Thirteen people have been identified to serve on the new Hopkinsville Small Business Commission, according to an executive order from Mayor James R. Knight Jr. The order will be presented at the council’s next meeting, slated for 6 p.m. Thursday, July 13.
In addition to the committee chair — Sarah Whitaker, owner-operator of Williams Advertising at West Seventh and Weber streets — the following members are listed on the order:
- Kristina Dunaway, owner of Stella’s Soap Co., at East Ninth and South Virginia streets.
- Charlie Powell, owner of Holiday Burgers, LaFayette Road.
- Danielle Renshaw, a floral designer and owner of Ruffled Willow.
- DeeAnna Sova, former director of the Hopkinsville-Christian County Public Library now working for Ascend Elements as the company’s equity program manager.
- Tyler Young, an investor in several downtown properties, including the new Hopkinsville Bourbon Society and the Pennyroyal Building at 10th and Main streets.
- Richie Acevedo, a musician and owner of Hip Hoptown USA, a recording studio in the 600 block of South Main Street.
- Justin Nash, affiliated with Snap-On Tools.
- Andy Naghtin, a partner in City Salvage & Recycling.
- Greg Perry, owner of West Side Body Shop.
- Trey Gilliland, affiliated with 270 Outdoors.
- Kalleb Greene, a dentist whose practice is on Cool Water Court.
- Christina Hale, an agent with Advantage Realtors.
Knight announced his intention to appoint a small business group shortly after he took office in January. In May, after city council approved creating the commission, the mayor’s office sought applicants from local business owners.
Jennifer P. Brown is co-founder, publisher and editor of Hoptown Chronicle. You can reach her at editor@hoptownchronicle.org. She spent 30 years as a reporter and editor at the Kentucky New Era. She is a co-chair of the national advisory board to the Institute for Rural Journalism and Community Issues, governing board president for the Kentucky Historical Society, and co-founder of the Kentucky Open Government Coalition.
