2024 Keynote Speaker
Nick O. Rowe
Founder and CEO, N.O.R. Solutions
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Nick O. Rowe was president of Kentucky American Water, the largest investor-owned water utility in the state, providing high quality and reliable water and/or wastewater services to approximately half a million people. In this role, he reinforced and strengthened customer, regulatory and local government relationships, drove operational and financial results and was the principal external contact for American Water in Kentucky. He was responsible for driving performance within the state, establishing consistent best practices and enhancing American Water’s efforts to maintain and build external relationships. Additionally, Rowe served as senior vice president of American Water, overseeing the operations of Tennessee, Virginia and Maryland American Water.
Rowe joined American Water in 1987 as management assistant at West Virginia American Water and was subsequently promoted into various management positions with responsibility for the day-to-day operations of American Water facilities in Pennsylvania and oversight of contract operations in North Carolina, Georgia and Florida. Rowe previously served as senior vice president of American Water’s Central and Eastern divisions, which included the states of Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Missouri, New York, Ohio, Virginia and West Virginia.
Rowe is involved with various regulatory agencies, civic organizations and professional associations and currently holds board positions with Lexington Industrial Foundation, Central Bank Advisory Board, Kentucky Chamber of Commerce (past chair), Commerce Lexington and Lexington Clinic. He previously served on the boards of Commerce Lexington (past chair), United Way of the Bluegrass and St. Louis Regional Chamber of Commerce. He is currently a member of American Water Works Association (AWWA), the National Association of Water Companies and the national AWWA Water Utility Council.
Rowe holds a bachelor’s degree in engineering from Western Kentucky University and a master’s degree in business administration from Lebanon Valley College. He attended executive education programs at Oxford University in England and IMD in Lausanne, Switzerland.
In July 2007, the Public Relations Society of America’s Thoroughbred Chapter selected Rowe to receive its Communicator of the Year Award. He was selected for his leadership and open communication in the business.
2023 Keynote Speaker
Celeste Warren
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Growing up in small-town Pennsylvania, Celeste Warren saw firsthand the impact of inequity and exclusion on her father, but she also learned the strongest traits of leadership from his response, including inner strength and patience, self-confidence, and faith. After more than 30 years of working in the areas of change management, diversity, equity, and inclusion, these childhood lessons have continued to fuel her passion to work with leaders to enhance the employee experience within the organization, driving a culture of inclusion and belonging.
Celeste strives to make an impact on her organization and on the world around her. She has been recognized for her work by many organizations, her articles on diversity, equity, and inclusion have been featured in numerous national and global publications, and she has had the opportunity to speak at various events across the world. Celeste earned her B.S. degree at the University of Kentucky and received her master’s degree from Carnegie Mellon University. She is a wife and proud mother of two incredible children.
2023 Morning Speaker
Colene Elridge
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Colene Elridge, aka Coach Colene’s decade-plus of HR experience, led to her being known as “the fixer”- she’s called to help organizations and leaders create better workplaces, productive teams, and aligned results. Her career in government focused on Affirmative Action, EEO, and Diversity. She was a successful investigator of harassment and discrimination complaints and implemented strategies that resulted in more diverse and inclusive workplaces. She is the CEO of Be More Consulting, a boutique agency designed to support organizations in creating cultures of inclusion, and developing women leaders. Her first book, Monday Morning Pep Talks, was named by Success Magazine as a top book for professional women. Colene is the founder of EmpowHer Conference, a women’s leadership event that focuses on building women into leaders both at work and in their lives.
Colene has a bachelor’s degree in Cultural Anthropology from Transylvania University, where she currently serves on the Board of Regents, and an MBA from Sullivan University. She loves yoga, her family, movies, and laughing!
2022 Keynote Speaker
Jim Coleman
President & CEO
Coleman Crest Farm, LLC
3723 Royster Road, Lexington, KY 40516
www.colemancrestfarm.com
From his family’s farm in Lexington, Kentucky to Wall Street, Jim Coleman has delivered stellar results over the last 37 years with Oscar Mayer & Co., Pepsi Cola Company, Altria Corporation, American Express, several entrepreneurial ventures, and several government and quasi government entities including: the New York State Senate, Westchester County Government and the Prince George’s County Maryland Economic Development Corporation.
2022 Morning Speaker
Chelsea Ellis-Hogan
Chelsea Ellis-Hogan is a #1 Amazon Bestselling Author of “Fail to Success”, award winning third-generation owner of Jim Reynolds Asphalt Contractor, Inc. and keynote speaker.
Chelsea is known for her creative leadership skills that encourages entrepreneurship. She continues to help others learn how to create generational wealth.