Nonprofit Spotlight | Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana
550 S. 1st St.
Louisville, KY  40202
502-581-1416
www.rmhck.org
Contact Person:
Sara Silletto, Director of Development
Sara@rmhck.org


Please use 300 words or less to describe your agency and your impact in the community.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) has significantly impacted thousands of families for forty years. With help from our community, we provide a nurturing environment, enabling families to stay close to their hospitalized children. We offer a home away from home with comprehensive support that includes warm meals, comfortable rooms, communal kitchens, play areas for children, and quiet spaces for parents to find solace, essential amenities, all at no cost to the families we serve.

Our impact goes beyond accommodation. By easing families’ financial and emotional burdens, we give them the opportunity to focus on what truly matters: the health and well-being of their children. The stability we provide helps reduce stress and promotes family cohesion, which is crucial for the healing process.

Our programs include a 56-bedroom Ronald McDonald House, three Ronald McDonald Family Rooms, and a Hospitality Cart at the Novak Center. These programs remain available to our guest families thanks to the generosity and trust of our partners in the community. They invest in our mission through various sponsorship and giving opportunities, volunteering their time, and introducing us to new potential partners. Our dedicated team and volunteers work tirelessly to maintain an environment of compassion and care.

RMHCK is more than just a place to stay; it’s a lifeline for families in need, providing comfort, hope, and a sense of community during their most critical times. Our commitment to leading with passion and making a positive difference in the lives of families underscores everything we do.

Agency Mission Statement or Description: Ronald McDonald House Charities of Kentuckiana (RMHCK) provides essential services that remove barriers, strengthen families, and promote healing when children need healthcare.

Year established: 1984

Counties/regions serviced: RMHCK services all families who must travel to Louisville for their children’s medical care.

Focus areas:

Impact in community: In 2023, RMHCK served as a home away from home for more than 1,400 families, saving them a collective $3.1M. We dished out 472 meals and thousands of snacks. We organized 248 activities so our guest families could take a break and/or entertain siblings of their hospitalized children. We hosted hundreds of our community friends who volunteered to make dinner, make beds, make brownies, all to make our families smile. 

Volunteer Opportunities: https://rmhc-kentuckiana.org/volunteer-rmhck/

How 1si members can help your organization: Volunteer, introduce us to a new friend, share our mission with families.

 

International minerals supplier establishing first U.S. facility at Ports of Indiana–Jeffersonville to support green manufacturing

Lumina Sustainable Materials to open mineral processing, research hub in Jeffersonville 

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN. (Nov. 12, 2024) An international supplier of specialized minerals will develop its first U.S. facility at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville to supply Midwest manufacturers with greener mineral additives. Lumina Sustainable Materials will invest $14.3 million at the Jeffersonville port to establish a multimineral processing facility, logistics base, and test laboratory to serve the rapidly growing polymers, electronic glass, coatings, aerospace, and building and construction markets. The new operation, located at 1302 Port Road, plans to add 50 full-time positions by 2027 with an average hourly wage of $35 per hour.   

“The total value package offered by Ports of Indiana and the State of Indiana is unmatched,” said Lumina Sustainable Materials CEO Brian Hanrahan. “The ability to ship by barge into the Midwest, to leverage logistics facilities and services, and to partner with the port on future expansions and container exports makes Jeffersonville a perfect place for our U.S. processing and research facility. We mapped our target customers for polymers, coatings, and building and construction, and Jeffersonville is in the center of it all.” 

Lumina sources minerals from around the world and is working with Purdue University, NASA, and NASA subcontractors to develop innovative mineral-based products, improve lunar simulants, and support research projects involving space travel. The company will renovate and repurpose an existing building at the Jeffersonville port that has been vacant for more than 10 years and will partner with Ports of Indiana to develop a shared laboratory facility for research and educational uses by community partners and schools. The Jeffersonville facility will use the port’s barge and rail services and serve as Lumina’s processing and logistics hub for the Western Hemisphere. In addition to mineral processing, the Jeffersonville site will manufacture advanced polymer additives, including concentrates of novel flame retardants, performance modifiers, and lightweight mineral fillers. 

“Lumina’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Jeffersonville speaks volumes about our city’s appeal as a center for innovation and growth,” said Mayor Moore. “This investment brings exciting opportunities for new high wage jobs and strengthens our position as a logistics and research hub for advanced industries. We’re proud to welcome Lumina to Jeffersonville and look forward to partnering with them as they bring economic and environmental value to our community and around the world.” 

“We’re thrilled our Jeffersonville port can serve as a launch pad for Lumina’s first U.S. facility,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “This is an innovative company that has done extensive research to find an ideal U.S. location to support its global supply chain. We’re excited to partner with Lumina to grow business and develop facilities that will create innovative products and drive further research and education in our community.” 

