Louisville businessman to take the helm June 1
LOUISVILLE, Ky. (May 28, 2014) – Kent Oyler is the new president and CEO of Greater Louisville Inc., effective June 1. Oyler most recently served as managing partner of OPM Services Inc., a financial-services and investment firm and has founded or co-founded more than 18 other businesses, including High Speed Access Corp., a broadband service provider.
“We had many strong candidates from both the private and nonprofit sectors. Kent Oyler was the ideal choice,” said Kerry Stemler, president, K.M. Stemler Co. Inc. and chair of Greater Louisville Inc.’s Board of Directors. “With Kent in place GLI is positioned to move forward and chart a new course of action for a truly regional approach to driving business growth and economic prosperity.”
Oyler will take over the reins from Eileen Pickett who has been serving as acting CEO in the interim.
“I’m honored to be entrusted with the leadership of the region’s largest business leadership organization,” said Oyler. “My passion is business and GLI is the home base for businesses. I’m looking forward to working with the GLI team, member companies and community leaders to accelerate our region’s momentum and help our businesses succeed.”
Oyler brings more than 30 years of diverse business, finance, operations and entrepreneurial experience to the organization. He has served in CFO, CEO and executive chairman positions in small and large companies. His numerous entrepreneurial ventures have been in a wide variety of industries including railroads, leasing, manufacturing, Internet, and market research.
“I am extremely confident about the future of GLI with Kent Oyler as its new leader, said Ed Glasscock, chairman emeritus, Frost Brown Todd LLC and former chair of the GLI Board of Directors. “His strong private sector leadership experience and track record of economic development successes in the entrepreneurial community are an ideal fit for the type of person needed to lead GLI and the business communities’ regional growth strategy.”
“Kent Oyler is a creative and proven business leader,” said Mayor Greg Fischer. “I look forward to again partnering with him in his new role at GLI to enhance the region’s economic prosperity and ensure that we are meeting the needs of our existing businesses.”
As president and CEO, Oyler will lead the roll out of GLI’s recently announced strategic priorities, which are centered on serving the interests of its members and the regional business community. These priority areas, as outlined in the organization’s Advantage Louisville plan, are: retaining and growing existing businesses, including supporting the entrepreneurial and start-up community; increasing the region’s human capital, levels of educational attainment and workforce readiness; and driving advocacy efforts aimed at creating a more business-friendly environment.
Oyler has served on several public and private corporate boards including Thornton’s Inc., Republic Bancorp, Inc. and Beam Technologies as well as on dozens of civic boards and committees, including United Way Worldwide, The Pritchard Committee on Education, YPO/WPO, Metro Louisville Police Foundation, the Association for Corporate Growth, Leadership Louisville, and University of Louisville Business School and Board of Overseers. He has been involved in GLI for over 20 years including 8 years as a board member. Oyler currently chairs GLI’s EnterpriseCorp Board of Advisors and serves on the Advantage Louisville Steering Committee.
Oyler has also been involved in fund-raising for Metro United Way, the Louisville Science Center, the Olmsted Parks Conservancy, and the YMCA. He holds both a bachelor’s and MBA degrees from the University of Louisville.
“GLI’s work is vital to the region’s business community and I look forward to working with the board, volunteer leadership, and staff to grow the organization while promoting the interest and the livelihood of our existing businesses,” Oyler said.
Add Comment