Deana Epperly Karem, Vice-President, and John Launius, Economic Development Manager, of Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI), will discuss “The Advance Greater Louisville Initiative”, an overview of GLI’s regional economic development efforts to attract companies to our area.
Location: Crowne Plaza - Coronet B Room
Date: Wednesday, September 20, 2017
7:15 AM Sign in and Networking
8:00 AM Breakfast begins
8:30 AM KCUC organizational items, followed by Guest Speakers
9:30 AM Adjourn
Reservations For This Meeting
We request reservations be made no later than Monday September 18, 2017 to ensure an accurate count for breakfast.
About Our Guest Speakers
Deana Epperly Karem is the Vice President for Regional Economic Growth at Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI).
She works with local economic development leaders in the 15-county bi-state region to attract companies and grow talent. Deana leads a team of professionals focused on business attraction, workforce development, talent attraction, entrepreneurism, and networking programs for like-minded industry professionals. She is a close advisor to the GLI President & CEO, and is considered a significant leader in the area of regional economic growth in the Metro area.
Deana returned to GLI in September of 2015 after serving as the Executive Director of the Oldham Chamber & Economic Development office. There, she lead the merger of Chamber and economic development activities growing the Chamber membership by nearly 40% and facilitating services to expand 12 companies in the area.
Before focusing on economic development, Deana managed the merger task force for Louisville and Jefferson County governments. She produced two seasonal television series for the Archdiocese of Louisville, and served as a special liaison for a number of elected officials.
Deana has been named a Business First 40 Under 40, and a Louisville Magazine “Woman to Watch.” She is a past chair for the Kentucky Association for Economic Development (KAED), and is a representative to the board for Kentuckiana Works. She is an active volunteer for her Church and community. She has also held leadership positions on the boards of the EP Tom Sawyer Park Foundation, Mercy Academy and the Louisville Metro Police Citizens Advisory Board.
Deana has a Bachelor’s Degree in Public Relations and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration - both from the University of Louisville.
John Launius is the Economic Development Manager at Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI).
John works with local economic development leaders in the 15-county bi-state region to attract companies to Greater Louisville. John manages a variety of economic development projects and promotes our business-friendly and culturally-rich area.
John joined GLI in early 2017 after 8 years at Volunteers of America Mid-States serving as the Director of Program Development & Government Relations and operating a recruitment and retention consulting firm.
John has been named in Business First’s 20 People to Know in Economic Development and is a Leadership Louisville Center 2015 Bingham Fellow Graduate. He has previously served on the boards of the Fuller Center for Housing and Mama to Mama. John is also a founding member of the Veterans Community Alliance of Louisville (VCAL).
John earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science from Southeast Missouri State University and is currently attending the Mendoza College of Business at the University of Notre Dame.