By MICHAEL CRIMMINS
Glasgow News 1
In a conference room with a red throne at the head, a modestly sized group of business leaders in and around Barren County chatted informally as they waited for the start of their weekly Total Networking Team — the local chapter of Business Network International.
The local group of like-minded individuals was founded in 2010 and meets weekly on Thursday to report on their business operations, ask for specific referrals and network with one another. Currently the chapter has 29 members — though over the course of its 14-year lifespan has had roughly 100 pass through — that range from banks, pest control companies, insurance agents, construction and roofing companies, and even nonprofits like the Barren County Family YMCA.
Their Aug. 8 meeting was somewhat of a departure from the norms as they gathered to celebrate the $10 million in actualized business — referred to by them as “Thank You For Closed Business” — over the chapter’s life-span.
“Our BNI group has been together since May 2010…today we’re celebrating passing over $10 million in ‘Thank You For Closed Business’ since [our founding],” Scott Kerley, event coordinator, said. “That’s real business that each of our members participate in and add it to their bottom line.”
Stephanie Matthews, current president of the TNT group, said this milestone was not only an impressive achievement for the group, but also good news for the local area as well.
“I think this is a pretty significant economic development number,” Matthews said. “All of these people in this group are Barren County Businesses and that contributes to the local economy, that’s building families and that’s creating a lot of goodwill among the businesses in this community.”
In addition to celebrating the $10 million achievement broadly, the local chapter also presented individual members with awards for their personal contributions including awards for most visitors, lifetime one-to-ones, lifetime continued education units and most referrals given.
Sheila Perkins with Edward Jones Financial Advisors placed third in “Thank You For Closed Business.” Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
James Ford with Ford’s HVAC got second place in the “Thank You For Closed Business” category. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Mike Cox with Haywood Sales & Service received the lifetime “most referrals given” award. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Scott Kerley with Kerley Construction received the lifetime “one-to-one” award during the Aug. 8 TNT meeting. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Kerley also won the lifetime “CEU” award. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
Karisa Peterson with German American Bank won the lifetime “most visitors” award. Michael Crimmins/Glasgow News 1.
