Jeffersontown Picks Deanna Epperly Karem to Lead Chamber as CEO

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JEFFERSONTOWN, Ky. (June 2, 2020) – The Jeffersontown Chamber of Commerce is
pleased to announce that Deana Epperly Karem has been selected as the Chamber’s
next President and CEO. Ms. Karem will succeed John Cosby who has served in this
role since 2009 and will retire this summer.

Ms. Karem brings nearly 30 years of experience in community and economic
development to the Chamber. She takes on this new role after serving as Senior Vice
President of Regional Economic Growth at Greater Louisville Inc. (GLI), Kentucky’s
largest business chamber. Previously, Ms. Karem was the executive director of the
Oldham County Chamber’s Economic Development organization.

Deanna Epperly Karem

In her previous roles, Ms. Karem focused on developing and supporting business
recruitment and retention strategies, initiating and managing programs in workforce
development, and executing various programs and events that bring businesses and
communities together. This job brings Ms. Karem back to Jtown where she spent her
youth.

“Deana’s experience will be an asset for our community and chamber,” said Bill
Reynolds, chairman of the Jtown Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors. “She has
a strong reputation for being collaborative, creative and innovative in her approach to
supporting business and connecting people. She has a proven track record of building
new programs and developing talent and we are excited to have her.”

“It is an honor to be selected as the Jtown Chamber’s new executive. I have spent my
career working with businesses and building community. I am passionate about
growing our local economy, and I deeply believe in the partnerships and networks that
come from membe

rship organizations like the Jtown Chamber,” said Karem.

Ms. Karem will begin her new role on June 15.

The Jtown Chamber has experienced significant growth under John Cosby’s leadership
expanding to 1,000 business members today. Cosby introduced a significant new
membership benefit with the JPlan Health Insurance Program and initiated business
support for youth with the Going Beyond Scholarship Program. The Chamber’s iconic
events saw significant milestones as well. Gaslight Festival celebrated 50 years while
Cosby served as president, and the Summer Craft Beer Fest has become one of the
most important events bringing business and community together while celebrating local
breweries.

“I’m proud of the growth and stability our Chamber has experienced over the last
decade,” said Cosby. “I’ve worked with great people that have made my tenure
interesting and fun.  And, the community of Jeffersontown has been very kind to
my family and me. We consider it home.”