse business interests and a lifelong commitment to service. He is the Owner and President of Creditors Insurance Service, LLC, Co-owner and CEO of Dennis Ott & Company Construction Services, a partner in BEK Consultants, and the Owner of Roby Advisory Group. A former co-owner of Steinert’s Grill & Pub, a Southern Indiana landmark, Roby brings vision and leadership to each venture. His career reflects a commitment to giving back to the communities and institutions that shaped him. 

A 1985 graduate of Indiana University Southeast, Roby was the institution’s first Academic All-American Student-Athlete and the first athlete to receive national honors. He became the first three-time team captain and three-time recipient of the Ron Johns Mental Attitude Award. In 1985, he was named Outstanding Student in Political Science. He served as Chair of the IU Southeast Grenadier Club for 20 years and as past Chair of the annual IU Southeast Champion’s Dinner, raising scholarships for student-athletes. Roby was honored as the IU Southeast Alumnus of the Year in 2018. 

Graduating from St. Xavier High School in Louisville in 1981, Roby has served on its Board of Directors since 2015, holding roles as Governance Committee Chair, Vice Chair of the Board, and currently as Chairman of the Board. He co-chaired the school’s 2023 Strategic Plan and served on the X-Effect Campaign Committee, which raised over $51 million. He was inducted into the St. Xavier Hall of Honors in 2005. 

Roby is active in the nonprofit sector, serving as Board Chair and Co-Organizer for RISE Academy of Lifelong Learning and the RISE Foundation, which provides education for neurotypical and autistic students. He has also served as Vice Chairman of the Cedar Lake Lodge Foundation Board and contributed to its Executive Leadership and Leadership Giving Committees. He has been an Advisory Board Member for Big Brothers Big Sisters of Southern Indiana, where he co-founded the successful “Links for Littles” fundraiser, and served on the Executive Leadership Team for the March of Dimes “March for Babies.” 

Roby lives in New Albany, Indiana, with his wife, Kimberly. Together, they have four children and their spouses—Tyler (Lauren), Victoria (Stanley), Nathan (Casey), and Courtney (Chase)—and seven grandchildren: Annelise, Carrigan, Maxwell, Carson, Churchill, Emerson, and Rosalie. 

Eight Scholars Recognized 

The Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship recognizes academic excellence, leadership, and perseverance. It is one of the most coveted scholarships available at IU Southeast. Each year, eight recipients with a minimum of 60 credit hours, are selected by the Chancellor of IU Southeast to receive the highly sought-after scholarship. The Chancellor’s Medallion award is up to $6,000, based on tuition, and is renewable. Criteria for selection include: 

  • Minimum of 60 credit hours completed by the beginning Fall semester of selection, 
  • Maintaining full-time enrollment of 15 credit hours or more, 
  • Minimum GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0, 
  • Preference is given for financial need, and 
  • Completed application including an essay, extra-curricular activities (civic and non-university volunteer activities), special accomplishments, and letter of recommendation. 

The application deadline for next year’s Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship is May 31, 2025. 

The 2024-2025 Chancellor Medallion Scholarship Recipients include. 

  • Timothy Jerome Bryant, Pekin, IN 
  • Dylan Curtis Mapp, Evansville, IN 
  • Jadrian Morris, New Albany, IN 
  • Jade Mundy, Jasper, IN 
  • Jenna Rogers, Sellersburg, IN 
  • Natalie Stewart, New Albany, IN 
  • Bailey Warner, New Albany, IN 
  • Kara Page Wright, Corydon, IN 

The Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner will be held on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at 5:00 p.m. The Foundry in Jeffersonville, IN. Proceeds from the Chancellor’s Medallion Dinner benefit the Chancellor’s Medallion Scholarship program.  

For ticket information and sponsorship opportunities, contact the IU Southeast Office of Development at 812-941-2464. 

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About IU Southeast:  IU Southeast is one of nine campuses of Indiana University. Offering top-quality and nationally accredited programs in education, nursing, business, social sciences, natural sciences, arts and humanities, the scenic 180-acre campus is located less than 15 minutes from downtown Louisville, Kentucky. It currently has over 3,750 students and employs over 360 faculty members. About 400 students live on campus in five fully furnished, lodge-style residence halls. Through an agreement with the Commonwealth of Kentucky, Indiana University Southeast offers in-state tuition to students enrolled from eight counties in the Louisville region. For more information, visit https://southeast.iu.edu. IU Southeast is a tobacco-free campus.