Funded by investors in Canada and Switzerland, Lumina primarily processes anorthosite, a silicate mineral, that replaces less environmentally friendly raw materials in the production of electronic glass, plastics, paint and fiberglass. The product comes from the White Mountain Mine in western Greenland, which has the largest anorthosite deposit on earth. The only larger deposit is on the moon. Anorthosite will be shipped from Greenland to New Orleans by ocean vessel and transloaded to barge for transport to Jeffersonville.  

Lumina works with allied mineral suppliers from around the world, sourcing pyrophyllite from Canada, barium sulfate from Morocco, bauxite from Guyana and graphite from Greenland. It is also developing the first vertically integrated manufacturing operations for producing battery anodes from mine to finished active anode material. 

“International companies like Lumina continue to choose Indiana for U.S.-based growth thanks to our pro-growth business environment and skilled talent pipeline,” said Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “We are excited to welcome Lumina to our ecosystem of innovators statewide that is developing new solutions and creating new products to advance the future economy.”  

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the IEDC committed an investment in Lumina of up to $725,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.  

“Considering Lumina could have located anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, we’re extremely honored they picked our Jeffersonville port,” said Lance Allison, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “It’s gratifying for our regional economic development team to partner with a forward-looking company like Lumina that is committed to providing economic and environmental value to our region.” 

About Lumina Materials: Lumina is an innovative material science company tackling today’s most pressing manufacturing challenges with industry-leading sustainability. With customers around the world, Lumina is developing infrastructure for growth in North American and Europe while exploring additional materials and technologies to create sustainable solutions for critical markets. Lumina is a privately-owned business shipping minerals such as anorthosite from Greenland to customers on three continents and developing high impact products that extend beyond industrial minerals through custom chemistry and processing solutions. www.luminamaterials.com  

About Ports of Indiana 

Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, Ports of Indiana is dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system, and by serving as a statewide resource for maritime issues, international trade, and multimodal logistics. www.portsofindiana.com  

About One Southern Indiana 
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.  

Contacts: 

Lumina Sustainable Materials 
Brian Hanrahan | CEO / Commercial North America and R&D 
Brian@Lumina.gl  

Ports of Indiana 
Eric Powell | Director of Communications 
Epowell@portsofindiana.com | 317-233-6231 

One Southern Indiana 
Ellinor Smith | Content Marketing and Media Relations Manager 
EllinorS@1si.org | 217-320-4832 

 

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River Ridge Businesses Partner to Help Neighbors in Hurrican Helene Relief Efforts

Niagara Cares and Mister “P” Express send a truckload of bottled water to Rutherford County, North Carolina, home to Meta Data Center.  
Jeffersonville, IN (November 14, 2024) – In the wake of the devastation left by Hurricane Helene, three local businesses have organized a donation of more than 40,000 bottles of drinking water. 

In North Carolina, Rutherford County is home to a Meta Data Center.  Because River Ridge will be home to a future Meta Data Center, two companies in River Ridge have reached out to their new neighbor with assistance.

Niagara Cares, the charitable division of Niagara Bottling, donated a truck load of bottled water, and Mister “P” Express donated the truck, fuel and the driver to transport the water to Rutherford County.  River Ridge Development Authority coordinated the effort, and the delivery was unloaded at its destination Thursday morning.   Residents in Rutherford County can contact Dayna West with Habitat for Humanity Disaster Relief for distribution.

“At Niagara, we believe in standing by our communities, especially in times of need,” said Nicholas Griess, Sr. Plant Director for Niagara Bottling in Jeffersonville. “We are proud to team up with our community partners to play a small part in providing safe, clean drinking water to support this community as they rebuild.”

Rutherford County was one of the areas hit hardest by Hurricane Helene in September, knocking out roads, power and communications and leaving residents in need of basic supplies like clean drinking water.

“We at Mister “P” Express are glad to be part of this relief effort for the victims of the storm,” stated Rebecca Collier Estes, Vice President of Sales & Marketing. “We believe that anything is possible when the community rallies together.” 

“The RRDA is so pleased that our family of businesses are looking out for each other,” said Jerry Acy, Executive Director of the River Ridge Development Authority. “I want to thank Niagara Cares and Mister “P” Express for making this possible.”  
 
About Mister “P” Express 
Mister “P” Express is a family owned and operated truckline in Southern Indiana. Our foundation lies in the growing relationships we have developed over the past 37 years in business. Mister “P” Express started in 1987 with only three trucks. Allan Parnell, his wife Bunny and daughter, Cynthia Parnell Collier, started the company. The company has expanded to acquire additional property to ensure room for growth over the next several years. Mister “P” Express, Inc. strives to be the best in the business and continue to grow in the right direction.

