The Owensboro Times editorial staff compiled a list of Owensboro’s 19 people to watch in 2019. These individuals could be new to their positions or offices, planning to make a big impact in Owensboro or they could be seasoned veterans ready to meet new expectations. Either way, Owensboro should keep an eye on them, because the new year is going to bring big things for all 19 of them.
Jacob Call | Master Distiller at O.Z. Tyler
Jacob Call joined O.Z. Tyler in the fall of 2014 to oversee the renovations. As Master Distiller, he oversees all aspects of whiskey production and warehousing for the facility. Call will oversee a major expansion in 2019, taking O.Z. Tyler from 70,000 barrels per year to 95,000, making the Owensboro distillery the fourth largest privately held bourbon distillery in the world.
Matt Castlen | Kentucky State Senator for the 8th District
Matt Castlen will transition from his seat as the 14th District House Representative to the state senate in 2019. Castlen said hard work is a priority, and he will continue to help out with his family’s farm and operate his business, Castlen Steel, while he simultaneously works as state senator.
Dr. Francis DuFrayne | Chief Medical Officer at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
Dr. Francis DuFrayne, a practicing gastroenterologist with Owensboro Health Medical Group – Gastroenterology & Hepatology since 2012, began serving as Owensboro Health’s chief medical officer in mid-2018. A native of Pennsylvania, Dr. DuFrayne previously served as the chief medical officer and board member for the Owensboro Health Medical Group, and is a member of the health system’s Medical Executive Committee. Prior to joining Owensboro Health, Dr. DuFrayne held the rank of captain in the U.S. Navy and U.S. Navy Reserve, having risen to that rank after enlisting at age 18 and serving as a Navy corpsman.
Matt Hayden | President of Gulfstream Enterprises
As president of both Gulfstream and Envision Contractors, LLC, Matt Hayden has had a significant impact on the growth of Owensboro. Hayden has spearheaded the Gateway Commons project, a mixed use development that will include 500,000+ square feet of retail, restaurant and entertainment space along with hotels, office, medical and multi-family components.
Jessica Kirk | Executive Director of Leadership Owensboro, Program & Events Manager for Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce
Jessica Kirk has been with the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce for five years, but her position has evolved based on the needs of the organization and the community. Part of that evolution was a focus on Leadership Owensboro, a Chamber program focused on educating and engaging individuals to reach their potential and maximize their impact in the community. Kirk became executive director of Leadership Owensboro in 2018 and plans to continue the success of the program into the new year.
Julius Maddox | Program Coordinator at Friends of Sinners
At 25, Julius Maddox was incarcerated for drug trafficking. After being released into the treatment program at Friends of Sinners, Maddox turned his life around; but that change came with great stress. He lifted weights to deal with the pressure, finding a new passion that has led him to record-breaking achievements. In 2019, Maddox hopes to beat his heaviest bench press of 716.5 pounds and has set his sights on breaking the world record of 738.5 pounds.
Arthur Maglinger | Jailer
Serving as jailer since Aug. 31, 2017, Art Maglinger has been able to effect significant change in recent months at Daviess County Detention Center, including new commissary and health providers and surveillance system. Some of those changes were at no additional expense to the taxpayers and all changes benefit the 700 inmate population. Now, newly elected to the office, Maglinger plans to address underutilized space at the jail and hopes to implement video visitation in 2019.
Larry Maglinger | Owensboro City Commissioner
A 40-year business owner, Larry Maglinger campaigned on the experience and knowledge he planned to bring to the city commission. And after securing 7,962 votes in the general election, Maglinger will take the seat of mayor pro tem for the next two years. Part of his focus during the election was on fiscal responsibility when it came to the city’s budget. And, while he commended the downtown growth, Maglinger said he would like to see Owensboro’s west side get some much-needed attention in 2019.
Susan Montalvo-Gesser | Director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Western Kentucky
Newly appointed, Susan Montalvo-Gesser plans to revamp Catholic Charities to make it a social justice organization, serving the 33-county area. In 2019, Montalvo-Gesser hopes to set up immigration services and integrate the refugee efforts in the diocese as well as bring services for human trafficking victims, assist in efforts for adequate housing and serve the poor and marginalized in the parish communities.
