The following have been elected to fill two-year terms on the Covington Business Council Board of Directors:
Eric Summe – president and CEO, Northern Kentucky Convention and Visitors Bureau (Meet NKY): For the past three years, Summe has been in charge of marketing Northern Kentucky as a meeting destination for corporate, association and avocational groups. Through Summe and his team’s work, they achieved a $340 million impact through conventions in the three county area in 2014. He had a distinguished 27 year career with Delta Airlines prior to this and was the face for the carrier in this market during most of that period
Peggy Casey – Rose Communications: Casey provides marketing consultant services for Rose, a full service public relations, communications and public affairs services. Previously Casey served as VP of Marketing and Informatics/Office projects at Tri-ED, Northern Kentucky’s economic development agency. She managed communications and public relations for Sanitation District No. 1 of NKY for nearly 15 years and has coordinated communications, events and special projects for the NKY Education Council over the past three years. Casey is a Leadership NKY alumnus and served as the Program Chair in 2009. In 2010, she received the Outstanding Women of NKY Emerging Leader Award.
Tom Tilmes – VP, senior business banking officer, Republic Bank: Tilmes served previously on the CBC board as treasurer before leaving the area for another job. He has been at Republic for the past year and has been instrumental in the formation of the new CBC Connects group that has attracted more than 20 business professionals over the course of its two month existence. Tilmes is a master connector/networker who volunteers for several other business groups including the St. Elizabeth Healthcare Business Support Committee, the Cinti USA Regional Chamber and the Northern Kentucky Chamber of Commerce.
Jim Parsons – attorney Taft Stettinius and Hollister: Parsons is a member of the firm’s Business and Finance, Public Law, Public Finance, and State and Local Tax Practice Groups. Prior to joining Taft, Parsons had a 31 year career in local government law and administration holding such positions as city solicitor and city manager for Newport, and Boone County Administrator and Deputy County Judge/Executive. Since 2007, he has successfully obtained well over $2 billion in tax incentives for his clients for development projects in Kentucky, including projects in Bowling Green, Louisville, Lexington and Northern Kentucky. Parsons chairs the Gateway CTC Foundation board and will advise us on initiatives the college is undertaking.
Margaret van Gilse – vice president business development, Bexion Pharmaceuticals: Van Gilse has specialized in health care marketing throughout her career and has held positions of increasing responsibility in education and healthcare consulting in Cincinnati, Los Angeles, Chicago, San Juan, Boulder and Nashville in addition to her current position. She has over 25 years of global business development, strategic planning and fund raising experience with entrepreneurial companies in various healthcare segments, including pharmaceuticals. She also serves as a board member for the Kentucky BioAlliance, Gateway Community and Technical College Foundation, +Mfg, LLC and the NKY American Cancer Society Advisory Board.
Guy van Rooyen – CEO, Donna Salyers Fabulous-Furs: Van Rooyen has over 15 years of experience in finance and turn-around management. He’s responsible for the strategy and vision of the company as well as its day-to-day operations. Since assuming the role of CEO in 2004, the company has experienced rapid growth in revenue and profitability in excess of 300 percent. He also serves as president of the Salyers Group where he is responsible for the strategic direction of the diversified holding company whose brands include Donna Salyers’ Fabulous-Furs, The Madison Event Center, Fabulous-Bridal and the newest addition to their portfolio, The Hotel Covington.
From the Covington Business Council