About Niagara Bottling and Niagara Cares
Niagara Bottling, LLC has been family owned and operated since 1963. Headquartered in Diamond Bar, Calif., Niagara operates bottling facilities throughout the U.S. and Mexico. As a leading U.S. beverage manufacturer, Niagara Bottling works closely with some of the largest retailers, grocers, club and convenience stores throughout the country. Niagara produces a variety of beverages including bottled water, sparkling, vitamin and flavored water, teas, sports drinks, ready-to-drink coffee, protein drinks and non-dairy milk products. For more information, visit www.niagarawater.com.

Niagara Cares is the heart of what we do and who we are at Niagara Bottling. For more than 60 years, we have been making a difference for our Team Members, consumers and communities through philanthropic giving, volunteering, water donations and disaster relief. As a family-owned business, we are committed to creating meaningful change for our communities through a spirit of giving back both big and small. For more information, visit niagarawater.com/niagara-cares.

About the River Ridge Development Authority 
The River Ridge Development Authority (RRDA) manages the River Ridge Commerce Center, a 6,000-acre business and office park established in 1998 to replace lost economic activity from the closure of the Indiana Army Ammunition Plant.  Today, River Ridge is home to approximately 80 companies such as Amazon, Bose, Collins Aerospace, Medline, Optum and PharmaCord.  Onsite employment totaled more than 12,002 in 2023, and the Center produced a total of over $2.9 billion in economic output and supported an additional 6,555 jobs. The investments and growth at River Ridge earned the RRDA the International Economic Development Council’s 2020 Gold Award for Real Estate Redevelopment and Reuse. 

Entrepreneurs to Pitch Ideas at IU Southeast’s Next Big Thing 

NEW ALBANY, Ind. (Nov. 14, 2024) – Budding entrepreneur finalists will have a chance to pitch their ideas and take home seed money and other prizes as part of The Next Big Thing Pitch Competition, presented by NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus and hosted by the IU Southeast School of Business.  

The live pitch event will be held on Wednesday, November 20th from 6:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. in the Hoosier Room, located in the University Center North Conference Center on the IU Southeast campus. The public is invited to attend to hear the ideas and cheer on their favorite entrepreneur. RSVPs are encouraged for the free event by registering via Eventbrite 

“We’re thrilled to be organizing a pitch contest that not only celebrates entrepreneurs and the spirit of entrepreneurship but is also an official event of Global Entrepreneurship Week,” said Dr. Aycan Kara, associate professor of strategic management and entrepreneurship at IU Southeast. “We’ve received submissions from both established and aspiring entrepreneurs. The submissions have truly impressed us, not just in terms of quality, but also in the wide range of concepts they cover.”  

Finalists participating in the competition, similar to the popular television series, Shark Tank, will have the chance to present their ideas to a panel of experts, entrepreneurs, and mentors, who will provide valuable feedback and guidance on projects. Registrants will also compete with other talented individuals/teams from around southern Indiana and the best pitches will receive cash awards, mentorship, and exposure.  

There are two categories in Wednesday’s pitch competition including Fast Pitch, and Pitch Tank. 

The Fast Pitch competition is for individuals/teams who have identified a problem to solve, have addressed a customer need, have executed market research, and have a rough business plan; however, they have not identified or finalized a minimum viable product or service to offer. Businesses must have operated for six months or fewer. The first-place award for the Fast Pitch competition is $5,000 in non-dilutive grant funding and a one-year membership to Maker13 in Jeffersonville, IN. 

The Pitch Tank is for individuals/teams who have a completed business plan and have identified a specific minimum viable product or service to offer. The first-place award for the Pitch Tank competition is $20,000 in non-dilutive grant funding and office space for the 2025 calendar year at Novaparke Innovation and Technology Campus in Georgetown, IN.  

Judges for the competition include James M. Hojnacki, President and CEO of Cleveland Private Trust Company and an active angel investor; Bill White, Market President for Indiana Members Credit Union; Landon Young, Vice President of Pre-Seed at Elevate Ventures, the Midwest’s most active seed-stage fund; and Jack Manzella, Chief Operating Officer of SoFab Inks, a chemical manufacturing startup developing novel  materials used to produce next-generation perovskite solar cells. Amber Miller from AME will emcee the competition. 

Participants will also hear from Chase Slepak, keynote speaker and competition judge. Slepak’s journey began at age 18 with diverse jobs, from door-to-door dry cleaning salesman to a night-shift security guard, which shaped his hands-on business approach. He launched his first businesses in his late teens and early twenties, Fifth Avenue Carwash & Detailing and Fortitude Property Services, learning invaluable lessons in resilience and customer service.  

Today, as Chairman and President of Slepak Family Companies, he manages a diverse portfolio including Slepak Enterprises, Uncle Joe’s Good Time, Swing Zone Sports Hub, and more. Slepak also serves as COO for brands like Boylan Bottling Company and is Interim President of Rainshadow Labs. His public service includes roles with the Fawn Township Fire Company and the Ohio Special Response Team.  

