Business Spotlight
Time for TAMBE
Surgeons perform the first procedure to treat complex aortic aneurysms in the region
by Maggie Valenti
A first in Evansville’s surgical history is leveling up the region’s complex cardiac treatment options.
In mid-August, Evansville Surgical Associates vascular surgeon Dr. Angela Martin performed a Thoracoabdominal Branch Endoprosthesis (TAMBE) procedure. The FDA-approved minimally invasive surgery repairs complex aortic aneurysms involving the visceral aorta, specifically thoracoabdominal and pararenal aortic aneurysms.
Martin says that before this TAMBE procedure, patients with these types of aneurysms “would not qualify for typical stinting procedures, which we call an EVAR [Endovascular Aneurysm Repair],” she says. “They would require much larger incisions (with) their entire chest and abdomen open with an extremely lengthy hospital stay (and a) likely need for rehab.”
Before the surgery was available in Evansville, Martin says patients who were candidates for the TAMBE procedure would have to be referred to Indianapolis, Louisville, Kentucky, or occasionally to Saint Louis, Missouri, or Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee.
To learn the surgery’s techniques and how to troubleshoot from fellow surgeons, Martin went to Seattle, Washington, for an eight-hour course from GORE Medical, which manufactured the device used in the procedure. The surgery itself is fairly new: It first was performed in July 2019 at the University of North Carolina Hospitals in Chapel Hill, but did not receive FDA approval until January 2024, so it is still not widely available. Now, Martin is one of just two, including her August procedure co-surgeon, Dr. Chandrasekhar Cherukupalli, who can perform TAMBE in Evansville.
The surgery was part of a partnership between ESA and the area’s two health systems, Deaconess and Ascension.
“The hospitals had to buy a substantial amount of product, fancy wires, catheters, balloons, and of course the stents themselves,” she says. “The vast majority of aortic aneurysms we should be able to treat locally here in the community.”
Business Spotlight
Climbing the Ladder
Henderson’s fire chief earns statewide honor
by Maggie Valenti
Josh Dixon has two years under his belt as Henderson, Kentucky’s fire chief and already is receiving acclaim. The 18-year firefighter was honored as the Career Fire Chief of the Year by the Kentucky League of Cities at the state’s Association of Fire Chiefs annual conference Aug. 20 in Bowling Green.
“Learning about the award just a few days prior left me feeling both humbled and honored,” Dixon says. “The initiatives and standards we have implemented have significantly impacted our department and garnered recognition from other departments across the state.”
Those measures include implementing a year-round training program and annual physical agility test — which the fire chief also must complete — as well as task books of classes and certifications to help firefighters advance in rank. HFD also partnered with Henderson County High School’s career and technical education unit for a fire science pathway. Still, Dixon says this achievement is not just a reflection of his leadership, but of the dedication of his department.
“This recognition serves as a testament to our collective efforts,” he says. “The hard work and commitment demonstrated by our firefighters — (they) are who truly deserve any awards and recognition. … It’s gratifying to see Henderson be recognized.”
New Hires/Promotions
The University of Southern Indiana has promoted Pamela Hopson to the executive director of campus and community strategy. She will serve in this role and report to University President Stephen Bridges until her retirement on July 1, 2026. Hopson previously served as vice president for student affairs and helped to establish USI’s Multicultural Center, serving as its first director, then as executive director. Jeff Sickman has been selected to serve as USI’s next vice president for finance and administration, effective Oct. 1, and will formulate policies and guidelines regarding financial planning and business operations. The USI alumnus was previously the director of faith formation and finance at St. John the Baptist Catholic Parish, Newburgh, Indiana, but had worked at USI for 30 years as an assistant vice president for finance and administration, controller, and assistant treasurer. The University also has promoted Kaylee Johnson to senior media relations specialist after serving as a media relations specialist since 2022. Gov. Mike Braun appointed Glen Kissel to the USI Board of Trustees after the retirement of W. Harold Calloway. A former professor in USI’s engineering department, Kissel’s service on the board started Sept. 7 and will continue through June 30, 2026.
The Buffalo Trace Council of Scouting America has recognized Dan Hermann as its 2025 Distinguished Citizen. The Evansville native is a founding partner at Lechwe Holdings, LLC, and serves on the board of directors at Deaconess Health System and Old National Bancorp.