Kaitlin Nonweiler | Executive Director for Owensboro Human Relations Commission
Appointed in late 2018, Kaitlin Nonweiler looks forward to building positive working relationships with the mayor, judge-executive and city and county commissioners. In the next year, she hopes to complete a needs assessment for the community and plans to investigate and close human relations cases instead of referring them to the Kentucky Commission for Human Rights. Nonweiler says she wants to see her home town as an inclusive community that actively seeks out opportunities to put respect of differences into action.
Lola Nousiadis | Owner of Niko’s Italian Cuisine and Niko’s Bakery
Lola Nousiadis and her husband, the late Niko Nousiadis, founded Niko’s Italian Cuisine in May 2003. After Niko’s passing in 2016, Lola took the helm of the restaurant and with her sons Christo and Spiro by her side, continuing to build on Niko’s legacy. In 2019, the Nousiadis family will open Niko’s Bakery in Wesleyan Park Plaza, following their successful run selling their breads and baked goods at the Owensboro Farmers Market. Stay tuned for the next best thing since sliced bread.
Nate Pagan | City Manager for the City of Owensboro
Nate Pagan has served as city manager for the City of Owensboro since June of 2018 after briefly serving as assistant city manager. Prior to coming to Owensboro, Pagan was city administrator for the City of Hopkinsville, KY for approximately five years and has over 15 years of local government management experience. In 2019, Pagan’s priorities include working collaboratively with the incoming city commission as well as maximizing effectiveness and efficiency.
Troy Quinn | Music Director, Conductor of Owensboro Symphony Orchestra
Troy Quinn is quickly establishing himself as one of his generation’s most versatile young artists. Lauded for his energetic and riveting, yet sensitive conducting, Quinn is in his second season as music director of the Owensboro Symphony Orchestra. “I would love for every single person in Owensboro to experience one concert in my time as the conductor,” Quinn said. Quinn is reaching out to the community by providing the best music in all genres for young and old to enjoy.
Jacob & Bridget Reid | Independence Bank
In late 2018, Independence Bank named Jacob Reid president, making him the third-generation to hold the title. Bridget is director of marketing for the bank, which has grown from 22 to over 350 employees and total assets have expanded from $40 million to $2 billion.
Dr. Jim Tidwell | Plastic & Reconstructive Surgery at Owensboro Health Regional Hospital
After a life-changing spinal cord injury, Dr. Jim Tidwell saw his community rally around him as he completed an extensive hospital stay and rehabilitation. Tidwell has since returned home where he is adjusting to life after his cervical spine injury left him paralyzed. The community continues to support him, donning the name Tidwell’s Tribe.
Shaina Tinnell | “DJ Shay” with Have A Nice Day Entertainment, LLC
Shaina Tinnell started DJing in the summer of 2017, and it’s been quite the ride since. Her audience grows with every show, and she is hosting events like New Year’s Eve at the Convention Center and Legendary Party at the Pier at Friday After 5. DJ Shay encourages followers to stay tuned in 2019, as it is sure to bring even more success.
Taylor West | Publisher at Tanner Publishing
In September, Tanner Publishing announced Taylor West as its newest publisher. West will have the primary responsibility of overseeing all of the company’s titles, including Owensboro Living and Owensboro Parent magazines. West is a founding member of Tanner Publishing’s sister company, Tanner+West, and for the past five years, he served as art director.
Suzanne Cecil White | Cecil Farms
Suzanne Cecil White left the classroom and returned home to work on the farm in 2011, adding a successful CSA to her family’s operation. White continues to dream up and implement new programs for Cecil Farms customers, like an academy for local students, interactive farming experiences for the community as well as merchandise. 2019 will mark the opening of White’s latest adventure, White Chateau, a 2,500 square-foot event space right on the family farm in western Daviess County.
Craig Yeast | Head Football Coach at Kentucky Wesleyan College
In a search that included nearly 200 applicants wanting to be the next head coach of the Kentucky Wesleyan football team, one name stood out above the rest: Craig Yeast. Championship trophies are certainly a goal, but Yeast’s top priority is ensuring his players turn into great men. In fact, his number one goal for players is to earn their degree, and winning games is secondary. Yeast also wants players to get involved on campus and in the community.