“Universities are known for cultivating big thinkers,” said Dr. Michelle Williams, executive vice chancellor for academic affairs at IU Southeast. “The Next Big Thing Pitch Contest helps identify budding entrepreneurs and set them up for success. With seed funding, mentoring by our expert faculty, and workspace to further develop their concepts, we hope to find the next Shadyrays, 21C, or even a Lume in our midst,” she said. 

A total of $25,000 will be split between the competition categories, along with office space at NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus, and memberships to Maker13. 

The Next Big Thing Pitch Contest is presented by NovaParke Innovation & Technology Campus and hosted by Indiana University Southeast and the IU Southeast School of Business and community partners including Maker13, the Indiana Small Business Development Center, Republic Bank, Ideology, the Floyd County Library, and the Root Co-Working Space. 

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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. 

 

International minerals supplier establishing first U.S. facility at Ports of Indiana–Jeffersonville to support green manufacturing 

Lumina Sustainable Materials to open mineral processing, research hub in Jeffersonville 

JEFFERSONVILLE, IN. (Nov. 12, 2024) An international supplier of specialized minerals will develop its first U.S. facility at Ports of Indiana-Jeffersonville to supply Midwest manufacturers with greener mineral additives. Lumina Sustainable Materials will invest $14.3 million at the Jeffersonville port to establish a multimineral processing facility, logistics base, and test laboratory to serve the rapidly growing polymers, electronic glass, coatings, aerospace, and building and construction markets. The new operation, located at 1302 Port Road, plans to add 50 full-time positions by 2027 with an average hourly wage of $35 per hour.   

“The total value package offered by Ports of Indiana and the State of Indiana is unmatched,” said Lumina Sustainable Materials CEO Brian Hanrahan. “The ability to ship by barge into the Midwest, to leverage logistics facilities and services, and to partner with the port on future expansions and container exports makes Jeffersonville a perfect place for our U.S. processing and research facility. We mapped our target customers for polymers, coatings, and building and construction, and Jeffersonville is in the center of it all.” 

Lumina sources minerals from around the world and is working with Purdue University, NASA, and NASA subcontractors to develop innovative mineral-based products, improve lunar simulants, and support research projects involving space travel. The company will renovate and repurpose an existing building at the Jeffersonville port that has been vacant for more than 10 years and will partner with Ports of Indiana to develop a shared laboratory facility for research and educational uses by community partners and schools. The Jeffersonville facility will use the port’s barge and rail services and serve as Lumina’s processing and logistics hub for the Western Hemisphere. In addition to mineral processing, the Jeffersonville site will manufacture advanced polymer additives, including concentrates of novel flame retardants, performance modifiers, and lightweight mineral fillers. 

“Lumina’s decision to establish its first U.S. facility in Jeffersonville speaks volumes about our city’s appeal as a center for innovation and growth,” said Mayor Moore. “This investment brings exciting opportunities for new high wage jobs and strengthens our position as a logistics and research hub for advanced industries. We’re proud to welcome Lumina to Jeffersonville and look forward to partnering with them as they bring economic and environmental value to our community and around the world.” 

“We’re thrilled our Jeffersonville port can serve as a launch pad for Lumina’s first U.S. facility,” said Ports of Indiana CEO Jody Peacock. “This is an innovative company that has done extensive research to find an ideal U.S. location to support its global supply chain. We’re excited to partner with Lumina to grow business and develop facilities that will create innovative products and drive further research and education in our community.” 

Funded by investors in Canada and Switzerland, Lumina primarily processes anorthosite, a silicate mineral, that replaces less environmentally friendly raw materials in the production of electronic glass, plastics, paint and fiberglass. The product comes from the White Mountain Mine in western Greenland, which has the largest anorthosite deposit on earth. The only larger deposit is on the moon. Anorthosite will be shipped from Greenland to New Orleans by ocean vessel and transloaded to barge for transport to Jeffersonville.  

Lumina works with allied mineral suppliers from around the world, sourcing pyrophyllite from Canada, barium sulfate from Morocco, bauxite from Guyana and graphite from Greenland. It is also developing the first vertically integrated manufacturing operations for producing battery anodes from mine to finished active anode material. 

“International companies like Lumina continue to choose Indiana for U.S.-based growth thanks to our pro-growth business environment and skilled talent pipeline,” said Ann Lathrop, chief strategy officer at the Indiana Economic Development Corporation (IEDC). “We are excited to welcome Lumina to our ecosystem of innovators statewide that is developing new solutions and creating new products to advance the future economy.”  

Based on the company’s job creation plans, the IEDC committed an investment in Lumina of up to $725,000 in the form of incentive-based tax credits. These tax credits are performance-based, meaning the company is eligible to claim incentives once Hoosiers are hired.  

