Chamber Names Dr. Sue Parrigin the 2012 ATHENA Award Winner

Contact:
Jessica M.L. Thomposn, MTPC, IOM, Marketing & Communications Director
270-781-3200; jessica@bgchamber.com.

Dr. Sue Parrigin and Amber Martin

BOWLING GREEN, KY-The Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is pleased to announce that Dr. Sue Parrigin is the winner of the 2012 ATHENA Award. She received the award during a news conference today at the Martin Dodge Jeep Chrysler Showroom. Martin Management Group sponsors the ATHENA Award.

Parrigin, who is employed as the WKU conference services director, is the 27th recipient of the ATHENA Award, given by the Chamber and Martin Management Group. She will be formally honored during the ATHENA Luncheon on Wednesday, November 7, at the Carroll Knicely Conference Center, beginning at 11 a.m. Tickets may be purchased online at www.bgchamber.com.

D. Gaines Penn, Chamber Board of Directors chairman, applauded Parrigin's award. "Sue represents the ATHENA spirit in her professional and personal life. She is an incredible volunteer and a loyal, proud member of this community. We are excited to honor her with the ATHENA Award."

"Martin Autoplex in partnership with the Bowling Green Area Chamber of Commerce is proud to sponsor the prestigious ATHENA award for another year. This recognition ceremony is always a special occasion for the Martin Group as it gives an opportunity to honor outstanding leaders in our community. Dr. Sue Parrigin's service to women's success in business and the community exudes what the ATHENA Award stands for, and we are happy to recognize her work with this award," said Amber Martin.

The Chamber, with the generous support of Martin Management Group, has honored local businesspeople for contributing to the advancement of women in the workplace by presenting well-deserving business leaders with the ATHENA Award for the past 27 years. The prestigious ATHENA Award celebrates positive role models in the business world-more than 3,000 women and men to date-on local, state, national and international levels. The ATHENA Foundation is dedicated to recognizing individual leaders that have opened doors of opportunity for women in the workplace and beyond.

Parrigin has been with Western Kentucky University's Division of Extended Learning & Outreach since 2000, where she is director of WKU Conference Services. Her responsibilities include employee development, coordinating auxiliary services, directing facility improvements, and managing event rentals. She is described as someone who strives to create a pleasant environment for her employees and those renting the facilities, as well as someone who takes great pride in exceeding the expectations of her customers.

Her passion for excellence in education and lifelong learning is evidenced by Parrigin's continued achievements. In 2009, she received her Ph.D. in organizational leadership and development through a cooperative program between WKU and the University of Louisville. She also holds a Master's degree in education from WKU, with an emphasis in student affairs and counseling. Her dedication to service reaches beyond her career as she is actively involved with CASA, the Leadership Bowling Green Alumni Association, United Way and Holy Spirit Catholic Church, among other nonprofit organizations.

The other nominees for the 2012 ATHENA Award were

• LaTasha Hatcher, CHASE
• Audrey Meany, Independent Mary Kay Consultant
• Cathy Palmer, General Motors Bowling Green Assembly Plant
• Linda Rush, The Medical Center