Carl Chaney is 2008 Small Business Person of the Year
Owner of Chaney's Dairy Barn Honored by Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, Communications Coordinator
270.781.3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY (April 9, 2008) - Carl Chaney, owner of Chaney's Dairy Barn, is the 2008 Small Business Person of the Year, announced the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce during a news conference today.
"Carl is not just a small business owner. He's an innovator and an example of success in our community," said Chamber Board of Directors Chairman Doug Gorman. "He blends farming, tourism and education into his business and makes it a true family affair. He's a great asset to South Central Kentucky, and we congratulate him on winning this award."
Chaney is a lifelong resident of Warren County, where he was raised on his family's dairy farm. He and wife Debra Stahl Chaney have been married for nearly 38 years and are the parents of three children. They also have two grandchildren.
Chaney helped his father Jim manage the family dairy farm for 32 years until a difficult market prevented him from earning a comfortable income. After selling half his herd and researching entrepreneurial ventures with his wife, Chaney decided to add ice cream to his dairy. Once they presented a business plan to local bankers and builders, Chaney's Dairy Barn was born and the family business began to boom.
Now in its fifth year of business, Chaney's Dairy Barn is a must-see site for agritourism in South Central Kentucky. The Chaney family attributes its success, according to Debra, to "community support, perseverance and God's guiding hand."
The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce has awarded a member of the community with the "Small Business Person of the Year" honor since 1985. This award recognizes a community member who owns and operates a for-profit company that employs 100 or fewer full-time employees, who has invested his or her own money in that small business, who has experienced recent business growth, and who is involved in the development and growth of the Bowling Green community.
Debra says of her husband, "Carl is always eager to sell agriculture to legislatures for better signage and programs to help the farmers."
Aside from being raised on a dairy farm, Chaney's early involvement in 4-H encouraged him to further his career in agriculture. That background also taught him how to achieve his goals and access answers to his agriculture questions. In an effort to give back to 4-H, he currently serves as district board chairman of the Warren County Extension Council.
In addition to Chaney's involvement in 4-H, he has held offices with the Kentucky Jersey Cattle Association, the State Agritourism Advisory Council, Mammoth Cave Agritourism, the Warren County Farm Bureau and Methodist Men. He is consistently praised for his outstanding leadership abilities and his passion for agriculture education. In 2007, Chaney's hosted more than 7,000 school tours, during which Chaney gives milking demonstrations and explains to children "where food really comes from."
"Carl is a great contributor to our community," said Jennifer Breiwa, program director for the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce. "Not only is he a successful small business owner, but he's also a strong supporter of local efforts to improve our community's economy. He is a great volunteer for the Chamber as well."
Past recipients of the Small Business Person of the Year Award are:
| Jim Smith (2007) |
| David Chandler (2006) |
| Chris Thompson (2005) |
| Tim Earnhart (2004) |
| Janet Henderson (2003) |
| Jim Johnson (2002) |
| Steve Sheldon (2001) |
| Doug Gorman (2000) |
| Curt Sullivan (1999) |
| David Bradford (1998) |
| Mike Murphy (1997) |
| Joe Natcher (1996) |
| Al Baker (1995) |
| David Wiseman (1994) |
| Rick Kelley (1993) |
| Harold Brantley (1992) |
| Mike Buchanon (1991) |
| Bill Jackson (1990) |
| Cornelius Martin (1989) |
| B.J. Booth (1988) |
| Carroll Hildreth (1987) |
| Sandy Jones (1986) |
| Johnny Webb (1985) |
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Chaney will be formally honored at the Small Business Luncheon on Tuesday, May 6, at 11 a.m. at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center. This event is the highlight of Small Business Appreciation Week, which is organized by the Chamber's Small Business Appreciation Committee. Tickets are $25 per person or $200 for a corporate table of eight. President's Club partners at the Gold, Platinum and Diamond Levels may purchase tables for eight at $180. To register, visit the Events page on bgchamber.com.
For more information, contact Jennifer Breiwa at 270-781-3200 or jenniferb@bgchamber.com.
About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. As one of only 336 chambers nationwide to be accredited by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners. Its primary goals are to promote growth and success in the business community, reaching its small business partners and those in large industries alike. With leadership programs, governmental relations projects, educational initiatives and involvement opportunities, the Chamber aims to support the community and its neighbors in order to enhance the business climate and continue to grow the region.