“Considering Lumina could have located anywhere in the Western Hemisphere, we’re extremely honored they picked our Jeffersonville port,” said Lance Allison, president and CEO of One Southern Indiana. “It’s gratifying for our regional economic development team to partner with a forward-looking company like Lumina that is committed to providing economic and environmental value to our region.” 

About Lumina Materials: Lumina is an innovative material science company tackling today’s most pressing manufacturing challenges with industry-leading sustainability. With customers around the world, Lumina is developing infrastructure for growth in North American and Europe while exploring additional materials and technologies to create sustainable solutions for critical markets. Lumina is a privately-owned business shipping minerals such as anorthosite from Greenland to customers on three continents and developing high impact products that extend beyond industrial minerals through custom chemistry and processing solutions. www.luminamaterials.com  

About Ports of Indiana 

Ports of Indiana is a statewide port authority operating three ports on the Ohio River and Lake Michigan. Established in 1961, Ports of Indiana is dedicated to growing Indiana’s economy by developing and maintaining a world-class port system, and by serving as a statewide resource for maritime issues, international trade, and multimodal logistics. www.portsofindiana.com  

About One Southern Indiana 
One Southern Indiana (1si) was formed in July of 2006 as the economic development organization and chamber of commerce serving Clark and Floyd counties. 1si’s mission is to help businesses innovate and thrive in the Southern Indiana / Louisville metro area via the three pillars of Business Resources, Economic Development, and Advocacy. For more information on One Southern Indiana, visit www.1si.org.  

Contacts: 

Lumina Sustainable Materials 
Brian Hanrahan | CEO / Commercial North America and R&D 
Brian@Lumina.gl  

Ports of Indiana 
Eric Powell | Director of Communications 
Epowell@portsofindiana.com | 317-233-6231 

One Southern Indiana 
Ellinor Smith | Content Marketing and Media Relations Manager 
EllinorS@1si.org | 217-320-4832 

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IU Southeast Appoints Nine to Board of Advisors

New Albany, Ind. (November 11, 2024) – Indiana University Southeast has welcomed nine new members to its Board of Advisors. 

“We are very fortunate to welcome these new board members who will continue to help connect IU Southeast to our local mission of serving our students and our region,” said Joe Glover, vice chancellor for University Relations. “Each new member has deep roots in the community and brings skills that will help our campus grow and thrive.” 

Lance Allison, CCE, IOM 

As the newly appointed President and CEO of One Southern Indiana (1si), Lance Allison has a proven record of demonstrated success and growth, previously serving as CEO and President of two chambers: Murray-Calloway County in Kentucky and Panama City Beach in Florida. He is a graduate of Murray State University and was most recently employed as the Director of Business Development with Bacon Farmer Workman (BFW) Engineering & Testing / Marcum Engineering LLC. 

At the Murray-Calloway County Chamber, Allison led the chamber to U.S. Chamber Accreditation, a high distinction held by less than 200 chambers, and created and led a new strategic plan. The chamber was also named the 2012 Mid-Size Chamber of the Year by the Association of Chamber of Commerce Executives. At the Panama City Beach Chamber, Allison led the chamber in the increase of membership retention, improved operational and financial results, and created strong relationships with local partners. 

 

Jillian Cantu 

Jillian Cantu is the Executive Vice President of Junior Achievement of Kentuckiana. She has served several positions for Junior Achievement over the past six years including as Director of Development and Vice President of Development. Prior to her time at Junior Achievement, Cantu worked for the Greater Clark County Education Foundation, Ivy Tech Sellersburg, and Metro United Way.   

Cantu holds a Bachelor of Science degree in business with a concentration in marketing from Indiana University Southeast in New Albany and an MBA from Bellarmine University. During her time at Bellarmine, she was able to travel abroad and study at the European School of Management in Paris. 

A Louisville resident, Cantu is an active volunteer for Junior Achievement, a member of Jeffersonville Rotary and serves on the One Southern Indiana’s Wisdom of Pearls committee as the past chair. Recently, she won the One Southern Indiana “Chairperson of the Year” and has been named the 2015 One Southern Indiana “Young Professional of the Year” and Southern Indiana Business Source Magazine’s “Twenty Under 40.” 

 

Ann Carruthers 

Ann Carruthers is the Executive Director of Clark/Floyd System of Care, an organization that is the connecting of all service delivery systems in collaborating with Providers and Agencies that support children, youth and families impacted by Adverse Childhood Experiences, Mental Health, and Addiction. 

Carruthers has a Psychology degree from Ottawa University, an Organizational Leadership Communication degree from Spalding University, and an MS in Psychology/Addictions from Purdue Global – Indiana. She is a certified master QPR instructor, a licensed steward of children, and a parent cafe trainer. She has a certification in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University and is a Trauma Informed Care facilitator to guide communities and professionals into positive conversations about self-care and conflict resolution.  

