Jody Wassmer Leaving Greater Owensboro Chamber

The president of the Greater Owensboro Chamber of Commerce, awarded for his efforts in economic development and executive leadership, has been named to the top post at One Southern Indiana, the chamber of commerce and economic development entity serving Clark and Floyd counties.

Jody L. Wassmer will begin as CEO on Oct. 31, ending a national search since last spring by a six-member selection committee of 1SI board members and community leaders. From dozens of applicants, the field was narrowed to two finalists who were introduced locally two weeks ago, according to Vaughan Scott, a financial advisor serving small businesses and individuals throughout the region and who is chair of the board and CEO search committee.

Hailed as a proven leader in regional collaboration by search committee member Joe Reagan, president of Greater Louisville, Inc. (GLI), Wassmer succeeds Michael Dalby, who had served as the first CEO of 1SI since July of 2006. At that time the Southern Indiana Chamber of Commerce, Southern Indiana Economic Development Council, and the visioning group SI 2020 merged to become One Southern Indiana. Dalby left April 1 to become CEO of the Columbus (Ohio) Chamber of Commerce.

Executive Background

Wassmer, a two-time winner of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce's Executive of the Year honor (in 2010 and 2007), has led the 1,000-member chamber in Kentucky's fourth largest city as president since 2005 and as executive vice president for two years prior to that. He was its president when that chamber was named 2010 Chamber of the Year, a national honor awarded by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives.

The new One Southern Indiana CEO is a Gibson County, Ind., native and 1988 graduate of Indiana University with a degree in telecommunications and  journalism. Wassmer's years of chamber experience include developing an extensive legislative advocacy program, securing state funding for local education and transportation projects, and spearheading the development of C-LINK (Chamber Leadership Initiatives for Northwest Kentucky), an alliance of 12 chambers in the region.

Last year he was named winner of the GRADD Charles Reid Regional Citizenship Award that recognizes a citizen who has played a major role in regional development efforts.

"I am very excited to take this leadership position at One Southern Indiana," Wassmer said. "I look forward to working with the team to grow existing business and industry and promote economic development in the region."

Before leading the chamber in Owensboro, Wassmer's career included positions in business development, communications, public relations, and marketing for utilities, healthcare, distribution, and manufacturing companies.