Christian County Chamber of Commerce hosts 136th Annual Dinner with Dr. Eugene Poole Jr.

The Christian County Chamber of Commerce brought the community together on June 17 to celebrate and showcase their accomplishments, while inspiring the crowd with keynote speaker Dr. Eugene Poole Jr.

HOPKINSVILLE, KY (CHRISTIAN COUNTY NOW) – The Christian County Chamber of Commerce brought the community together on June 17 to celebrate and showcase their accomplishments, while inspiring the crowd with keynote speaker Dr. Eugene Poole Jr. The 136th Annual Dinner was hosted at The Bruce, with hundreds of Christian County residents and officials coming out in support.

“It is a way to celebrate what we’ve done throughout the year from the chamber’s perspective. We are also the cheerleader for the community in so many different ways, this is a night of celebration,” Christian County Chamber of Commerce President Taylor Hayes told Christain County Now.

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Kevin Felton and Carrie Barrett at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Taylor Hayes, Karen Hayes, and Becky Wood at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Dwight Mcgee and Andrew Watkins at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Lavessa Lewis and Thea Russell at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The Hopkinsville Jazz Band providing the background music at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Madaline Ferguson and Gwenda Motley at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Zack Massey, Heath Holloman, and Austin Flynn at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Adam Smith, Keith Toms, and Tanner Parrent at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Thamara Vega and Nardi Carrion at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote speaker Dr. Eugene Poole Jr. shared nuggets of inspiring wisdom during his speech, telling the crowd that too many people are living their fears instead of their dreams. He also talked about the importance of showing up for the community.

Poole is a Hopkinsville native and HHS alumni who is currently serving as the Jurisdiction Executive and Senior Project Executive for the U.S. Capital Building in Washington D.C. He is a decorated former United States Air Force officer who served three terms of duty and is an ordained preacher.

Alongside the speaker, the evening featured a silent auction, and awards and recognitions were distributed to deserving individuals.

Young Professional of the Year- Landan Stallons
Bob Kelso’s Ambassador of the Year- Karen Hayes
President’s Award – Cody Noffsinger

Chandler Ladd presents the Bob Kelso’s Ambassador of the year award to Karen Hayes at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Nikki Chambers gives the passing of the gavel speach at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Introduction of the keynote speaker given by Planters Bank President Kelly Workman at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Speaker Ryan Milauskas starts the awards portion of the eveing at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

President of the Christian County Chamber, Taylor Hayes, speaking at the The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote Speaker Dr. Eugene Poole,Jr. at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Nikki Chambers gives the passing of the gavel speach at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Speaker Ryan Milauskas presents the Young Professional of the year award at the 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Closing remarks by Bennett Greene at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Taylor Hayes presents the Presidents award to Cody Toffsinger at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote Speaker Dr. Eugene Poole,Jr. at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Innvocation by Josh Arnall at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote Speaker Dr. Eugene Poole,Jr. recieves a thank you gift at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote Speaker Dr. Eugene Poole,Jr. at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Speaker Eric Lee gives the speaker recognition speech to Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Keynote Speaker Dr. Eugene Poole,Jr. at The 136th Christian county Chamber of Commerce Annual Dinner with key note speaker Dr. Eugene Poole, Jr. June 18, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

Stay updated about upcoming chamber events on the Christian County Chamber of Commerce Facebook page.

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Christian County Chamber of Commerce hosts 136th Annual Dinner with Dr. Eugene Poole Jr. | PHOTOS