Carruthers is passionate about prevention, teamwork, service, empowerment, and individual growth, and anything is possible with a positive mindset. She advocates, educates, and promotes community awareness regarding child abuse and neglect, mental health, and substance use disorders, specifically to individuals who are in the criminal justice system and who have been impacted by generational poverty. She supports self-sufficiency and individual growth as a visionary leader and is constantly looking for an opportunity to build solution-focused teams.

Carruthers is a member of Graceland Baptist Church. She is also President of the Board of Directors of New Albany Township was recently elected to serve on the school board for New Albany Floyd County Schools. She is involved with many community and grassroots organizations including One Southern Indiana, Family Ark, Salvation Army, Floyd County Library, Southern Indiana Works, Metro United Way, and Guerin Woods. 

Dana Huber 

Dana Huber is the Vice President of Distribution and Public Relations at Huber’s Orchard, Winery, and Starlight Distillery. Her responsibilities include wine and spirits distribution & outreach, public relations, brand ambassador, and community outreach.  Huber is very engaged with local tourism efforts and is always finding ways to spread the word about family-owned businesses and agritourism.     

Huber attended Indiana University in Bloomington, IN where she received her bachelor’s degree from the Kelley School of Business. Before joining the family business in 2003, she worked for Humana, Citicorp, and Kindred Healthcare.  Her passion and expertise are with people and project management.   

Huber is very active in her community and currently serves on the First Harrison Bank Board of Directors, Southern Indiana Tourism Board, Our Southern Indiana Regional Development Authority as Chairperson, Indiana Destination Development Corporation, Indiana State Dept. of Agriculture & Wine America.   

Dana is married to co-owner & 6th generation family member, Ted Huber, and has two sons – Christian & Blake. She was awarded the Chancellor’s Medallion from IU Southeast Chancellor Debbie Ford in April 2024. 

Charlotte Ipsan 

Charlotte Ipsan is the Senior Vice President and Chief Hospital Officer at Norton Healthcare. She previously served as chief administrative officer of Norton Women’s & Children’s Hospital, since 2012.  

Ipsan has more than 30 years of experience in maternal/child and pediatric health care. She worked in several roles at Norton Children’s Hospital, Norton Audubon Hospital, and the former Norton Suburban Hospital, including staff nurse; nurse manager, neonatal intensive care unit; and director of women’s services. She was named vice president of Norton Children’s Medical Center, the first pediatric outpatient center of its type in Kentucky, in November 2009, then promoted to system vice president of pediatric services for Norton Healthcare/Norton Children’s Hospital in 2011.  

Ipsan was instrumental in creating the first women’s and children’s hospital in the Louisville area. She has excelled at implementing a transformational model of comprehensive health care for women, along with expanded pediatric services in conjunction with Norton Children’s. 

She has served as the American Hospital Association’s representative to the American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Hospital Care and on the Governing Council of the Section for Maternal and Child Health. She was executive chair for the American Heart Association Go Red for Women Kentuckiana chapter in 2014 and has served on Louisville’s Perinatal and Infant Health Network Advisory Committee. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. Ipsan also advocates for pediatric and women’s health across the United States. 

She has served as course director of the Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Tract at the University of Louisville Graduate School of Nursing, and as manager of the Advanced Neonatal Nurse Practitioner Team for the university’s Department of Pediatrics. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree from Indiana University Southeast, a master’s degree in nursing/neonatal nurse practitioner tract from the University of Louisville, and a Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from Rush University in Chicago. She is a fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives. 

In 2011, Ipsan was named the “University of Louisville School of Nursing’s Alumni of the Year” and in 2014 was recognized for being among the “Top 40 University of Louisville School of Nursing Outstanding Alumni.” She also is a proud member of the Kentucky Leadership Class of 2011. In May 2013 she was named the “Most Admired Woman in Healthcare” by Today’s Woman magazine. 

Dr. Richard Phillips 

Dr. Richard Phillips is the Chief Medical Officer (CMO) at Baptist Health Floyd Hospital in New Albany, IN. Phillips previously served as the chairman of the Department of Emergency Medicine at the University of Chicago Medicine – AdventHealth GlenOaks Hospital in Glendale Heights, IL. He has also served as the regional medical director for the Chicagoland ED staffing company, IEMS LLC, caring for almost 200,000 patients annually. 

A graduate of Harvard University, Dr. Phillips received his MBA and medical degree from the University of Chicago and completed his residency in emergency medicine at the Harvard Affiliated Emergency Medicine Residency (HAEMR) which included Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston Children’s Hospital and Mount Auburn Hospital. 

He began his role as CMO at Baptist Health Floyd on Sept. 25 and said he is “incredibly excited” about being part of the hospital and its future growth. 

Phillips comes from a healthcare family. His mom was a nurse for more than 30 years. His parents immigrated to the United States in the early 1970s from Jamaica and he was born and raised in New York City. He is married and has three children – a son and two daughters.