Hawthorne Animal Clinic in Mount Vernon, Indiana, has welcomed veterinarian Madison Hutto to its team. The Henderson, Kentucky, native received her undergraduate degree in 2018 from Murray State University (Kentucky) and her veterinary education at Lincoln Memorial University College of Veterinary Medicine in Harrogate, Tennessee, graduating in 2023. She previously worked at VCA All Pet Emergency Center in Evansville.
Departures
WEHT Channel 25 bid goodbye to longtime anchor Shelley Kirk on Sept. 1 after a more than 30-year career. In her honor, the Eyewitness News newsroom has been renamed the Shelley Kirk newsroom.
Awards/Recognitions
The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership’s Young Professionals Alliance awarded LaKeisha Roach-Maxwell as its 2025 Young Professional of the Year at the Young Professionals Conference on July 23. Roach-Maxwell has worked for the Vanderburgh County Health Department for seven years and currently serves as its Pre to 3 Program Community Health Worker/Client Advocate Team Lead and Program Intake Coordinator. She also serves on the board of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act and the Community Action Program of Evansville’s Advisory Council. In the community, she engages with Mental Health Matters, Community One, Black Nurses of Evansville, S.M.I.L.E. on Down Syndrome, and Evansville Vanderburgh School Corp. community meetings. She is currently pursuing her Master of Public Health at Indiana University.
Ascension St. Vincent Evansville presented this year’s Physician of the Year award to Dr. Alexander Dela Llana, a family medicine physician who has worked at Ascension St. Vincent Evansville Primary Care for 18 years.
Signature School has retained its position near the top of the U.S. News & World Report’s annual “Best U.S. High Schools” rankings. More than 300 schools made the Hoosier-specific list, including F.J. Reitz in Evansville; Castle in Newburgh; and Heritage Hills in Lincoln City, Indiana.
The Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation Foundation has announced the 2025 inductees into the EVSC Hall of Fame, which honors individuals who exemplify outstanding achievement and have made a meaningful impact on public education. This year’s inductees include Sally Becker, a former EVSC trustee who served in CYPRESS and with the Public Education Foundation; Steven Becker, the Associate Dean and Director of the Indiana University School of Medicine-Evansville; philanthropists and performing arts supporters Richard and Rita Eykamp; Mayor Stephanie Terry, who was the first Deputy Director of Carver Community Organization before serving 13 years as Executive Director of the Koch Family Children’s Museum of Evansville; and the late teacher, coach, and principal Terry Yunker.
Harding, Shymanski & Co. earned Great Place to Work certification for 2025. It’s the first time the Evansville company has received the honor. Great Place to Work recognizes workplace culture, employee experience, and leadership behaviors shown to deliver market-leading revenue, employee retention, and innovation.
The University of Southern Indiana has named Abbas Foroughi, Professor of Computer Information Systems, as its 2025 Distinguished Professor of the Year, USI’s highest award recognizing achievement in teaching, scholarship, and service. Foroughi chaired the Department of Management and Information Sciences for 15 years, developing innovative programs and teaching at undergraduate and Master’s levels. Laurel Standiford Reyes, Associate Professor of Psychology, received the Sydney L. and Sadelle Berger Faculty Community Service Award; David Enzler, Lecturer in Kinesiology and Support and Director Emeritus of Recreation, Fitness, and Wellness, received the USI Foundation Outstanding Teaching by a Lecturer Award; Jordan Thomas, Instructor in Diagnostic Medical Sonography, was named recipient of the USI Foundation Outstanding Teaching by New Faculty Award; Patricia Marcum, Advanced Instructor in Kinesiology and Sport, received the USI Foundation Outstanding Teaching by Faculty Award; and Renee Frimming, chair of the Kinesiology and Sport Department, director of the Master of Science in Sport Management program, and Professor of Kinesiology and Sport, received the M. Edward Jones Engagement Award.
