The Kentucky Rural-Urban Exchange (RUX), a statewide leadership program that connects and trains Kentucky leaders from a variety of sectors, is returning to Owensboro this weekend. During their visit, cohort members will learn about local arts, culture, cuisine, river ecology, faith, and identity in the Owensboro-Daviess County community, among other topics.
Now in its 10th year, RUX has become known for “enabling proactive conversations about Kentucky’s most complex challenges,” according to a release. Owensboro-Daviess County is one of two RUX host communities this year, along with Campbellsville-Taylor County.
The Owensboro Host Committee has worked for months to showcase both the community’s assets and its most pressing issues, the release says. While RUX Weekend Intensives focus on the culture, economy, and environment of each host community, cohort members also spend time in professional development workshops to develop leadership skills, build networks, and consult on projects with one another.
“I can’t wait for the cohort to experience the unique and diverse perspectives of Owensboro and Daviess County that they’ll see in this second weekend intensive,” said Lauren Calhoun, RUX Steering Committee member and Owensboro Host Committee Chair, who works as a billing supervisor for Owensboro Health. “So many individuals, organizations, and businesses are contributing in meaningful ways to tell the story of what makes this community what it is – which is maybe the best thing about this community. Everyone has a part to play, and they do so with incredible generosity, humility, and hospitality.”
RUX cohort members will be hosted on the Kentucky Wesleyan College campus. They will spend time at the Owensboro Museum of Science and History, Friday After 5, the Daviess County Public Library, and English Park. They will also make a visit to Philpot.
Local sponsors and partners include Kentucky Wesleyan, Niko’s Bakery, Miller House, Lure, McHenry’s catering, Owensboro Museum of Science and History, Owensboro Health, the Public Life Foundation of Owensboro, Young Foundation, WBKR, Andrew Newton Schaftlein, Actors Theatre, Daviess County Public Library, Kentucky Arts Council, Islamic Center of Owensboro, Temple Adath Israel, NAACP, Pleasant Point Church, KCTCS, The Party Space Place, English Park, Black Expo, Brian and Janice Smith, and Mechanicsville Kitchen.
Three people from Owensboro are part of the 2024 RUX cohort. They are Dan Heckel, Steve Johnson, and Cheryl Burks-McCarthy.
RUX bio on Heckel: After a 21-year newspaper career, he is serving in his 17th year as the Director of Mission Advancement and Communications for the Ursuline Sisters of Mount Saint Joseph in Maple Mount. … He is active with Theatre Workshop of Owensboro, where he has served as an actor, director, playwright, and host of the podcast “Take TWO.” He is a trained spiritual director and serves as chairman of the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church parish council.
RUX bio on Johnson: Currently serving as the President of RepresentGPA Governmental and Public Affairs, he navigates legislative complexities and fosters community relations in alignment with organizational goals. Johnson’s entrepreneurial drive is evident in his founding roles at RepresentGPA and Heaven by Health, where he promotes personal health initiatives through workshops and outreach programs. Previously, as Vice President at Owensboro Health for over 15 years, he secured funding and facilitated cross-team alignment.
RUX bio on Burks-McCarthy: (She) is an Extension Assistant for All Programs for The University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, Food and Environment (Daviess County Cooperative Extension Service), She also serves on numerous boards centered on families and children, agriculture, and commerce. Cheryl looks forward to meeting new people, building relationships, helping solve problems, visiting new places, having fun, and making memories across the great state of Kentucky.