Clayton Rose 

Clayton Rose is a Commercial Banking Officer with German American Bank. He assists companies, organizations, and public entities with their various financing needs in the areas of construction, real estate, and equipment. 

Rose is a graduate of Indiana University Southeast receiving his master’s in strategic finance in 2020 and B.S. in Finance and Business Administration from IU Southeast in 2016. 

Rose is involved with multiple IU Alumni Association boards and serves on the Finance Committee for the Floyd Memorial Hospital Foundation Board. 

Rose and his wife Kristy, reside in Floyd County, IN, with their daughters, Reece and Caroline. He enjoys golf, fitness and attending sporting events. 

Tony A Schoen, CPA 

Tony Schoen is Director, Executive Vice President, and Chief Financial Officer at First Savings Bank Indiana.  

Since joining First Savings in 2007, Schoen has played a key role in transforming the organization into a high-performing commercial bank, overseeing numerous strategic initiatives such as mutual-to-stock conversion, acquisitions, and nationwide lending platform integration.  

Prior to joining First Savings Bank, he was a manager at Monroe Shine & Co., Inc. where he audited financial statements and prepared tax returns filings. 

Schoen received his Bachelor of Science in Accounting at Indiana University Southeast. In 2004, he received their Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification from the State Board of Accountancy. 

Daryle W. Unseld, Jr. 

Daryle Unseld, President and CEO of the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana has long served the communities of Louisville and Southern Indiana.  

A graduate of Louisville Southern High School Unseld earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Louisville, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from Saint Leo University, and Certificates in Nonprofit Executive Leadership and Fundraising Management from Indiana University School of Philanthropy.  

Before his service at the Boys and Girls Club, Unseld was Chief Equity & Impact Officer at Metro United Way and held positions in Louisville Metro Government and the YMCA of Greater Louisville. In his youth, he attended the Newburg Boys & Girls Club and worked at the East End Boys & Girls Club as a teen. He is an 11-year veteran of the U.S. Air Force. 

Unseld’s experience has been essential to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Kentuckiana, one of the area’s largest out-of-school time providers. He has helped advance the mission of inspiring and enabling young people in the community who need it most. Unseld brings a strong sense of community and passion for the mission. 

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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. 

 

 

 

CoreLife Eatery Reopens Clarksville Location with New Leadership and Menu Enhancements

Louisville Location Adds New Leadership

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 11, 2024) – CoreLife Eatery, a go-to destination for fresh, bold, and nutritious meals, is excited to announce the reopening of its Clarksville, Indiana location at 1225 Veterans Parkway, Suite 100. The grand reopening is set for November 11, coinciding with Veterans Day. The restaurant closed in February 2024 under former ownership and was later purchased by FULLIFE CLARKSVILLE LLC. As part of the reopening, CoreLife Eatery will introduce a revamped menu and a refreshed commitment to quality and customer service.

CoreLife Eatery’s menu offers a unique blend of flavor-packed bowls, broths, and sides prepared daily from scratch. As part of the revamped menu, CoreLife Eatery will offer a Teriyaki Chicken Broccoli Bowl, Tri Tip Steakhouse Bowl, and The Box Meals – a nutritious combination of greens, grains, proteins, and sides such as sweet potatoes, Brussels sprouts, rosemary red potatoes, and gluten-free mac and cheese – catering to customers looking for a balanced and flavorful meal.

“We are thrilled to reopen CoreLife Eatery in Clarksville with a renewed focus on providing delicious, healthy, and thoughtfully sourced food,” said Clarisa de Luna-Villaflor, owner of the Clarksville and Louisville CoreLife Eatery. “This is not just a reopening but a complete revamp, and we are excited to relaunch this location for the Clarksville community. Our goal is to offer our customers both nourishing and satisfying meals prepared fresh every day with high-quality ingredients.”

The Clarksville location, originally opened in 2018, now features a dedicated team of 20 staff members. The Louisville CoreLife Eatery, located at 9365 Viking Center Drive and first opened in 2020, has also welcomed new management, marking an exciting new chapter for both CoreLife Eatery locations. Owner Clarisa de Luna-Villaflor with FULLIFE Hurstbourne LLC acquired the Hurstbourne location on September 6, 2024, which now operates with a skilled team of 22 staff members. Both CoreLife Eatery locations are under fresh leadership, with Tristan Thompson managing the Clarksville store and Malik Williams leading the Louisville location. Both locations are open daily from 11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“At CoreLife Eatery, we’ve prioritized hiring and continuously training staff dedicated to providing an exceptional experience, emphasizing speed, accuracy, and genuine hospitality,” said de Luna-Villaflor. “Both locations are ready to serve our community with dine-in, pick-up, delivery, and catering options to meet the diverse needs of individuals, families, and groups.”

For more information or to place an order, visit www.corelifeeatery.com.

