Chad Gregory named Person of the Year at Chamber Dinner

The annual Hancock County Chamber of Commerce Dinner was held Tuesday, June 9, at the Lewisport Community Center, where Lewisport Mayor Chad Gregory was honored as Person of the Year. Other awards presented during the evening went to Aimee Lyday as Citizen of the Year, Hancock County Farm Supply as Business of the Year and CASA of Ohio Valley as Nonprofit of the Year.

“The Hancock County Chamber of Commerce congratulates all award recipients and appreciates their commitment to Hancock County,” Chamber Executive Director Tina Snyder said.

Gregory, who was reelected in November 2024 to a sixth term, was honored for his long-standing leadership and focus on fiscal responsibility and infrastructure. Under his administration, the city has maintained a strong financial position, recording no findings in annual audits and sustaining stable operations. He has also worked for many years at First Financial Bank in Lewisport, formerly Hancock Bank and Trust.

One of the most significant ongoing projects is a regional water treatment plant in partnership with the City of Hawesville. The collaboration has secured approximately $20 million in funding, with the local share reduced to about $6 million through Clean Water Act provisions.

Construction is underway on the site behind the Lewisport Library, and the plant could be operational as early as 2028. Gregory said the cities will maintain transparency through a joint oversight committee and will operate existing plants temporarily after completion to ensure a smooth transition.

Lewisport continues to pursue growth through housing and retail development, while ongoing code enforcement efforts aim to improve properties and support long-term community investment.

Gregory has served Lewisport for more than 20 years, and those who nominated him credited his leadership with improving the lives of local residents in many ways. They pointed to the city’s multiple honors in the Kentucky Rural Water Association’s Best Tasting Water contests and said his role in regionalizing the water treatment plant will benefit residents throughout the county.

Nominations said Lewisport’s festivals and annual events have grown during Gregory’s tenure as mayor, and those additions have helped strengthen community involvement and boost local tourism. He is known as someone who is involved in nearly everything related to the city and who consistently shows his care for the community through the time and effort he gives.

Those who nominated Lyday said her dedication to the children, schools, churches and families of Hancock County has made a lasting impact on many lives and described her as an especially deserving choice for Hancock County Citizen of the Year.

She serves on School-Based Decision making, or SBDM, councils for North Hancock Elementary School, Hancock County Middle School and Hancock County High School.

Lyday has consistently worked to improve educational opportunities and support students, teachers and administrators across the county, colleagues and community members say. They also note her service on the Youth Service Center Advisory Council, where she helps advocate for the needs and well-being of local youth and families.

She is active in local athletics and youth organizations, serving on the boards of Little League Baseball and the Hornet Quarterback Club. She also helps manage concession stands at both the baseball and football fields and often steps in when extra help is needed.

Lyday’s service to the community is also evident in her deep involvement at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, where she leads Wednesday school and confirmation classes and helps guide and mentor young people in both faith and character.

Her influence on Hancock County’s youth is considered significant, and what sets her apart is not just the number of organizations she serves, but the heart, compassion and energy she brings to each role.

According to the nominations, she gives her time without seeking recognition, consistently putting others’ needs first, and many in the community believe Hancock County is stronger because of her dedication and leadership.

Hancock County Farm Supply in Hawesville, managed by Gordon Gaynor, was recognized for its long-standing service to the community. The business began as a small Main Street store and has expanded over the decades into a multi-building operation along U.S. 60, growing to meet increasing demand from local customers.

The business now carries an extensive inventory ranging from lumber and building materials to hand tools, seed and both bulk and bagged fertilizer, along with plumbing and electrical supplies. It also offers equipment rental and repair services.

Farm Supply’s customer base includes homeowners, farmers, local industries, schools and county departments. Ongoing additions, such as expanded storage, service areas and product lines, have helped the operation adapt to changing needs while continuing to provide a reliable local source for essential goods. The business also gives back to the community through donations and support for local organizations, including area schools.

CASA of Ohio Valley was recognized for its work advocating for children involved in abuse and neglect cases. Under the leadership of Executive Director Alondra Johnson and local Advocate Supervisor Robin Gaynor, volunteers conduct in-depth case reviews and provide recommendations to the court to help secure safe and permanent placements.

The Chamber recognized CASA at its November breakfast last year and honored the organization as Business of the Month. The recognition included a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating its work in the community.

Those who nominated CASA of Ohio Valley noted that the organization was founded in Daviess County in 1996 and expanded its services into Hancock County in 2023, bringing its nationally recognized Court Appointed Special Advocate program to local children and families. They said CASA has worked closely with the Hancock County Family Court system and community partners to ensure that children involved in abuse, neglect and dependency cases have a trained advocate focused on their best interests.

Nominators said CASA volunteers provide a consistent, caring presence for children during times of uncertainty. They explained that volunteers get to know each child, gather information from teachers, caregivers, medical professionals and service providers, and make recommendations to the court intended to support each child’s safety, well-being and path to a permanent home.

In Hancock County, CASA advocates have helped connect children with educational support, counseling, healthcare and other critical services that contribute to better outcomes. Supporters say the most important service the program offers is something that cannot be measured: a trusted adult who stays committed to each child throughout their journey.

Supporters also note that, beyond its work in the courtroom, CASA of Ohio Valley has become an active member of the Hancock County Chamber and the broader community by building partnerships, raising awareness about child abuse and neglect, and working to recruit local volunteers willing to stand up for children in need. They say CASA’s dedication to improving the lives of children and strengthening the community makes it a deserving choice for Hancock County Chamber Nonprofit of the Year.

Community members interested in volunteering or learning more can contact the organization at 270-683-2138 or visit casaov.org.

The evening also featured entertainment from Bowling Green author, speaker and comedian June “Bug” Colson, whose nationally touring act draws on small-town life, motherhood and marriage. Colson won the 2020 Nashville Clean Comedy Championship and has performed as a warmup comedian for the “Huckabee” television show, as well as on Killer Beaz’s “Comedy Buzz.”

She has a Dry Bar comedy special and a special on the Angel Studios network, “If You Can’t Beat ‘Em, Taze ‘Em,” and has been featured multiple times on Nate Bargatze’s Nateland Live in Nashville. Colson also co-hosts the “Laugh Support” podcast, now in its sixth season and a recipient of an International Christian Visual Media Bronze Crown Award, and she tours with Christian comedy legend Chonda Pierce on the Chonda Palooza tour. She is the author of “Memoirs of a Hoobilly,” a blend of humor and reflection on growing up in a small town.

Dinner was prepared by Sunny Daze Cafe in Hawesville, and desserts were provided by the Hancock County Homemakers.

As part of the event, attendees participated in a commemorative group photo marking the nation’s 250th anniversary. The image will be placed in a time capsule to be buried at Vastwood Park during the Fourth of July celebration, with plans for it to be opened in 50 years.