The Evansville IN WWII Heritage City Group, composed of the LST-325 Ship Memorial, the Evansville Museum of Arts, History & Science, and the Evansville Wartime Museum, have been awarded a $10,000 “American WWII Heritage Cities Grant,” administered by the National WWII Museum in New Orleans, Louisiana, in partnership with the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service. The grant will fund local recordings for “World War II Evansville IN – Eighty Years Later: A Look at Wartime Locations,” which will document online and digitally preserve the stories, locations, and contributions of local manufacturers, civic organizations, and institutions that supported the war effort. Evansville was named an “American WWII Heritage City” by the National Park Service, one of only 38 named nationwide and the only one in Indiana, in 2022.
The University of Evansville has been awarded a $195,681 grant from the National Science Foundation’s Office of Integrative Activities to explore ways to strengthen research on campus and throughout the region. UE will develop a future Grants Development Office to support faculty research and develop connections with community and business partners, including the City of Evansville, Talent EVV, E-REP, and the Applied Research Institute, over the next two years. UE also has been named to Money magazine’s “Best Colleges for 2025” list. Money magazine uses research and advice from national experts on education quality, financing, and value to rank the top-performing colleges. UE was previously named to this list in 2019 and 2023. Also, Carol and Gerald Rucks have established the $50,000 Carol and Gerald Rucks Endowed Scholarship Fund for Education Students. The fund will assist students pursuing education degrees and history majors or minors with a demonstrated commitment to service.
Stifel Financial Corp. has announced that Bryan Ruder, senior vice president/investments with the firm’s Stifel, Nicolaus & Co. Inc. broker-dealer subsidiary, was named to Forbes’ 2025 Top Next-Gen Wealth Advisors Best-in-State list, which ranks U.S.-based advisors under 40. Ruder joined Stifel when the branch opened its Evansville office in 2015. He serves on the board of trustees at Hanover College (Indiana) and on the board of directors of Ark Crisis Child Care Center.
Deaconess Health System appeared on Forbes’ Best-in-State Employer list for 2025. It’s the third consecutive year Deaconess has landed on the list, which is based on an independent survey of more than 160,000 U.S. employees working at companies with at least 500 people.
Several business owners and instructors were honored at the Arts Council of Southwestern Indiana’s 2025 Art Awards reception Aug. 14. Matt Fitzpatrick, an art instructor at Castle High School and co-owner of the East Side bookstore Bluestocking Social, won the Visual Art Award. Evansville Philharmonic’s Chorus Master Andrea Drury received the Performing Art Award. Sara Ruckman, who leads the AP Studio Art Program at Harrison High School, earned the Arts Educator Award. Inman Picture Framing co-owners Jessica and Mike Inman shared the Arts Council Award with visual artist Kyle Darnell. Eric Renschler, a scenic designer and University of Evansville Associate Professor of Design, received the Mayor’s Art Award.
Henderson City-County Airport Manager Emily Herron has been named to the National Business Aviation Association’s Top 40 Under 40 list for 2025. The University of Kentucky graduate and pilot has been with the Henderson airport since September 2024 and served four years as manager of the Madisonville Regional Airport in Kentucky.
Evansville-based national moving company Atlas Van Lines was the recipient of the 2025 Quest for Quality Award in the Household Goods & High-Value Goods Carriers category. The award honors customer satisfaction and performance excellence in the transportation and logistics industry and measures nominees based on criteria including on-time performance, value, information technology, customer service, equipment and operations, and weighted value.
Six people were honored at the Evansville Fire Merit Commission’s award ceremony Aug. 14. EFD Capt. Ben Pfeffer and firefighters Wes Brown and Gil Garrison were honored for outstanding service and courageous actions, and three citizens received commendations for their involvement in a June 13 water rescue following a motor vehicle accident.
The D-Patrick family of auto dealers has announced another round of charitable giving. Through its Honda Helps Kids campaign, D-Patrick Honda donated $1,500 to The Trotter House of Evansville. D-Patrick Motoplex donated $1,000 to the Reitz Home Museum. D-Patrick Boonville-Ford donated $1,000 to Warrick County 4-H Clubs. D-Patrick Ford/Lincoln donated $2,500 to United Way of Southwestern Indiana.
Growth/Development
Evans Elementary School launched the first K-12 Promise Neighborhood ChangeLab in the U.S. in collaboration with the University of Evansville. The ChangeLab was established after training from UE’s Center for Innovation and Change at all six Promise Neighborhood schools — including Delaware Elementary School, Lincoln School, Lodge Community School, Glenwood Leadership Academy, and Benjamin Bosse High School — and a contest to see which school proposed the best idea. Evans’ proposal was a revamped playground that includes a soccer field, track, baseball diamond, and more practice areas for school and community sports teams. Evans will receive $5,000 to make its vision a reality.