About CoreLife Eatery

CoreLife Eatery is dedicated to making fresh, healthy eating accessible to everyone. Each meal is crafted with thoughtfully sourced ingredients, combining bold flavors with nutritional value. With locations in Clarksville, Indiana, and Louisville, Kentucky, CoreLife Eatery aims to provide a vibrant dining experience that keeps customers returning for more. For more information or to place an order, visit www.corelifeeatery.com.

 

 

 

 

 

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Bass Group Real Estate Facilitates Lease of 433 North Indiana Ave to Mindful LifeTherapy Service

Sellersburg, Indiana – November 8th, 2024 — Bass Group Real Estate is pleased to announce the successful lease of 433 North Indiana Avenue in Sellersburg, Indiana, to Mindful Life Therapy Services. This well-located space will serve as the new home for Mindful Life, providing an accessible and welcoming environment for their clients.

“We are thrilled to represent Mindful Life with getting them into this space,” said Kane Fullen, an agent of Bass Group Real Estate. “Their dedication to enhancing mental health resources in the community is inspiring, and we are proud to play a role in supporting their mission.” Mindful Life offers a range of services aimed at supporting individuals in their mental health journey in order to reach their therapeutic goals.

For more information on commercial buying or leasing opportunities, please contact:
Bobby Bass
Bass Group Real Estate
Phone: 502-552-1296
Email: bbass@bassgroupre.com

National Coffee Brand Acquires Prime Land on Highway 311 in Sellersburg, Indiana

Sellersburg, IN – Nov 8th, 2024 – Bass Group Real Estate-Commercial Division is pleased toannounce the successful sale of a prime parcel of land located on Highway 311 in Sellersburg,Indiana, to a nationally recognized coffee brand. This strategic acquisition marks a significantstep in the company’s expansion efforts in the Midwest.

The site, encompassing 1.13 acres, is ideally situated to capture high traffic visibility and accessibility, making it an excellent location for the coffee brand’s new outlet. This development is expected to create job opportunities for local residents and contribute positively to the local economy.

“We are excited to see this prominent coffee brand choosing Sellersburg as a key location for their new store,” said Bobby Bass, agent representing both the buyers and sellers. “This transaction not only signifies growth for the brand but also showcases the potential for Sellersburg as a thriving business hub.”

For more information about this sale or to inquire about available commercial properties in the
area, please contact:
Bobby Bass
Bass Group Real Estate
Phone: 502-552-1296
Email: bbass@bassgroupre.com

Stites & Harbison Earns 93 Rankings in 2025 Best Law Firms® 

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Nov. 7, 2024)—Stites & Harbison, PLLC has been ranked in the 2025 edition of Best Law Firms®. The firm’s National Tier 1 rankings include: Litigation – Construction, Litigation – Real Estate, and Trademark Law. The firm’s overall results include 93 metropolitan rankings in six regions and represent the following 52 legal practice areas:   

Administrative / Regulatory Law

Appellate Practice 

Banking and Finance Law 

Bankruptcy and Creditor Debtor Rights / Insolvency and Reorganization Law 

Bet-the-Company Litigation 

Biotechnology and Life Sciences Practice 

Closely Held Companies and Family Businesses Law 

Commercial Finance Law   

Commercial Litigation 

Construction Law     

Copyright Law 

Corporate Governance Law    

Corporate Law 

Employee Benefits (ERISA) Law 

Employment Law – Management 

Energy Law 

Environmental Law 

Family Law 

Family Law Mediation

Health Care Law 

Information Technology Law 

Insurance Law 

Labor Law – Management 

Land Use and Zoning Law 

Legal Malpractice Law – Defendants 

Litigation – Banking and Finance 

Litigation – Bankruptcy 

Litigation – Construction 

Litigation – Environmental 

Litigation – Insurance 

Litigation – Intellectual Property 

Litigation – Labor and Employment 

Litigation – Land Use and Zoning 

Litigation – Patent

Litigation – Real Estate 

Litigation – Trusts and Estates 

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions –  Defendants 

Mass Tort Litigation / Class Actions –  Plaintiffs 

Mediation 

Medical Malpractice Law – Defendants 

Mergers and Acquisitions Law 

Mining Law 

Natural Resources Law 

Patent Law 

Personal Injury Litigation – Defendants 

Product Liability Litigation – Defendants 

Professional Malpractice Law – Defendants 

Public Finance Law 

Real Estate Law 

Tax Law 

Trademark Law 

Law firms were evaluated and ranked through a combination of hard data, peer reviews and client assessments. To be eligible for a ranking, a law firm must have at least one lawyer currently listed in The Best Lawyers in America® in a Best Law Firms practice area and geographic jurisdiction. This year’s Best Law Firms rankings span 75 national practice areas, 127 jurisdictional practice areas and 188 distinct metro areas.  

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.