Southern Indiana Business January/February 2020 | Page 6

FROM THE EDITOR FROM THE EDITOR Making a Difference Embracing the all-inclusive B “ we usinesses that rest on their laurels seldom are lauded. There are those that take care of the bottom line. Others not only turn a profit, but also invest in their workers on whose backs rest the companies’ success. Then, there are the businesses that make money, take care of their employees — and give back to their community. That’s Shoe Sensation Inc., our 2020 Difference Maker of the Year. Philanthropy is second-nature to the footwear company, which has over 180 locations in 18 states. But the growing company has kept its headquarters in Jeffersonville, and has made giving back to the community a priority. Welcome, readers, to our Difference Makers hew. edition We of at Southern Business. Southern Indiana Indiana Business magazine are Profiled with stretch Shoe Sensation are local entering along the home of our yearlong focus on the future of Southern As we gazed Difference Makers: Teah Indiana. Williams-Hamp- into our crystal found Carol an area Dawson embracing its history while ton, ball, Matt we Uhl, and Deb Bul- writing its leit. own future. These are people who spend their “off” Collaborations have fueled our but If not before hours volunteering to successes, help others. you don’t we swung our sledge hammers at one barrier after another. Finding already, you’ll want to get to know them; they a way to work together hasn’t always been easy. are inspiring. Just ask Wendy Dant Chesser, top executive at One South- Also inspiring is and Jim the Moon, pastor at Park United ern Indiana person we put on the Memorial hot seat for our “5 Methodist Church in Jeffersonville now in executive director of Questions” and feature this November/Decem- Catalyst Rescue Mission. ber He issue. sat down with knows us for firsthand our 5 Questions Wendy how diffi- it can might be to convince feature, and some of his cult answers surprise some you. people of our ” W 6 commonality of purpose. But she’s making headway. So are Michael Gritton and Ron McKulick, who weren’t about to let a mile-wide Ohio January / February 2020 River and state boundaries get in the way of Photo by Tyler Stewart Not surprising is the popularity of Kentuckiana-based chef Jessica Taylor, whose vegan dishes turn up the yum. She shared some of her recipes with us; you’ll find them in our Food for Thought feature. Making a mind-body connection to promote hope and healing is New Albany business Biofeedback Counseling Center, the subject of our Spotlight. And we couldn’t start off the new year without something new to showcase. Be sure to check out: • Beyond the Job — This construction worker has a hard hat, and a referee’s whistle. His partner Photo in stripes has a by Troy McCormick whistle, too, one that he also uses in his day job. Consider This Beyond STEM, this is • just plain cool — we — couldn’t resist profiling the workforce jazz radio pre- paredness program focuses within personality who straddles the river, living on on pathways its north side and the four academies of shore. business, public service, health and spinning tunes on the south There’s a new vibe in the region, beyond Sisto’s music. An engineering. excitement. feeling that — Southern Indiana • The A Last Word We caught up isn’t with just one trending, of our 2019 it’s setting the trend with innovative collaborations built by a Difference Makers for an encore. forward-thinking mindset. Someone’s being using our crystal ball… With that, I take a bow. Enjoy the read! Contact the editor at [email protected] or 812-206-2130. A PERSONAL NOTE: You’ve probably noticed this spot in Southern Indi- ana Business looks different. It should. This issue marks my first go at being the magazine’s editor, though I’ve been the editor of the News and Tribune for over three years. Prior issues came about under the stewardship of Jason Thomas,