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9/4/2012 |
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Secretary Elaine Chao to Give Keynote Address at 2012 Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet |
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Secretary Elaine Chao to Give Keynote Address at 2012 Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet
Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thompson, MTPC, IOM, Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com
BOWLING GREEN, KY-Secretary Elaine Chao, the 24th U.S. Secretary of Labor, will give the keynote address at the 2012 Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet, announced the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce today. The banquet will be held on Monday, September 24, at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center. Purchase tickets online at www.bgchamber.com.
"It's a true honor to recognize leading businesses that provide and create jobs here in South Central Kentucky. These businesses are the backbone of our communities and they deserve our sincere appreciation," said Secretary Chao.
Secretary Elaine L. Chao, the 24th U. S. Secretary of labor who served from 2001-2009 , is the first American woman of Asian descent to be appointed to a President's Cabinet in U.S. history and the first Kentuckian named to the President's Cabinet since 1945. She is the longest tenured secretary of labor since World War II and is the only member of President Bush's original cabinet to have served the entire eight years of his administration.
Chamber Board of Directors Chairman D. Gaines Penn said, "We are honored that Secretary Chao will be speaking at our Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet. Her efforts and focus align directly with our goal of enhancing workforce development in South Central Kentucky."
As the first U.S. Secretary of Labor in the 21st century, she focused on improving the competitiveness of America's workforce by restructuring department programs to empower workers and modernizing regulations to respond to the realities of the 21st century workforce. Under her leadership, the U.S. Department of Labor achieved record results in protecting the health, safety, wages and retirement security of the nation's workforce.
Secretary Chao's distinguished career spans the public, private and non-profit sectors. As president and CEO of United Way of America, she restored public trust and confidence in one of our nation's premier charitable institutions after it had been tarnished by financial mismanagement and abuse. As director of the Peace Corps, she established the first programs in the newly liberated Baltic nations and the independent states of the former Soviet Union. Her government service also includes serving as deputy secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation and chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission. Prior to her government service, she was vice president of syndications at BankAmerica Capital Markets Group and a banker with Citicorp in New York.
Secretary Chao earned her MBA from the Harvard Business School and an economics degree from Mount Holyoke College.
Recognized with innumerable awards for her public and community service, she is the recipient of 34 honorary doctorate degrees. A popular speaker, Secretary Chao is currently a distinguished fellow at an educational and research institute in Washington, D.C. where she works on jobs, employment, and U. S. competitiveness issues. She also serves on a number of corporate and nonprofit boards. Secretary Chao is married to the United States Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell. Learn more about Secretary Chao here: www.elainelchao.com.
The 2012 Business & Industry Appreciation Banquet will recognize South Central Kentucky's targeted businesses, which are those that do more than 50% of their business outside of the Commonwealth, bringing new dollars into our region and to our businesses and families. The evening's awards will include
- Business of the Year
- Business Expansion Awards
- Newcomer Awards
- Export Excellence Awards
- Green-to-Gold Awards
- Business Innovation Awards
Tickets are $65 per person or tables (seating 10) are $650 for partners and $585 for President's Club Diamond, Platinum and Gold Partners. Register online at www.bgchamber.com.
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.
Visit www.bgchamber.com to learn more about the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce.
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