Kim Halbauer Elected Chair of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce

According to The Lane Report, Les Fugate of Brown-Forman Corp. has been named chair-elect for 2027, while Kim Halbauer, the Kentucky regional president of Fifth Third Bank, was elected chair of the Kentucky Chamber of Commerce for the 2026-27 term. Halbauer succeeds Condrad Daniels, president of HJI Supply Chain Solutions, who will stay on the executive committee as immediate past chair.

Stepping Into Leadership at the State Chamber

Halbauer brings three decades of banking experience to the position. She started her career as a customer service representative while attending college, eventually rising through the ranks to manage large-scale financial portfolios. Prior to assuming her current regional position in 2020, she led the Fifth Third Private Bank in Cincinnati, where she managed $12 billion in assets and supervised services for over 3,000 clients. Today, she oversees commercial, wealth, asset management, and consumer operations across Kentucky.

“Kim has been a tremendous leader for Kentucky’s business community, and we are excited to welcome her as chair of the Kentucky Chamber,” Ashli Watts, the chamber’s president and CEO, said in a press release reported by The Lane Report. “Her experience, commitment to strengthening communities, and passion for helping businesses and working families succeed will be invaluable as we continue our work to advance Kentucky.”

A Northern Kentucky Roots Story

A native of Northern Kentucky, Halbauer earned her bachelor’s degree in finance and business from Thomas More University. Beyond her corporate responsibilities, her board service spans organizations including the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, One Louisville, PARC, the Leadership Louisville Center, the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport, and Endeavor.

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“I’m honored to serve as chair of the Kentucky Chamber and to work alongside such a strong group of business leaders from across the Commonwealth,” Halbauer said following the announcement.

The executive committee accompanying Halbauer and Fugate includes John Crockett of LG&E and KU Energy as treasurer. Patrick Coleman of Houchens Industries takes on the role of vice chair for administration, Brian Cromer of Stites & Harbison serves as vice chair for communications and marketing, Steven Lee of CRH Americas Materials is vice chair for membership and business services, and Carlos Sanchez of AT&T Kentucky handles public affairs as vice chair. Jennifer Barber of FBT Gibbons chairs the Kentucky Chamber Foundation, while Ray Daniels of Equity Solutions Group serves as the small-business at-large member alongside other appointees from Messer Construction, Duke Energy-Kentucky, and V-Soft Consulting.

Kim Halbauer Elected Chair of Kentucky Chamber of Commerce — Photo: linknky.com

Newly Elected Directors

The chamber also named new directors for the 2026-27 term.

“The Chamber has an important role in bringing employers together, addressing the challenges facing our businesses, and advancing opportunities for Kentucky’s future,” Halbauer said.