Board Elections &
Expo Kick Off Lunch
New date due to Winter Storm Fern:
TUESDAY FEBRUARY 3, 2026
11:30am - Doors Open/Networking
12n - Board Elections & Program
Hear from our board candidates and featured speaker. Then, make an afternoon of it and plan to attend our Louisville Local Business Expo.
This lunch not only kicks off the Expo, it also serves as our annual meeting. Each member present at the event will be able to cast one paper ballot (one ballot per membership).
Come for the board elections, and stay for the Louisville Local Business Expo! We have 6 board candidates this year. Below you will find their answer to the question: Why do you want to serve? (And we have their full applications available here.) Please take a look and get involved by attending the event and placing your vote!
Make sure to RSVP for lunch ($15 each or bring your own). Box Lunches available from ELM Catering - Lou. Choices include: Black Forest Ham Sandwich, Roasted Turkey Sandwich, Chicken Salad Sandwich or a Vegetarian Wrap (all lunches include: chips, pickle & cookie).
Lunch Orders are due by Friday (1/30) at 12 noon.
FEATURED SPEAKER:
Dan Oliver, Founder Dan-O’s Seasoning
Dan Oliver, better known as Dan-O, is the visionary founder behind Dan-O’s Seasoning. What started as a childhood dream in his grandmother’s kitchen has grown into a household name, now available in over 20,000 retailers nationwide. Born and raised in Louisville, Kentucky, Dan-O’s passion for cooking and bringing people together through food led him to create a seasoning blend unlike any other. After years of perfecting his recipe, he officially launched Dan-O’s Seasoning in 2015, building a massive following through dynamic social media content. More than just a seasoning, Dan-O’s embodies his mission to revolutionize the way people season their food while inspiring creativity in the kitchen.
Meet our Board Candidates
Kenny Marcum - 301 Interactive Marketing
(appointed to fulfill a vacated term)
“I have served with the board of directors for the St. Matthews Chamber in the past and have a wealth of knowledge I could bring to the table. I like to help small local businesses grow and thrive.”
Crysten Minzenberger - Printworx of Louisville
(current board member, up for reelection)
“I have found LIBA to be a very worthy and organized group and I would like to help grow it.”
Amy Simpson - SOAR Consulting
"My very first networking event as a small business owner was a LIBA Coffee in June 2024, and I immediately saw the value of the organization. LIBA is more than a networking group—it provides a supportive community where small business owners can learn from one another, share challenges, and grow together. I want to serve because I believe deeply in that mission and would like to take on a leadership role that helps strengthen this community, expand opportunities for learning, and support the continued growth and success of local businesses across Louisville."
Raegan Stremel – Rainbow Blossom
(current board member, up for reelection)
"Having served on the LIBA Board since January 2020, including my current role as Secretary on the Executive Committee, I’ve had the opportunity to contribute during both an unprecedented crisis and a period of rebuilding and renewed momentum. From helping pivot events to virtual formats during COVID to actively participating on the Events Committee as we returned to in-person programming, I’ve seen firsthand how essential LIBA is to the strength and visibility of Louisville’s local business community.
I’m seeking a third term because I believe continuity and institutional knowledge are especially valuable right now. I would like to continue contributing as an engaged Events Committee member while also serving at the executive level, supporting strong governance, clear communication, and consistent follow-through as LIBA continues to grow."
Brittany Hill Whitehead – Amped Business Accelerator
(current board member, up for reelection)
"I want to serve because I understand firsthand—both as an entrepreneur and as the leader of the Amped Business Accelerator since 2022—what small businesses need to sustain and grow. I develop programming, curricula, and systems specifically designed to support founders, and every day, I work closely with them navigating access to capital, operations, staffing, marketing, and long-term stability. This hands-on experience has given me deep insight into the challenges and opportunities facing Louisville’s small business ecosystem.
I have always led a life rooted in service and community impact. Supporting entrepreneurs who invest in their neighborhoods and create jobs aligns naturally with my passion for economic development and equity. Small businesses are essential to healthy local economies, and when they thrive, families and communities thrive as well.
Serving on the Louisville Independent Business Alliance Board would allow me to contribute directly to an organization whose mission I already support and amplify. It would be an honor to help shape strategy, advocate for independent businesses, and strengthen the ecosystem that supports founders across Louisville."
Bethany Witten – Hat Rack Business Solutions & Wanderhollow Farm
(appointed to fulfill a vacated term)
"I want to serve on the LIBA board because I deeply believe in what this organization represents for Louisville. The idea behind “Keep Louisville Weird” captures something real about this city: that independent, locally owned businesses are what make Louisville distinctive. They are not just where we shop; they are how neighborhoods stay vibrant, how local wealth circulates, and how the city keeps its character.
Through my own work as a business owner, I’ve seen how fragile that ecosystem can be, especially as technology, globalization, and consolidation reshape how commerce works. LIBA’s role in providing education, advocacy, and connection is not symbolic - it’s structural. It helps keep local ownership viable in a system that increasingly tilts toward scale.
I want to serve because I believe stewardship matters. Organizations like LIBA thrive when people step up to carry the mission forward. As rapid change continues to transform the business landscape, protecting and strengthening local ownership will require thoughtful, values-driven leadership. I want to help make the Louisville of tomorrow a city full of businesses that are stronger, more independent, and yes - a little weirder."
Special Thanks to Our Lunch Sponsor ~
