Nancy Mitchell Receives 2011 ATHENA Young Professional Award

Contact:
Jessica Thompson, Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com

BOWLING GREEN, KY-At a news conference held this afternoon, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce presented the ATHENA Young Professional Award to Nancy Mitchell, manager, valley relations for the Tennessee Valley Authority. Athena Award sponsor Martin Management Group hosted the news conference and reception.

"Nancy is a strong asset to this community. We commend her for her many achievements, particularly in the legislative activities within South Central Kentucky," said Rodney Rogers, 2011 Chamber Board of Directors chairman.

The ATHENA Young Professional Award, which is an extension of the ATHENA Award, was introduced at the ATHENA International Conference in Chicago in April 2007. The Young Professional Award recognizes an emerging leader in the community who demonstrates the following leadership skills:

• Provides valuable service to his or her business or profession and to the community
• Exhibits initiative and creativity
• Exemplifies and upholds the goals of the professional woman
• Clearly serves as a role model for young women personally and professionally

Chamber Program Director Lindsey McClain said, "We at the Chamber value the ATHENA philosophy of incorporating the talent and expertise of women into the leadership of our businesses, our communities and our government. We're proud to present the ATHENA Award and the Young Professional Award to leaders within our community."

The Chamber has been presenting the ATHENA Young Professional Award locally since 2008. Previous winners are Jana Sublett (2008), Laura Goodman (2009) and Kelly W. Wiseman (2010). Martin Management Group has been a longstanding sponsor of this award and of the ATHENA Award.

"Martin Management Group is proud to continue the ATHENA Young Professional Award sponsorship as we believe in recognizing outstanding young professionals who are helping women achieve success in their careers and personal lives. Nancy represents all of the leadership characteristics that ATHENA honors," said Amber Martin of Martin Management Group.

Nancy Mitchell is a 2002 graduate of Murray State University, where she earned her bachelor's degree in organizational communication with a minor in marketing. She earned her Master's degree in business administration (MBA) in 2008 from Western Kentucky University, and she is a 2009 graduate of the Leadership and Management for Accelerated Performance Program (L-MAP) at Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management.

Prior to joining TVA, she worked as a legislative correspondent for U.S. Senator Jim Bunning and a staff assistant for U.S. Congressman Ed Whitfield. In addition to Mitchell's job experiences for federal legislators, she is a member of the Chamber's Legislative Action Committee, participates in the Chamber's Washington, D.C. Fly-ins and assists with the annual Chamber Day in Frankfort during the state legislative sessions. A 2006 graduate of Leadership Bowling Green, she is a day chair for Government/Agency Day. She also volunteered for Kentucky State Senator Bob Leeper's 2002 campaign.

Mitchell is one of six members of the Kentucky Task Force, set up to analyze competitive data and recommend a course of action to improve TVA's retention rate, specifically relating to customers leaving TVA but still requesting continued access to TVA's transmission system. She also conducted a four-month study and consultation of Paradise Fossil Plant's internal and external communications. At the end of her analysis, she provided an action plan for the plant management team, a public relations plan and a project report for upper management.

A founder and former president of the Young Professionals of Bowling Green, Mitchell volunteers in several different capacities. She is the young adult activity coordinator/family meal coordinator at St. James United Methodist Church. She is a Junior Achievement volunteer, having taught Our Region to Rockfield Elementary School's third grade in 2010. She is also a past member of the Board of Directors for Big Brothers Big Sisters of South Central KY (2006-2008) and a current member of the Bowling Green Downtown Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors. She is also a Kentucky State Society Board member in Washington, D.C.

Kentucky Governor Ernie Fletcher named Mitchell a Kentucky Colonel in 2004, and she was a 2004 Kentucky Cherry Blossom Princess. She is also a member of The Madison D.C. Women's League, Sigma Sigma Sigma Social Fraternity and Indian Hills Country Club.

Jana Sublett, 2008 Athena Young Professional Award winner and rental facilities coordinator at the National Corvette Museum, nominated Mitchell for this award. "As a former Athena Young Professional Award winner, I cannot think of a better person to represent this group of career-minded, passionate females," wrote Sublett in her nomination packet.

"Our group of nominees was very impressive this year, and each deserves congratulations for their nominations," said McClain. "We are so happy to recognize the many contributions of young professionals through this award."

Other nominees for this year's ATHENA Young Professional Award were

• Mary Phoenix McCubbin, BlueCotton, Inc.
• Sarah Rascoe, Daymar College
• Jamie Spinks, County of Warren

About the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce:
Incorporated in 1935, the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is a 5-Star Accredited Chamber by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and was named the 2009 Chamber of the Year by the American Chamber of Commerce Executives. As the fourth largest chamber in Kentucky, the Chamber serves as a premier business advocate for its more than 1,300 partners and is the driving force for economic development in South Central Kentucky. 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.