Old National Events Plaza has transferred under the umbrella of VenuWorks, which also operates Ford Center and Victory Theatre in Downtown Evansville. ONEP employees had the opportunity to interview and remain a part of the ONEP team. Advance tickets for ONEP now are sold at Ford Center box office.
Gray Media, Inc., owner of Evansville’s WFIE Channel 14, has acquired Allen Media Group, Inc.’s television stations — including Evansville’s WEVV Channel 44 — for $71 million. The acquisition also includes stations in three new markets: Columbus-Tupelo, Mississippi; Terre Haute, Indiana; and West Lafayette, Indiana.
The Evansville Regional Economic Partnership has opened Cowork Posey at 231-A Main St. in Mount Vernon, Indiana. It’s Posey County’s first coworking space, offering a workplace alternative for remote workers. Workers can take advantage of the site’s high-speed Wi-Fi, printing and copying services, and private meeting rooms.
Within Sight, a mental health private practice for the last 12 years, has relocated to the Curtis Building, 915 Main St., Ste. 500, to expand its services. Founded by Julie Bellamy and Caron Leader, Within Sight offers individual, couple, and family mental health therapy for children, teens, and adults with estimates of having facilitated more than 90,000 clinical therapy hours at its former location.
The University of Evansville has been selected to sell Bath & Body Works products directly on campus as part of Barnes & Noble College, which operates more than 600 campus bookstores across the nation. A kiosk in the UE Bookstore offers the Limited Brands company’s top-selling fragrances, body care items, and seasonal favorites.
The Indiana Bureau of Motor Vehicles moved its East Side location from East Virginia Street to 808 S. Green River Road. The move allows more space for 18 customer stations — three more than its prior location — as well as three self-service BMV Connect kiosks in a vestibule available 24 hours a day.
Cedarhurst Senior Living opened a new residential facility, Cedarhurst of Newburgh, at 10144 Warrick Trail in May and celebrated with a ribbon cutting in September. The senior living community offers 56 assisted living apartments and 28 memory care suites to meet the needs of residents over age 55. Amenities include a movie theater, courtyards, and housekeeping and laundry services. Cedarhurst Senior Living, owned by Illinois-based Dover Companies, operates 51 communities in seven states.
Holly’s House, a nonprofit assisting victims of intimate crimes, has unveiled an education and resource website called Brave Boundaries to serve a one-stop shop for children, parents, and educators to learn how to identify and prevent abusive situations. Holly’s House developed the website with Evansville-based business branding firm EXTEND Group.
Closings/Reductions
Tracy’s, a home decor boutique run by Tracy Watson and her daughter, Jennifer, on West Franklin closed in mid-September after 11 years in business at 2233 W. Franklin St. Watson plans to continue her home design business.
Regional News
BoardRoom magazine with Forbes Travel Guide named Sultan’s Run golf course in Jasper, Indiana, its Distinguished Golf Destination. This merit-based designation recognizes courses with high-quality service and amenities, facilities, and teamwork of the staff and management. The 18-hole public course opened in Dubois County in 1992 and underwent a significant redesign led by Pete Dye devotee Tim Liddy.
Gibson County Visitors and Tourism, Inc., has hired Liberty DeWig to succeed Eric Heidenreich as its executive director. DeWig, a Gibson County native, has worked for Townsquare Media since 2019 as a brand manager and morning show cohost at WJLT 105.3-FM. She begins her involvement with the Gibson County agency Oct. 6 and fully assumes the position Jan. 1, 2026. Heidenreich, has served as executive director since 1998 and has been with the bureau for more than 27 years, plans to retire at the end of the year.
A Sept. 6 chemical fire at the PBTT Corp. plant in Newburgh, Indiana, placed residents of the immediate area under a stay-indoors mandate due to concerns about environmental contamination. Responding agencies spent hours putting out the fire at the industrial firm, which manufactures firearm components and other machined metal products. The Environmental Protection Agency is assessing the site and collecting samples of ash for testing. The cause of the fire is being investigated.
