MEDIA RELEASE:
October 9, 2013
Contact:
Ruth Eger
Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
859-578-8800
NORTHERN KENTUCKY CHAMBER OF COMMERCE PRESIDENT
STEVE STEVENS DEPARTING AFTER NEARLY 20 YEARS
Stevens leaves strong legacy of leadership and accomplishments
FORT MITCHELL, Ky. – Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce President, Steve Stevens, a tireless advocate for Northern Kentucky who elevated the Chamber while helping attract jobs and investment to the community, is departing the region’s leading business group after nearly 20 years.
Stevens, a Northern Kentucky native whose 20-year anniversary with the Chamber is in February, said that after nearly two decades with the Chamber, including the last seven as its president, it is time to move on to the next professional opportunity in his life.
“I’ve truly appreciated the opportunity to serve the Northern Kentucky Chamber along with so many terrific leaders, volunteers, and staff members,” Stevens said. “This job has been so rewarding for me and has given me a tremendous sense of pride to be working on behalf of such a strong business community.”
“I am a marathon runner and have finished nine marathons,” he said. “For most long distance runners, the moment of truth typically comes around the 20-mile mark when we runners say to ourselves one of two things: ‘I have it in me to finish this race’ or ‘What was I thinking?’ After 20 years at the Chamber, I realize now is time to catch my second wind and pursue other professional endeavors I have considered, so I can look back and smile when I cross the finish line at the end of my professional life.”
Stevens has not set a final departure date. The Chamber will conduct a national search for Stevens’ successor and Stevens said he is willing to assist with the transition to a new president. The Chamber plans to honor Stevens for his nearly 20 years of service. Details of the celebration will be announced at a later date.
“Steve’s contributions to the Northern Kentucky region over the last 20 years are impressive and extensive,” said Chamber Board Chairwoman, Debbie Simpson, president of Multi-Craft in Newport. “We are disappointed to lose his talent and dedication, but we understand his desire to undertake new challenges.”
“I have known Steve for almost 20 years,” Simpson said. “During that time, I witnessed his dedication to our region, first through advocacy and then as President of our Chamber. We will certainly miss his daily presence, but also know that Northern Kentucky is a better place because of his service to our community.”
Steven’s major accomplishments at the Chamber include:
- Working with former state legislators Jim Callahan and Joe Meyer to enact legislation that provided sustained funding through a three-percent tax on rental cars to operate Northern Kentucky Tri-ED, the region’s economic development agency
- Overseeing the Northern Kentucky Capital Consensus Committee, a group of local government, business, and community leaders that lobbies Frankfort to fund major capital projects. The Committee has worked with local legislators to secure hundreds of millions of dollars in funding for projects that include the Northern Kentucky Convention Center, the Northern Kentucky University Natural Science Center, Gateway Community and Technical College’s Boone County campus, and dozens of road and infrastructure projects.
- Achieving Five-Star Accreditation with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Fewer than 50 local Chambers out of thousands nationwide are accredited with the national Chamber’s five-star rating.
- Realigning the Chamber staff during the recent economic downturn and completing a major renovation of the Chamber’s Fort Mitchell offices and board room.
- Increasing the Chamber’s International Trade focus by processing nearly 8,000 export documents annually for area companies, managing the Northern Kentucky International Trade Association (NKITA), hosting foreign trade groups from several countries, and assisting local businesses navigate the global economy.
Former Chamber Chairman, Brent Cooper, described Stevens as one “ofthe most influential leaders in our community”.
“Steve is oneof the key reasons our Chamber has been so successful over the years,” said Cooper, the founder and President of C-Forward Technologies in Covington. “I am looking forward tohis upcoming20-year anniversary celebration where we can all properly thank him for his years of service to our community.”
“Steve is a leader who cares deeply aboutour region,” Cooper added. “He is also a dedicated husband and father, and a good friend to so many of us in the business community.While I am sad to see him leave the Chamber, I am excited for him personally and professionally and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.”
Stevens, who graduated from Campbell County High School and The University of Kentucky, began his Chamber career in 1991, when he was hired by The Kentucky Chamber of Commerce to develop a small business division and worked in government affairs for the state Chamber. He joined the Northern Kentucky Chamber in 1994 to manage government affairs and served as the Chamber’s legislative agent in Frankfort.
Stevens is well respected by his Chamber peers – he was named the 2011 Chamber Executive of the Year by the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce – and has been recognized by local, statewide, and even national media outlets as an insightful business leader who can provide compelling quotes and insight for news stories.
Just last week, Stevens appeared on the National Public Radio (NPR) nationally syndicated program “On Point” to discuss how the federal government shutdown is impacting the local economy and businesses. NBC News read a transcript of the interview on the NPR website and came to Northern Kentucky this week to interview Stevens on the same topic.
Stevens also frequently penned op-ed columns for The Kentucky Enquirer, Community Recorder, and other newspapers and news websites.
“I’ve been called ‘The Region’s Biggest Cheerleader,’ and I have always taken this role seriously,” Stevens said. “I always tried to take the opportunity to put Northern Kentucky in the spotlight. I never tried to steal the limelight or thunder from others, but I also never hesitated to talk to the media about something great we were doing here or an issue that needed to be addressed.”
Heritage Bank President and CEO Lytle Thomas met Stevens 14 years ago when he began volunteering at the Chamber.
“Steve is not only a great servant to this community, but a close friend to me and many others,” Thomas said. “His accomplishments leading the Northern Kentucky Chamber are long and impressive. This departure leaves a big void to fill for our chamber and our region. I look forward to working with Steve in whatever challenge or path he takes in the future.
Stevens said he and his wife, Marilyn, live in Taylor Mill and are basically “empty nesters”. Their son, Stewart, will graduate from the University of Kentucky in December and lives in Lexington and their younger son, Logan, attends Virginia Tech University in Blacksburg, VA, where he is a member of the diving team.
“I am sure I could lead other Chambers in some really great communities, and perhaps that’s the next step for me,” Stevens said. “But no matter how terrific the organization and the community are, I doubt it will ever feel quite the same as here in Northern Kentucky.
“This is home, where I have deep roots, strong friendships and a true appreciation for the quality of life few Americans get the chance to experience,” he said. “That’s impossible to replace.”
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Note to media: For comment on Steve Stevens’ tenure at the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce, please contact:
Chamber Chairwoman Debbie Simpson
President, Multi-Craft Litho Inc.
859-655-8863
Former Chamber Chairman Brent Cooper
President, C-Forward Technologies
859-442-7877
Former Chairman Lytle Thomas
President and CEO, Heritage Bank
859-586-9200
Ruth Eger
Vice President, Membership & Communication Strategies, Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce
859-578-6395
300 Buttermilk Pike, Suite 330|P.O. Box 17416| Ft. Mitchell, KY 41017|
859.578.8800 phone | 859.578.8802 fax